Oxford International Study Centre is a private tutorial college and language school in the centre of Oxford, with a reputation for excellence in delivering a range of language, academic, and corporate training programmes at all academic levels.

OISC is located on St Aldates, in the very centre of Oxford, between Christ Church and the Town Hall. The Study Centre occupies a beautiful and prestigious building which is over four hundred years old, and retains its beamed ceilings and many other original features. It houses 12 classrooms, as well as office space, common rooms, and private study areas. In fact, it’s the lovely red building you can see in the beautiful watercolour painting of St Aldates below, by our friend, local artist Katherine Shock.

In summer Oxford International Study Centre also teaches many older students in a College of the University.

OISC has a grade one inspection report (“exceeds expectations” ) of the Independent Schools Inspectorate, which is an approved educational oversight body authorised by the UKVI. OISC is also an accredited member of COBIS (the Council for British International Schools), a member of the European Council of International Schools, the European Association for International Education and of the Swiss Group of International Schools. The Principal is a member of the Independent Educational Consultants and of the Society of Educational Consultants. For more information about our accreditations and memberships, click here.

We offer programmes for students of all ages, both adult and junior. Full information on our programmes is available in our prospectus, which you can find below:

News and Latest Programmes…

Full-Time Academic Programmes

IELTS

Click for information about our full-time academic programmes, including GCSE, A-Level, and Foundation, for start in September 2023.

Year-Round English

farewell 2

We offer English Language programmes for juniors and adults, at a range of levels, throughout the year. Click here for more information, to test your current level of English, and to view course outlines.

Summer Programmes 2023

Thai Group outside OISC 1

We are so excited to be welcoming hundreds of students to Oxford between June and September, to join our lively, international summer programmes. Click to find out more, and to make your reservation now!

Oxford International Study Centre provides high quality year-round and short programmes which offer:

  • Flexibility: many of the programmes are tailor made to best meet the requirements of the individual student or client company;
  • Excellent contacts with the University, enabling students and clients to be taught in the Colleges of the University in the vacations. Fully residential courses in the University are offered in summer and , subject to status, arrangements can be made for visiting academics to become members of the University libraries;
  • High calibre tutors and visiting speakers from academe or business;
  • A range of over twenty subject specialisms, enabling, for example, a student to combine academic English with a University preparation programme;
  • Strong links with a large number of British and European Schools, enabling younger students to prepare for entry to some of the best Boarding Schools;
  • Good links with Oxford, Cambridge and other leading universities, and provision of individual educational counselling for students who wish to apply to a British University;
  • A high level of pastoral care for students, including personal tutors and regular reports.
  • Well-established links with Companies in the Oxford and London areas, enabling company clients to combine their Oxford programme with meeting new business contacts.

 

⇒Download our latest prospectus here⇐

What people say
about us

Jeanette was extraordinary! Her ability to take control of the class yet not be overbearing made every class enjoyable and an absolute pleasure - my favourite class of the day.

- Leonora, summer course student, Morocco

The tutors were really fun and friendly, and made Chemistry exciting and interesting! I have learnt a lot.

- Hollie, Easter revision course student, UK
Izabella  Lauterpakht
Izabella Lauterpakht
2020-08-03
recommends
I was absolutely thrilled with the report Philip wrote for Evdokia. It was a real educational treat. In all 25 years of my work with British education I haven't received such a thorough analysis of the subject the difficulties the student has. It will be interesting to watch her progress. Thank you for finding great tutors for all our students.
Ivan  Milokhin
Ivan Milokhin
2019-12-09
recommends
I am pleased to recommend OISC for all who are looking a great quality education customised by their own needs. Having spent a week studying mathematics individually (1-to-1) with a tutor, I received a strong foundation for the further advancement in this area. The programme was fully designed for my purposes and the tutor scrupulously closed the gaps in my knowledge. Moreover, I liked the tutorial system approach, when I was given a question or a task and instead of the direct solution I was able to try my own hand at solving the problem. It is not very simple, but allows you to significantly advance in a short time. The effectiveness of the tutorial system is not possible without full concentration on the subject, and the staff of the Centre did everything so that nothing distracts me. I must mention the Director of OISC, Ben, who found a very friendly and kind host family for me, so I didn’t have to deal with household issues at all. To sum up, I was absolutely happy to study in the Centre and I strongly recommend it for everyone!
Mirosława Minor
Mirosława Minor
2019-11-12
recommends
I had a great time at your your school. Kate and Nick are wonderful teachers, very professional, motivating, funny and flexible. I made a great progress during one week! I hope to see you next year! I highly recommend this school to everyone!
Adela Kuzelj
Adela Kuzelj
2019-09-16
recommends
I’ve had a pleasant experience in Oxford because of the great service and atmosphere at the OISC. Thank you Kim and Ben! Also Susannah and Geoff were amazing professional skilled teachers. My English language is really improved within a week. Hope to meet again in the future. Best wishes and take care, Adela
Dubravka Kocanjer
Dubravka Kocanjer
2019-09-15
recommends
It was such a great experience. The entire team of Oxford International Study Center is very friendly, cooperative and ready to provide assistance in all situations. We had the honor of learning from the world-renowned expert in the fields of education, Dr. Glenys Hart and learn from the good practice, from Gail Yeats who is an excellent practitioner. We had an opportunity to visit a new and modern special school, Mabel Prichard School in Oxford. I gained practical skills relevant to my current job. I learned about new methods of working with pupils with disabilities and improved my knowledge of education systems in other countries. I've met wonderful and creative people. Thank you all!!!
Isabel Alvarez
Isabel Alvarez
2019-08-28
recommends
We had to find a summer programme in less than a week for our Spanish student and Benjamin was amazing at organising everything for us. Our student was delighted with the management and said that she never felt more comfortable and the lessons and campus accommodation were perfect for her. She has been in summer courses in the past, but as a university student she needed something more challenging, interesting and academic. We are so please with the outcome. She said that after lessons she felt the motivation to want to learn more. The teacher made the classes interesting and inspiring. She was the only Spanish there, and that was a plus. She had a great experience and made new fiends. we are very pleased Benjamin. many thanks from Anglo Education angloed.com
Anna Boguszewska
Anna Boguszewska
2019-08-25
recommends
On behalf of the President of Amaltea Bilingual Education Foundation, Headmaster of Bilingual Primary School No. 1 in Warsaw, Poland, and myself, I would like to thank the OISC staff for the professional training and language courses provided for the teachers and employees of our institution. In 2019, 11 teachers of our School took advantage of the OISC offer under the Erasmus+ Mobility educational staff project. Language training and courses were conducted at a very high level, in a very good, friendly atmosphere. All my colleagues expressed their satisfaction upon return !!! Special thanks, I address to Benjamin Llewelyn, Principal of Oxford International Study Center, for helping us organize the training and stay of my colleagues in Oxford. I must say that it was an exemplary cooperation!!! Anna Boguszewska Bilingual Primary School No. 1 Warsaw Poland Erasmus + Project Coordinator
Ajla Duckollari
Ajla Duckollari
2019-06-18
recommends
I have been introducing students to OISC for few years, and i must say that all my clients were very happy with the school and staff. In addition one of my recent clients named Julia joined the summer programme with robotics classes and she was very impressed and loved every single session. All tutors were very experienced and they all went the extra mile to make her feel welcomed and shared so much information which she loved. The school also organised a trip to St Hughes college were an event regarding Robotics was taking place. This trip made Julias experience even better. She is looking forward to coming back next year with few her very good school friends.
Katia De Luca
Katia De Luca
2019-06-17
not recommends
Un test di ingresso è necessario per stabilire il livello di competenza linguistica. Senza questo, l'inserimento dei corsisti nelle classi è casuale e lo scopo di un centro linguistico perde di vista l'obiettivo. È quello che è successo a mia figlia e nonostante le dovute sollecitazioni per il cambio di livello, nn abbiamo avuto mai nessuna risposta dalla direttrice della scuola, se non un riscontro non professionale a fine corso. Il compenso richiesto nn corrisponde al servizio offerto!!! Ah se volete imparare l'inglese, sappiate che la direttrice scandisce il suo inglese in sillabe x facilitare la comprensione anche a chi l'inglese lo parla da oltre 30 anni😂😂😂. Andate altrove!!!!
Michael Angerer
Michael Angerer
2017-09-05
recommends
All in all, truly outstanding, both for summer courses and university application help. In 2015 and 2016, I spent two weeks in Oxford with OISC in the summer and each time, it was an enriching experience: fascinating lessons, (extremely) friendly staff and interesting activities in the afternoons; I can only recommend the homestay option, which not only allows for greater linguistic immersion, but also means you get to know a less touristy part of the city. Additionally, OISC were able to offer me invaluable advice and support for my (successful) UCAS application and university interviews. The wealth of information provided was, I believe, crucial in mastering the British application format; I was also excellently prepared for an additional A-level needed for my application by e-mail tuition with Philip. In short, I was extremely satisfied with the services provided by OISC, and would like to give special thanks to Philip (for his demanding but rewarding lessons and essay marking) and Dawn (for her constant support).