Princeton Program: University of Oxford, Worcester College
Oxford, England
Program Overview
Oxford, England
Princeton and Worcester College at the University of Oxford have an agreement that reserves five places each year at Worcester for Princeton undergraduates. Tutorials are available in most subjects in the arts and sciences.
Worcester also often hosts Sachs Scholarship winners from Princeton who are pursuing post-graduate studies.
Worcester College/University of Oxford
The University of Oxford, established in the 12th century, is composed of 38 independent, self-contained, self-governing colleges and six Permanent Private Halls. Of the 38 colleges, 30 admit students for undergraduate degrees. Each of these colleges and halls selects its own students, houses them for at least the first year, provides their meals, common rooms, libraries, sports and social facilities, and assumes responsibility, primarily through the tutorial system, for their academic studies. The University provides the laboratories, the central lecture halls, the libraries and museums, prescribes courses and syllabi, and is in charge of University examinations and awarding degrees.
Worcester College has existed under its present name since 1714, but some of the buildings are the oldest in the University, dating back to 1283. The college has a reputation for its friendly, relaxed atmosphere and its beauty. There are approximately 350 undergraduates, 130 graduate students, and approximately 45 Fellows in the College. It is unusual among Oxford colleges for having very extensive gardens and a large lake on the college premises. The extensive grounds provide playing fields for college sports.
The Setting
With a population of 160,000, Oxford is a lively city with university buildings from many architectural periods scattered amidst commercial enterprises. The city provides an array of cinemas, theaters, and concert halls as well as a variety of good, inexpensive restaurants. There are excellent transportation links with all parts of the United Kingdom and frequent and reasonably priced bus service to London.