Oxford Colleges related information

There are 38 colleges of the University of Oxford and 6 Permanent Private Halls, each with its own internal structure and activities. All resident students, and most academic staff, must be members both of a college or hall, and of the university. The heads of Oxford colleges are known by various titles, for examples; including warden, provost, principal, president, rector, master or dean. The colleges join together as the Conference of Colleges to discuss policy and to deal with the central University administration. Teaching members of the colleges are collectively and familiarly known as dons. In addition to residential and dining facilities, the colleges provide social, cultural, and recreational activities for their members. Colleges have responsibility for admitting undergraduates and organizing their tuition, for graduates, this responsibility falls upon the departments.

Teaching method in the Oxford University

Undergraduate teaching is centered upon the tutorial, where 1-4 students spend an hour with an academic discussing their week’s work, usually an essay or problem sheet. Students usually have around two tutorials a week, and can be taught by academics at any other college not just their own - as expertise and personnel requires. These tutorials are complemented by lectures, classes and seminars, which are organized on a departmental basis. Graduate students undertaking taught degrees are usually instructed through classes and seminars, though naturally there is more focus upon individual research.

The university itself is responsible for conducting examinations and conferring degrees. The passing of two sets of examinations is a prerequisite for a first degree. The first set of examinations, called either Honor Moderations ("Moods" and "Honor Moods") or Preliminary Examinations, are usually held at the end of the first year (after two terms for those studying Law, Theology, Philosophy and Theology, Experimental Psychology or Psychology, Philosophy and Physiology or after five terms in the case of Classics). The second set of examinations, the Final Honor School, is held at the end of the undergraduate course. Successful candidates receive first-, upper or lower second or third-class honors based on their performance in Finals. An upper second is the most usual result, and a first is generally prerequisite for graduate study. A "double first" reflects first class results in both Honor Moods. Research degrees at the master's and doctoral level are conferred in all subjects studied at graduate level at the university. First degree graduates are eligible, after seven years from matriculation and without additional study, to apply for an upgrade of their bachelors’ level degree to a Masters level degree.