An Oxford degree

Whichever college you go to, the course is the same: the University organises the lectures and practical classes, and sets the examinations.

Whichever course you choose, an Oxford degree aims to make you think for yourself, logically and laterally.

All our degree courses have a compulsory core, plus various options you can choose from, letting you tailor the course to your personal interests. The course pages in this Prospectus give examples of options.

You should make sure that your chosen degree and the way it is taught at Oxford are right for you. Usually, you cannot change courses after you start; where this is possible, the course page mentions it.

Oxford offers many degrees that combine subjects – joint schools, we often call them – even linking arts and sciences, such as Physics and Philosophy. You follow one course, but you choose elements of each degree and perhaps special joint options, which are sometimes called ‘bridge papers’. There is strong competition for combined courses, and you must show your aptitude for each part of the degree.

All students in a particular subject discipline will come together for lectures. These provide core information about different elements of your course that you may find useful in tutorials, essays or examinations.

Tutorials in colleges are central to study at Oxford. They give you the chance to discuss your subject with a world leader in the field. Your tutor gives individual support and encourages you to develop to your full potential.

Tutorials take place at least once a week and it’s up to you to research and prepare for them. Then you meet your tutor, perhaps with one or two other students, to discuss an essay or solutions to set problems. The aim is to review your answers or theories and explore ideas that arise in discussion.

A tutorial relies on the exchange of ideas between you, your tutor and other students. You need not be experienced in debating, you just need to be ready to present and defend your opinions, accept constructive criticism and listen to others. Tutorials develop your ability to think for yourself, not only an essential ability for academic success but also a skill that the best employers look for in Oxford graduates.

To find out more watch a video about tutorials. 

All students in a particular subject discipline come together for labwork and/or fieldwork. The course pages give more detail. Typically, science students can expect at least two half-days in the lab per week.

See the course pages for further details.

In most courses you sit exams in your first year, which you must pass to continue the course, but they do not count towards your degree. You then work towards final exams, which usually take place in your last term.

Science students sit some exams in the second year. Some exams may be replaced by projects or dissertations. Most science courses have a fourth year; this may be entirely research-based, or part research and part exams.

Other students also sit finals in their last term – typically several exams, each lasting three hours, within a two-week period. In some subjects like Modern Languages, there is also an oral exam. Some exams may be replaced by a thesis and/or extended written work.

For further details about assessment please see course outline tab of the individual course pages.

The Department for Continuing Education also offers a full range of part-time Undergraduate Certificates, Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas in other subjects. Some of these may be studied online, and all earn nationally recognised credits.