Nick Di Angelo, a brash college student at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), is obsessed with Lady Victoria Wingate, a British aristocrat and model. When Nick reads that Victoria will enroll at England’s Oxford University, he pays a computer hacker to slip his name onto the school’s acceptance list. While working as a casino parking attendant, Nick is seduced by a wealthy older woman, who agrees to gamble a thousand dollars and split any winnings with him. Not only does Nick earn money to fund his Oxford education, he also receives the woman’s vintage sports car as a gift. He ships the car to Oxford, but while driving through the university’s narrow passageways, the vehicle becomes stuck between two historic buildings. Leery of the cavalier American, administrator Dr. Ambrose reluctantly welcomes him with instructions to report to advisor Simon Rutledge at Oxford’s Oriel College. While walking there, Nick encounters the plucky Rona, a fellow American student, whom he tries to avoid. Rona, however, is instantly attracted to the handsome newcomer. Simon Rutledge is aware that Nick was a rower at UNLV and assigns him to Oriel’s “rowing room,” which displays the college’s proud history in the sport. As Nick receives a friendly greeting from roommate Geordie Nevitts, the victorious crew team rushes in and showers the two with champagne. After the matriculation ceremony, Geordie reintroduces Nick to Rona, but Nick is too distracted upon seeing Lady Victoria for the first time. He is about to say hello when Victoria’s upper-class fiancé, Colin Gilchrist Fisher, approaches. Later, as Victoria watches the start of Colin’s single scull competition, Nick commandeers a boat and enters the race to impress her. His new friends, Geordie and Rona, encourage him as he nearly passes Colin and almost wins. Walking on campus alone that night, Nick is accosted by a group of students who resent his arrogant behavior. In the dining hall, Nick is summoned to meet Peter Howles, the head of Oriel’s rowing society, known as the Bluejackets. Despite Peter’s snobbish attitude, he is impressed with the American’s rowing skills, as well as his confidence during a beer-drinking challenge. Nick signs up for the same course schedule as Victoria, and introduces himself after their first class together. Intrigued by the American, Victoria invites him to Colin’s cocktail party that afternoon. During the gathering, she tells Nick the British students are treating him unfairly, but he is making matters worse by behaving like “a bull in a china shop.” The flirtatious Victoria agrees to join Nick later in his dormitory room, but leaves the party with Colin instead. When Nick makes another attempt to get Victoria’s attention, Colin challenges him to a rowing competition. Simon Rutledge, who also serves as Oriel’s rowing coach, watches as Nick fails to defeat Colin and advises the American that he needs “character” to win. Simon is aware of the real reason Nick enrolled in Oxford, and observes that character will also help him sway Lady Victoria. Although Nick would prefer to row alone, Simon places him on the Bluejackets’ eight-man crew. Rona is the team’s coxswain and is particularly attentive to Nick as she challenges him during workouts and guides him on being the “stroke,” the rower who establishes the timing in the lead seat. After winning their first race with Nick, Peter Howles and the team award him their illustrious blue blazer. Meanwhile, Nick continues to pine for Victoria, but also develops a strong friendship with Rona. Worried about Rona, Nick barges into the room of Gareth, a malicious and pompous student, who is attempting to seduce her. When the Oxford disciplinary committee issues Nick a warning for attacking Gareth without provocation, Nick does not argue and keeps Rona’s involvement a secret to protect her reputation. Upset that the American received only a reprimand, Gareth sends Nick a fake dinner invitation to Lady Victoria’s estate, with instructions to wear traditional dress. Nick arrives in a kilt and soon realizes that he has been the target of a joke. Victoria stops him before he leaves and takes him to her bedroom to spend the night together. The next morning, the lovesick Nick misses a race and his team must forfeit the match against Colin’s boat. In the middle of the night, Peter Howles and the other teammates pull Nick out of bed, throw him in a fountain, and oust him from the Bluejackets. Nick tries to apologize, but is shunned by the entire college. Later, Victoria goes on a picnic with Nick and breaks the news that she has reconciled with Colin and plans to marry him. Returning from the outing, Nick is provoked by Gareth and knocks him down, prompting the American’s expulsion the disciplinary committee. As Nick packs his bags, Colin appears, explaining that his rowing partner in a two-man boat has become indisposed. In the next day’s race, Colin is desperate to avenge an historic loss against Harvard University, which happened twenty-five years earlier, and asks Nick to row with him. When Nick refuses, Rona tells him to “grow up” and consider others for once. Nick storms out, but after consideration, he arrives at the river the next morning to join Colin for the race. The former rivals are in the lead when Nick’s oar detaches from the lock. The American quickly resets the oar shaft, enabling the Oxford duo to stay in the race. As Rona, Victoria, and Geordie cheer from the bank, Nick and Colin come from behind and defeat Harvard. Afterward, Dr. Ambrose determines that Nick’s selfless act has earned him another chance and readmits him to the university. The Bluejackets also welcome Nick back. During a bonfire and champagne celebration, Nick and Rona toast the victory and kiss for the first time.