# Oxford: How to Apply ## Oxford: How to Apply ![oxford campus](/sites/g/files/omnuum9021/files/styles/hwp_21_9__1920x825/public/2025-11/Oxford_campus%202_0.jpg?itok=6DHB2JA7) ## expand\_more ## On This Page [Before You Start](#before) [Eligibility](#Eligibility) [choosing](#Choosing-a-College) [Approved Colleges, Application Links, & Deadlines](#approved) [Application Materials](#materials) ## Before You Start ### Plan ahead Applications are due in early spring (as early as January) for the following academic year; this means that you will be applying one year in advance of your study abroad experience. ![city landscape at night](/sites/g/files/omnuum9021/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/2026-02/Joshua%20Allen%20-%20Sense.JPG?itok=8vXn2ppj) ### Oxford’s Calendar The academic year runs from October to June and consists of three 8-week terms (Michaelmas, Hilary, Trinity) with a 6-week break between Hilary and Trinity terms. Students may apply for the academic year (strongly encouraged) or the spring semester (January-June). Each college has a strict visiting student maximum, and some colleges prioritize academic year applications, so be thoughtful about your application. ![Student in front of Oxford library](/sites/g/files/omnuum9021/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/2025-11/Intl%20Student_Borges_Oxford_0.jpg?itok=_dCgIzDb) ## Eligibility - Minimum GPA (varies by college): 3.7-3.8 - Students must be a junior or senior at the time of study abroad - You must commit to studying during a full academic year abroad (October – June) or spring two terms (January – June). **IMPORTANT**: Many **summer internships** begin prior to the end of Trinity term in late June and not all colleges will accommodate an early departure. In addition, **the OIE will not authorize departure more than a week prior to the official end of Trinity Term**. See Oxford’s [academic calendar](https://www.ox.ac.uk/about/facts-and-figures/dates-of-term) for the precise end date and consider if spring term study at Oxford will be compatible with potential summer commitments. - Students should have completed 3-5 courses in the concentration prior to departure - Non-native English speakers must meet Oxford’s language English proficiency requirement ## Choosing a College To find the college that best suits you, consider the following: - Identify your academic goals and the approved colleges that offer your concentration(s) - Keep in mind that not all colleges offer STEM fields, and in many instances, science and engineering are restricted to full-year students. - Not all fields of study offered by a college are available to visiting students. - Consider your extracurricular and personal goals, and identify which colleges can support those goals - Review specific college websites to get a sense of the infrastructure, amenities, traditions, ethos, and extracurricular offerings (clubs, societies, sports) - Connect with the respective visiting student program director via email and Zoom - View recent Harvard student panels ([2022](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:v:/s/OIE2/EUvMdbjlXypGnNRMUKWuBPQBP8MKdVbVbgrbo42flSe2xA?e=a3820A), [2023](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:v:/s/OIE2/EZYTlFDxnUVInKP7-Ko-TqsB3LWlQ3FpgXBIxg4XeXNlrA?e=iOMHdc), [2024](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:v:/s/OIE2/EZpUhIuMgexEkG_bKkL275cB-_enEqxINKbCBIZEkiHK6w?e=ZZdUVz), [2025](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:v:/s/FAS-OIE/IQDWvrMt9z7_QZfLkuhvJH9cAbcmi503coUyul3AnFF4P0k?e=EtLnsN)) and testimonials ([St. Anne's](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:v:/s/OIE2/ESYQueqT4_lBusGFu3eCFEIBThqyMfDWTrvz8GFY2ZdqQA?e=ikFwLR) and [St. Catz](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:v:/s/OIE2/ERHZ0e0wJa1Cm6T02BCXoicB8tVX6SjEOwAtO-1Ar_IrxQ?e=aRtpyG)) - Contact OIE [Student Advisors](/student-advisers) and [Student Ambassadors](/https:/oie.fas.harvard.edu/student-ambassadors) for feedback on their college ## Approved Colleges, Application Links, & Deadlines - Applications are due early in the spring term for the following academic year; this means that you will be applying one year in advance of your study abroad experience. - Apply early as space at each college is limited, and admission may be rolling. In some cases, this will mean submitting an application as early as mid-December or early January. - Deadlines vary by college so consult the respective Visiting Student Programme page for the most updated information. - ***If you accept an offer**, please inform the OIE and complete the* [*OIE transfer credit process*](https://oie.fas.harvard.edu/term-time-apply) *at the start of the term prior to departure (**October 1 for spring, March 1 for fall**).* - In addition to applying to Oxford for admission, you must also complete the OIE's *Request Course Approval* process. - If you are applying to Oxford for the academic year, please contact before March 1 to request an application link for the fall semester. ### Hertford College 1\) [Visiting Student Program & Application Details](https://prod-oie.drupalsites.harvard.edu/hertford-college) 2\) [Request Course Approval](http://studyabroad.fas.harvard.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgram&Program_ID=10069) ![Hertford College](/sites/g/files/omnuum9021/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-11/HertfordCollege.jpeg?itok=Fx33UUsG) ### Lady Margaret Hall 1\) [Visiting Student Program & Application Details](https://www.lmh.ox.ac.uk/study-here/undergraduate-visiting-students) 2\) [Request Course Approval](http://studyabroad.fas.harvard.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgram&Program_ID=10081) ![Lady Margaret Hall](/sites/g/files/omnuum9021/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-11/Lady%20Margaret%20Hall2.jpeg?itok=cLKK7Oy-) ### Mansfield College (no STEM fields) 1\) [Visiting Student Program & Application Details](https://www.mansfield.ox.ac.uk/study-here/visiting-student-programme/) 2\) [Request Course Approval](http://studyabroad.fas.harvard.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgram&Program_ID=5116) ![Mansfield College](/sites/g/files/omnuum9021/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-11/Mansfield%20.jpeg?itok=i4gmS8Zj) ### Oriel College 1\) [Visiting Student Program & Application Details](https://www.oriel.ox.ac.uk/study-with-us/undergraduates/visiting-students-programme/) 2\) [Request Course Approval](http://studyabroad.fas.harvard.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgram&Program_ID=10072) ![Oriel College](/sites/g/files/omnuum9021/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-11/AdobeStock_295433309.jpeg?itok=VXMixKPE) ### Regent’s Park College 1\) [Visiting Student Program & Application Details](https://www.rpc.ox.ac.uk/study-here/visiting-students/) 2\) [Request Course Approval](http://studyabroad.fas.harvard.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgram&Program_ID=5113) ![Regent's Park College, Oxford University](/sites/g/files/omnuum9021/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-12/regents%20park.jpg?h=8daed93d&itok=P7IsuITr) [### St. Anne’s College ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlnB8vfUUm4)1\) [Visiting Student Program & Application Details](https://www.st-annes.ox.ac.uk/study-here/visiting-students/) 2\) [Request Course Approval](http://studyabroad.fas.harvard.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgram&Program_ID=10043) ![St. Anne’s College](/sites/g/files/omnuum9021/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-11/AdobeStock_365875654.jpeg?itok=_d6Mzvq0) ### St. Catherine’s College 1\) [Visiting Student Program & Application Details](https://www.stcatz.ox.ac.uk/prospective-students/visiting-students/) 2\) [Request Course Approval](http://studyabroad.fas.harvard.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgram&Program_ID=5114) ![St. Catherine’s College](/sites/g/files/omnuum9021/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-11/AdobeStock_3896821.jpeg?itok=jvIxGx5T) ### St. Edmund’s Hall 1\) [Visiting Student Program & Application Details](https://www.seh.ox.ac.uk/discover/explore-teddy-hall/visiting-the-college) 2\) [Request Course Approval](http://studyabroad.fas.harvard.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgram&Program_ID=10021) ![St. Edmund’s Hall](/sites/g/files/omnuum9021/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-11/AdobeStock_1234667337_Editorial_Use_Only.jpeg?itok=FqY150hr) ### St. Peter’s College 1\) [Visiting Student Program & Application Details](https://www.spc.ox.ac.uk/study-here/visiting-students) 2\) [Request Course Approval ](http://studyabroad.fas.harvard.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgram&Program_ID=5115) ![St. Peter’s College](/sites/g/files/omnuum9021/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-11/AdobeStock_232905446.jpeg?itok=wBY1VZ_r) ### Worcester College 1\) [Visiting Student Program & Application Details](https://prod-oie.drupalsites.harvard.edu/worcester-college) 2\) [Request Course Approval](http://studyabroad.fas.harvard.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgram&Program_ID=10044) ![Worcester College oxford](/sites/g/files/omnuum9021/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-11/AdobeStock_350492858.jpeg?itok=PIAl378b) ## Application Materials A strong application requires careful thought, advanced planning, and advising conversations (e.g., the respective Oxford college visiting student program director, concentration adviser(s), etc.). Colleges generally require the following materials: - [Official transcript](https://registrar.fas.harvard.edu/transcript/order-transcript) - Visiting Student Program application form (some may require the OIE’s signature) - Two letters of recommendation focused on your academic abilities and strengths and why you will succeed at Oxford; at least one letter from someone who has taught you in the discipline to which you are applying - Two graded writing samples from the discipline to which you are applying; at least one from the concentration. For STEM students, one sample may be a lab report, exam, or problem set. - Statement of Purpose (speak strictly to your academic goals and motivation for applying to a particular college) - Tutorial Selection - Subjects should be related and not span more than two disciplines (e.g. History and Government). A list of past tutorial topics may be available on the respective college’s website. - Some colleges will accommodate bespoke tutorials. - The admissions team works diligently to assign students to tutors with expertise in the subject who will guide their studies and challenge their analytical skills.