The ideal time to study abroad at Oxford is junior year or senior year. Advanced students could consider spring of sophomore year. JMU students can study at Oxford during the fall, spring, or summer semesters. There is no full-year option.

Students can study a wide range of subjects at Oxford. Because of the flexibility of the tutorial system, the Oxford program can accommodate almost any subject; however, courses in the traditional liberal arts and sciences (not including labs) are the easiest to accommodate.

A list of subjects taken by Oxford program students in the past can be found here; this list is not definitive and should be used as a starting point. Students will work with the program director to identify appropriate course selection and to arrange JMU credit.

The fall semester consists of the extended Michaelmas Term (September-December), which offers 15 credits. This includes a group tutorial (3 credits) during September and two one-on-one tutorials (12 credits) during Michaelmas term starting in October.

The spring semester includes two terms, Hilary (January-March) and Trinity (April-June), and offers 12 credits each term (24 credits total). Students take two one-on-one tutorials each term. 

The late Trinity (summer) term (May-June) offers 6 credits from one one-on-one tutorial course. 

The application for admission to Oxford has a number of parts, all of which must be received by the Center for Global Engagement (CGE) before your application can be processed. Please make certain that you have completed all steps in this application process.

A completed Oxford application consists of the following components as listed below:

• JMU Study At Oxford Application.
• "Statement of Purpose" essay indicating the reasons for choosing this program and how the choice of courses, program structure, city or country, relate to your past, present and future academic, career and personal goals (i.e., How do you think you will benefit from the experience?).
• 2 Letters of Recommendation from current or former instructors or academic advisors.
• 3 Passport sized photos as required for Oxford application.
• JMU Oxford Program OPUS Application.

Applications are collected throughout the academic year beginning on the first day of fall semester classes in August for the upcoming open terms. Your application will be processed after the following deadline:

• January 1 for Summer.
• March 1 for Fall.
• April 15 for Spring prior to the year you intend to study abroad.

If the application deadline falls on a Saturday or Sunday, applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. on the next business day.

Applications received after these deadlines will be considered on a space-available basis.

Fall semester tuition and room is approximately $16,200. Estimate $1,600 for board.

Spring semester tuition and room is approximately $26,000. Estimate $2,500 for board.

Late Trinity term tuition and room is approximately $7,300. Estimate $630 for board.

For all terms an External Study Abroad fee will be required: $500 Fall/Spring and $250 Summer. 

All OPUS fees are dependent on exchange rates. Costs for room will vary by choice of accommodation.

JMU will bill students for tuition, room and External Program fee. Board, airfare, and ground travel costs are the responsibility of the student. 

Acceptance to the Oxford program is comprised of three stages:

1. Admission is based on your general suitability for this program and will be considered based on a combination of factors:
   • Your most recent cumulative GPA (minimum 3.4 AND 3.4 GPA within your major).
   • Academic background in your proposed field of study.
   • Strength of faculty recommendations.
   • Essay and other application materials.
   • Class level or seniority.

2. You will be informed of the admission decision by the posted notification dates. You will be notified by email of your acceptance status by an official letter from the Center for Global Engagement (CGE). Letters are posted in your online application. Please note that although you may receive informal communication from your program director regarding the status of your acceptance, your admission to the program is not official until you receive the acceptance notice from the CGE. Acceptance is contingent on maintaining the minimum GPA required for the program and on review of your record with Academic Affairs, Student Affairs and University Business Office.
   
   
3. The Oxford Programme for Undergraduate Studies will process each application recommended by JMU. Notification from the host institution will be distributed to the CGE and shared with each candidate.

If you wish to participate, you will be required to electronically sign the Statement of Intent to Participate to accept the terms of the program and secure your place. This form must be completed by the deposit deadline stated in the official acceptance letter. The deposit payment receipt information must be received for the non-refundable deposit of $750. This deposit will be applied to the program fee charged by JMU.

If at any time you wish to withdraw from the program, you must inform the Center for Global Engagement (CGE), not the program faculty director. The CGE will not accept verbal cancellations in person or by phone; official notification of withdrawal should be made in writing or by email. Otherwise, you will continue to receive bills and be responsible for payment of the tuition and course fees and/or instructional fees and study abroad program expenses. Please note that we cannot refund your deposit if you choose to withdraw after accepting your place in the program. However, if your application is not approved by St. Andrews, Oxford or Cambridge, the deposit will be refunded as a credit on your student account.

If you have any additional questions or concerns, call CGE at 540-568-5209 or send an email to studyabroad@jmu.edu.