TRAVELING IN STYLE : A YANK AT OXFORD

Practically anybody can go to Oxford--not just as a tourist but also as a student. A number of serious but accessible educational programs are now offered to young and old alike. A sampling:

The Oxford-Florida State University Summer Program. Aimed primarily at adults and advanced college students, with undergraduate and graduate-level credits available. Courses last three weeks and are held at Christ Church College. Subjects vary from year to year. Accommodations at Christ Church include a single room and three meals daily. Fees this year were $2,675, or $5,150 for two consecutive sessions, not including air fare. For more information, contact Louise Wechsler, Oxford/Florida State University Program, Center for Professional Development and Public Service, R-55, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Fla. 32306-2027; (904) 644-7551.

The Oxford-Berkeley Program. Aimed at adults with college experience, this program offers University of California credits. Courses last three weeks and are divided into two sessions, in July and August. Courses are taught by tutors from Oxford and other English universities. Accommodations at Worcester College include single room and three meals daily. Fees in 1992 were $2,800 for one session or $5,200 for two consecutive sessions, not including air fare. For more information, contact the Oxford/Berkeley Program, UC Berkeley Extension, 55 Laguna St., San Francisco, Calif. 94102; (510) 642-8840.

The Oxford Tradition. For high school students aged 15-18. Courses last one month, usually July, and cover such subjects as psychology, art history and international relations. Accommodations at various colleges include single room and breakfasts and dinners. Fees this year were $3,595, not including air fare. For more information, contact Oxbridge Academic Program, Box 250328, Columbia University Station, New York, N.Y. 10025-1535; (800) 828-8349. (The program is not affiliated with Columbia University.)

The Oxford-Smithsonian Seminar. This program is open to all but tends to serve mostly retired Americans. Courses last two weeks in September. Students choose a single subject, such as music or Stonehenge, and also attend lectures on more general subjects. Accommodations at Worcester College include single rooms or adjoining rooms for couples, and three meals daily. Fees in 1992 were $3,735 per person, including air fare. For more information, contact the Oxford/Smithsonian Seminar, Smithsonian National Associate Program, 1100 Jefferson Dr. SW, Room 3045, Washington, D.C. 20560; (202) 357-4700.

For shorter, less-structured academic stays: Oxford and Cambridge University Vacations offers three dozen summer and fall classes to students of all ages, at Oxford, Cambridge and Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland. Subjects run from English literature to archeology. Accommodations include single college rooms, breakfasts and dinners. Fees were $875 to $3,500 in 1992, not including air fare. For more information, contact Oxford-Cambridge Univac, 9602 N.W. 13th St., Miami, Fla. 33172; (800) 792-0100.