Oxford
| Host Institutions: | Oxford Brookes University - Semester/Academic Year program |
| Eligibility Rules: | click here |
| Credits: | Students can earn 12-15 semester credits per semester. |
| Academic Focus: | Over 50 subject areas to choose from. Click here for course offerings. |
| Curriculum: | Semester students take 4 courses. |
| Housing: | Students live in on-campus apartments in the Oxford Brookes Halls of Residence. Each apartment has its own bathroom(s) and kitchen and houses 5-9 students; bedrooms are single-occupancy. No meals are included. Sample Day Excursions: Stonehenge; Wales |
| Sample Overnight Excursions: | Paris, Dublin, Pony trekking in Wales |
Why Oxford?
- Historic university town
- Located just 1 hour from London by bus or train
- Full integration with British students
- OBU offers an extraordinarily wide variety of courses
- 1 in every 5 residents of Oxford is a student
- Active music scene
City Description - Small city of 140,000
Located one hour from London by bus or train, Oxford is one of the oldest and most charming university towns in the world. Once you step foot in Oxford, you'll find out what has made this city a favorite of students, scholars, writers, and tourists for close to a millennium! With a population of approximately 140,000, and breathtaking Gothic architecture, Oxford is one of the most captivating cities in Europe, as well as one of the most intellectually charged. It's no surprise that 1 in every 5 people in Oxford is a student, since it has a perfect mix of inspiration for learning with an abundance of extra-curricular possibilities.
Oxford's nickname, "The City of Dreaming Spires," reflects not only the city's striking architectural appearance, but also its creative and forward-thinking sensibilities. Oxford is rich in history, having been established as a township since the 9th century. Oxford was called "Oxenaforda" during the Saxon era (8th century), and the city of Oxford began to grow from the St. Frideswide's nunnery built in the 8th century.
The city itself was first mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle in the year 912. And of course, Oxford is home to one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world, Oxford University, which traces its roots to the end of the 11th century. In fact, fans of the Harry Potter series can relive scenes from the first three Harry Potter movies, which were partially filmed on Oxford University's campus.
Today, Oxford is a diverse and cosmopolitan city that has everything one would expect - shops, theatres, museums, pubs, cinemas, markets, and countless restaurants featuring cuisines from around the world. The city also has a literary pedigree, as Oxford has more published authors per square mile than anywhere in the world, and has been the home of such well-known authors as Lewis Carroll, C.S. Lewis, and J.R.R. Tolkien. And, Oxford is also home to the BMW Mini!
Students will find Oxford to be incredibly convenient both in location and accessibility, since almost any part of the city can be reached by foot or bus. Oxford's top-notch public bus system makes it easy for students explore their host city; plus, Oxford's train and bus stations will take you anywhere you want to go in Great Britain, for reasonable fares. There's even 24-hour bus service to and from London, costing as little as £7 (approx. US$14) round trip, which means you can visit London anytime the mood strikes. You could hop on a bus on a Sunday night to catch a West End (Broadway) show in London and make it back in time for class on Monday morning. With London just an hour's ride away, you can enjoy the best of two worlds - head off to London at a moment's notice and feel the energy of one of the world's biggest, cosmopolitan cities and then come home to Oxford's intellectual oasis to live, grow, and learn.
With Oxford's fascinating blend of the ancient and the modern, students will find themselves in the perfect spot for a semester or year abroad. It is a place whose history and people will stimulate your curiosity and desire to learn, and simultaneously fulfill your need for fun and excitement. Bustling in some parts and green and peaceful in others, Oxford has more than enough to keep you busy during your free time, yet will also inspire you to pursue your most far-off academic goals, amongst the "dreaming spires."
Oxford Brookes University
Located just minutes from the Oxford city center, Oxford Brookes University offers ASA students an ideal environment for their study abroad experience. Currently, Oxford Brookes is home to 19,000 students, 73% of whom are at the undergraduate level, and offers undergraduate classes (called "modules") in over 145 subject areas. Not only does Oxford Brookes have the top-notch academics, facilities, and opportunities that one would expect from any large U.S. university, but it is also located in one of the most historically and intellectually rich cities in the world.
Oxford Brookes University began its life as the Oxford School of Art in 1865 and changed names twice before officially becoming Oxford Brookes University in 1991. Despite being a new university, Oxford Brookes has received several awards for excellence. For the last five years, Brookes has been named "Best New University" by the Sunday Times University Guide, and in 2006 it was named "Leading Modern University." Best of all, in a recent survey, 96% of Brookes' international students would recommend Oxford Brookes University to prospective students - and who better to advocate Oxford Brookes than students who have already studied abroad there.
With approximately 2,500 international students, you certainly won't be alone as a visiting student! Brookes provides support and guidance geared specifically toward international students, not only to help you adjust to life on campus, but also to encourage you take advantage of the countless facilities and opportunities that the university has to offer. Brookes' International Office and the International Student Advisory Centre (ISAS) are available for support anytime. These two groups plan orientation (called "induction") and social events, so you can get to know other Brookes students. Upon arrival, you will also be assigned your own personal academic advisor.
Oxford Brookes is proud to be the first university in the world to be awarded Fairtrade status, meaning everything bought and sold on campus carries the Fairtrade mark. In addition, 100% of the electricity used on campus comes from renewable resources. Brookes is committed to being an environmentally sustainable and ethically responsible place to study.
As an Oxford Brookes student, much of your on-campus life will be intertwined with the Students' Union. This organization is run by students, for students and is the center of campus nightlife and home to Brookes' 70+ active student clubs and societies. Some of these clubs include Amnesty International, Choral and Orchestral Society, Politics Society, and many other cultural and special interest groups. The Students' Union publishes a free newspaper, "OBScene," that has news and reviews, and will keep you up-to-date on what's going on around campus and in the city of Oxford. And don't forget to stop by "The Venue," which hosts several club nights per week and attracts big name bands, such as Franz Ferdinand.
Right on campus you'll find a well-stocked bookstore, cafes, and shops selling school supplies, snacks magazines, etc. The Headington Shops are just a short walk up the road from Headington Hill campus, where you'll find a pharmacy, supermarkets, gift shops, post office, and much more.
Oxford Brookes offers everything a student hopes for when they study abroad in England - a true British university experience, top-notch teaching and facilities, full integration with British students, and a multitude of course options.
The Campuses of Oxford Brookes
Brookes has 3 campuses right in Oxford: Headington, Wheatley, and Harcourt Hill. The majority of the university's modules are taught at the Headington Campus, located one mile from the city center. The Wheatley Campus covers Business, IT, and Mathematics modules and is the furthest from the city centre, seven miles. Lastly, modules in Education, Philosophy, and Media/Communication take place on Brookes' Harcourt Hill Campus, which is 2.5 miles from the city center.
Transportation to and from the campuses is not a concern though, because Oxford Brookes University has its own bus line called the Brookes Bus, which is free to all students living in the Halls of Residence. The Brookes Bus offers free service to all 3 campuses, and discounted service to almost anywhere in Oxford for just 70p per ride. In addition, the Brookes Bus makes a trip to the Tesco supermarket every weekday evening.
Course Offerings
Costs & Dates
| Dates | Price | Application Deadline | Forms & Payment Deadline | Program Code | Apply Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2011 Jan. 21 - May 21 | $14,495 |
Oct. 1, '10 | Oct. 15, '10 | OES | Click Here |
| Fall 2011 Sept. 16 - Dec. 22 | $13,995 |
May 1, '11 | May 15, '11 | OEF | Click Here |
What's Included
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ACADEMIC CREDITS: Students who receive pre-approval from their home institution can transfer the credits they earn in Oxford to their home institution. It is possible to earn 14-15 credits per semester at Oxford Brookes University.
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OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT: At the conclusion of the program, an official transcript from Oxford Brookes University will be sent to your home institution.
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DAY EXCURSIONS: 2 day excursions are included
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ENTRANCE FEES: ASA covers entrance fees to museums and other sites of interest on all organized excursions.
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HOUSING: Students live in on-campus apartments in the Oxford Brookes Halls of Residence. Each apartment has its own bathroom(s) and kitchen and houses 5-9 students; bedrooms are single-occupancy. No meals are included. (*A housing surcharge of $700 will be applied to the fall program fees of students attending an academic year. Click here for details.)
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LOCAL TRANSPORTATION: Included with your on-campus housing is a free Brookes Bus pass which takes you to all of the campuses as well as around Oxford city, and gives you discounted fares on the Oxford city buses.
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TUITION: F Program cost includes full tuition at Oxford Brookes University.
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AIRPORT PICK-UP: Group ground transportation is provided from London Heathrow airport for students who arrive on the official arrival day, by the time designated by ASA. For details on when you should arrive in order to make the airport pick-up for your group, read our FAQs.
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MEDICAL INSURANCE: Medical insurance is provided for the official period of the program. There is no deductible.
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INTERNET ACCESS: All students will have Internet access on campus. Students are encouraged to bring their laptops.
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CELL PHONE: Students will receive a cell phone to use while they are in Oxford. (The cost of all phone usage is the responsibility of the student.)
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ORIENTATION: About a month before departure, you will receive our pre-departure orientation guide that tells you everything from what to pack, to what things cost, to how to speak British English. ASA also sends parents our Parent Guide to Study Abroad after the student has been accepted. Students will also participate in a detailed on-site orientation, upon arrival in their host country.
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ISIC CARD: Students will receive an International Student ID Card along with their orientation guide. This card gives students discounts on travel, shopping, museums, and much more.
Not Included:
- Airfare
- Books for classes
- Personal expenses
- Local transportation
- Student Visa, if required
- Laundry
- Meals
Click here for billing information
NOTE: Above estimated costs are subject to change. If you need a "Costs of Attendance" budget for your financial aid office, or simply need more details about the additional costs listed above, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
