FAQs
Your Course
Arriving & Departing
How do I get to Oxford?
Accommodation
Meals
Visas and Insurance
Useful Information
Finances
Your Course
How do I book a place on the course that I want?
Once you have decided which course you would like to attend you can book on-line by following the link on the page of your course choice or by clicking on the ‘APPLY NOW' button in the top right of the page. You will receive an electronic confirmation.
You can also download an Application Form from our website, or contact us by phone or email to speak to a course advisor. You can return the Application Form to us by fax, on-line, or via the postal service. Click here to see the Application forms.
Once your booking has been processed you will receive written confirmation of your place on the course of your choice along with a welcome pack.
How do I pay for my course?
All courses require a 495 GB Pounds deposit to secure the booking. You may either pay the full course fee when you book your place or pay the balance at a later date. The balance clearance is required at least 60 days before the start date of the course.
Where the student is booking less than 60 days before the start date, the balance must be covered in full.
Payment can be made on-line, via a paper form which can be faxed or sent in the mail, or by telephone.
Payment can be made by Debit or Credit Card, Bank Transfer, or cheque made payable to “Oxford Royale Academy”.
What do my course fees include?
All course fees include classes and tuition, accommodation and most meals. For the specifics of what each course fee includes please refer to the course information on our website.
I want to change to another course, is this possible?
If you wish to change your course booking for any reason please do not hesitate to contact us. However, students must note that if they contact us less than 60 working days before the start date of their course this maybe difficult. Therefore students are advised to make an application for changing their course at least 60 days in advance of their course start date.
If I need to cancel my booking will I get my money back?
Oxford Royale Academy understands that students may be forced to cancel their reservations for a variety of reasons. It is advisable to take out insurance for the duration of your stay. If you are forced to cancel through illness or injury then you will be able to claim on your insurance policy.
Any cancellation must be received in writing and can only be on the following terms: Deposit: No refund of the £495.00 deposit will be made under any circumstances.
Cancellation BEFORE your course start date:
|
Period before start date |
Total refunded |
|
120 days + |
100% |
|
90-119 days |
50% |
|
45-89 days |
10% |
|
0-44 days |
0% |
Cancellation AFTER your course start date:
Cancellations after the commencement date of the course for any reason will receive no refund of any course fees.
I want to attend one for your English Language courses: how will you know what my level of English is and what sort of tuition I need?
All students who plan to attend our English Language courses will be required to take an English Language Placement Test, which will assess the relative abilities of each student so that the course may be adapted for each individual.
Once you have booked your place on a course we will send you information on how to take our on-line Placement Test. This test should take approximately one hour and should be taken by the student at least one month prior to their arrival date.
Please note that Oxford Royale Academy English courses do not cater for complete English beginners.
Can I take more than one course?
It is certainly possible to take more than one course and combine a variety of study programmes. This can be done in two ways:
- Enrol in two different programmes. For example, you may wish to have two weeks on the Broadening Horizons course and then two more weeks SAT Preparation.
- Enrol in the same programme twice, but choose different subject options. For example, you may wish to have four weeks on the New Perspectives course, choosing Creative Writing & Experiemental Psychology for the first two weeks, followed by Human Biology and Physics & Chemistry for the second two weeks.
Should you have any queries about how to take more than one course please do not hesitate to contact us.
Will I receive a graduation certificate?
Yes, students will be awarded Oxford Royale Academy Graduation Certificates in their chosen course upon satisfactory completion of the course. This will be presented in a graduation ceremony on the final evening of the course.
Arriving and Departing
When should I arrive for my course?
The day of arrival for all courses is ALWAYS a Sunday. You will need to check the dates of your course to find out which Sunday you need to arrive on. You may arrive any time from 12:00 on Sunday, though we recommend that you aim to arrive before 17:00, as there is a welcome reception for all new students at this time. On arrival you will need to register at your campus and sign in. You will receive your room keys and course information at this point.
What happens on the first day?
Students should arrive between 12:00 and 17:00 to register for their course at their campus. At 17:00-18:00 there will be a welcome reception for all new students, parents and family members. The welcome reception will give the students a chance to meet the director and the staff who will be looking after them during their stay.
How do I get to Oxford?
Getting to the UK (London)
The most convenient airports in relation to Oxford are the major London airports: Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted or Luton. London is one hour away from Oxford on the train and between one hour 40 minutes and two hours by bus. Students may also wish to consider flying into Birmingham, which is one hour away from Oxford on the train.
Students can also reach London St Pancras Station on the Eurostar. On arrival at London St Pancras students can take the London Underground (or a taxi) to London Paddington station, from where they should take a First Great Western (fast train) to Oxford.
Getting to Oxford and Cambridge
Students can either take the train or the ‘Airline’ bus (from Heathrow or Gatwick) from London to Oxford or Cambridge. For further information please refer to your welcome pack. Oxford Royale Academy also offers an airport transfer service to the major airports. Please click here for more details.
When should I leave at the end of my course?
Courses will finish on a Saturday and students should check out and return their keys by 10:00.
Accommodation
Will I have to share a room/facilities?
- Accommodation in St. Peter's College (13-15 year olds) will either be single or twin.
- Accommodation in Clare College, Cambridge (16-18 year olds) will be twin.
- Accommodation in St Catherine's College (16-18 year olds), Balliol College (16-18 year olds) and Corpus Christi College (Adults) will be single bedrooms.
Sharing your room with fellow students is a great way of getting to know people and making friends. Accommodation in St. Peter's College, St. Catherine’s College, Balliol College and Corpus Christi College have shared bathroom facilities. Adult Cultural Courses at Corpus Christi College may have private bathroom facilities subject to availability.
Are boys and girls housed separately?
Whilst male and female students under 18 years old are housed in the same building, their rooms are on separate corridors and staircases.
Are there laundry facilities on my campus?
Most of the Colleges have laundry facilities. Tokens can be purchased from the College lodge or Campus office. Oxford Royale Academy staff are on hand to assist.
How secure are the campuses?
All our programmes take place in secure, supervised premises. The College entrances are supervised 24 hours a day by college porters. All students under the age of 18 must check-in regularly during the day: at roll-call at breakfast; at their morning classes; in the afternoon for activities; at dinner; and in the evening before curfew. All campuses which house students under the age of 18 will have a curfew time, depending on age.
Each campus office has its own safe where students may deposit items of value such as passports, travel documents, bank cards etc.
All campuses have residential staff who are contactable 24 hours a day.
Meals
Are meals included in my programme fees?
Breakfast and dinner are included for all course fees, however lunch is included only for students under 16.
For further information on what your course fees include please refer to your course page on our website.
Does my programme accommodate my special dietary requirements?
If you have any dietary requirements you must let us know at least 30 days in advance of your course start date so that we can cater for your requirements.
All meals offer a vegetarian option (which must be booked in advance). We are not able to provide special Kosher or Halal food as a dining option; students with these dietary requirements will be offered the vegetarian option, so you must let us know in advance what foods and meats you cannot eat.
All medical dietary requirements such as lactose intolerance and any food allergies must be reported to us at least 30 days in advance of your course start date so that we can ensure you receive the correct meals.
Visas and Insurance
Do I need a visa to travel to the UK?
If your country is part of the EU or a European Economic Area you will not require a visa. It is always best to find out about your Visa requirements for your self. Please click here for more information.
What kind of Insurance do I need?
Oxford Royale Academy provides all students with insurance. Students from the EU or EEA should also bring a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) as well. Click here for more information on insurance.
Useful Information
What kind of clothing should I bring?
Once you have booked your place on a course you will receive a welcome pack which will contain information on what clothes to bring and an Essential Kit List of necessary items.
For further information on clothing and the weather in Oxford please refer to the information on our website.
Are parents allowed to visit?
Parents, guardians, friends and relatives are invited to attend the welcome reception for new students between 17:00-18:00 on the day of arrival. However they are respectfully asked to depart the campus after this time as the programme will have officially begun.
Parents and family are welcome to visit on weekends when students have free time, but should bear in mind that the students may be going on a trip or excursion and so should find out ahead of arriving whether the student will be available on campus or not.
Should I bring a mobile phone?
Students may certainly bring their mobile phones with them, and this provides family and friends as well as the programme staff a good means of contacting them. However, mobile phones are not permitted in classrooms and lessons.
What happens outside of lessons?
Morning classes are usually followed by a schedule of organised activities in Oxford during the afternoon. These activities are included as a part of the basic course cost.
Students may also have afternoon classes, but can enjoy organised activities in the evenings after dinner. There are no classes on the weekends so students are free to join in organised activities or make their own arrangements.
If you wish to hire a car (18+, or 21+ years usually required), this can be arranged, although parking in Oxford can be tricky. Note you will need to check whether your driving licence is valid in the UK.
Will I have the opportunity to visit other places in the UK during my course?
Oxford Royale Academy offers a variety of trips to sites of historical and cultural interest. For further information please see our Sightseeing Tours.
What happens in the case of an accident or an emergency?
All of Oxford Royale Academy’s campuses have residential staff, so there is always someone on site 24 hours a day. There is also a 24 hour emergency phone number which both students and family/friends may call. Further information on emergency contact details will be found in your welcome pack, and when you arrive.
Students are reminded that it is vitally important that all contact details they give us are up-to-date, so that we have the correct information in case of an emergency.
Finances
Do I need to bring money with me, and if so how much?
There are plenty of banks and ATM cash machines (which may charge you for withdrawing money) in Oxford. However it is also advisable to come prepared with a variety of payment means e.g. traveller’s cheques, bank cards, and cash. Students may keep money in their Campus safe.
You will probably want to bring some cash with you for your first day’s travel for food and an emergency.
Guidance on personal expenses is difficult as it depends on the individual. You should consider what expenses are included in your course fees and what you will have to pay extra for.
Students will receive further information on finance in their welcome packs, and they may also consult our website.
