College FAQ

Will my pre-sessional course be held online?

Yes, both the pre-sessional and GCSE courses will be entirely online during the self-isolation period.

Will there be storage available for the periods that students are not in residence?

Students are not in residence over Christmas and summer. When you leave for Christmas, you can leave your room without moving out – you will get it back exactly as you left it upon your return. However, we offer no storage over summer, so you will need to engage with external companies for storage. We can, of course, assist with that if necessary.

When can I order my textbooks?

If students want to be able to look at the books now they can order them to their home. Alternatively, they can order them directly to the college two weeks before they arrive themselves. This then saves them having to bring them to the UK with their other luggage. The Biology and Chemistry textbook Mona and I will confirm in the first week of August, a new book is supposed to be released in September and this would be a better version, this depends if COVIS-19 has held this up though.

If we don’t need to be quarantined, can I come later? Or will OIC still do the quarantine?

We are committed to provide maximum safety to all our students. Following the Boarding School Association’s decision, we will ask all our students to self-isolate for two weeks on arrival. Every student will be cared for by the college as they quarantine.

What kind of calculator do I need for Maths? Can I use a graphic calculator?

We ask our students to use a CASIO fx-991ex. This can easily be bought in UK stores or online.

How much money should I bring in cash?

A small amount of spending money for snacks/eating out/shopping. We ask that students set up bank accounts or have access to a bank account of their parents when they arrive. We do not permit large sums of money to be kept in the student accommodation.

What if I can’t find my taxi?

The taxi will be waiting with a sign at arrivals. We will provide contact numbers of the taxi driver and of college staff before you depart so you can call these if there are any problems.

What things should I not bring with me?

Please refer to the kit list provided in your pre-arrival pack. Please do not bring any medications unless they are essential.

Will the school help the student to open a bank account?

You will be given information about how to open a bank account in induction. Staff will also provide assistance as required. It is a very simple process and all you will need is your passport, BRP card and a letter from the College (which we can provide). This may be more difficult for students under 16 and they may need a chaperone/Guardian to accompany them to the bank. Most banks can either set up an account straight away for students or book them in for an appointment at a later date.

How long does it take to open a bank account in the UK?

You can normally do this on the same day. Please bear in mind that lots of students arrive in August/September time so banks can be quite busy. If they can’t set it up for you on the day, then they will make an appointment for you to come back.

Will there be an Oxford tour to get familiarised with the new environment?

Ordinarily, we also run a guided tour of Oxford; due to Covid-19, this may not be possible this year. Nevertheless, we will organise an equivalent activity so that you are acquainted with the area. You will also be provided with information about Oxford in your student handbook.

What’s the bus schedule for students living out of Wavy Gate? Do we take a public bus, or is there a dedicated OIC bus?

There is a dedicated OIC bus. It will run in line with lessons and meal times.

What happens if a student doesn’t feel well after arriving at the school?

If this happens, please inform a member of the boarding staff straight away. They will assess symptoms and take temperatures. They will then contact the appropriate NHS service if appropriate for further check-ups or testing.

This is a lot of reading. Can I have someone talk to me about it?

Of course: watch out pre-departure briefing here.

My question isn’t here. Who do I reach out to?

Please reach out to either info@oxcoll.com for general inquiries and jenny@oxcoll.com for Student Services-related inquiries.

Can I transfer to OIC?

Yes. Many students transfer to us from other schools for a variety of reasons such as:

• Student requires a more modern and independent environment to the traditional boarding school setting
• Student is an academic ‘high-flyer’ and is not being sufficiently stretched and challenged

To signal your desire to transfer, please reach out to a member of our academic team or to info@oxcoll.com.

How old do I have to be to transfer?

Most of our students are aged between 16 and 19 years, but GCSE students may enrol from age 15.

I’m an educational agent/consultant and I would love to work with OIC. How do I get in touch?

We would love to hear from you. If you are able to visit Oxford, we would be delighted to welcome you at the College. Please contact us on admissions@oxcoll.com for further details. Our Agency Agreements are subject to due diligence checks as set out by the Home Office (UK Visas and Immigration).

I’m a parent and I would like to learn how to help my child go through this important period of their life.

We’re here to help. Please reach out to our Welfare Team to discuss your child’s wellbeing in detail.

The Parent Info website provides high quality information to parents and carers about their children’s wellbeing and resilience. A wide range of subject matter is covered in informative articles by expert, from difficult topics about sex, relationships and the internet or body image and peer pressure to broader parenting topics like ‘how much sleep do teenagers need?’