Education Abroad & Exchange - Oxford

Trinity College, Oxford

Overview

Oxford is a truly unique academic institution and is, in fact, the oldest English-speaking university in the world. Teaching at Oxford has gone on since the 11th century, and some of the oldest colleges were founded in the 13th century. Oxford University today consists of 39 independent, self-governing colleges which are responsible for the welfare and progress of their undergraduates. The university sets the overall academic standards and defines the requirements for each of its degrees. It maintains laboratories and large libraries, lecture halls and museums. It conducts examinations and confers degrees. The individual colleges provide tutorial teaching, library and recreational facilities, and housing.

Trinity College is set in spacious grounds and gardens in the very center of the city of Oxford and is only a few yards from the Bodleian Library, the main Oxford University Library. Trinity was founded in 1555 on the site of the medieval Durham College. Its history is reflected in the variety of its buildings, which range in period from the 14th century to the present day. The most beautiful are those of the late 17th century, especially the chapel and the Garden Quad designed by Sir Christopher Wren. Trinity is one of the smallest Oxford colleges in terms of student numbers (ca. 250), yet its strong sense of community and excellent facilities provide the ideal environment for hard work and academic achievement.

Oxford offers students a unique learning experience through its tutorial system, whereby students meet at least once a week with their college tutors (professors), either on a one-to-one basis or with one or two other students. Tutors assign subjects of inquiry, essays and set problems, and students then work independently to read, conduct research, prepare essays, and formulate theories about the topics at hand. The tutorial system relies on the active exchange of ideas between tutors and students, and students must be prepared to give and defend opinions as well as to accept constructive criticism and advice. Students are responsible for planning their own time to ensure that the necessary work gets done.

Visiting students live on the main college site and eat in Hall. There is a well-stocked library, which is constantly updated to cater to the needs of undergraduates across the range of subjects taught at Trinity. A general computing and word-processing room is open to all students, and all study-bedrooms have access to the Internet. Other facilities include a squash court, Junior and Middle Common Rooms, Arts Room and a beer cellar. Off-site there is a sports ground and a boathouse. Dramatic and music societies flourish alongside a range of other clubs.

UMass Amherst may propose three undergraduate applicants, of which one may be permitted to attend Trinity for the full academic year of study (late September to late June). Applicants must be sophomores or juniors, have a cumulative grade point average of 3.7 and must have at least three courses in the field they wish to study at Trinity. Students may apply to the following courses of study at Trinity: English, History PPE (Philosophy, Politics & Economics), and Physics (by examination to determine the level of proficiency). The application process consists of submitting the International Study Program Application, an official transcript, two letters of recommendation from professors in the field of study, and a relevant essay or term paper. Qualified applicants will be interviewed by a selection committee in early December. Candidates' portfolios will be forwarded to the Trinity College admissions committee, which will have complete discretion in making the final selection of one visiting student. The UMass student accepted by Trinity College must agree to follow the course of study prescribed by the tutors at Trinity College.

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