Oxford Field School 2025
Oxford, England
Landmark medical and scientific breakthroughs in Great Britain
Welcome! The travel component of this course, to the University of Oxford in England, provides a wonderful opportunity to learn in one of the most historical scholarly places in the world. With its earliest teaching dating back to the 11-century, Oxford is the oldest English-speaking university in the world! You will be immersed in the brilliant historical college-based system, studying and living in St Edmund Hall (aka Teddy Hall). This is one Oxford’s loveliest colleges, with a beautiful front quad, renowned chef, and located in the heart of the city so that everything is in walking distance!
While in England and during pre-departure coursework, you will learn about significant scientific milestones that contributed to the modern medicine of today. Some of these include the discovery of DNA, biological cells, scientific laws (laws of gravity, motion, gas, elasticity, etc.), natural selection, penicillin and the smallpox vaccine, first IVF baby, among many others. Studying at Oxford will allow immersive interactive learning by visiting historical sites and museums to learn more hands-on about these topics in an exciting and fun environment. We will visit several significant sites in Oxford: the famous Bodleian library (particularly the Upper Reading Room history of science and medicine collection), world class Oxford History of Science and Pitts Rivers museums, and famous scientists college tours (Boyle, Hooke, Einstein, and more). In addition to Oxford-based learning, we will take three day trips: the Royal Society of Medicine in London, the Flemming lab in London, and the discovery of DNA tour in Cambridge.
Program Dates
Course-based work on MRU campus will run from June 10 to June 28, 2024, with approximately 6 in-person classes on campus. There will also be project work for which students are responsible. This reflects that this is a six credit (equivalent to one year) course and the learning content reflects this.
Late May/early June 2024: online two-hour course orientation
June 2 - 13, 2025: 2-3 classes per week, MRU
June 16 - 20, 2025: 2 days on campus plus orientation activities
June 19, 2025: Oxford Orientation Evening
July 8 - July 22, 2025: Oxford Field School Component (with day trips outside of Oxford)
*July 31, 2025: Final projects submitted, online wrap-up
*There are no in-person requirements after the Oxford field school to accommodate those wishing to continue travel overseas.
Course Credit
GNED 3010 - Science in a Global Context (6 credits) (GNED Cluster 1, Tier 3)
Prerequisite(s): GNED 1101 OR GNED 1102 OR GNED 1103 OR permission of the instructor.
Information Sessions
To obtain more information about the Oxford Field School, or to ask questions, see a course outline/itinerary/etc., please attend a scheduled information session.
Students who are not able to attend one of the scheduled sessions are welcome to contact the field school instructor Sarah Orton.
Application Deadline
September 19, 2024 at 4:00 p.m.
Application Process
Before applying for a MRU field school, students should ensure they have familiarized themselves with the general field school requirements and policies.
To apply for the Oxford Field School 2024, submit the following by the application deadline:
- Field School Application Form (with all requested and supporting documents attached in PDF format);
- A one-page letter of intent explaining why you would like to be part of the Oxford field school and how you believe it will enhance your personal, education or career goals;
- Unofficial MRU Transcript (from MRUGradU8).
Program Costs
Oxford Field School Program Fees - $3,000.00
The program fees include:
- Accommodation at Oxford;
- Pre-paid meals in college dining hall;
- All course-related programming, excursions and activities;
- Contingency fee;
- Faculty expenses and MRU administration fee.
Program fees do not include course tuition or additional student expenses (see below).
Program fees are payable according to the payment deadlines outlined in the following table. Instructions for paying program fees will be provided to participants at time of acceptance.
| *1st deposit | September 19, 2025 | $1,000.00 |
| 2nd deposit | January 16, 2025 | $1,000.00 |
| 3rd deposit | March 6, 2025 | $1,000.00 |
*Initial program deposit is non-refundable and secures the participant's place in the program. Possibility of refund of subsequent deposits due to withdrawal from the program will be assessed and determined at the time of withdrawal according to the field school refund policy.
MRU Tuition & General Fees
MRU tuition and fees for GNED 3010 (6 credits) are in addition to the program fees and will be assessed to each student's account in April, 2025. They are payable to MRU by the spring 2025 fee payment deadline.
Additional Student Expenses
Students are responsible for all additional expenses not included in the program fees such as: airfare, trip cancellations and interruption insurance, airport transportation in Calgary and at Oxford, additional meals & incidentals, Out of Country Travel Health and Medical Insurance, passport, communication costs, personal spending, transportation during free time and emergency funds, etc.
Financial Assistance
Oxford field school participants will receive a $1,500 grant from the MRU International Mobility Award to use towards the costs associate with the field school.
Further information about this funding, other possible grants, and student loan funding for field schools can be obtained at the information sessions or by contacting MRU International Education.
Contact Information
For more information please contact:
Sarah Orton - Field School Instructor (sorton@mtroyal.ca)
Trinda Guillet - International Education (tguillet@mtroyal.ca)
St. Edmund Hall, Oxford