The United States has the largest number of Oxford graduates outside the United Kingdom. Americans can study at Oxford. Of course, being accepted into the University is not easy – but if you have the academic qualifications and a true interest in a course, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t apply.
Can Americans Study at Oxford?
Of course! Oxford University has over 26,000 resident alumni. Of all Oxford graduates, the largest number living outside the UK are from the United States. Oxford academics also publish research with American colleagues very frequently – more than with any other nationality. Famous American Oxford University alumni include President Bill Clinton, journalist George Stephanopoulos, US National Security Advisor Susan Rice, Senator Cory Booker, author Harper Lee, and TV anchor and host Rachel Maddow (among many others!).
What are Oxford Courses Like Compared to American Ones?
Undergraduate degrees at Oxford University are more specialised than American ones. Oxford doesn’t have major and minor subjects, so you can’t just mix and match courses. When you apply to Oxford, you will need to choose one course from a list of single honours or join honours (joint ones can have two subjects. You can’t change from one to two or vice versa without a formal application). This means that, before starting, you will need to know what you want to study because you will have to spend all your time dedicated to it.
How Long Does a Bachelor's Degree from Oxford Last?
A standard English Bachelor’s Degree takes three years to complete (American degrees take four). However, English students already pick 3 or 4 subjects by the age of 16 and specialize in them for two years. This means that, by the time they apply to Oxford, they already have a solid foundation in a subject. Some Oxford students doing degrees in science may do an additional fourth year to gain a master’s degree. For language courses, this could mean a year spent in a country where the language is spoken.
How do You Apply to Oxford as an American?
The process of applying for an Oxford course is the same as for any other foreign students, and not dissimilar to the ones for locals too. You will need to submit an application through the UCAS. You will need to provide records of your high school and write a personal statement. Many Oxford courses require an admission test and/or some written work. If you’re deemed a good candidate, you will be called for an interview.
> You can see the detailed application process following this link.
