EF Academy Oxford vs St Clare's

	E EF Academy Oxford Oxford, United Kingdom	S St Clare's Oxford, United Kingdom
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year £31,000 - 68,055	Fees / year £44,802 - 49,730
Age range	Age range 16 - 18 years	Age range 15 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational (boarding)	Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (DP), Cambridge A Levels	Curriculum IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 117	Pupils 278
Typical class size	Typical class size 13	Typical class size 15
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened —	Opened 1953
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Oxford, England; in the historic university city of Oxford. The campus sits in the academic heart of the UK.	Location St Clare's is located in North Oxford, near the city centre of Oxford. The main reception and IB campus are at 139 Banbury Road, Oxford, OX2 7AL, United Kingdom. The school operates with two campuses during the academic year and a third in summer, reflecting its international college and IB offerings.
Stages	Stages Two-year high school programs for students aged 16–18, with options to pursue the IB Diploma Programme or the A-Level Programme.	Stages Levels include a Pre-IB course and a Middle School Programme as part of the IB pathway, culminating in the IB Diploma. The International College offers a University Foundation Programme, English plus Academic Subjects, and an Undergraduate Programme.
School type	School type Private boarding high school.	School type Independent, coeducational school in North Oxford.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix Pupils come from 30+ nationalities; the campus hosts a global community.	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support English language support is available, including the EF Academy Preparation Program for students entering in grades 9 or 10 to accelerate English to the level required for the diploma program.	Additional learning support St Clare's provides learning support for students with learning difficulties or disabilities. A Learning Support Coordinator leads assessment and planning, arranging Educational Psychologist reports and Individual Education Plans (IEPs). The program includes inclusive assessment arrangements for IB and related courses.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation International; not affiliated with a single country.	Country affiliation —
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure —
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details —
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application and one‑time fees - Application fee: GBP 60. - Enrollment (registration) fee: GBP 600. - Refundable security deposit: GBP 1,000 (refunded less any deductions; reimbursement processed in GBP). Tuition and boarding fees (annual and per‑term equivalents) - Tuition (annual): GBP 31,000. - Boarding fee (annual): GBP 18,500. - Student life & activities fee (annual, mandatory): GBP 3,495. - VAT (20%) is applied to published tuition and boarding charges where applicable; published totals including VAT are shown alongside component amounts. The published total annual cost (tuition + boarding + student life & activities, including VAT where applied) is GBP 62,895. - Per‑term equivalents (simple division of the published annual amounts by three terms — presented as a per‑term calculation): - Tuition per term (annual GBP 31,000 ÷ 3): GBP 10,333.33 per term (simple division). - Boarding per term (annual GBP 18,500 ÷ 3): GBP 6,166.67 per term (simple division). - Student life & activities per term (annual GBP 3,495 ÷ 3): GBP 1,165.00 per term (simple division). Tuition by year group / programme - The published fee structure applies as standard rates across the Oxford campus programmes (the same tuition and boarding fees apply across cohorts/years at the Oxford campus). Tuition and accommodation are presented as campus program fees rather than separate published amounts per individual year group. Billing schedule and payment terms - First Installment (new students): GBP 3,500 is payable immediately on admission to secure a place (the "First Installment"). Payment of the First Installment confirms the place and triggers cancellation terms. - CAS / visa requirement: For issuance of a CAS (visa confirmation), payment of 50% of the program fee (tuition + accommodation) is required as part of the documentation conditions. - Final balance due date: Final balances for a course must be settled no later than June 30 in the calendar year of the course start. - Continuing students: To secure a place for the following school year, continuing students must pay 50% of the program fee as per invoices issued at the end of the first term each calendar year; if 50% is not paid by the invoice date a late fee of GBP 750 is applied. The total balance is due by June 30 in the calendar year of the course start; further GBP 750 late fee may apply if the full payment is late. - Overdue payments and sanctions: Overdue fees may lead to suspension or cancellation of enrollment; if all fees are not paid by June 30 a late payment fee of GBP 750 is applied and the school may suspend or cancel enrollment or send the student home for outstanding financial obligations. Boarding specifics - Standard accommodation: Shared double rooms for 7‑day and 5‑day boarding are provided as the standard option; single room upgrades are available at an additional cost where approved. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided Monday–Friday; brunch and dinner are provided on weekends for full boarders. Airport transfers at the start of term are included. Other costs and typical additional charges - Student life & activities fee (mandatory): GBP 3,495 per year (covers Welcome Days, domestic fall immersion trip, weekend activities & transport, laundry card and similar). - Exam fees (where applicable): IB Diploma exam fee example listed as GBP 550; IB Certificate example listed as GBP 495 (exam fees apply depending on course selection and are charged separately once courses are finalised). - Travel insurance: A group travel/medical insurance product is included in the program fee for most students (US and Canadian residents have separate insurance arrangements). - Airport transfers: First airport pick‑up at start of school for all students is included. Additional transport costs for weekend activities and external tickets/entrances are not included. - Uniforms: No compulsory uniform fee or mandatory uniform charge is published in the school's student handbook or the published fee list; no separate uniform cost is listed among the published "Other fees." (If uniform items are required, they are not shown as a published campus fee.) Refunds, cancellations and withdrawal charges - The application/enrollment fees are non‑refundable. - Security deposit refund: The refundable security deposit is reimbursed in GBP within 120 days after the student's final year with the school, less any deductions for damage or outstanding charges. - Cancellation/refund schedule (standard policy highlights): - Cancelling before the specified early cut‑off receives a full refund of paid fees including the First Installment (example cut‑off referenced in the published enrollment agreement: full refund including First Installment if cancelled before the stated early date). - Later cancellation windows carry specified retained amounts (examples in the published enrollment agreement list staged retained amounts depending on the cancellation date, and 100% of annual tuition/accommodation/mandatory fees is charged for cancellations after course start or for withdrawals after arrival). The agreement sets precise date ranges and fixed retained sums or percentages depending on the timing of cancellation; expulsion carries no refund. Accepted payment methods and payment processing - The school accepts payments via its payment partner Flywire and by bank transfer (international payments must include full student name, school and booking reference). Senders are responsible for all bank charges and commissions. Notes on invoicing and term payments - Each student receives an individual payment schedule with their initial invoice; invoicing may reflect the timing of the student's admission and the academic calendar. The school issues invoices ahead of each academic year specifying the fees for that year. For summer preparation courses the school requires payment of at least one term of the subsequent course (tuition + accommodation) prior to arrival.	Fee details Application fees and deposits - A non‑refundable registration fee of GBP 100 is payable on application for all courses. - Enrolment deposits vary by programme: the standard enrolment deposit for the IB Diploma is GBP 2,500. For Pre‑IB entry points the deposit is GBP 1,000 (Autumn or Spring), GBP 500 (Summer), or GBP 2,500 for a full year; International College courses typically require a registration fee of GBP 100 and a course deposit of GBP 500. Tuition fees by programme and term (specified per term and per year where published) - IB Diploma (annual/term breakdown for full IB enrolment): - Annual fee for boarding students: GBP 49,310. Annual fee for day students: GBP 23,592. A term breakdown is published as follows: Autumn term (boarding) GBP 20,428; Spring term (boarding) GBP 15,498; Summer term (boarding) GBP 13,384. Day term amounts are Autumn GBP 9,774; Spring GBP 7,415; Summer GBP 6,403. - IB additional fees: final IB exam registration (second year) GBP 420; private music lessons approximately GBP 55 per hour; music and drama exam fees GBP 51–119; approximate IB book costs GBP 450–650; art materials (if required for Visual Arts) circa GBP 150 for two years. Weekend activities and other compulsory trips are itemised separately (see "Other costs"). - Pre‑IB (term fees and instalment options): - Pre‑IB enrolment deposit and termly fee structure depend on the chosen entry point; deposits and specific term fees follow the same registration and enrolment rules as the IB Diploma. Term‑by‑term Pre‑IB fees are included in the College fee schedule and are aligned with the term breakdowns above for Pre‑IB students where applicable. - International College (University Foundation, Undergraduate Programme, English Language and combinations): - University Foundation Programme (example published prices): 34 weeks tuition GBP 23,358 (various accommodation options priced separately); 27 weeks tuition GBP 18,549 (fee varies by accommodation type). Accommodation and room‑type rates are published per course and per term. - English language and short courses: term and weekly price schedules are published with examples such as 14‑week terms and short‑course 5–7 week prices; weekly course prices vary by course length and are shown on the College fee schedule. Optional one‑to‑one English tuition is charged at GBP 60 per lesson for in‑college provision; online personal language training is charged at GBP 60 per lesson. Boarding fees and accommodation - Boarding is charged annually or by term depending on enrolment. The published annual boarding figure for the IB Diploma is GBP 49,310, with the term breakdown shown above (Autumn GBP 20,428; Spring GBP 15,498; Summer GBP 13,384). Accommodation options and room‑type differentials are published for International College programmes and vary by course and residence type; room‑type pricing appears alongside each course fee listing. Travel and fees insurance are included in the published boarding/course fees where specified. Billing schedule and payment terms - Standard billing: fees are invoiced in instalments. For first‑year entry the general rule is 50% of the fees payable no later than three weeks before the student's date of entry and the balance no later than three weeks before the published first day of the Spring Term in the student's first academic year. In subsequent years invoices are payable no later than three weeks before the first day of each Autumn and Spring term respectively. A surcharge may apply for payments made by credit card. - Where programme‑specific instalment dates are published (for example two Instalments with stated payment deadlines), those instalment amounts and deadlines must be observed as invoiced. Late payment may attract interest and collection costs; the College may exclude a student for overdue fees and may charge a term's fees in lieu of notice if notice requirements are not met. Other costs and optional charges - Meals and meal plans (examples for International College): breakfast and dinner pay‑as‑you‑go or weekly meal plans are available; examples published include breakfast pay‑as‑you‑go GBP 5.40 per day, dinner GBP 11.00 per day, weekly meal‑plan combinations (e.g. breakfast & dinner) with prices published per week. Airport transfer one‑way charges are published by airport (examples: Heathrow GBP 198, Gatwick GBP 252, Luton GBP 222, Stansted GBP 276). One‑to‑one English lessons and online lesson rates are published separately. - School extras and likely additional costs for IB students: study visits and field trips (examples: Biology field trip GBP 450; Geography/ESS field trip GBP 250); UK day trip allowances (free up to GBP 50); European cultural weekends GBP 600–700; weekend activities GBP 250 per term; team sports kit GBP 80–120. Pre‑IB and IB book and materials estimates: Pre‑IB books circa GBP 200; IB books circa GBP 450–650; art materials circa GBP 150 for two years. Private music tuition is charged per hour. Additional examination/legalisation fees (for official documentation) and activity charges are published where applicable. Refunds, deposits and cancellation rules - Enrolment deposit handling: the College retains the enrolment deposit until after the student leaves and will repay it within 60 days of the last scheduled day of the student's course, subject to deduction for outstanding fees or costs. The College will refund the enrolment deposit in specified circumstances (for example, if the College withdraws an offer after acceptance or if a visa application is refused and documentary evidence is provided), but will not refund deposits where visa refusal is caused by the applicant's failure to comply with visa requirements or where the student does not take up the place. - Course fees and refunds: Course and term fees are not normally refundable for absence through illness, shortened terms, temporary closures for adverse weather, or similar circumstances, except in exceptional cases at the sole discretion of the Principal or where there is a legal liability. Refunds are normally made only to the person who made the original booking and to the country from which the original payment was made. Detailed refund and cancellation provisions are set out in the College's Terms and Conditions for each programme. Fee payment options and bank details - International payment facilitation: Flywire is used for international payments; Flywire supports card payments, local online payment methods in many countries, and bank transfers and allows payment in a payer's home currency where available. Payment via Flywire includes a payment reference (Web ID or Student ID) to ensure correct allocation. - Bank transfer: bank transfer details are provided for GBP payments (payable to St Clare's, Oxford; account and sort code published for GBP; SWIFT and an IBAN for Europe are provided). Payers must cover all bank charges. Cash payments are accepted only up to GBP 250. A credit‑card surcharge may apply. Specific bank details and payment references are published for use when paying by bank transfer. Summary notes on fees content - Application and registration fees: GBP 100 registration fee; deposits differ by programme (IB enrolment deposit GBP 2,500; IC deposit GBP 500 in examples). Published tuition and boarding figures are itemised per term and as annual totals for IB and are shown per programme and per course length for International College programmes. Instalment and payment deadlines, late‑payment interest, and refund/cancellation rules are set out in the College's Terms and Conditions.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements Boarding is full residential life on campus with daily mentorship and 24/7 support from tutors, pathway managers, house parents, and the wellness team. Students live on campus alongside peers from around the world, which builds independence and a global perspective.	Boarding arrangements St. Clare's has 12 residential houses in North Oxford. Houses are single-sex and accommodation aims to mix cultural backgrounds within each house; a ballot determines the allocation of single, double and triple rooms and which house the student will live in for IB2. Residential IB and PIB students are full-board; each house has a kitchen for light snacks and a laundry, with sheets, pillowcases and towels laundered by the College. The College offers places to students either as boarders or non-residential (day) students under separate offer letters.
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement No formal dress code. You can wear whatever expresses your personality; dress in a way that doesn't cause discomfort to others.	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options Evening meals are provided as part of boarding life. After the evening meal, dorm life continues with Study Hall and opportunities for social activities in the dorm.	Food options Residential IB and PIB students are full-board. Each house has a kitchen for light snacks.
House system	House system Pupils are allocated to Magdalen, Folly, or Osney houses upon enrollment. The houses have colors and emblems, and students participate in inter-house games and activities.	House system St. Clare's operates a house-based residential system with 12 houses in North Oxford. Houses are single-sex and mixing of IB1 and IB2 students within houses is planned where possible; a ballot determines room allocations and which house a student will live in for IB2. The College reserves the right to move students between rooms and between houses.
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership St. Clare's, Oxford is a charitable company limited by guarantee. It is registered in England No 01986868 and is a Registered Charity No 294085.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details The school offers two diploma pathways: the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB Diploma) and the A-Level Program. Oxford advisors help craft a personalised graduation path by selecting classes from a wide range of subjects. In the IB Diploma, students take six courses per year with three mandatory Core components: Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS), the Extended Essay, and Theory of Knowledge. In the A-Level Program, students typically study three to four subjects over two years, with an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) option. English is studied in preparation for IELTS, and Pathways Support covers study skills, Growth Mindset, Personal and Social Health Education, and University Preparation.	Curriculum details St Clare's offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma and a Preparatory IB course, plus a Middle School Programme. The International College provides a University Foundation Programme, English plus Academic Subjects, and an Undergraduate Programme. English Language provision includes English for Life, English for Examinations, and Online Personal Language Training. Summer Courses are offered for adults and teenagers, and Teacher Training is available through IB Teacher Workshops, CELTA, and DELTA. Boarding and day options are available as part of the college offering.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio Average class size: 13	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results EF Academy Oxford graduates have a 99% university admission rate, and 92% are admitted to their first or second-choice universities. In 2024, 192 students graduated, many completing AP courses, the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme, or the A-Level programme. A-Level achiever percentages: 54% A*-A (EF Academy) vs 28% worldwide. IB Diploma pass rate: 82% (EF Academy) vs 80% worldwide. IB Diploma average total points: 31.5 (EF Academy) vs 30.32 worldwide. Worldwide offers include University of Oxford, University College London, Cambridge, and other top universities.	Exam results Outstanding IB examination results. The average points score over the last three years is 35, higher than the world average of 30, and 90% of students scored above this. The school regularly has students achieving the maximum IB score of 45, placing them in the top 1% globally. Every student completes the full IB Diploma and the school reports a 100% pass rate.
Higher education progression	Higher education progression Graduates gain admission to leading universities worldwide, including the University of Oxford, University College London, Cambridge, and other top UK, US, and global institutions; 99% university admission and 92% first- or second-choice offers are reported.	Higher education progression University Destinations and Careers guidance provide unlimited one-to-one support and a rigorous careers education programme to help IB students choose courses and locations. The program supports applications to top universities worldwide. Recent destinations include Bocconi University, Durham University, ESADE, ESCP, IE University, Imperial College London, King's College London, LSE, Maastricht University, Minerva University, NUS, NYU, UCL, University of Amsterdam, UC Berkeley, University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, and many others.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented IB World School scholarships are offered, including day and boarding scholarships that may be full or partial and awarded for the full two-year IB Diploma. Anne Dreydel Foundation Scholarships are a designated award for selected IB students. Scholarships are means-tested, and shortlisted applicants attend a Scholarship Assessment Day.
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning The curriculum includes social and emotional learning as a core component of education. It delivers social and emotional learning through PSHE and RHSE and other curriculum contexts, and students learn about safeguarding so they recognise when they are at risk and how to get help when they need it. The online safety education is part of the curriculum to help students understand the risks of new technologies and how to use them responsibly. Students are encouraged to talk about their feelings and are offered access to a range of appropriate adults for support as needed. The safeguarding framework supports safe, respectful interactions and includes anti-bullying measures. The safeguarding and pastoral teams (IB World School and International College) meet weekly to monitor welfare matters.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) Staff are trained to recognise the needs of children with special educational needs (SEND) and to respond with appropriate support. The safeguarding policy notes that some students have SEND and may require early help. Training for staff covers the needs of children with SEND and the importance of timely assessment and intervention. Safeguarding procedures emphasise equality and fairness, ensuring SEND students are considered in safeguarding planning. Safeguarding records, including those related to students with SEND, are maintained in CPOMS or relevant safeguarding systems as part of the college's welfare monitoring.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language English language courses are offered through St Clare's International College, including English for Everyday Use, English for Examinations, English Combination Course, and Personal Language Training.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing Mental health is addressed within safeguarding. All staff should be aware that mental health problems can be indicators of abuse or risk; only appropriately trained professionals should diagnose mental health issues. Staff should observe students and escalate concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead, with emphasis on early help and intervention. The policy recognises the impact of trauma on mental health and wellbeing and the need for a safeguarding-pastoral approach to support students' resilience and self-esteem.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding Safeguarding and child protection are central responsibilities. The Designated Safeguarding Lead is Elena Hesse, with deputy leads including Emily Woodeson, Kelly Gilbert, and Julia Radlinger. The safeguarding and pastoral teams meet weekly to discuss welfare matters. The governing body monitors safeguarding arrangements, safer recruitment practices, and related governance. Safeguarding records are kept securely, staff receive ongoing safeguarding training, and there are clear procedures for reporting concerns and liaising with external agencies when required. Online safety and anti-bullying measures are in place as part of safeguarding provisions.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview EF Academy Oxford is a private boarding high school in Oxford, England. Boarding life runs on campus with daily mentorship and 24/7 support from tutors, pathway managers, house parents, and the wellness team. Students reside in Marcus Lower (girls) and Brewer (boys) houses, and participate in Magdalen, Folly, or Osney house systems. EF Academy Oxford provides access to shared facilities at Oxford Brookes University, located a short walk down Pullens Lane, including a gym, basketball courts, a rock climbing wall, squash courts, sports fields, and a library. Graduations are held in the Sheldonian Theatre, and the Divinity School is highlighted as the oldest lecture hall in Oxford. Academic programs include the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme or A-Levels, with customized university counseling and pathways.	Facilities overview We are located in North Oxford just 1.5 km from the city centre. Our campus is made up of over 25 Victorian and Edwardian buildings and consists of three key sites: Banbury Road Campus, Bardwell Road Campus and the Summer Juniors Campus at Headington Rye School. Banbury Road Campus houses the IB World School, Summer Teenagers, and part of Teacher Training, while Bardwell Road Campus hosts the International College and Summer for adult students, with a portion of Teacher Training also based there. Our Summer Juniors Campus operates at Headington Rye School for July and August. A virtual tour allows exploration of spaces including classrooms, science laboratories, art and music studios, the library, a cafe, social spaces and accommodation.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities EF Academy Oxford offers access to sports facilities at Oxford Brookes University, a short walk along Pullens Lane. Facilities available include basketball, rock climbing, squash, gym, and sports fields. On-campus co-curricular programming includes a broad range of sports such as tennis, running, cycling, volleyball, basketball, football, and swimming. Students can also participate in additional activities such as paintball and river punting. These facilities and activities support a physically active and team-based learning environment.	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities All courses are taught in English. EF Academy Oxford offers either the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme or the A-Level Programme, tailored to students' interests and goals. Every student receives personalized university advising and support from a dedicated university and academic counselor. Students have access to Oxford Brookes University facilities, including the library, for study and research. Graduations take place in the Sheldonian Theatre, with the Divinity School as a historic space used for events.	Academic facilities Academic facilities include classrooms, science laboratories, and art and music studios. The library is available for study and research.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities Extracurricular activities are an integral part of boarding life with a wide range of clubs, sports, and activities. Clubs include Economics and Business, Model United Nations, Debating, STEAM, Theatre, Music, Art, Italian culture, and Polyglot clubs. Volunteer work, leadership opportunities, and student governance are available through Duke of Edinburgh, OSIS, and Student Ambassador programs. Sports options include tennis, rock climbing, running, volleyball, basketball, football, cycling, and swimming. Additional activities include painting, short-story contests, and river punting.	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History EF Academy Oxford is part of EF Education First, founded by Bertil Hult in 1965. It was launched as a new kind of international school in Oxford, designed to fuse the best of the past with the best of the future, with total immersion at its core. The campus emphasizes personalized, hands-on learning within a global community of 30+ nationalities. Oxford is a historic university city dating back to the 12th century. Students study either the IB Diploma Programme or the A-Level Programme.	History St. Clare's comprises two colleges, the IB World School and the International College, based in the conservation area of Summertown in north Oxford, about twenty minutes' walk from the city centre. The school is international, independent, co-educational (50:50), residential and a registered charity (No. 294085). St. Clare's operates 48 weeks a year and runs three business streams: the IB World School; the International College (University Pathways, English language and other adult courses); and Summer courses (English language, Academic and IB preparation). Over the course of a year, students from up to 80 nationalities study at St. Clare's; the IB World School educates students from 50 countries, of whom 12 per cent are British.
Community	Community EF Academy Oxford hosts a global community with classmates from 30+ countries. Daily mentorship and 24/7 support from house parents, advisors, and teachers help students thrive. An advisory group, led by an Advisor, meets multiple times per week to support learners. Students also engage in real-life learning activities such as the Duke of Edinburgh's Award and UK-wide excursions, enriching their campus experience.	Community The college hosts an international community, with students from up to 80 nationalities and 50 countries represented in the IB World School. Admissions-related events include open days, scholarship day and taster events. Alumni relations and development are growing areas within the central Marketing Department, supporting fundraising for scholarships and bursaries and fostering cross-college connections.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual The school has Economic and Business and STEAM clubs, focusing on macroeconomics and interdisciplinary problem solving. Model UN and Debate enable students to engage in real-world issues and argumentation.	Academic & intellectual St Clare's offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) and a Preparatory IB course. The IB Diploma is a two-year program for ages 16–18 with six subjects (three Higher Level and three Standard Level) plus Core Elements: Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay, and Creativity, Activity and Service. The average class size is nine students, with 30 hours of classroom lessons per week, and the start date is 3 September 2026. The college is the oldest IB World School in England and emphasises independent learning, personalised support, and extensive university guidance, with around 90% of students scoring above the world average and many achieving the maximum 45 points.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative The Theater, Drama, Music, and The Arts clubs offer performance and visual arts opportunities. Yarn and Book clubs provide creative and literary activities.	Arts & creative The school offers a broad range of Creative Arts pathways, including Drama, Fashion & Textiles, Art Foundation, Visual Arts, Music, Creative Writing & Journalism, Film & Media Production, Animation, and Interior & Furniture Design. Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) is integrated into Pre-IB and IB, providing creative experiences such as studio art and theatre. The University Destinations page highlights these Creative Arts options as part of its subject areas. CAS offers over 50 experiences per week, with students able to select up to three per term, supporting creativity and personal growth.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language Italian Culture explores art, language, and heritage; Polyglot encourages multilingual communication and cultural exchange. Culture Fair and related celebrations also enrich language and culture experiences.	Cultural & language Group 1 languages include English, German, and Italian. Group 2 languages include Dutch, English, French, Spanish, Chinese (for beginners) and German, with some languages offered for beginners. The school describes itself as international and inclusive, with a diverse student body of over 45 nationalities. This combination of language options and intercultural emphasis supports multilingual learning and intercultural dialogue.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies Yarn, Mahjong, and Book clubs foster social and hobby-based activities. Culture Fair, TED-Ed Student Talks, and Short Story content provide additional informal opportunities for social engagement.	Social & hobbies The study programme offers an extensive range of extracurricular activities in sport and culture. Students can try windsurfing, surfing in Cornwall, go-karting, studio art, punting, and treasure hunts in Oxford. For IB students, a full range of sports and activities is included as part of their CAS experiences. The school also runs weekend trips and visits to places like Stratford-upon-Avon, Bath, London, and other destinations.
Community & service	Community & service Volunteering offers opportunities to contribute to local communities.	Community & service Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) is an integral part of the Pre-IB and IB programme, offering more than 50 CAS experiences a week. The CAS program encourages initiative, problem-solving, teamwork, and open-mindedness, with reflection on experiences and alignment with the IB learner profile. CAS supports cross-cultural engagement, collaboration, and community service, including opportunities to improve life conditions in communities. The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is also included as part of Pre-IB and IB experiences.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional Student Council and Ambassador Program give students leadership roles, while Duke of Edinburgh provides outdoor challenge experiences and service activities.	Leadership & professional The Leadership Programme is integrated into student life as part of the IB World School experience. The University Destinations and Careers and Higher Education support provide unlimited one-to-one guidance and a rigorous careers programme to help students secure places at top universities and competitive programs. The college embeds Careers & Higher Education into the learning experience, hosting career events, university visits, and tasters to support informed choices.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing Sports include tennis, rock climbing, running, volleyball, basketball, football, cycling, and swimming. Social events and wellbeing activities include paintball, punting, ice skating, hot chocolate nights, and cultural celebrations.	Lifestyle & wellbeing St Clare's emphasises holistic wellbeing with a safe, supportive pastoral system. For sport and culture, IB students have access to sport facilities and clubs in the city, with staff-supervised activities. The school provides a wide range of sports and activities as part of CAS and beyond, including theatre and cultural experiences such as trips to London and other destinations.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision English is the language of instruction for all academic courses. If needed, EF Academy offers an EF Academy Preparation Program to accelerate English before starting diploma studies; students may complete A-Levels in Oxford in their native language, subject to availability.	Language provision Group 1 languages offered are HL & SL: English (Literature and Language & Literature), German, Italian, Russian; French (Literature only); SL languages include Albanian, Chinese, Dutch, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Serbian, Spanish, Swedish, Ukrainian, Danish, Romanian, Lithuanian, Bulgarian, and Korean. Group 2 languages (Language Acquisition) are HL & SL: English, French, German, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese (ab initio); SL only: Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, German. The majority of students have a mother tongue other than English and are taught a range of subjects through the medium of English, with English language support available in small groups or one-to-one. A Pre-IB course provides English language development, and all teachers are responsible for the English language development of EAL students.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs Total immersion is the guiding approach at EF Academy Oxford; learning is highly individualized, totally hands-on, in a global community of 30+ nationalities.	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards null
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations The school has accreditations and memberships including the IB Diploma being accredited by the International Baccalaureate Organisation, and English Language courses accredited by the British Council. It is a member of the Independent Schools Association, Independent Schools Council, Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) and the Independent Schools Inspection (PFE). English UK, Quality English and the British Boarding Schools' Network (BBSN) are also associated, and it partners with the University of San Diego for its Undergraduate Programme. It runs a Duke of Edinburgh Award Centre and participates in the PRELIM language-improvement initiative.
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions EF Academy Oxford is an international boarding school in Oxford, England. The campus sits in a historic university city. Students come from 30+ countries. The two-year programs are the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and the A-level Programme; one-semester or one-year enrollments are not offered. All courses are taught in English. EF Academy Oxford offers merit-based scholarships for students who demonstrate strong academic ability, creativity, leadership, or community engagement. Boarding is full on-campus with daily mentorship and 24/7 support from tutors, pathway managers, house parents, and the wellness team. Class sizes are small and learning extends beyond textbooks. Customized counseling provides one-on-one university advising from early on to help students select courses and target universities. The pathway system pairs classes with clubs, enrichment activities and practical experiences to meet students' passions and future goals. The faculty are experts in international education with global classroom experience. The Advisory Council includes Dr. Fernando Reimers, Dr. Mukul Kumar and Dr. Laurie Santos. Campus visits are possible via a scheduled tour. Accreditations and memberships are listed on the page. Scholarships and financial support are available on a merit basis. The school emphasizes a global, immersive learning environment with a diverse student body.	Admissions St Clare's offers International Baccalaureate Diploma and Preparatory IB (Pre‑IB) programmes. Registration of Interest provides information about the IB courses; you complete the online form and the admissions team will contact you. The form collects the student's first and last name, date of birth, sex, parent/guardian contact details, title, country, home and mobile phone numbers, email, choice of course (IB or Pre‑IB), and proposed date of entry (month and year). Open Day/College tour information is available through the school's IB World School materials. The campus is located at 139 Banbury Road, Oxford OX2 7AL, UK.
Scholarships	Scholarships EF Academy Oxford offers merit-based scholarships for students who demonstrate strong academic ability, creativity, leadership, or community engagement.	Scholarships Scholarships and bursaries are available for entry onto the IB Diploma. Scholarships can be full or partial and are means‑tested. Award decisions are based on an assessment of the applicant's school records, confidential references, and performance in an examination and interview held in Oxford; attendance in Oxford for interview and examination is required to be considered for a scholarship. Scholarships are awarded to exceptional students who could not otherwise attend the College and may cover tuition fees and accommodation fees; no more than two full awards are made, with most awards being partial.
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
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