As with all Holy Cross Study Abroad programs, admission to Oxford (Lady Margaret Hall, Mansfield College, Oriel College or St Edmund Hall) is a two-step process. Students first apply to Holy Cross Study Abroad for permission to apply to Oxford.  The minimum requirements for step one (applying to Holy Cross for permission to apply to Oxford) are, at the time of your application, a cumulative GPA of 3.7 overall (please note that some Oxford programs have a higher GPA requirement) and a minimum 3.7 in your major(s).  All students who wish to study abroad at Oxford and who meet these minimum requirements are encouraged to apply, but it should be noted that admission to Oxford is highly competitive.  Other factors beyond the GPA minimums at the time of the application are, however, taken into consideration. Applicants are expected to achieve a 3.7 overall in their third semester as well.  Additionally, grades below a 3.7 ("B+" or "B" for example) in the third semester may have a negative impact on your application for permission to apply to Oxford.  Students whose third-semester performance at Holy Cross takes them out of the running for Oxford will be given the opportunity to apply to their second choice.  The decision of the Office of Study Abroad on whether to permit a student to apply to Oxford or not is final. 
 
Name: University of Oxford, Oriel College
Location: Oxford, England
University size: 23,000 (Oriel: 600)
University founded: c. 1096 (Oriel: 1326)
 
Terms available: academic year only
Dates: early October to mid-June.   Start and end dates noted are tentative and subject to change.
Pre-university program: N/A
Maximum capacity:  7 Holy Cross students per academic year: This is a highly competitive program.  We are only able to send 10 students per academic year.  In the event that we receive more applications than available openings, we will select participants with the highest GPAs in their respective majors to attend Oxford-Oriel College. It is advisable that students interested in Oxford-Oriel College arrange to meet with Assistant Director Piper O'Sullivan (posulliv@holycross.edu) to discuss alternative locations in the event that student interest in Oxford-Oriel College exceeds capacity.
  
University website: https://www.oriel.ox.ac.uk/
Visiting Student Website:  https://www.oriel.ox.ac.uk/study-with-us/undergraduates/visiting-students-programme/
Living at Oriel/Student Activities: https://www.oriel.ox.ac.uk/life-at-oriel/living-at-oriel/
Calendar: 
  
Visa fees: Academic year students should plan to spend around $1000 on the UK student visa (the actual number fluctuates and depends on exchange rates with the British Pound)
Housing: Accommodations are in the college (on-campus)
Registration info: Your term will normally be structured around taking a major course, which usually requires 8 tutorials per term (one per week) and a minor course will usually involve 4 tutorials per term (one on alternative weeks). Therefore an average 8-week term for a Visiting Student will involve a total of 12 one-hour tutorials. 
ICIP required: No
Other requirements: N/A
Catalog of Subjects:  https://www.oriel.ox.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/
Courses previously taken by Holy Cross students: https://sa.holycross.edu
On left-side menu, click on Courses Taken Abroad for Holy Cross Credit then select program.
***This is a new program for 2024-2025 so there have been no prior courses taken at Oriel College
Grade equivalency sheet: Available on the Holy Cross Registrar’s website:  http://www.holycross.edu/support-and-resources/office-registrar/study-abroad-equivalencies

*Note: In the UK, classes are called “modules” and majors are called “courses.”
 
A note on academics at Oxford: At Oxford, the essential instrument of teaching is the tutorial system rather than lectures, classroom discussions, or seminars. The tutorial requires a great deal of self-motivation on the part of the student as well as considerable independent organization and research skills. At the tutorial, the student submits a prepared paper on a topic agreed upon with the tutor; the student's paper, attendant readings, and research are the basis of a further discussion of the area under study. Students also regularly attend University lectures and have access to lectures found in the Lecture Lists. Certain classes and seminars may also be available by special permission and arrangement.

All information listed above is subject to change. 

For more information, please contact:
Piper O'Sullivan - Assistant Director
Email: posulliv@holycross.edu
Phone: 508-793-3053
Office:  Smith 218