The University of Oxford is a research university of international renown.  Its libraries, museums, and faculty attract scholars and students from all over the world.  Students admitted to the SSO programme have the chance to use Oxford’s libraries and to experience its prized method of undergraduate teaching: the tutorial method.  The opportunity for intense study, for learning with tutors who themselves undertake high quality research, and alongside other committed and gifted students, and for taking responsibility for managing independent study gives SSO students an experience which is valuable in its own right, and as preparation for graduate or professional school and professional life

SSO students spend one or two semesters at Oxford, earning 17 credits each semester.  The first semester (normally the fall semester) consists of the following elements:

• Tutorials (9 credits)
• Integrative seminar 4 credits)
• British Landscape (4 credits)

Any semester is valuable in its own right, but can be complemented with a second semester (normally the following spring semester) when the programme consists of :

• Tutorials (9 credits)
• Thesis (4 credits) 
• Further studies in the British Landscape (4 credits)

Putting it all together

Study may be focused in concentrations which are either disciplinary (for example English language and literature, or philosophy) or thematic (for example history of science, history of art, or philosophy of language).   Students may alternatively follow a personalised learning programme.  Click here for more details.

This programme may be subject to minor amendments from term to term.

 For answers to other questions please go to the Frequently Asked Questions page.