Hertford College, University of Oxford
Many Oxford colleges can trace an unbroken corporate history back over the centuries. Hertford both is, and is not, part of this ancient tradition, being the heir of the medieval Hart Hall, a failed eighteenth century college, Hertford College, and the annexation in the early nineteenth century of that college’s site and assets by another former medieval foundation, Magdalen Hall.
Hertford is both an old and a (relatively) new college. It was originally founded in 1282, and then after a chequered history refounded in 1874. That means we have the best of the old and the new. Former students include: William Tyndale, translator of the Bible; the poet John Donne; the philosopher Thomas Hobbes; the satirist Jonathan Swift; the radical politician Charles James Fox; the novelist Evelyn Waugh; the news presenters Fiona Bruce and Natasha Kaplinsky; and the jazz-rap star Soweto Kinch.
Location
We are right in the centre of Oxford, opposite the world famous Bodleian library and the beautiful Sheldonian concert hall, as well as being within easy walking distance of faculty libraries, lecture theatres, bookshops and cafes.
Academics
Your main source of learning is through tutorials.
The tutorial system is the hallmark of Oxford teaching and visiting students highlight tutorials as one of the most rewarding aspects of their time at Hertford. The tutorial is an intensive and very personal form of teaching, lasting for an hour and involving one-to-one or one-to-two tuition. It is intellectually stimulating, effectively developing your analytical abilities as a student and enabling you to pursue your particular interests in a topic.
Tutorials are based upon independent study in the library. Each week you will research and write a short essay in answer to a particular question. The arguments presented in your essay will be used as a jumping-off point for a lively tutorial discussion between you and your tutor. You will be expected to defend your essay in the tutorial and it is the tutor’s job to help you develop your ability to argue clearly and logically. In common with Hertford undergraduates, your tutorial tutors will be college employed academics (fellows and lecturers) or academics from other colleges and academic departments within the university.
As a visiting student you will have the same programme of tutorials as a full time Oxford undergraduates. During the eight week term you will have twelve tutorials, each lasting for one hour. These are divided into two sets which can cover one or even two academic disciplines; for example, you might choose to take a primary tutorial in English and a secondary tutorial in Philosophy. The primary set will consist of eight tutorials and the secondary set will consist of four tutorials.
In your application form you will need to choose two subjects to study in tutorial per term. If at the stage of the application you are unable to narrow this down – do not worry. We need to know at the application stage what major topic you want to pursue e.g. History or Politics. The exact topic can be narrowed down in discussion with the Tutor for Visiting Students once you have been accepted.
You will see from the list of subjects studied by former visiting students that the range of potential options is diverse and exciting. Hertford does not organise tutorials for visiting students in the natural sciences, management or business, but all other undergraduate subjects are open to visiting students.
Academic Calendar
At Oxford University we have three terms instead of two semesters.
Autumn/fall, or Michaelmas term, is from October to December - or September to December, if you come for the September Seminar.
Spring, or Hilary Term, is from January to March.
Summer, or Trinity term, is from April to June.
The teaching term is 8 weeks long. At the beginning of the teaching term is a “settling in” week called 0th week. Visiting students arrive at the beginning of 0th week.
All students, including visiting students have to vacate their rooms at the end of 8th week. Belongings can be stored in college during the vacation. Many visiting students use the Christmas and Easter vacation to explore the UK and Europe.
Living Arrangements
When you come to Oxford you will be in your second or third year in university and so we house you on our “South Site” on Abingdon Road where our graduates and second and third year students live, so that you can be near students with whom you will have most in common socially and academically.
The 10 minute walk to Hertford Catte Street site and to the libraries and lecture theatres takes you through and past some of Oxford’s landmark sites, such as the peaceful meadows of Christchurch College, the medieval cobbled street of Merton Lane, the University Church of St Mary the Virgin and the circular library of the Radcliffe Camera (part of the Bodleian library).
Our student rooms are comfortable. All have internet access, a telephone line and wash basins and all have access to communal kitchens.
All students have their own room – you do not have to share with another student.
This site is right next to the River Thames and near the Hertford boat club so it is a brilliant location if you want to join the rowing club.