Advancing international education since 1953

St. Clare’s, Oxford was founded by Anne Dreydel OBE and Pamela Morris in 1953, and grew out of a scheme to establish links between British and European students after the Second World War. The original name was The Oxford English Centre for Foreign Students, which later became St. Clare’s Hall, and then St. Clare’s, Oxford. The College grew quickly to encompass a wide range of nationalities and programmes, both at university and pre-university level and in English Language. In the mid-50s, students came mostly from around a dozen Western European countries, as well as the UK. Nowadays there are 50 nationalities represented on the IB programme alone.

As well as longer courses of study, shorter summer courses also became a central feature of the College in the early days. Links with universities in the USA date back to the 1960s and formal agreements by which American university students could gain credit towards their US degrees by studying abroad at St. Clare’s started up in the 1970s, and gradually replaced the University of London external degrees that had previously been taught.

In 1977 the College introduced the International Baccalaureate Diploma for pre-university students, only the 41st school in the world to do so. There are only 13 other institutions in the world who have taught the IB longer than them. A Levels were gradually phased out as the IB became established and they are now the longest established IB World School in England.

St Clare’s, Oxford remains faithful to its original mission which is to advance international education and understanding.

St Clare’s today

The College campus has grown with the increase in student numbers. From its original base in 141 Banbury Road, the College expanded to allow more teaching space and a wider range of subject choices. Early homestay arrangements were largely replaced with residential accommodation as new houses in the area were acquired and refurbished, and in 1999 the College bought the Oxford Academy site in Bardwell Road, which became the International College offering adult courses.

A new residence and art studio was completed in November 2015 at a cost of £5.5million. The building provides separate housing for male and female students in ensuite study bedrooms around an Oxford-style courtyard with a large square lawn. The uncompromisingly modern new buildings manage to complement the old, historic house, which is at the centre of the development.

The new £3.3m Science and Mathematics building was completed in September 2014 providing three science laboratories and prep rooms, three large classrooms for Mathematics lessons, and a new maintenance facility. Named after Pamela Morris, one of the founders of the college in 1953, the building was carefully designed to complement the surrounding Victorian and Edwardian architecture.

In 2008, we purchased a very large residence next to the main campus buildings. Completed in 2010 at a cost of £1.3 million, the house holds 24 students plus warden and features many energy efficient measures — rain water is harvested, the house has been super-insulated, and the lights are motion-sensitive so that electricity is not wasted.

Continuing to combine fun and learning for young and adult international students

The College continues to improve and grow. IB students are achieving their required grades and are being offered places at their chosen universities. Younger students coming to them for their summer holiday courses continue to recommend them to their friends, a clear indicator that their courses combine holiday fun with study success. The school’s adult students are undertaking more in-depth and challenging courses with a clear target of improving their future studies and careers.

Summer English Language courses for adults 17+

Summer at St Clare’s is an unforgettable experience! They offer:

-Study programmes to suit your needs

-Two, three and four-week courses

-Fully residential (in college or with a local homestay)

-Full programme of activities

-You will study in small classes taught by experienced teachers and you will be able to improve your level of English however long you stay with us. We design the classes around what you want to achieve when you are here.

-Coming to Oxford this summer will be just perfect.

-Beautiful buildings, museums and art galleries

-Glorious parks

-Punting on the River Thames

-Excursions during the week and on the weekend

-Musicals and shows, markets and shopping in London

-Barbecues, cafés and pubs by the river

English courses for teenagers 15-17 this summer

Join us this summer and experience a memorable holiday learning English with other teenagers from around the world.

-They have English Language courses for students at all levels

-You can choose to come for two, three, four weeks or even longer from mid-June to mid-August

-Live in a college house with other teenagers, or choose to live with a carefully chosen homestay in Oxford

-Take part in some great activities on campus enjoy exciting trips and excursions around Oxford, to London and theme parks

-They want you to learn — They want you to have fun!

-Have fun learning English this summer

-Summer in Oxford — an experience not to be missed! It’s no surprise that places on their Junior English and Activities course are in such high demand.

-Small, safe, secluded campus with grassy playing fields, tennis courts and woodland just minutes from centre of Oxford

-Fully international environment (over 20 nationalities in each course)

-Experienced, enthusiastic support team

-Stimulating educational experience that brings improved grades at school

-Plus an unforgettable programme of activities, sports and excursions

-This is a truly international experience that encourages juniors to learn to live, play and study together.

Prepare for your IB Diploma this summer

Why take the IB Introduction?

The IB Diploma is highly valued by universities and employers worldwide. Its unique combination of breadth with depth provides superb preparation for further study and the world of work. The St Clare’s, Oxford IB Introduction course provides students with an invaluable head start on their own IB Diploma course.

-Develop skills vital for success in the Diploma Programme

Students taking this course will:

-Develop skills vital for success in the Diploma Programme

-Meet the three main styles of literature

-Be introduced to the Theory of Knowledge

-Develop “hands on” practical science skills

-Collaborate with others in the CAS/Arts project

-Receive professional careers guidance

-Course overview

Devised, developed, and delivered by their own highly experienced IB Diploma staff, this is a three-week course that exploits the full range of IB Diploma specific facilities in England’s longest established IB World School. Activities based around the theory of knowledge and international mindedness are embedded throughout the programme.

Week 1: Language and Literature Teaching groups are arranged according to English ability. The three main genres of literature are introduced — using a Shakespeare play as the central focus. The week culminates with an open air, live performance of the play in an Oxford college.

Week 2: Science and Arts Students choose from practical Biology, Chemistry or Physics in the well-equipped specialist science laboratories. In the CAS/Arts project, students collaborate in small groups to devise and develop a performance, drawing themes from the previous week’s work on Shakespeare.

Week 3: Mathematics and Humanities an introduction to IB Mathematics in groups according to ability. A choice of history, psychology, or economics classes. “Spare” time is devoted to putting the final touches to the CAS/Arts project ready for a performance to other students on the penultimate day of the course.