Blackfriars Hall, Oxford, England
Blackfriars Hall, University of Oxford
Next Offered: Every Academic Year, or Spring Term Only
Application Deadline: January 18, 2024, for the online application. Approved students then apply to Blackfriars by February 15.
Founded by Dominican Friars of the English Province of the Order of Preachers in 1221, suppressed during the Reformation and re-founded in 1921, Blackfriars Hall is one of the 45 Colleges and Permanent Private Halls that make up the University of Oxford, and is located right in the heart of the city.
At Blackfriars Hall, academic study is informed by a common life of friendship alongside the Dominican community of Blackfriars Priory. As such, it continues the historic mission of the Dominicans to engage with contemporary thought by participation in the life and work of a modern university that is committed to excellence in teaching and research.
Academic Program
Visiting students at Blackfriars Hall are able to follow accredited studies for one year in theology, philosophy, English literature, British history, and classics in translation. There are many different courses available. Some students study six tutorial courses in theology and philosophy, while others take three tutorial courses in theology and philosophy, and three from one of the other subject areas offered at Blackfriars.
Your teaching will be provided primarily through weekly tutorials, usually on a one-to-one basis, where you will discuss with the tutor an essay you have prepared. You will receive either two tutorials a week or one tutorial and one class. Along with lectures at Blackfriars, you will be able to attend a wide range of lectures and seminars at the University. You will also be able to read not only in our own specialist library, but also in the Bodleian library, one of the world's largest and most prestigious academic libraries. And you will be welcome to borrow books from the Theology Faculty library and the other Faculty libraries relevant to your courses.
- Full-year program (mid October—late June: three trimesters, 36 credits)
- Spring Semester Only (mid January—late June: two trimesters, 24 credits)
- There is a six-week break between each trimester, allowing visiting students time to study and to take advantage of travel around Europe.
- Tutorials and courses are offered in philosophy, theology, English literature, British history and classics in translation
Currently enrolled students may not opt for the satisfactory/unsatisfactory option for any courses. Transcript is issued by Blackfriars Hall. You must have approval from your Dominican advisor or relevant department in order to get credit for a major/minor/traditional and honors core requirements.
Application Process
- All applicants must attend an information session for the Blackfriars Hall, University of Oxford program.
- Applicants must complete the online Dominican University application to study abroad by December 15 of their sophomore year
- Applications will be reviewed by a committee. The number of applicants to Blackfriars Hall, University of Oxford, may be limited by Dominican University.
- If you are approved to apply to Blackfriars Hall, University of Oxford, students will meet with the Dominican Director for Oxford Study Abroad, Clodagh Weldon, to receive the Blackfriars Hall application and discuss expectations.
- Applicants will then complete the paper application for Blackfriars Hall and submit a personal statement, one piece of written academic work of no more than 5,000 words, two passport photos, one academic reference letter, and an official transcript to the Study Abroad Director in the Office for Global Learning, by February 15. The Office for Global Learning will mail your application to Blackfriars Hall.
Please NOTE; Non-EU students must apply to the British consulate in Chicago for a student visa.
For more information, please contact Clodagh Weldon.
Cost and Financial Aid
Estimated Costs
- Academic Year Program (October–late June, 36 credits)
- Students receive housing in a double room in a shared apartment, and receive international health insurance for the length of the program.
- They receive 12 credits in the fall, 18 credits in the spring, and 6 credits in the summer.
- Each semester, students are charged the same Dominican tuition, accommodation fee (housing), student fee, and technology fee that all Dominican students are charged, plus the Study Abroad Program Fee ($1000)
- In the summer, students are charged for six credits at the discounted summer tuition rate, and the Summer Study Abroad Program fee ($500)
- Spring Semester Only (January–late June, 24 credits)
- Students receive housing in a double room in a shared apartment, and international health insurance for length of the program.
- They receive 18 credits in the spring, and 6 credits in the summer.
- In the spring, students are charged the same Dominican tuition, accommodation fee (housing), student fee and technology fee that all Dominican students are charged, plus the Study Abroad Program Fee ($1000).
- In the summer, students are charged for six credits at the discounted summer tuition rate, and the Summer Study Abroad Program fee ($500)
- Advertised costs/program fees are subject to change.
- Students are also responsible for the following out-of-pocket expenses
- Personal expenses/meals: $1600–$2000 per term
- Airfare: $1,600 (estimated)
- Visa fees
- Any costs associated with independent vacation travel
- Students can elect to have a single room for an additional fee
Scholarships and Financial Aid
- The state, federal and Dominican financial aid you receive during a regular semester is applicable, however, the Resident Student Grant does not apply to a semester abroad
- There are no financial aid cycles during the summer, however, Pell Grant recipients can access those funds during the summer term, as well.
- Additional loans or the Parent Plus Loan are available to students through the Office of Financial Aid.
- All students should apply to Dominican University's Excellence in Experiential Learning Awards (ExcEL) to earn up to $2000 off the cost of the program
- Pell Grant recipients should apply for the Gilman Scholarship
- All students should apply for Fund for Education Abroad Scholarships
Requirements and Eligibility
- 3.7 minimum Dominican University GPA at the time of application
- Sophomore/2nd year standing at time of application (Junior/3rd year for duration of the program).
- Students must attend at least one information session and be approved to apply by a committee
Excursions, Housing and Transportation
Excursions
Announced each term by Oxford
Housing
The Overseas Students Programme Liaison Manager oversees accommodation and welfare. Visiting students are accommodated in nearby houses equipped for self-catering.
- Students are provided with accommodation in a shared apartment for 39 weeks.
- Students are housed in double rooms, unless they elect a single room at an additional cost.
- The accommodation is on St. John Street—a prime location in central Oxford, minutes walking distance from Blackfriars Hall and downtown Oxford.
Transportation
Round-trip flight not included in program fees.