University of Oxford Direct Enroll

More Information on the University of Oxford Direct Enroll Program

Lady Margaret Hall, St Catherine's College or St Peter's College

Lady Margaret Hall (LMH)

Our students enjoy all the benefits of a traditional Oxford education within a warm, open and informal environment. We have almost equal numbers of men and women among our tutors, our undergraduates and our graduates. Our students work with internationally distinguished scholars who are dedicated to tutorial teaching and to welfare support. Bursaries, academic awards and scholarships are available to enable hard-working students to achieve their academic potential. We are accessible to those with mobility problems. LMH has an exceptionally beautiful site with gardens which run down to the river.

Learn more about Lady Margaret Hall: LMH Visiting Students

St. Catherine's College (St. Catz)

St. Catz is Oxford’s youngest undergraduate college and one of its largest and most diverse communities. We treasure the traditional values of Oxford college life but pursue a distinctly modern agenda. We offer a wide range of subjects, with a roughly even split between science and arts. Most of our fellows* have an international reputation, and ten Nobel Prize winners have been members. Fellows have been involved in spin-out companies to exploit scientific discoveries made at the University.

Learn more about St. Catherine's College: St. Catz Visiting Students

St. Peter's College

St Peter’s is one of Oxford’s younger colleges, noted for its friendliness, flexibility and informality. St Peter’s is an inclusive, tolerant and open community and, in accordance with the University’s admissions policy, we encourage students from all backgrounds to apply.

Learn more about St. Peter's College: St. Peter's Visiting Students

The academic year at Oxford is divided into three 8-week terms: Michaelmas (autumn, October to December), Hilary (spring, January to March), and Trinity (summer, April to June).

MIT students will typically study abroad at Oxford for the entire academic year OR the Hillary and Trinity terms (MIT's spring semester). For student's wishing to study abroad during MIT's Fall semester, please review Lady Margaret Hall's Extended Michaelmas Term.

Review Oxford' Academic Calendar for specific term dates: Oxford Academic Calendar

You must meet the admissions standards outlined by Oxford. Admission to Oxford's visiting student programs is quite competitive as there are a limited number of places. Admitted students will generally have a minimum cumulative GPA score of 3.7 out of 4 (approximately 4.6 out of 5 at MIT), or equivalent, but all elements of the application are carefully considered.

To be approved by MIT to study abroad, applicants should be:

In good academic standing
In good judicial standing

For Academic Year, Spring, or Fall terms applicants should ensure they are:

Up to date with the Communication Requirement
Up to date with HASS courses

Contact MISTI if you have questions about your particular situation.

Two-part application process:

Apply directly to Oxford by individual college's deadline for the program/term you wish to study abroad.
Apply here for MISTI approval to study abroad. Apply by the deadline for the term in which you plan to study abroad. MIT deadlines are listed below.

Please note Oxford's deadlines for the 2025-2026 academic year are earlier than many other study abroad deadlines. It is important to apply early.

Lady Margaret Hall

Application Requirements
LMH Deadline: January 20, 2025

St. Catherine's

Application Requirements
Catz Deadline: January 31, 2025

St. Peter's

Application Requirements
St. Peter's Deadline: January 31, 2025

Subjects Offered

Additional Information

Lady Margaret Hall FAQ's: some quick answers to questions about academics and more
Review each college's website to see what courses/subjects you, as a visiting student, are eligible to take. Some colleges have restrictions/suggestions about which departments to take courses in, as well as stipulations about undergraduate/graduate courses.

Transfer Credit

Information on the transfer credit process at MIT can be found here.

A distinctive feature of the Oxford educational system is the learning that takes place in tutorials or small classes. The structure of tutorials varies across subject areas, but they normally involve between one and three students meeting regularly with a ‘tutor’. In preparation for the meeting, students are required to complete some readings and usually must either write an essay or prepare a problem set in advance. The session with the Tutor involves discussion of the assignment and personalized feedback on the student’s work.

This system of learning involves an intense interaction between the student and her or his teacher. Although there may only be one hour of contact each week, students are required to spend several hours independently preparing for this and must come to the tutorial fully ready to delve into the topic at hand. In the tutorial, a student is given constructive feedback and is pushed to think through topics in much greater depth than is the norm in a classroom or lecture setting. We find that most students adjust to this quickly and come to value this way of learning and the unique opportunity it provides to pursue particular academic interests.

Your term will be structured around taking a major course, which usually requires 8 tutorials per term (one per week) and a minor course will usually involve 4 tutorials per term (one on alternative weeks). Therefore an average 8-week term for a Visiting Student will involve 12 one-hour tutorials. You will usually be asked to write a short essay for each of these tutorials. There are usually no ‘term-papers’ which you have to write at the end. Your work will be individually assessed and marked and feedback will be given on a week-by-week basis. Your final term grade will be awarded on the basis of both the quality of your written work and how well you have engaged in tutorial discussions with your tutor. Hence both written and verbal skills are developed and evaluated during the course. Students are also advised to attend lectures to supplement materials covered in the tutorial sessions.

Students will pay tuition and living costs to Oxford. Please see the links below for information regarding costs at the colleges.

LMH Fees

St. Catz Fees

St. Peter's Fees

Financial aid for year or semester programs:

Aid is portable. A few months before departure, SFS and MISTI will share with the students and the most up-to-date budget for participation on the program based on an agreement with the host institution. Admitted students who receive financial aid should make an appointment with the financial aid representative to whom they are assigned to discuss the particulars; they should bring the budget received from MISTI to that meeting

Lady Margaret Hall

All Visiting Students are allocated single rooms in College for the weeks 0 - 8 during the term. Normally, you are required to leave your room at the end of week 8; however, accommodation during vacations can usually be arranged for additional days as required. You will be charged per night for each extra night you stay.

St.Catherine's College

Visiting Students are housed mainly in twin rooms in the college alongside matriculated students. The Visiting Student fees include accommodation throughout the term and in the week before and after Full Term. Each staircase has kitchen facilities which include a hob, fridge, microwave, kettle and small cupboard space. The fees do not cover any meal allowances.

St. Peter's College

All Visiting Students are accommodated in college accommodation, alongside the college’s third-year undergraduate students.

The college will provide an enrollment/admission letter and help advise students through the visa process.

University of Oxford visa guidance: Visa and Immigration