AisleSeat

Ok Fodorites you've never failed me before so I thought I would send you a real challenge. There has to be someone out there who has studied this.

My wife wants to take a one to two week summer course at either Oxford or Cambridge. I think she mainly wants bragging rights so she can say "when I studied at Oxford...". I have looked online and haven't figured out the ins and outs of the two. I would like to hear from anyone who has experience or knowledge on the subject. Which is better and why? Thanks for your comments.

janisj

Several US universities do summer programs at Oxford

Here is just one example w/ UC Berkeley. I'm on their mailing lists - some of the more popular courses fill up very quickly. Like as soon as the year's program is announced.

http://extension.berkeley.edu/oxford/

Or here is a link to programs run by the university itself:

http://www.conted.ox.ac.uk/courses/s...ussa/index.php

I'm sure a google search would locate similar programs at Cambridge

Sassafrass

Better academically? I don't know, but I would choose Oxford because I liked the city center more and the area. Can't quite put my finger on why, somehow just a little more charm. Also, it is a shorter train ride into London and an easy trip to Bath.

PatrickLondon

When I worked in student recruitment, I'd always say it's a question of what's better for you? What sort of experience are you looking for and how does what's offered measure up to your spec?

If it's something offered by either of those universities, there won't be much difference in terms of intellectual standards (and if it's something offered by another institution that's just renting space there, then judge as you would judge them if they were at home).

Bear in mind that it might not necessarily be in any of the historic college buildings, if that's what's important to you, but in some more modern faculty building, possibly out of the centre, with lodgings just about anywhere. You'd need to check that.

In general, Oxford is a bigger city with its own industrial and commercial heritage. Cambridge would feel more compact and focussed on the university and its spin-offs, and less connected to London.

flanneruk

Oxford's also a great deal more connected to the rest of the UK (it's a significant train and road hub) and to the rest of the world (it's more or less Heathrow's medieval quarter), and is a far better base for trips round England.

Cambridge's neighbourhood international airport (Stansted), however, is virtually the hub of Europe's low cost airline system, with frequent, often dirt cheap, flights to cities even their country's prime minsters haven't heard of.

Nonconformist

"If it's something offered by either of those universities, there won't be much difference in terms of intellectual standards "

Actually, the link above has references to several kinds of summer course at Oxford.

I would definitely look at whether it's a course taught by someone who normally lectures at Oxford, or at the university's Department of Continuing Education, which are not at quite the same level. They have an all-year programme of evening classes and one-off day schools which are basically open to anyone - well taught but not the "real thing". If the course itself interests your wife, then go for it.

MmePerdu

Would it not depend entirely on what she wants to study? Since it's not mentioned in the question does she not care what she spends a week doing? I would want to see what's on offer and make my decision based on which has the course that most interests me.

More relevant issues aside, I prefer Oxford.

PatrickLondon

It pains me to say it, having been to The Other Place, but Oxford is probably more likely to work for someone taking a short course out of a limited amount of vacation time. It's just the place if you're doing it more for fun than profound intellectual stimulation..............

tahl

As long as she's willing to put up with the normal aspects of dormitory living, I would look for a program that houses students in one of the Oxford or Cambridge colleges -- and I would double and triple check that the named 'college' is in fact a college of the University, and not just Joe's College for Ripping Off People.

AisleSeat

Thanks for the comments so far. As far as picking a course of study, this is like elder hostel for my wife, and probably for me to. It will be what sounds interesting as opposed to continuing education in our chosen fields. She teaches art to middle schooler but would be just as happy studying architecture or archaeology. I like the discription online of some week-long courses in Christ Church where you dine in the hall from Harry Potter.