The traditional Oxford tutorial is usually a one-on-one meeting between tutor and student. Essays are presented weekly and form the basis of tutorial discussions. Students are graded by the same standards expected of degree candidates; grades are based on tutorial essays, tutorial discussions and sometimes written examinations. It will be apparent that the success of the system relies upon your engaging in extensive independent work, using the resources available to you, under the broad guidance of your tutor. The tutor's function is not to spoon-feed knowledge down compliant throats; sometimes you may leave one tutorial armed with only a reading list and the title of your next essay. But through the tutorial method you learn the skills of critical evaluation of material and organisation of ideas not fostered by any other system, which is one reason why Oxford graduates are so highly prized in the outside world. Indeed, one might sum up the tutorial system by saying that its greatest function is to teach you how to teach yourself, probably the most important academic lesson you will ever learn. The flexibility of the individual tutorial allows each student to design a curriculum suited to his or her specific interests and requirements. There is no regular schedule from which to select classes. Instead, students are encouraged to consult with their home college advisers to prepare a program of study which will satisfy credit requirements for their home college and make maximum advantage of their stay in Oxford. This means that the only limit upon courses available (within academic standards) is the imagination of the student. "Excellent academic program - I had good tutors and everything went very smoothly." LS, Stanford University Two tutorial courses are pursued a term. Courses are taught only at the US advanced (junior or senior year) levels. A wide range of courses is available. Almost any upper-division academic subject may be studied, including laboratory courses (such courses must be approved by the Oxford Department). If they wish, students may do academic work for 13 weeks, in addition to a 12 day orientation. The WISC Student Handbook briefly describes hundreds of courses chosen by non-graduating students in the past, together with the names of tutors (with their college affiliations, etc.). A good number of these tutors are especially distinguished - Masters or Vice-Masters of colleges, holders of chairs in subjects, Fellows of the British Academy and Fellows of the Royal Society (eminent scholars in the arts and the sciences), directors of graduate programs, etc. It may be that your home college professors know some of the scholars personally or by reputation. You are encouraged to ask to study with particular scholars. Please consult our Student Handbook on this website. All students will have borrowing rights in at least four libraries, including full use of their college library on the same basis as degree candidates, the Union Society Library (if you choose to join), the city libraries, the Oxford Brookes University Library and the small WISC library. That is, they will have borrowing rights in libraries that hold about one million books. In addition, WISC will pay for half the cost to the student of any academic book bought by the student and given to the WISC library for the benefit of other students. Because fees for both Visiting Students and Associate Members are set on an "average use" basis, there are no refunds for students who choose to enroll in less tutorials (or who choose not to take a certain tour, not to use a certain library, to leave a week or two early, etc.) Students, with academic approval, may enroll in a few extra tutorials at no added cost. Visiting Students (depending on the individual college) will normally study in two primary tutorials (nine plus nine) over 12-13 weeks. Sometimes the Academic Adviser may believe it is educationally desirable for a student to study three courses of six tutorials each. Visiting Students will have full use of the University Library, which has six million books, and the appropriate Faculty Libraries, and may participate in lectures and laboratories, on the same basis as degree candidates. Laboratory use requires the approval of the science department. Associate Members will normally study in one primary course (nine tutorials) and one secondary course (five tutorials). An Academic Adviser may assign more tutorials if the home college believes it to be desirable. (There is no extra cost). Upon the recommendation of his or her tutor, and the invitation of the lecturer, a student may attend chosen lecture courses. Associate Members have full use of the University Library; they may use most of the faculty libraries, each of which has its own regulations. Laboratory courses are possible. For more information on Oxford University go to: www.ox.ac.uk. For a list of courses go to: www.admissions.ox.ac.uk/courses/ "In my view, WISC did a tremendous job and is of significant benefit to the students involved." Commander HH, USN, Georgetown University graduate school This student is also a Harvard graduate, MPA. He is now (2006) a Rear Admiral, USN. In all cases, housing for one-term students is provided for 13 weeks each term. All students are guaranteed housing during the Winter and Spring vacation periods at no extra cost. "It must be the best overseas program in Britain." AG, Dartmouth College Graduate Study is Available Both Visiting Students and Associate Members may study at the graduate level either in cooperation with one of the primarily undergraduate colleges (which all have graduate students) or as a Visiting Student in one of three graduate colleges. WISC has had an arrangement with St. Antony's - the graduate college of International Relations - since 1987. Two other graduate colleges, Linacre and St. Cross, have also invited us to recommend Visiting Students. Such graduate students have studied Law, International Relations and Business in the past as well as Arts and Sciences. Every year, several WISC alumni return to Oxford to study as candidates for graduate degrees. Recommendations from their former Oxford tutors are usually helpful.