Oxford Tutorial Method

What is the Oxford Tutorial Method?
It is instructional method that has been in use at Oxford for hundreds of years and which has come to be known as the Oxford Tutorial Method. Using this approach, students study on their own but are tutored regularly one-on-one in the subject they are studying.

This is a 1969 description of this method by W. G. Moore:

“The tutorial is a weekly meeting of the student with the teacher to whom he is specially committed…It requires the preparation of a weekly essay, which is presented orally, listened to by the tutor and discussed immediately…A usual feature of the method is its informality. It all happens…in the tutor's…college set of rooms…with easy chairs set near the fire...”

How does Glengarry apply this method?
The Oxford Tutorial Method requires the preparation of a series of essays (papers) on various subjects. These are discussed with and graded by a personal tutor. By focusing on writing, you develop an ability to think in writing; to work through a topic and apply the knowledge you have gained to problem solving. By doing this, you gain the type of knowledge you can apply in the real world—not vague, academic theories.

Do I have to present my essays orally?
No. You email your essays to your tutor who will comment on them, make recommendations where appropriate and help you to develop a competent writing and presentation style.

Where do I find topics for my essays?

1. Click here to go to our Recommended Books page. There you will find a long list of books and other types of publications by subject. We will be adding to this list constantly. Our students help keep this list current.
2. Browse through local bookstores.
3. You may also wish to go to Amazon.com and search by topic.
4. Search the Internet for the topic you want. Try Yahoo!, Google or any of the many other search engines. The new MSN Search has officially launched as well.