| English Literature |
| Introduction to English Literature | | Explore English literature from Shakespeare to the present day through close readings of poems, plays, novels, and essays. Includes field trips around Oxford to connect texts with their historical and literary contexts. | | Oxford and Fantasy Fiction | | Study Oxford’s influence on iconic fantasy worlds like Wonderland, Middle-earth, Narnia, and His Dark Materials. Learn about myth, medieval literature, and film adaptations to understand fantasy as a lens for modern critique. | | European Crime Writing | | Examine crime fiction from across Europe, exploring its literary conventions and deeper social, political, and cultural commentary. Learn how this popular genre reflects complex historical and philosophical ideas. | | Shakespeare | | Gain a fresh perspective on Shakespeare’s plays through close textual analysis and historical context. Includes visits to Stratford-upon-Avon and the Globe Theatre to see performances live. | | Renaissance Studies | | Explore English literature from the late 1500s to mid-1600s, focusing on genre, religion, gender, and identity. Oxford’s Renaissance architecture and culture provide a rich backdrop for study. | | Gothic Fiction | | Journey through Gothic literature from its 18th-century origins to modern adaptations. Study classic works like Frankenstein and Dracula, and explore Oxford’s gothic architecture and art. | | Victorian Readings | | Dive into Victorian literature and its response to industrialisation, science, and social change. Read works by Dickens, Wilde, and Tennyson, supported by Oxford’s historical resources. | | Literature of the First World War | | Explore poetry and prose from the First World War, including voices from soldiers, women, and international writers. Reflect on how literature captures the trauma and transformation of war. | | Contemporary British Fiction | | Study recent British fiction and its engagement with identity, memory, and society. Authors include Zadie Smith, Hilary Mantel, and Kazuo Ishiguro. | | Travel Writing | | Develop your own travel writing while analysing classic and contemporary texts. Use your study abroad experience to inspire creative work and build a writing portfolio. | | Literature and Medicine | | Explore how literature reflects medical experiences, ethics, and emotional well-being. Read works by Tolstoy, Sontag, and Gabor Maté to understand the human side of healthcare. | | English: Special Topic or Author | | Tailor your study to a specific author or theme, such as Jane Austen, Romantic Poets, or Film Adaptation. Ideal for students with focused literary interests. |
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| Communications and Film |
| Film Studies | | Explore the theory, history, and criticism of cinema through diverse film texts and analytical models. Learn how movies communicate ideas and reflect society, with a focus on Hollywood, World Cinema, and literature-to-film adaptations. | | Cross-Cultural Communication | | Understand how culture shapes communication across media, literature, and art. This course examines identity, difference, and global perspectives using tools from media studies, anthropology, and digital humanities. | | Rhetoric (also listed under Philosophy) | | Study the art of persuasion from ancient Greece to modern political speeches. Learn how rhetorical techniques influence public discourse and explore examples from historical and contemporary figures. | | Film Studies: Special Topic - Advanced Film Studies | | Analyse the evolution of the cinematic canon through landmark films like Citizen Kane, Vertigo, and Tokyo Story. Explore how critical opinion shifts over time and what makes a film endure. |
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| Politics |
| Introduction to Politics | | Explore key political concepts like democracy, ideology, and civil society, and compare different systems of government. Includes field trips and case studies to connect theory with real-world politics. | | International Relations | | Understand how globalisation, ideology, and religion shape relationships between nations. Topics include the UN, armed conflict, terrorism, and the role of superpowers, with insights from guest lectures and seminars. | | Comparative World Poltical Systems | | Compare political systems across cultures and regions, from democracies to authoritarian regimes. Learn how governments balance growth and welfare through case studies and field visits. | | The European Union | | Study the EU’s history, structure, and role in global politics, including challenges like Brexit and nationalism. Explore debates around democracy, integration, and the future of a united Europe. | | Terrorism and Political Violence | | Examine different forms of terrorism, from ideological and religious to eco-terrorism and far-right extremism. Learn about radicalisation, martyrdom, and how societies respond to political violence. | | Political Ideologies | | Explore major political ideologies such as liberalism, socialism, fascism, and feminism. Understand their historical roots and contemporary relevance through debate and discussion. | | British Government and Politics since 1900 (also listed under History) | | Trace the evolution of British politics from the suffragettes to Brexit. Study key figures, parties, and ideologies that shaped modern Britain. | | Politics: Special Topic | | Design your own tutorial around a political theme or thinker of personal interest. Past topics include ancient political thought and modern ideologies. |
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| Philosophy, Law and Religion |
| Introduction to Philosohy | | Explore key philosophical ideas from Plato to Wittgenstein and how they apply to politics, religion, and morality. Learn to think critically about knowledge, existence, and the human condition. | | Philosophy of Love and Personal Relationships | | Examine love and friendship through philosophical, religious, and psychological lenses. Study how different cultures and thinkers have understood love, from ancient myths to modern ethics. | | Rhetoric (also listed under Communications) | | Learn the art of persuasive speech from classical philosophy to modern political rhetoric. Analyse speeches by figures like Lincoln, Gandhi, and Churchill to understand how language shapes influence. | | Ethics | | Understand moral philosophy through theories like Utilitarianism and Kantian ethics. Apply these ideas to real-world issues such as crime, war, and free speech. | | Ethics, Values and the Law | | Explore how law and morality intersect in debates about freedom, responsibility, and justice. Topics include environmental ethics, free speech, and medical ethics. | | Introduction to Law | | Gain a foundational understanding of legal systems, especially the English Legal System. Learn key legal concepts across criminal, civil, and international law, with practical applications. | | Business Ethics (also listed under Business) | | Study ethical leadership and decision-making in business through real-world case studies. Topics include corporate governance, environmental responsibility, and stakeholder ethics. | | Philosophy of Human Nature | | Explore what it means to be human through philosophical, psychological, and religious perspectives. Topics include mind-body dualism, motivation, and the nature of good and evil. | | Buddhism | | Learn the core beliefs and practices of major Buddhist traditions and their ethical teachings. Explore Buddhism’s dialogue with other cultures and its views on issues like discrimination and the environment. | | Concept of God | | Examine philosophical and theological ideas about God, including belief, disbelief, and the Trinity. Reflect on how race, gender, and history shape religious understanding. | | Mind, Death, and Immortality | | Explore the nature of the mind, the meaning of death, and beliefs about life after death. Study dualism, materialism, and religious perspectives on the soul. | | Philosophy of Religion | | Analyse philosophical arguments for and against the existence of God. Topics include divine attributes, the problem of evil, and modern theological thought. | | Philosophy: Special Topic | | Design your own tutorial around a philosopher, movement, or theme of personal interest. Past topics include Ancient Philosophy and Modernism. | | Philosophy: Special Topic - Philosophy in Literature | | Explore how literature engages with philosophical ideas like free will, death, and identity. Study works from Marlowe to Sartre alongside the thinkers who inspired them. |
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| Psychology and Sociology |
| Introduction to Psychology | | Explore how the brain works and why we behave the way we do. Topics include memory, language, personality, and social influence, with visits to museums and live psychology experiments. | | Abnormal Psychology | | Learn about psychological disorders such as OCD, PTSD, depression, and schizophrenia. Study their symptoms, causes, and treatments, and gain tools to evaluate mental health science. | | Developmental Psychology | | Understand how humans develop from infancy to adolescence. Topics include cognitive growth, language acquisition, identity, and attachment, with links to education and teaching. | | Theories of Personality | | Explore major personality theories from traits to neuroscience. Apply these ideas in case studies and learn to evaluate different psychological perspectives. | | Social Psychology | | Study how people interact and form social attitudes, identities, and group behaviours. Conduct a pilot research project and explore topics like prejudice, norms, and stereotyping. | | Sociology of Crime and Deviance | | Investigate why people break social norms and commit crimes. Learn how society defines deviance and explore its causes and consequences through sociological theory and discussion. |
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| History |
| Introduction to British History | | Survey 1,000 years of British history from King Alfred to World War I. Explore key events and artefacts through Oxford and London site visits, including Blenheim Palace and the Ashmolean Museum. | | Kings, Queens, Parliaments and Peoples: English c.900-1400 | | Study medieval England from King Alfred to Richard II, focusing on law, kingship, and society. Use Oxford’s historical sites and artefacts to explore events like the Norman Conquest and the Black Death. | | Topics in British History, 1714-Present | | Explore British history from the Georgians to the present day through politics, culture, and everyday life. Analyse original materials like cookbooks, cartoons, and wartime speeches. | | War, Fascism and Communism: Europe Divided, 1914–1945 | | Examine Europe’s transformation through two World Wars, fascism, communism, and civil conflict. Includes eyewitness accounts and a visit to the Holocaust Exhibition in London. | | Division and Reconciliation: European History Since 1945 | | Study post-war Europe, the Cold War, and the fall of communism. Explore themes of resistance, democracy, and historical legacy, with a visit to Churchill’s birthplace. | | War and Peace in the Middle East | | Understand the modern Middle East through its political, religious, and social history. Focus on inter-Arab relations, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the impact of global powers. | | The End of European Empires | | Analyse the decline of European empires and the rise of new nations in Asia and Africa. Includes a case study on apartheid and museum visits to explore imperial legacies. | | British Government and Politics since 1900 (also listed under Politics) | | Trace the evolution of British politics from the suffragettes to Brexit. Study key figures, parties, and ideologies that shaped modern Britain. | | History: Special Topic | | Create a personalised tutorial on a historical theme or period of interest. Past topics include the Enlightenment, Magna Carta, and the English Civil War. |
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| Art History and Visual Arts |
| Oxford Art and Architecture | | Explore Oxford’s rich architectural and artistic heritage through guided visits to colleges, buildings, and museums. Learn how local art and architecture reflect broader European trends. | | English Country Houses and Gardens | | Study the history, design, and cultural significance of English country houses and gardens. Includes visits to historic estates like Rousham and Blenheim Palace. | | Modern and Contemporary Art | | Investigate modern art movements and their impact on global culture. Explore connections between art, fashion, politics, and science through museum visits and class discussions. | | Art History: Special Topic (e.g. History of Photography, Pre-Raphaelite Art) | | Design a personalised tutorial on a specific art history theme. Past topics include photography and Pre-Raphaelite art. | | Fundamentals of Drawing | | Develop your drawing skills through hands-on projects inspired by Oxford’s museums and landscapes. Suitable for all levels, with opportunities to explore various techniques and keep an artist’s journal. | | Painting | | Explore painting through studio work and outdoor sessions, blending personal creativity with art history. The course encourages experimentation and is open to all skill levels. | | Photography | | Learn photography both practically and theoretically, using Oxford’s inspiring settings. Explore digital and darkroom techniques, critical theory, and create a final portfolio for exhibition. |
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| Business and Economics |
| International Business in the News | | Explore global business trends and challenges through current events and case studies. Learn how political decisions and economic developments shape international trade and globalisation. | | Introduction to Economics | | Understand how economies function and how economic theories apply to real-world issues. Topics include supply and demand, inflation, unemployment, and government intervention. | | Organizational Behaviour | | Study how individuals and groups behave within organisations and how this affects management. Topics include leadership, culture, change, and knowledge management, with insights from psychology and sociology. | | Business and Society | | Examine ethical and legal decision-making in business through real-life case studies. Learn how justice, sustainability, and governance impact stakeholders and leadership. | | Entrepreneurship and Innovation | | Develop your own business ideas and learn how ventures are launched and sustained. Work independently and in teams to build entrepreneurial skills through practical exercises and case studies. | | Business Ethics (also listed under Philosophy) | | Explore ethical theories and their application in business contexts. Topics include corporate responsibility, environmental ethics, and leadership, with case studies from major companies. | | Fundamentals of Marketing | | Learn the essentials of marketing, including branding, consumer behaviour, and digital strategy. Understand how businesses create value and adapt in a competitive global marketplace. | | International Economics | | Study how global markets operate and how trade, policy, and institutions like the IMF and WTO shape international business. Explore free trade, protectionism, and the politics of globalisation. | | Development Economics | | Understand the economic challenges faced by developing countries and the policies that affect poverty and growth. Topics include trade, aid, sustainability, and market failures. | | Public Sector Economics | | Explore how governments intervene in markets and influence economic behaviour. Topics include welfare, privatisation vs. nationalisation, and the role of public goods. |
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| Mathematics |
| College Algebra | | Strengthen your understanding of core mathematical concepts with practical applications. Ideal for students in social sciences, business, or management who don’t require advanced maths like calculus or trigonometry. | | Introduction to Probability and Statistics | | Learn the basics of probability and statistical analysis and how they apply to everyday problems. Useful for students in fields such as business, marketing, medicine, and the social sciences. |
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| Languages and Special Requests |
Students may request tutorials in subjects not listed, depending on availability. These are taught one-to-one and tailored to individual academic interests. | Chinese, French, Spanish, Italian (Beginners to Advanced) | | Choose from a wide range of language tutorials tailored to your level and goals. Lessons are usually one-to-one and can follow a set syllabus or be customised for exam preparation or personal interest. | | Other Ancient and Modern Languages (e.g. Latin, German, Japanese, Russian) | | Additional languages may be available on request. Contact the college to discuss your options and create a personalised tutorial. |
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