Services for international students

OIC offers quite a number of services targeted at international / non-local students:

• Pastoral care and welfare support
  Each student is assigned a mentor and a progress tutor who meet regularly; there is also a dedicated Student Services team.
  A full-time nurse, professional counsellor are available.
• Guardianship
  For students under 18, guardianship services are provided or arranged. Parents can also use their own guardians’ arrangements.
• Academic support
  Small class sizes; IELTS / English for Academic Purposes support for students whose English isn’t yet strong enough.
• Pre-arrival & orientation
  A pre-arrival guide, welcome pack, maps, details about Oxford etc. are given before arrival.
• Health & emergency care
  Students register with a local GP (General Practitioner), plus arrangements via Student Services for emergencies; health questionnaire is taken before arrival.
• Support during stay
  Includes help with attendance, IT support, timetable issues, and pastoral / welfare as needed.

So overall quite comprehensive support, especially important for young international students in boarding / A-level / pathway contexts.

Ranking

• OIC is an independent boarding school for ages ~14-19. It is inspected by Ofsted.
• Latest Ofsted report (2024) gives it a rating of “Inadequate”. That is the lowest rating in the Ofsted scale.
• School stats: They claim in 2024 that 84% of OIC graduates gained places in Russell Group universities. More than half their students got into one of the UK’s top 5 universities.
• So academically they advertise strong university progression, but inspection bodies have raised concerns in other areas (hence the “Inadequate” Ofsted rating). It suggests there are strengths (academic, progression) but possibly weaknesses elsewhere (maybe welfare, boarding, administrative aspects etc.) — worth investigating if considering applying or recommending.

Accommodation

The college offers / what’s available:

• Location of accommodation
  Many of the boarding houses are very central in Oxford, or within walking distance from the college and from city amenities. Thames Street, Wavy Gate, Alice House etc.

• On-site / Boarding houses
  OIC has several boarding houses / flats with modern ensuite rooms. Some are studios for older students. Shared kitchens & common rooms in some. 24/7 care by house parents. Full board (meals), laundry, cleaning, WiFi etc included.

• Variety in room types
  Single rooms, ensuite twin rooms, small studio flats. Most accommodation is single occupancy but there are some twin / shared options.

• Facilities in boarding
  The boarding package includes meals, laundry, housekeeping, cooking facilities, superfast WiFi. Access to University of Oxford’s sports centre and gym is included.

• Specific houses
    • Thames Street: ~70 ensuite bedrooms with communal space, onsite canteen.
    • Wavy Gate: ~87 ensuite bedrooms and studio, groups of six rooms share kitchen & common room.
    • Alice House: apartment-style flats, modern studios.
    • St Clements: 14 ensuite student rooms + 2 staff rooms.

• Curfews and rules
  There is a curfew: check-in by 10pm for boarding houses. Families can visit but with sign-in procedures. Rooms are closed during major holidays (summer especially) and students must move out or store belongings as required.

Location

Imagine arriving in Oxford, one of the most famous university cities in the world. Cobbled streets lead you past centuries-old libraries, leafy college courtyards, and quiet riverside paths. Just a short walk from the bustling heart of the city, where cafés, bookshops, and historic colleges line every street, you find yourself at Oxford International.

The college is woven into the fabric of Oxford life: students can study in modern classrooms, then step outside and immediately be surrounded by the inspiration of a city that has educated thinkers, scientists, and leaders for hundreds of years. Bicycles whiz by, rowers train on the River Thames, and you feel the rhythm of a place that balances tradition with youthful energy.

Living and learning here means not only gaining a world-class education but also being immersed in an environment that is both historic and vibrant. It’s a location where every corner feels like part of a story — and where international students become part of Oxford’s global community.