The course explores the historic colleges and buildings of the university and city in the context of the origins of the town and growth of the university, ranging from the early medieval period to the 21st century. We shall look at the changing architectural styles of the buildings – churches, houses, colleges and institutions – in the context of the college gardens and the surrounding countryside. Following the chronology from medieval origins through to the modern period, the course will consist of illustrated talks with walks around historic buildings and streets of Oxford. On the last morning there will be a Victorian walk followed by an afternoon excursion to see modern colleges and views of the 'dreaming spires' from the Oxford countryside.
Colleges of Oxford
Overview
Programme details
Seminars meet each weekday morning, with afternoons free for course-related field trips, individual study, or exploring the many places of interest in and around the city.
Monday
Early medieval Oxford: the landscape setting, origins of the city and development of the late Saxon town; Norman Oxford, its castle and defences; the houses and churches of the medieval town.
Tuesday
The medieval university: the origins of the university in the late 12th century; student learning and life in academic halls; the curriculum; the arrival of colleges and their architectural impact on the town. Trip to New College.
Wednesday
16th–17th-century Oxford: the late medieval university and the impact of the Reformation and dissolution of the monasteries on the urban scene; the rebuilding of Oxford in the 17th century, and the new science and learning.
Thursday
18th–19th century Oxford: building activity in a quiet century, and rapid growth thereafter; the creation of the dreaming spires in art and literature; new churches, laboratories and museums.
Friday
19th–20th century Oxford: a walk round Victorian Oxford, with break for coffee. In the afternoon, a bus excursion to 20th-century Oxford colleges, and the historic landscape with views of Oxford and its famous skyline.
Field trip
Destinations: New College, Sheldonian Theatre and University Museum; St Catherine's College, Wolfson College, Wolvercote and Boars Hill
Excursion rating: More than two hours’ walk on even ground or up to two hours’ walk on an uneven/unpaved surface and/or steep/hilly ground including lots of stairs and steps in houses and gardens.
Recommended reading
Morris, Jan. Oxford. Oxford University Press, 2001.
Tyack, Geoffrey. Oxford: An Architectural Guide. Oxford University Press, 1998.
Fees
| Description | Costs |
|---|---|
| Fee option 1 (single en suite accom and meals per person) | £1955.00 |
| Fee option 2 (double en suite accom and meals per person) | £1810.00 |
| Fee option 3 (twin en suite accom and meals per person) | £1810.00 |
| Fee option 4 (twin set standard accom and meals per person) | £1810.00 |
| Fee option 5 (no accom; incl lunch and dinner per person) | £1375.00 |
| Fee option 6 (single standard accom and meals per person) | £1855.00 |
Funding
Please note there are no sources of funding (scholarships, bursaries, etc) available for applicants.
Payment
All fees are charged on a per week, per person basis.
Please be aware that all payments made via non-UK credit/debit cards and bank accounts are subject to the exchange rate on the day they are processed.
Payment terms
- If enrolling online: full payment by credit/debit card at the time of booking.
- If submitting an enrolment form: full payment online by credit/debit card or via bank transfer within 30 days of invoice date.
Supplementary costs
- Extended-stay fee: Participants staying multiple, consecutive weeks will be charged an additional £90 for the cost of the Saturday night between courses. An invoice will be emailed to participants alongside confirmation of their enrolment.
- Excursion fee where applicable: £15-125. This fee is built into the above course fees and will not require a separate payment. If your course includes a day-long excursion, you may need to make your own lunch arrangements.
- Course change administration fee: Please note that course transfers may be permitted in exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the programme administrator, up to the 1 May 2023. In accordance with our Terms and Conditions, an administration fee of £50 will be charged.
- Any ticketed activities, as outlined in the Social Programme.
Cancellations and refunds
1. Cancellation by you
Participants who wish to cancel must inform the Programme Administrator in writing: by email to oxfordexperience@conted.ox.ac.uk, or by post to The Oxford Experience, OUDCE, 1 Wellington Square, OXFORD, OX1 2JA, UK.
The following cancellation and refund policy applies in all cases:
-
Cancellation within 14 days of online enrolment / payment of fees – full refund of all fees paid.
- Cancellations received up to and including 30 April 2023 – OUDCE will retain an administration fee of £100 per week booked; all other fees paid will be refunded.
- Cancellations received between 1-31 May 2023 – OUDCE will retain 60% of the fees paid; the remaining 40% of fees paid will be refunded.
- Cancellations received on and after 1 June 2023 - no refunds will be made under any circumstances.
Where course fees have been paid in currencies other than pounds sterling, refunds will be subject to the exchange rate on the day they are processed.
2. Cancellation by us
OUDCE reserves the right to cancel a course where there is good reason, for example, if exceptionally low enrolment would make it educationally unviable. In these cases we will refund the course fees that you have already paid. If we cancel a course, our liability is limited to the fees that we have received from you; this means that we will not compensate you for any pre-booked travel costs or any other expenses incurred.
Where course fees have been paid in currencies other than pounds sterling, refunds will be subject to the exchange rate on the day they are processed.
The status of this course will be reviewed on 1 May 2023. If it is likely that the course may be cancelled, all those affected will be notified by email within 7 days; if you have not heard from OUDCE by 8 May 2023, you should assume that your course will be running. You may wish to delay finalising your travel arrangements until after this date.
3. Travel insurance
All participants need to purchase travel insurance to cover the programme fee, travel costs, and any other expenses incurred. OUDCE cannot be held responsible for any costs you may incur in relation to travel or accommodation bookings as a result of a course cancellation, or if you are unable to attend the course for any other reason.
Tutor
Mr Julian Munby
Tutor
Julian Munby works on historic buildings and landscapes for Oxford Archaeology, has been researching the history of Oxford for many years, with a special interest in its buildings and in drawn views of the city. He has wide interests in cultural studies from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean, and he is a regular lecturer for OUDCE.
Teaching methods
Participants will be taught in seminar groups of up to 12 people. Elements of this teaching will normally include mini lectures and presentations by tutors and tutor-led class discussions.
Assessment methods
There are no assessments for this course.
Application
Registration closes on 1 May 2023.
Please note: most courses fill up fast so early registration is strongly recommended.
Single accommodation and non-residential places may be booked online by clicking on the “Book now” button in the “Course details” box at the top right-hand side of the course page.
If you experience any difficulties enrolling online please contact the Programme Administrator at oxfordexperience@conted.ox.ac.uk
Those requiring twin or double accommodation should complete an enrolment form as these rooms cannot be booked online. Completed forms should be sent:
-
by email to oxfordexperience@conted.ox.ac.uk, or
-
by post to The Oxford Experience, OUDCE, 1 Wellington Square, OXFORD, OX1 2JA, UK.
Level and demands
The Oxford Experience is aimed at non-specialists: no prior knowledge is required, and classes are pitched at an introductory level. The courses are designed for an international audience aged 18 and over.
Accommodation
During your course you will stay in typical Oxford student accommodation at Christ Church, in buildings which range from the 18th to the 20th century. The course fee includes breakfasts Monday-Saturday, lunches Sunday-Friday, and 3-course dinners Sunday-Friday. All meals are taken in Christ Church’s spectacular dining hall.
Please note that bedrooms are modestly-furnished and do not have air-conditioning. Photographs of example rooms can be found at: www.chch.ox.ac.uk/chch-rooms.
The following types of accommodation are available:
- Single en suite;
- Double en suite;
- Twin en suite;
- ‘Twin set’ standard.
En suite rooms include private bathroom facilities (shower, washbasin and toilet). ‘Twin set’ standard rooms comprise two separate single standard rooms, each with a washbasin and shaver point only, opening onto a private sitting room. Bathroom facilities are shared with other rooms. All twin, twin set and double rooms are shared between participants that apply to the programme together, and cannot be booked by individuals.
Please note that only single accommodation may be booked online; those requiring twin or double accommodation should complete an enrolment form (see ‘Application’).
Please note that Christ Church rooms do not have lift access, and the higher rooms can be located up a few flights of stairs. If you need a room on a ground or lower floor please indicate this either online or on your enrolment form, or contact the programme administrator directly at oxfordexperience@conted.ox.ac.uk prior to your arrival.
We regret that we are unable to offer accommodation at Christ Church prior to or following your course. Additionally, family or friends who are not enrolled in the programme cannot be accommodated in college.
Participants Attending Multiple Weeks
The Oxford Experience welcomes participants who want to attend multiple courses over a number of weeks. Resident participants staying in Christ Church for consecutive weeks will be offered a reduced rate for the Saturday night between their courses.
This extended-stay fee is £90 per person, per Saturday. An invoice will be emailed to participants alongside confirmation of their enrolment. Please note that Saturday lunch and dinner and Sunday breakfast are not provided, however we are happy to make recommendations for alternative places to eat in Oxford.