England: Oxford
Mansfield College at University of Oxford
Mansfield College's Visiting Student Programme offers suitably qualified students the opportunity to come to Oxford as full members of the College and Registered Visiting Students of the University of Oxford. Normally, Mansfield admits approximately 30- 35 visiting students per year. Visiting students typically come from the Ivy League, the most highly selective liberal arts colleges, and a few select public universities. Visiting students study arts, humanities, and social science subjects for one year.
Visiting students have access to all college facilities and are members of the JCR (Junior Common Room - the undergraduate student body). As Registered Visiting Students of the University, they also have access to a wide range of University facilities, including the Bodleian Library, Faculty (subject) libraries, the Oxford University Computing Services, and the great wealth of lectures organized by the University throughout the academic year.
The Visiting Student Programme at Mansfield aims to offer students as close an experience as possible to that of the regular degree-seeking students at Oxford. At the heart of the Oxford teaching system is the tutorial, an hour-long meeting between one to three students and their tutor. Compared to systems where the main vehicle of teaching is the lecture or seminar, the tutorial system places great emphasis upon the independent study skills of the student. In general, students produce one essay (or 'paper') per tutorial which they either hand in to the tutor for marking or read out. The reading of the tutorial essay will lead into a general discussion of the subject matter being explored. Essays are not simply summaries of what a student has read in preparation for a tutorial, but critical engagements with a topic.
During the 8 weeks of term students also have access to University lectures, which they attend at the recommendation of their tutors or out of personal interest. Like regular undergraduate students, visiting students are taught by Fellows and Lecturers of Mansfield and other Colleges within the University.
Academics
Visiting students at Mansfield College can apply to study arts, humanities, and social science subjects in which Mansfield accepts regular degree students (see list below). It may be possible to study tutorials in other subjects within this broad area: in the past students have studied subjects including art history, anthropology, oriental studies, and development studies.
Visiting students at Mansfield are permitted the flexibility to take tutorials in subjects other than their major; however, the tutorial system is not suitable for the study of subjects at an introductory level. Visiting students will be expected to select tutorial options that build on knowledge they have already acquired at their home institutions.
Areas of study available to visiting students:
Classics
Economics
English and Creative Writing
Geography
History
Management
Philosophy
Politics
Theology
Academic Calendar and Credit
The Visiting Student Programme at Mansfield College, Oxford is open to yearlong students only. Students must spend all three terms (Michaelmas, Hilary, and Trinity) in residence at Mansfield.
Program dates are as follows:
25th September: Arrival at Mansfield College and move into accommodation.
Sunday 3rd October: Start of the Visiting Student Orientation Programme.
Sunday 10th October - Sunday 4th December: Michaelmas Term Dates.
Sunday 16th January - Saturday 12th March: Hilary Term Dates.
Sunday 1st May - Saturday 25th June: Trinity Term Dates.
In each term, visiting students pursue one primary subject (normally 8 tutorials) and one secondary subject (normally 4 tutorials). For the academic year, Dickinson students will pursue three primary subject tutorials (one per each of the three Oxford terms) and three secondary subject tutorials (again, one per each Oxford term) for a total of eight Dickinson credits.
Special Requirements
Admission to Mansfield College's Visiting Students Programme is extremely competitive. Participants come from many of the very best U.S. colleges and universities. Typically, participants in the Visiting Programme have cumulative GPAs at or above 3.7. In addition, the tutorial system places great emphasis upon the independent study skills of the student, and successful participants will need to be able to manage their course of study to a much greater degree than is typically required of undergraduates in the American system. Finally, while the academic programme is intended to challenge the very best students, visiting students are expected to be fully engaged in the social and intellectual life of the University outside of their tutorials.
Application Deadline
February 15; The application process will include an interview with faculty and staff familiar with the Oxford system. Interested students should make an advising appointment with the Center for Global Study and Engagement prior to submitting an application.
Program Fee Includes
• tuition and fees
• room and board
• pre-departure and on-site orientations
• academic excursions
The program fee does not include primary health insurance, airfare, passport, visa, immunizations, optional travel, personal expenses, meals and housing during vacations, books or supplies.
Special Requirements
3.8 GPA
For more information, contact:
Brian Brubaker
Director of Study Abroad
Center for Global Study and Engagement
Dickinson College
brubakeb@dickinson.edu
717-245-1341