Part time and Distance Learning Students
Every year we welcome a range of part-time research (DPhil) and taught course (Masters) students, in the fields of Education, Management and Medicine. We hope this page gives you more information about Green Templeton, what to expect when you enrol, and how to participate in college life. Regardless of whether you will be an occasional or regular visitor to Oxford, or if your studies are for the most part remote, we hope your time on your course will be memorable and enjoyable.
What will the college provide for me?
University card
Your University card can be used to access the college site 24 hours a day including evenings and weekends, plus restricted areas such as the Library, IT room and gym. Use it also when booking meals to get your student discount applied automatically. After enrolment, you can collect your card from the Lodge if you are in Oxford, or arrange for it to be posted to you (standard first class) to a UK address. For those who are mostly based overseas, we can provide all your card ID details so you can still access all the online services provided by the college and university. Contact the Admissions Officer to check when yours is ready.
Enrolment and graduation
Our College Office team will be available both in person and online to help you enrol for your course, complete matriculation in person or remotely (if required for your course) and on completion of your studies be your host college for you and guest(s) to celebrate your degree if you choose to graduate in person.
Learning grant
Enrolled Green Templeton students can apply for funding of up to £250 each academic year for full-time fee paying students or £125 for part-time fee-paying students, to support study-related needs throughout the academic year; such as learning a language to enable research of primary sources, purchasing a specialised software package to analyse data, or help with translation or transcriptions. There are a number of other academic-related costs you may be eligible for. For further information check our Funding pages.
College adviser
Your adviser acts as an academic point of contact independent from your departmental supervisor (usually in a different subject area). They may signpost on support available to you or may advise on academic-related matters; they should keep in touch by email and may invite you to lunch or dinner when you’re in Oxford. You will be assigned a college adviser close to the start of full term (October 2024) and notified by our Deputy Academic Registrar.
On site facilities
Sport and fitness
We have our own gym on the main college site with aerobic machines, free weights, table tennis and other equipment. An induction is required for regular users (ask at the Lodge); in the short term you may sign a waiver to get access. There are also two outdoor tennis courts and a squash court. Bookings can be made at the Lodge; tennis and squash equipment is also available to sign out. Off-site, the college part-owns a Boathouse on the river. There are active rowing, squash and tennis clubs, and punt hire available during the summer months.
Library and study spaces
Our Library is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and the librarians are available to support you during office hours. We have a collection reflecting the full range of programmes offered by our college. More information is available on our Library page.
There are also a number of other reading rooms and workspaces around the College which all students can use; please ask the Librarian or the Lodge for information or refer to our College Life pages (communal rooms, meeting rooms, facilities).
Your university card will give you access to many other university and departmental libraries and electronic resources. Start with this useful guide
Meals in college
Green Templeton has a reputation for good quality college food, and having lunch, supper or dinner in college while you are in Oxford is a great way to meet fellow students, staff and fellows. Other than seasonal closure periods in late August and over the winter vacation, our kitchen is open for lunches and some weekday evening meals for most of the year, not just term time. Our Food and Meal bookings page gives an overview of current lunch and evening meal times and costs. Upon enrolment you will be able to book ahead electronically using your Single Sign On (SSO) once you know the times you are likely to be visiting Oxford and a student discount will be applied using your university card details. You will also be required to set up a college (‘battels’) account by providing a direct debit form to our Finance team to link your bank details as it is a cashless system. Once you are enrolled, you will be added to our weekly Catering e-bulletin for updates particularly on our popular evening suppers and dinners, and themed events.
Music
For those that are able to participate on occasion or regularly in person, we have a music practice room (Rotunda) where instruments can be borrowed, a Community Choir, and a GTC Performs! event once termly where you can participate or be part of the audience. Further information on GTC’s music opportunities
Opportunities to learn, mix and meet
Our extra-curricular activities range from events such as the student-run ball to smaller informal ‘bops’ (social nights at the Bar, usually with a theme), quiz nights, wine tasting, book clubs and other events which are advertised through the year. You will be added to the GCR Grapevine and Student Bulletin mailing lists during the enrolment period and the GCR Term Card will be updated closer to the start of term. We also have a number of hybrid events for those who can’t join in person, our Events page will indicate if this is possible.
The Atlas Programme
GTC runs a unique academic personal and professional development programme which is free of charge to all our students. Each term we usually offer one full or half day weekend workshop, as well as occasional evening workshops. Professional trainers and facilitators visit for interactive sessions which will help you see your academic work in new ways and add to your skills and knowledge, as well as opportunities to get to know other Green Templeton students. Topics may include storytelling as a research skill, public and policy engagement, networking, and managing your time and energy to flourish in your work.
Coaching
We also offer a coaching programme which can be delivered remotely. Look out for information and opening applications through our communications at the beginning of Michaelmas term.
Shut-up and Write! groups
These popular online sessions are facilitated by Associate Fellow Professor Nancy Puccinelli. These are weekly two-hour meetings throughout the year, where you can share your aims and write without distractions, alongside colleagues. A meeting room is usually available for these sessions for anyone who’d like to join from college.
Student Research Presentations
In Hilary (spring) term, GTC research students have an opportunity to give early evening presentations on their research progress and findings to staff, fellow students and fellows. These talks are aimed at a wide audience, not just specialists in their field and are usually delivered in a hybrid format meaning you can join online or in person as another opportunity to meet peers from other subject areas in the college.
College support
Our College Office team will support and represent you in a number of ways from enrolment to graduation should you require help while on course, both in person and remotely.
Exams and assessments
While your department is responsible for your course content and exams/assessments, the college can support you in various ways, for example:
- Applying for alternative exam arrangements (students with disabilities, medical conditions or specific learning difficulties
- Making extension requests to formal assessment deadlines (exceptional circumstances)
- With any other serious problems or complaints which might arise and may require formal representation or mediation between you and your department
In all these cases, you should give as much notice as possible of any impending issues. Contact our Academic Registrar Alison Franklin
Welfare support and advice
Including signposting to University resources, eg the Counselling Service and Disability Advisory Service (DAS).
Short-term/guest accommodation
We have two double guest rooms on site which may be booked subject to availability. Other vacant rooms may also be let on a short-term basis. Part-time students are not normally offered long-term accommodation although occasionally rooms may become available later in the summer. For information about availability and current prices, contact our Accommodation team.
Graduation
The University’s Degree Conferrals Office will contact you by email in the November before the end of your programme with details of how to book a graduation ceremony. You will however be presented for graduation by the college. The College Office team will be in contact with further details on the degree day celebrations and are your first point of contact for any queries.
How can I make the most of college?
(Tips from previous part time students)
- Plan ahead: keep an eye on our regular email bulletins, Term card and college social media to see what events are taking place during your visits to Oxford.
- Just turn up! alternatively, just drop into college any time; free tea and coffee is available in the Stables Gallery and Common Room, and staff and students are approachable and friendly.
- Extend your stay: consider arriving earlier or staying later for in person modules to have more time to take advantage of Oxford.
- Stay in touch: your College Adviser should be in touch at least once a term via email. You can also contact them to tell them how you’re doing. Let our Deputy Academic Registrar know if they don’t respond.
- Bring a friend: why not invite your spouse, partner, or a colleague from your programme to lunch or dinner at GTC?
- Connect with other students: get to know other GTC students regardless of the course they are on; get involved in initiatives, societies, teams; help to influence the college’s activities by starting a new project or initiative (see the Student Projects page, and Funding for college-based activities page)
- Ask! The college intranet for GTC members should provide a lot of practical information once you have your SSO activated, but if you are still not sure, please follow up with the College Office team.
- Get to know and connect with the GCR and the Sports and Societies reps in advance of your visits so you can organise activities and socials you like doing during your time in Oxford.
Next steps, useful links and contacts
- Complete dept/college conditions by deadlines set
- Complete and return university card form over summer
- Enrolment/registration process starts 1 September (can be completed online)
- First modules (either in person or online) late Aug to Oct (check with your dept)
- Online college induction and optional in-person events if you are in Oxford
Useful links and contacts
Part-time courses at Oxford information and video
Email: welcome@gtc.ox.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1865 274770 (Lodge)
Tel: +44 (0)1865 284591 (Admissions and Disability Support Officer, office hours Mon to Thurs)
