Housing Standards

All of our housing is above the normal standard for British students in Oxford and is furnished to normal standard. (Any extras, ­ coffee mugs rather than ordinary cups, etc.- are the responsibility of the students).

We believe it is important that you should have comfortable housing within a reasonably short distance from the center (If you talk to British students living in "digs", you will find almost all of them do not have modern housing and they mostly live further away than you do). This is because owners of good houses are reluctant to rent to students (but they will rent to a reputable educational foundation). This kind of housing makes it possible for you to concentrate on your studies and get much more out of your time in Oxford.

"The OSAP events were wonderful, very social."

MA, Salve Regina

All housing units are equiped with color televisions and videos. We have a video library of over 1100 films, both educational (Shakespeare, Victorian novels, history etc.) and popular films which students may easily borrow. Watching the news and certain programs will enable you to learn much more about Britain.

By living so close to their college, our students are able to dine in College easily and get much more out of their relatively short time in Oxford and they save a lot of money. (College meals are subsidized - cheap restaurants would charge more).

We are able to guarantee that students will be offered housing with British (or non-American) students, in either a modern flat or an older house with one British and 2-5 American students (barring last minute drop-outs).

Very few overseas programs in Britain are able to offer substantially integrated student housing. (There are several US colleges which operate their own academic programs in Oxford. So far as we know all but a few house their students primarily with other Americans only).

College Housing: Students who come through OSAP are eligible for rooms in the main college (or in annexes) and sometimes we are able to obtain such a room because a student has dropped out of the college at the last minute, etc. (If we do so, we will allocate it by lot from those who have requested British housing, and add a surcharge.) However, you will understand that the Oxford colleges are only able to house about half their students in the Main Quad. As a result, preference is naturally given to first year and third year degree candidates, followed by graduate students. College room allocations are usually determined by the junior common rooms (student unions) who are careful to be scrupulously fair to all students.

Very few one year overseas students are able to obtain rooms in their colleges. It is fair to point out that there are some disadvantages to college rooms (you have only a room--no sitting room, no dining room or kitchen and the bathroom is down the hall, or in the basement.) There is usually only a pay phone some yards away. Some students complain about the lack of privacy and of course the rules are strict and are tightly enforced. The main advantage is location and being near 200 other students.

We include some basic rules written in part by Oxford housing Agents. If you follow them your housing problems will be kept to a minimum and you will have few, if any, charges against your security deposit. You should not worry about charges if you are reasonably careful. We have always paid any doubtful charges and not taken them out of your deposit...we expect to continue this practice, but we do, of course, ask your cooperation. If we all work together, everything will go smoothly.

Unlike most overseas study programs in Britain (which usually assign students to double and triple rooms in run-down areas often an hour away (by bus or the tube) from the college) we ask for your preferences and do our best to secure your first or second choice.

"This term, the academic program has been outstanding - all my tutors were excellent."

MC, University of Chicago

Students may view photos of our housing on our website and they can choose according to their own preferences.

Since housing in the very center of Oxford is very expensive, we have to have a surcharge for the more expensive rooms. Every student may choose normal housing still near the center at no extra charge.

A few students will ask why they can't live right next to their college in the very center. There are only a few such rooms available for rent to students, as a look at the listings in Daily Information (www.dailyinfo.co.uk) will immediately show. The few rooms available are extremely expensive– the same "location to price" ratio would apply at New York University, etc. As a result, our housing is as close to the center as it is possible to get.

No specific housing can ever be guaranteed in advance. However, if one of our staff (perhaps temporary) should inadvertently promise you specific housing that promise cannot be held valid unless confirmed in writing. (We stress this point in every acceptance letter. Our staff are very much aware of this policy but we want to warn you in advance since misunderstanding is always a possibility).

We often discuss housing choices with students on the phone before their arrival.

Most British or Commonwealth students (once in a while there will be another foreign student from Germany, France etc.) in our housing will be Oxford degree seeking candidates. Sometimes such a student will have to drop out at the last minute for some reason. In that case, since most Oxford students will already have their housing for the year we may invite in a British student from Oxford Brookes University (the other university and a very good one) or a recent graduate or young professional.

Housing is assigned by our housing officer (taking into account all your preferences). In the past, he has always been able to offer students either their first (usually) or their second choice. However particular housing can only be offered for one term. We reserve the right to move a student in the second or third term if necessary. A student who violates rules will have to be moved elsewhere.

It is not practical for the Oxford colleges to interview overseas students in advance (as is done with almost all degree candidates, except those from overseas). It happens very seldom, but it does happen, that a JYA student is uncooperative (or even rude) toward his or her British housemates or flatmates. The reputation of all American students in Oxford then suffers as a result. Such a student would have to be moved, perhaps even during the middle of the term.

If a house has noisy parties at night which disturb neighbors, the landlord may require all the students to leave the house and find thier own housing for the rest of the term. This happens rarely, but it has happened.

"The academic program was very worthwhile - my tutors cared about my education, it's been very organized, fun and fulfilling. The academic opportunities are unparalleled being at Oxford, and the social activities were a nice addition. I also liked living with British students."

KG, University of Washington

In general, applicants for overseas study should ask themselves (as your overseas advisers have surely pointed out) whether or not they are ready to live in a foreign country and accept different customs and standards. A student who is self-centered and discourteous towards other people (students, teachers, staff, etc.) would not be welcome in Oxford and should not come.

In addition to the housing rules set below, please remember that your admissions letter noted that we pay all utilities charges up to the high level of £6 a week (except for telephones, as described in the 'Telephone Section')

When you leave for vacation periods, remember to lock up and turn off utilities. If you are leaving after one term in Oxford, please return your key; you will be charged £50 for any missing keys.

Some of our houses have large gardens and large rooms suitable for parties. We reserve the right (upon two week's notice) to hold a party (Thanksgiving, etc.) for the benefit of all students in an individual building. We have found by experience that almost all students are happy to co-operate with such communal events.

Also, you must bear in mind that theft does exist in Oxford. You should make sure that your insurance policy covers you for theft or damages to property while you are in Oxford. Neither the University, nor your landlords nor we can be in any way responsible for any loss while you are in Oxford. You should be sure your flats are always locked while you are out and leave a light on when you leave (burglars rarely enter an inhabited flat). Leaving a radio on at a low level may also help. Anything especially valuable (stereo, etc.) should be hidden under a bed or in a cabinet when not in use. Burglars usually act very quickly and steal things in plain sight. Be careful not to leave cameras, wallets, etc. in your coats when you hang them around Oxford.

We include those rules written in part by housing agents for students living in their flats. Please remember that agents are very concerned that the flats are returned to their owners in good condition and that any damage charges are kept to an absolute minimum. The regulations that they have written are not meant to hector you, but they believe by being very plain, they will be of help to you in the long run. It is best to call our staff before calling the landlord since we can deal more effectively on your behalf, sometimes we can solve the problem right away ourselves.