The University of Oklahoma is a public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma just 20 minutes. South of Oklahoma City. The University of Oklahoma sponsors many collegiate sporting events in Norman; it is famous for its football team, the “Sooners” as they are known, have won seven NCAA Division I National Football Championships with over 80,000 people routinely watching. With three recreation centres, a golf course and driving range, three disc golf courses, a complete swimming complex with waterslides, a wading pool, 32 tennis courts, 16 soccer fields, 14 baseball/softball fields, and four football fields, there will be plenty to keep you busy. Oklahoma experiences subtropical climate with humid summers and cool winters, tornados and severe weather typically occur during April and May. Numerous celebratory events can be attended locally, including musical performances, arts festivals and Mardi Gras!

It will not be possible to complete a year abroad at this University if you have any assessments, such as supplementary or deferred exams, during the August assessment period at Swansea University.

Street Art in Oklahoma

Who can study here?

Swansea has a ‘university-wide’ partnership with this university which means that it is open to all subject areas except for Economics. 

Spaces are not guaranteed, can be limited and all students on a semester/year abroad programme are subject to a university-wide, competitive selection process.

Important information

ACADEMIC YEAR: Runs from August to May.

COSTS: The cost of living in Oklahoma will depend on your accommodation choice, selected optional meal plan and lifestyle. Further information on costs can be found here

VISA: You will need a J-1 visa to study at the University of Oklahoma. As part of the visa application, you will need to evidence financial support  which meets the requirement of US$13,000 for the year.  To apply for a visa, you will need to pay a SEVIS fee of approx $220 plus an appliction fee of approx $185. In addition, you should factor in the cost of attending a visa interview at the US Embassy (typically in London). More information is available on the US Embassy website. You must allow enough time to complete the visa application and for your visa to be sent to you. There can be significant delays so please do not leave this until the last minute as you cannot travel to the USA without it. Your host university will provide you with more information about the application process.

ACCOMMODATION: Exchange students are encouraged to live in on-campus accommodation but places are not guaranteed. Meal plans are available to purchase for on-campus accommodation each semester. 

HEALTH INSURANCE: Exchange students will be automatically enrolled in the OU's student health plan (SHP). More information on SHP can be found here.

USEFUL LINKS: 

Oscar in Oklahoma

Oscar's experience:

Oscar, who studies History and Medieval Studies, spent a semester studying at the University of Oklahoma: 

"Some highlights included being part of the international/local student group which held many, varying events throughout my time there and being able to go to all the different college sports games, with my friends, that were held on campus. At the end of my studies, I went on a 2000-mile road trip with another student studying abroad in Oklahoma from Germany, and we visited several famous places throughout the country like the Grand Canyon, the original Route 66, Las Vegas, Death Valley and Los Angeles, making some incredible memories along the way."

Freddie Evans and Friend

Freddie's experience:

Freddie, who studies Politics and International Relations, spent a semester at the University of Oklahoma:

"The University of Oklahoma is an amazing place, the campus is huge and also very beautiful, the International office is incredibly well run, and the university itself is host to a large and exciting community of international students. The university makes a massive effort to integrate incoming internationals, organizing events and pairing up students with either host families or a local American student.My favourite moment of the trip was when me and my flatmates decided to take a road trip from Oklahoma to Chicago. The trip was incredibly long, as it’s about 600 miles to Chicago, but it was also an incredibly fun experience."