THE ACADEMIC year at the University of Oxford is made up of three terms:
- Michaelmas (Oct – Dec)
- Hilary (Jan – Mar)
- Trinity (Apr- Jun)
The core of teaching in Oxford takes place during these terms. For the Michaelmas and Hilary Terms some students are required to complete additional academic work by their home university. Such students will either attend a lecture series on British History and Civilization or they will complete additional introductory seminar tutorials.
The dates of participation for the forthcoming academic year 2011/12 are:
| Michaelmas | Hilary | Trinity | |
| Arrival in Oxford: | 01 Sep 2011 | 05 Jan 2012 | 19 Apr 2012 |
| Orientation: | 02 Sep 2011 | 06 Jan 2012 | 20 Apr 2012 |
| Pre-term Travel: | 24 Sep 2011 | N/A | N/A |
| Back in Oxford: | 29 Sep 2011 | N/A | N/A |
| Start of Zero Week: | 02 Oct 2011 | 08 Jan 2012 * | 15 Apr 2012 * |
| Final Symposium: | 05 Dec 2011 | 19 Mar 2012 | N/A |
| Travel Break: | 06 Dec 2011 | 13 Mar 2012 + | 18 Jun 2012 |
| Final Departure: | 14 Dec 2011 | 20 Mar 2012 + | 25 Jun 2012 |
*Students continuing from the previous term are required to be in residence in Oxford not later than four days following these dates for Hilary Term and for Trinity Term respectively.
+ Students participating for the extended Hilary Term are required to do additional tutorials and will have a two week travel break commencing a week later on 20 March 2012 and a later final departure date of 04 April 2012.
Students may participate for any of the Oxford terms indicated above, or any two consecutive terms, including the combined Hilary and Trinity Terms. It is not possible at present to apply for the full academic year (all three terms) which would require Tier 4 licencing. OPUS is not Tier 4 listed.
Students are required to do 12 essays each term each earning one US semester credit. As 12 credits may be earned in any given Oxford term, students could earn the equivalent of 24 credits during the Hilary & Trinity Terms (January to June).
It is also possible to attend the six week Late Trinity (Summer) Term May to June and earn six credits in one subject.
The dates for Late Trinity 2012 are: Arrival 17 May, Departure 25 June.
Increasingly popular in recent years as the most affordable option, this provides the shortest experience of the tutorial method, not ideal but sometimes the only feasible option for some students.
