Welcome to The Oxbridge Honor Program Website

The William Jewell College Oxbridge Honors Program, entering its twenty-fifth year of successful operation, is the only honors program in the U.S. offering majors with a full curriculum of tutorial-based instruction with a full year of study in Oxford or Cambridge in England.

“Oxbridge may be the best honors program in the United States,” George Dehne, nationally known higher education consultant to 300 colleges and universities.

This highly personalized, reading-writing intensive approach to education combines the best of the British—intense and deep study, with great independence—and the American—broad background and close mentorship—approaches to higher education.  All students accepted into the Oxbridge Honors Program receive special scholarship support over all four years of study.

The Two Pillars of the Oxbridge Honors Program:
Created on the educational model found in Oxford and Cambridge Universities, the Oxbridge Honors Program features tutorial (rather than classroom) instruction and comprehensive examinations over the major field of study.

Tutorial Study
Majors are taken in one-on-one or small group settings, with a master teacher or tutor coordinating intensive reading and writing assignments.  Tutorials are designed for each area of specialization with a balance between standards of the discipline and individual students’ interests.   Tutorial study:

• Instills responsibility for one’s own learning
• Develops critical reading and superior writing skills
• Cultivates the ability to think on one’s feet and defend one’s ideas
• Provides an opportunity for much greater depth and intensity of study than in regular courses

    
Comprehensive Exams
Following the British practice, students “sit” for comprehensive exams over a field of knowledge or major in the spring of their senior year. Depending on the major, the student will write five or six three-hour essay exams.  The comprehensive exams:

• Emphasize the value of long-term, rather than immediate, goals
• Encourage the integration of new knowledge with old
• Demonstrate mastery of a field of knowledge, rather than a particular class, preparing students for intellectual study beyond the college setting

The outcome of the Oxbridge Honors Program at William Jewell College is a widely read, articulate individual who can evaluate conflicting points of view, make a convincing case in writing, defend it orally, and who can synthesize and integrate material from a wide variety of sources.

How can I apply?

In addition to the materials outlined by the Office of Admission for application to William Jewell College, Oxbridge applications should include the following:

• two recommendations from academic sources—people who know your academic work and can attest to your achievement and promise, and
• the Oxbridge Essay (Using 250-500 words, please explain how you have prepared to be an Oxbridge student. Be as specific as possible about your preparation for the program, showing that you understand Oxbridge and how your qualifications and goals fit well with the program)

You must be admitted to William Jewell before we can consider your application for Oxbridge. 

Upon Jewell acceptance, the Oxbridge Committee will review your application and select candidates will be contacted to schedule an interview with a panel of Oxbridge faculty.

Not sure if Oxbridge is the program for you? Have more questions?  Check out Oxbridge Frequently Asked Questions and/or contact: