St. Catherine’s College Oxford

Through agreements made by the College with seven British universities and one Irish university, a select group of Chicago students can study for the autumn term or, in some cases, for an academic year in Great Britain or the Republic of Ireland.

St. Catherine’s College Oxford, the newest of the thirty-eight Oxford colleges, was founded in 1962 (though it existed as a “delegacy” since the mid-nineteenth century). It is one of the larger colleges (by Oxford standards) and is open to students in nearly all subjects. It is considered to be especially suitable for Chicago students in the humanities and social sciences, though natural sciences students may also apply. The St. Catherine’s program is a one-quarter (autumn) opportunity. During that quarter the student takes two tutorials. Each of these consists of a series of tutorials on a topic selected in consultation with the student. These are intensive courses, requiring substantial independent work and the presentation of a series of short papers throughout the term. The student will also attend lectures appropriate to their subject.

This is a very competitive program, and we are looking for students with a certain set of intellectual characteristics. Especially in this case, if an interested student does not meet with Chris Fuglestad before submitting an application to Study Abroad, their application will not be considered.

St. Catz provides housing in student residence halls.

Students may only study at Oxford for the fall term. There is no academic year option.

Study abroad students remain registered as full-time students in the College. They receive full credit for their work. Course titles, units of credit, and grades are placed on the College transcript. Since the use of these credits in a specific degree program is variable, students should consult with their academic adviser and program chair to determine the exact distribution of credits.

Participants in the British and Irish programs pay regular College tuition and a nonrefundable study abroad administrative fee. The tuition is paid in conformity with the home campus payment schedule, and the nonrefundable study abroad administrative fee is submitted when accepting a place in a program. Students pay accommodation costs while in Great Britain or Ireland, either directly to the host university or, if the student is not living in university housing, to a landlord. Precise figures for the British and Irish programs for the 2024–2025 year are listed below:

Autumn tuition: as set by the Bursar’s Office

Study abroad administrative fee: $675

Out-of-pocket expenses include:

• round-trip airfare to and from the program site
• passport/visa fees
• transportation on site
• accommodation
• meals
• course materials
• personal entertainment and travel
• communications (most students bring or buy a cell phone)
• health insurance and upfront payments for care
• other miscellaneous expenses

Study abroad students retain their financial aid eligibility. For more information about financial aid resources, please see our Tuition, Fees, and Funding section.

The British and Irish programs are open to University of Chicago undergraduate students only. Applications from outside the University are not accepted.

These programs are designed for undergraduates in good academic and disciplinary standing who are beyond their second year in the College upon arrival in the UK or Ireland. Because there is a limit on the number of students who can participate in the British and Irish programs, admission is highly competitive. Applicants should present a solid academic transcript as well as sound academic reasons for wishing to study in England, Scotland, or Ireland. Students are expected to have conscientiously pursued general education requirements, and to have begun coursework in their major subject by the end of their second year. It is especially desirable that their transcript, which will show coursework through autumn quarter of the application year, presents at least one course in their major. British/Irish university students are more specialized at the same point in their university careers, so prerequisites for our visiting students are often rigid.

On the application, students are asked to rank five of the universities according to their preferences. If this initial application is approved, students then complete forms specific to the university to which they are applying. The College forwards this second application to the host university, which reserves the right of final decision.

Students wishing to apply to British/Irish programs must meet with Chris Fuglestad as a requirement of the application process. Students who do not arrange such a meeting before the close of the application cycle will not be considered.

To discuss the St. Catherine’s College Oxford program and the possibility of participating, please contact Chris Fuglestad.