Oxford uses a tutorial model, which is very different than the American style of education. Instead of enrolling in pre-set courses, students work with a faculty member (tutor) who creates a specialized tutorial for the student, with a reading list for the subject matter to be covered. Students are expected to write weekly essays on assigned reading topics, and then meet with their tutor on a regular basis, either singly or in pairs, to discuss the material. Tutorials are supplemented by lectures.
Students normally take two tutorial courses a term, a primary course of eight credits and a secondary course of four credits.
In the application process, students will suggest subject areas and topics based on their curricular needs at TCU. Once accepted, the Director of Visiting Students at St. Catherine’s College with work with students to finalize the topic and subject area. Here are examples of past tutorials. You are not limited to these.
If you are struggling with what to take as a tutorial, you are welcome to email naomi.freud@stcatz.ox.ac.uk, the Director of Studies for Visiting Students.
In addition to the College undergraduate library, students have full access to the University’s main research library, the Bodleian, and may have access to departmental/faculty libraries.
This style of learning requires a high degree of independence, self-study and motivation.
As part of the application, students must have their St. Catz courses pre-approved through the credit approval process.
While you are abroad, you are enrolled in 12 hours of coursework as a placeholder. Your classes will not be posted to your TCU recorded until 8 – 10 weeks after the semester ends, when the transcript from Roehampton is sent. Once the Registrar receives your transcript, they will record the courses using the department codes on your Credit Approval Form (i.e., MARK, HIST) and a generic course code. Your dean’s office will apply these to your major / minor / electives / core as approved.
All coursework, regardless of program type, counts for grades and will be included in your TCU GPA.
For more information about how credits work, see our Study Abroad Basics page.
St. Catherine’s College is one of Oxford’s largest with approximately 675 undergraduate and graduate students. It is generally regarded as one of the friendliest and most open colleges in Oxford.
Visiting Students live in residence halls on the St. Catherine’s campus. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, visiting students are housed in single rooms alongside fully-matriculated students. The rooms are provided with a single bed, bed linens, desk, a bathroom, a wardrobe, and a regular cleaning service. The rooms have connections for laptops as well as wireless connection.
Housing is not included between terms. Students can apply for vacation residence in 2nd or 3rd week prior to the holidays, via an email from the St. Catz accommodation manager. It is not guaranteed but costs approximately £26 per night. TCU Global can work with St. Catz to have this charged to the TCU Student Account.
Meals are not included in the program fee. However, students have access to shared kitchen facilities which include a stove top, fridge, microwave, kettle and small cupboard space. Breakfast, lunch, cafeteria-style dinner, and a three-course evening meal are also available in the dining hall on a pay-as-you-go basis.
Costs for 2024 – 2025
TCU bills tuition and program fees to the TCU Student Account.
Fees for Michaelmas Term Only (i.e., Fall 2024)
- TCU Tuition: TCU Fall 2024 block tuition = 12 credit hours
- Program Fee: $2700 – includes St. Catherine’s housing and insurance fees.
- Additional Expenses: Airfare, visa fees, meals, books, personal spending money and other outside expenses not included in the program fee. Individual budgets are highly variable.
Fees for Hilary and Trinity Terms (i.e., Spring 2025):
- TCU Tuition: TCU Spring 2025 block tuition + 8 credits of summer tuition = 24 credit hours
- Program Fee: $5200 – includes St. Catherine’s housing and insurance fees.
- Additional Expenses: Housing between terms, airfare, visa fees, meals, books, personal spending money and other outside expenses not included in the program fee. Individual budgets are highly variable.
Fees for Michaelmas, Hilary and Trinity Terms (i.e., full academic year, 2024 – 2025):
- TCU Tuition: TCU Fall 2024 tuition + Spring 2025 tuition + 8 credits of summer tuition
- Program Fee: $7700 – includes St. Catherine’s housing and insurance fees.
- Additional Expenses: Housing between terms, airfare, visa fees, meals, books, personal spending money and other outside expenses not included in the program fee. Individual budgets are highly variable.
Estimated Additional Expenses: For other outside expenses not included in the program fee. Individual budgets are highly variable. This may include:
— Airfare: $1,400
— Books: $200
— Housing between terms: $1000
— Meals/Groceries: $2,000
— Local Transportation: $150
— Personal Expenses: $2,000
— Travel Expenses: Highly variable
Visit the Scholarships & Aid page to learn about study abroad scholarships, through TCU and other organizations. In particular, applicants should look at the:
- TCU International Studies Award
- Study Abroad Grant (only for students completing both Hilary & Trinity terms)