It will be apparent that the success of the system relies upon your engaging in extensive independent work, using the resources available to you, under the broad guidance of your tutor. The tutor's function is not to spoon-feed knowledge down compliant throats; sometimes you may leave one tutorial armed with only a reading list and the title of your next essay. But through the tutorial method you learn the skills of critical evaluation of material and organization of ideas not fostered by any other system which is one reason why Oxford graduates are so highly prized in the outside world. Indeed, one might sum up the tutorial system by saying that its greatest function is to teach you how to teach yourself, probably the most important academic lesson you will ever learn.
The flexibility of the individual tutorial allows each student to design a curriculum suited to his or her specific interests and requirements. There is no regular schedule from which to select classes. Instead, students are encouraged to consult with their home college advisers to prepare a programme of study which will satisfy credit requirements for their home college and make maximum advantage of their stay in Oxford. This means that the only limit upon courses available (within academic standards) is the imagination of the student.
Two tutorial courses are pursued a term. Courses are taught only at the US advanced (junior or senior year) levels. A wide range of courses is available. Almost any upper-division academic subject may be studied, including laboratory courses.
The WISC Student Handbook briefly describes hundreds of courses chosen by non-graduating students in the past, together with the names of tutors (with their college affiliations, etc.). A good number of these tutors are especially distinguished - Masters or Vice-Masters of Colleges, holders of chairs in subjects, Fellows of the British Academy and Fellows of the Royal Society (eminent scholars in the arts and the sciences), directors of graduate programmes, etc.
It may be that your home college professors know some of the scholars personally or by reputation. You are encouraged to ask to study with particular scholars. Please request our Student Handbook and CD-Rom if you do not already have them.
All students will have borrowing rights in at least five libraries, including full use of their College Library on the same basis as degree candidates, the Union Society Library, the city libraries, the Oxford Brookes University Library and the small WISC library. That is, they will have borrowing rights in libraries that hold about one million books. In addition, WISC will pay for half the cost to the student of any book bought by the student and given to the WISC library for the benefit of other students.
Visiting Students (depending on the individual college) will normally study in two primary tutorials (nine plus nine) over 12 -13 weeks. Sometimes the Academic Adviser may believe it is educationally desirable for a student to study three courses of six tutorials each. Visiting Students will have full use of the University Library, which has six million books, and the Faculty Libraries, and may participate in lectures and laboratories, on the same basis as degree candidates.
Associate Students will normally study in one primary course (nine tutorials) and one secondary course (five tutorials). An Academic Advisor may assign more tutorials if the home college believes it to be desirable. (There is no extra cost). Upon the recommendation of his or her tutor, and the invitation of the lecturer, a student may attend chosen lecture courses. Associate students may use the University Library for 29 hours a week; they may not use the faculty libraries. Laboratory courses are possible.
In all cases, housing for all one-term students is provided for 13 weeks each term. All students are guaranteed housing during the Winter and Spring vacation periods at no extra cost.
Such graduate students have studied Law, International Relations and Business in the past as well as Arts and Sciences. Every year several WISC alumni return to Oxford to study as candidates for graduate degrees. Recommendations from their former Oxford tutors are usually helpful.