FAQ's

Questions

Click on a question below to find to the answer:

What kind of courses do you run at the OCCA?What are the admission requirements? Is the OCCA fully accredited? Do I meet the English Language Proficiency Requirements?How do I apply?Is accommodation provided?Living in OxfordFees & Bursaries

Answers

What are the admission requirements?

Candidates will normally be expected to have five GCSE passes at grades A-C, one of which must be in English Language, and two passes at Advanced Level (A2)*; they will normally be expected to meet University residence requirements. Exemptions from these requirements for mature student candidates or those otherwise qualified may be made at the discretion of the B.Th Supervisory Committee. If your first language is not English, you must supply suitable evidence (an original certificate that is not more than two years old and issued by the responsible body) that you have reached the relevant standard before you may be offered a place.

Further details regarding English Proficiency can be found here .

* The majority of students attending the OCCA will typically be educated to at least bachelor degree level.

Is the OCCA fully accredited?

The Certificate in Theological and Pastoral Studies offers the opportunity to spend a full academic year in the inspiring and stimulating surroundings of Oxford.
 
Students on the One Year Certificate who meet the necessary requirements will be awarded the Certificate in Theological and Pastoral Studies. The certificate is a one year course validated by the University of Oxford (it is at H.E. level 4/5). The completion of the CTPS carries a notional 30 CATS. The OCCA programme for this course is designed specifically as preparation for Christian ministry in the field of apologetics and evangelism. The range of subjects and the nature of material included reflect this.

The new two year Master's programme also provides students with the opportunity to gain a University of Oxford accredited Master of Theology degree upon succesful completion.

Do I meet the English Language Proficiency Requirements?

Wycliffe Hall/OCCA English Language Proficiency Requirements:
If your first language is not English, you must supply suitable evidence (an original certificate that is not more than two years old and issued by the responsible body) that you have reached the relevant standard before you may be offered a place. Each student is responsible for arranging their testing and for covering the cost of the test. Wycliffe Hall/OCCA recognises only certain English tests and these requirements are set out below:

Further Information:

IELTS - International English Language Test - British Council TOEFL - Test of English as a Foreign Language - ETS

How do I apply?

Application can be made online. Forms contain full instructions on filling in the form.
How to applyApply OnlineApplication Deadlines

Is accommodation provided?

As members of the Wycliffe Hall community, we encourage students to make the most of this partnership by residing in a room at Wycliffe Hall. The majority of OCCA lectures take place at Wycliffe Hall or in close proximity to the Hall, the accommodation rates are competitive and the room choices are flexible. Once an offer of study at the OCCA has been made, students will be given the chance to reserve a rooom at Wycliffe Hall.

Wycliffe Hall is unfortunately not always able to provide accommodation for married couples or families. In this instance, we would encourage students to reserve a room at the North Oxford Overseas Centre or Commonwealth House, details of which are provided below. In exceptional circumstances, students choose to find their own accommodation through a letting agency, though this can be expensive and the contract length is often longer than the course itself. 

Commowealth House
Created in 1965 to provide a home for overseas students with 'limited means' whilst providing an environment where they can meet and socialise with people from diverse racial, religious, social and political backgrounds. Accommodation is basic, with shared kitchen and communal facilities.

Mr Michael Mowat, Warden
11 Pembroke Street
Oxford, OX1 1BP
Telephone: +44 (0)1865 793132
comhouse@freenet.co.ukThis email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
North Oxford Overseas Centre (NOOC)
NOOC aims to provide pleasant accommodation at reasonable rates in a caring community for overseas students and visiting scholars from all parts of the world. The Centre has a Christian foundation seeking to glorify God an demonstrate God's love in practical ways. There is no discrimination on racial or religious grounds in the selection or treatment of residents. The aim is to serve those in greatest need and to create a multi-national home. There is a varied programme of social and cultural events.

North Oxford Overseas Centre
117 Banbury Road
Oxford, OX2 6JX
Telephone: +44 (0)1865 311277
administrator@nooc.org.ukThis email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

Living in Oxford

The cost of living will vary depending on your individual needs and preferences. It is important to note that Oxford is one of the most expensive cities in which to live in the UK. The chart below contains estimated figures for general guidance.

Fees & Bursaries

Fees

It is the students responsibility to meet the full cost of the year and all applicants will be asked to provide evidence of their finances and efforts to raise any outstanding funding before joining the programme.

A 10% non-refundable deposit is required within 10 working days of accepting the offer of a place on the course. The remaining fees are invoiced at the beginning of the programme and payment is due in full within two weeks of this invoice being issued. 

Masters students: please note that the OCCA reserves the right to increase the tuition fee for the second year of study in accordance with inflation.

Bursaries

The Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics can offer the following bursary opportunities for students applying for the One Year Course in Christian Apologetics. We regret that, at present, no bursaries are available for the Six Week- or Master's Programmes.

The Michael Green Bursary Fund

   United Kingdom based applicants

The Middle East Bursary Fund

   Middle East based applicants

The Coltan Bursary Fund

   Indonesian based applicants

The OCCA is actively pursuing additional partnerships to facilitate other global bursary opportunities. We can't therefore offer anything beyond those funds named above. However we have seen that strong well rounded applications are useful in the development of these partnerships. If God is calling you to OCCA, then he will find a way. Apply as early as possible if this is your situation.