Private School Courses in Oxford, England

Oxford International Study Centre, Oxford:
Oxford International Study Centre is a well-established pre-university college situated in a beautiful building in the centre of Oxford, just one hour north of London. We pride ourselves on our outstanding reputation in preparing students for their A-Levels and GCSEs and also for University Entrance. Programmes include: Pre-Boarding school; Pre-University; English Language; Training for Companies (taught in the University and involving guest speakers from the University and Business); Study Abroad programmes; Vacation programmes, and Programmes for university students.

Pre-University Academic / Language Courses:
We teach individually and in small groups. The average group size is 6 and the maximum is fifteen (rarely reached, except in English Language classes in summer). Our lessons are 45 minutes long, except for tailor-made programmes. The teachers and trainers at OISC are from leading universities, including Oxford and Cambridge, and have many years’ experience of teaching international students and company staff.

Programmes for students preparing for British Boarding Schools:
A student preparing for a British School would normally combine tuition in English Language at the appropriate level with three to five academic subjects, and Study Skills. The balance of subjects is designed to meet the needs of each student. Normally s/he would receive 20-25 lessons a week, depending on the subject mix. We can assist with school placement if required, and arrange practice sessions for the interviews

For younger students preparation for Boarding School entrance tests and interviews usually includes Verbal or Non-Verbal reasoning, together with English and Maths. We can also give support for preparation for Common Entrance and Scholarship examinations.

For older students the programme consists of pre-GCSE and pre- ALevel work. We provide tuition for the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) examination, and Cambridge or TOEFL examinations are also available.

We have excellent links with a many British Schools and we are also able to arrange guardianship for younger students.

A-Level, (I) GCSE and Foundation programmes:
We teach over twenty different subjects, including the Humanities, Languages, Social Sciences, Sciences and Business Subjects.

A student preparing for a British University would normally combine tuition in English Language (IELTS, Cambridge or TOEFL examinations) at the appropriate level with three (ALevel ) or five (GCSE or IGCSE) academic subjects. The balance of subjects is designed to meet the needs of each student, and additional tuition is available for extra subjects or extra support. Normally s/he would receive 20-25 lessons a week, depending on the subject mix. The programme is taken over one or two years.

Each student is allocated a personal tutor, who is responsible for general guidance, study skills support, and University applications.

Special preparatory courses for Oxford and Cambridge University Entrance:
During the summer vacation and in the autumn term we assist a number of students in applying to Oxford or Cambridge Universities. These universities have interviews and entrance tests in November and December. The tuition is individual or in very small groups or two or three students. All the tutors involved are themselves graduates of Oxford or Cambridge, and are experienced tutors. Students can also combine Oxbridge preparation with revision for ALevel or IB.

At both Universities the interviews are very important. They are designed to assess a student’s understanding and critical ability, and also his or her enthusiasm for and commitment to the chosen subjects. It is important for students to be ableto “think outside the box”. In many subjects there are also written tests at interview. Sometimes these are a test of the student’s ability to move beyond the demands of ALevel or IB and to tackle more demanding (and often more general) questions. In other subjects which have not been studied at school the tests are designed to assess aptitude, eg for PPE, or Law.

The tutorial courses which we arrange consist of :
- Practice for the written tests with specialist tutors, eg for ELAT, TSA
- Interview practice with both subject and general tutors
- Advice on studying at Oxford
- Advice on the Personal Statement

In general students receive twenty lessons a week, but additional or fewer lessons can be arranged if required.

English Language Programmes:
These programmes take place year round, both for groups and individuals. In the summer older students are taught in the University. All courses train students to communicate clearly both in written and spoken usage.
girl studying in the park

We welcome all age groups and levels. Students are assessed on the first day, and there are four main courses:
- Group tuition (20lessons a week)
- Intensive Programme (30 lessons a week)
- Combined Programme (20 lessons + 5 or 10 individual lessons)
- Private tuition (10,20,or 30 lessons a week)

Our English programmes include :
- General English
- Junior English
- Business English
- Academic English
- Specialist programmes, eg for Law, or Medicine, or Teachers
- English Plus, eg English plus Literature, or Business, or History.
Autumn and Winter Revision Programmes:
- A-Level and (I)GCSE
- UCAS + Personal Statement advice
- Preparation for Oxford and Cambridge

Interview Practice & Guidance:
- Entrance tests – LNAT, BMAT etc.
- International Baccalaureate