OSAP works closely with four Oxford colleges: New College, Trinity College, Magdalen College, and Oriel College. All are very old, and typically rank among Oxford’s top colleges–academically and otherwise. You can find a succinct history of each college, along with important facts and information, on our website, or you peruse the colleges’ own websites for more detailed information:
OSAP Website
College Websites
Though all of the colleges with which we are affiliated are within easy walking distance of city centre Oxford, the map below might prove useful.
Please read this section carefully. It will be of great help to you. (This information repeats in one place what you have been told in your Student Handbook, your Acceptance Letter, your Welcome Packet and at Orientation.)
At the end of every term, in their evaluation, some students say it was very difficult to meet British students. Usually the same students wrote they dined in college only once a week (or never). Some wrote “too far to go.” These students actually lived within a 5–10 minute walk of the college. Some wrote “l don’t live in college so I can’t integrate easily.” The student who wrote this lived across the street from her college! Over half the British students don’t live in the main college site, and yet still take full advantage of all their college has to offer.
Some wrote the British are “unfriendly.” In fact, they are as friendly as anyone else is. It is true that they tend to be a little reserved at first.
When you arrive anywhere for the first time it is necessary to make an effort to get to know people (as you did in your US home college in your Freshers’ year). It is true that no one in Oxford is going to come to your bedroom door with a Welcome Wagon. You have to go to them.
You can integrate better and get more out of your relatively short overseas study period by following 3 simple rules.
There are a number of common Oxford expressions not much used in the outside world (some are used throughout Britain but are not in common use in North America and elsewhere). You may download a list of some of these expressions here:
Download Some Variations in our Common Language
Additionally, Oxford University has also helpfully published a glossary of jargon unique to Oxford which you may find interesting and helpful. You can find it here.
How are college assignments made?
A number of factors determine your college assignment. Your proposed course of study is an important consideration. While all Oxford colleges teach a wide range of subjects, some do not offer teaching in particular areas (e.g. Trinity College does not offer teaching in psychology (hence the Trinity College Library will not have a vast number of psychology books).
Other factors include the timing of your application (the date it was completed) and the content of your personal statement—-some students express a preference for a particular college at the time of their application.
Colleges also have an interest in geographical diversity; ideally the OSAP contingent in each college will reflect a diversity of background not only in respect of where students come from but also in terms of the type of universities they attend at home (large state universities, small Liberal Arts colleges, etc.).
As one of the largest Oxford colleges, New College is able to accept more OSAP students than smaller colleges. All of the colleges with which OSAP is affiliated—-New College, Trinity College, Magdalen College and Oriel College-—are among the oldest, richest, and most academically distinguished colleges in the University of Oxford. It is difficult to justify a claim that any one of these colleges is “better” than the other three.
When will I be informed of my college affiliation?
Because of the nature of the admissions process, Visiting Students are accepted by either New College or Magdalen College and are thus informed of their college placement at the time of their acceptance.
Associate Members are informed of their college placement (in either New College, Trinity College, or Oriel College) during the Orientation Programme. This information dictates which college induction you should attend (again, a part of the Orientation Programme and a session which will be clearly outlined on your Orientation Schedule).
How do I join college clubs or societies?
Associate Members and Visiting Students are usually able to join the Oxford clubs and societies in which they are interested. A complete listing of these clubs and societies can at www.ox.ac.uk/students/life/clubs/list. We recommend that you contact the president or captain of the club or society in which you are interested and explain your status (Associate Member/Visiting Student, and your college affiliation), your length of time in Oxford (1, 2, or 3 terms), and your interest in joining. In the past, clubs have been very welcoming to our students.
How do I dine in college?
Most colleges require you to sign up in order to dine in college, and as each Oxford college manages their dining differently, be sure always to check with your college liaison officer for specific details. In general, Associate Members and Visiting Students are required to sign up for dinners 12-24 hours in advance of the meal–usually by the morning of the meal, or sometimes the day before. Most colleges offer an online booking system, about which your liaison can give you more information.
Oxford colleges typically offer “Formal Hall” 1-3 times weekly. Oftentimes this formal dinner immediately follows an informal dinner, and requires guests to wear a dark suit (or equivalent) and an academic gown, which are sometimes available from the OSAP office (with a £20 deposit). You may also buy new or used gowns at Shepherd and Woodward on High Street.
What should I do if a college porter does not recognize me and prevents me from entering the college?
Every so often, porters in the college lodge may not be familiar with the latest student list (these lists change every few months). Bear in mind that you should always identify yourself as a “WISC” student and tell the porters that you are an Associate Member or Visiting Student for the Michaelmas/Hilary/Trinity/Summer term(s). You can (and should) always refer them to the OSAP office (tel: 01865 201132). Let us know immediately if this happens and we will contact the relevant people in college who will be able to help. This may happen now and then since Oxford is very de-centralized (but it is easily fixed!).
The OSAP overseas program in Oxford hosts the largest number of students each year.
MORE INFO"My academic program was very good."
"The academic program was very strong. The New College administration was helpful at all times; the OSAP admin was also helpful."