Tuition system

Some course units are taught entirely at Westfield House. Others entail lectures at Cambridge University, and are supplemented or supervised at Westfield, where the student’s work is examined and assessed. We co-ordinate our schedule with the University’s. Our year is divided into three rather short and intensive terms, during which students will be expected to remain in Cambridge and concentrate on their studies. (In Cambridge parlance this is ‘keeping term’, and we take it seriously. In addition, the terms of visas for overseas students require them to keep term.) Some units last only one term; some continue through the entire year. In between the terms there are lengthy breaks, providing time for students to complete essays. Inevitably students from overseas have a desire to see more of Britain and Europe and may wish to plan some travel during these breaks.

On our website you will find a course descriptions booklet that will give you an idea of what Westfield has offered in the past. This is not a list of what courses will necessarily be offered each year. We can only determine that when we are able to consult together about two things: students’ needs, and the Cambridge University lecture list. The latter may not be available until September, just before the beginning of the academic year. Thus, final details of plans for the academic year can only be made after students have arrived in the autumn. Although we are quite flexible, Westfield could not possibly offer everything every year. We do ask students to work together in selecting their requests, so as to overlap as far as possible. In practice, students who are with us for the whole year are usually able to complete most of the courses they need, and some choose to audit other lectures without a view to credit transfer. (Please note that there could be difficulties in taking certain practical courses where there is a particular course-related field work requirement.)

Overseas students: Before you leave your home institution, we ask that you meet with your registrar to determine precisely what courses you are required to complete here, and what courses you will be allowed to transfer

Fees:

Tuition fees do not vary according to the number of credits being taken or transferred. Tuition fees will ordinarily be paid directly to Westfield House by a student’s sponsoring body or their home seminary. Exchange students may wish to ask their seminary how they intend to handle financial aid and room fees. At present fees cannot be paid by credit card.

The lodging fee or residence fee is per person per term and is exclusive of meals, which students prepare for themselves in the Westfield House kitchen

Student arrivals

All students must arrive for orientation on the same day as directed in the correspondence from Westfield House. Likewise, students will need to vacate rooms immediately at the end of Easter (third) term (Friday or Saturday) because rooms and the rest of the facilities will be used for a conference beginning on Sunday/Monday.

Some practicalities to prepare for:

Bed linens and towels are provided, although students may wish to bring a towel for travelling (youth hostels also have requirements for one’s own ‘sleep sack’ linen). Students are required to launder their own bed linens and towels. In exchange for this labour, use of the house washing machines is provided to students at no extra cost.

Generally the cost of living is higher in Britain than in North America or Australia, for example, and can be a significant surprise. If you are thrifty, you can eat well spending no more than 50 pounds each week on groceries. Various websites provide currency conversion from other currencies to British pounds. In addition there will be miscellaneous costs for toiletries and the occasional meal out. You will find the shops here adequate for your needs.

Books

Regarding books, they are, of course, heavy. Students need to be very selective. Where applicable, they should bring their own Hebrew and Greek Testaments. They may wish to bring a Book of Concord and might find it useful to bring lexicons. Otherwise they may wish to save their baggage allowance for clothes (about which more below), souvenirs, and the books they will inevitably acquire here. Westfield has a good working library, and we have multiple copies of necessary text books for most of our classes. The Divinity School Library and the University Library (reading privileges only) are also available to students.

Computers

Currently, we have two PCs available in the house for student use. Many students choose to bring their personal notebook/laptop computer. The main electrical supply in Britain is 240V 50 Hz AC (as opposed to 110V 60 Hz in NA). Many notebook computers will handle this directly through their power supply; the owner’s manual will confirm if this is the case. In it is the case, only a plug adapter, which we can supply, is required. A few voltage transformers are also available. There is a laser printer for student use in the library to which portable computers may be connected for printing.

Internet and e-mail

Westfield House has a broadband internet connection which can be accessed from the house computers or by wireless connection from laptops. Those with a web-based e-mail account like Hotmail or Yahoo, will be able to check e-mail from the house computers. Students may also be permitted to use on-line computers at the University’s Divinity School. This facility, if it is available, is also free. There are internet cafes in town, but they can be expensive.

If you are bringing your own laptop/notebook computer, you may wish to install an 802.11b/g wireless card (if doesn’t already have a wireless card), which will allow you to access the internet directly from most parts of the house. When you arrive, we should be able to help you configure it to access our system.

Telephone

There is a student telephone available at Westfield; the number is (01223) 350 532. This is the telephone number that should be given to people to contact you here. The fax number for the office is (01223) 355 265, and may be used with the permission of the administrator. When telephoning Britain from overseas, the international prefix must first be dialled, then the country code 44, then the ‘area code’ and number as given. When dialling from abroad, the initial ‘0’ on a British number is omitted. When here students from abroad may wish to buy a long-distance phone card (available at any corner shop), enabling calls to North America, for example, for as little as 2p per minute. Some students have been using Skype through our wireless broadband connection and several students have purchased mobile phones here in Cambridge.

Church Life

 Westfield House is the theological college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of England. The ELCE has 14 congregations throughout Britain, and represents the majority of English-speaking Lutherans in the land. It is a small, confessional, and missionary church, which benefits greatly from the presence of visiting Lutherans like many of the students at Westfield House. Next door to Westfield House is Resurrection Lutheran congregation. During their stay at Westfield, Resurrection will be the church home for Lutheran students, and they will be cared for by her pastors. They are expected to be faithful in attendance there, and active in her activities. When they have fieldwork assignments, these will be carried out for the most part at Resurrection. Occasionally they will also be invited to preach, teach, or visit in one of the other, more distant congregations of the ELCE. Their visit will be appreciated immensely by Lutheran people who often feel very isolated in this land.