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Summer 2027 · Oxford · Ages 15–17

Oxford College Summer School

Experience university before university. Ambitious students aged 15 to 17 explore Sciences or Humanities through seminars, guest lectures and research, while living and learning in the heart of Oxford.

Book a place
The Radcliffe Camera, Oxford

1 · Dates and fees

Summer 2027 dates and fees

Dates
5 July – 2 August 2027
Length of stay
2 or 4 weeks
English level
B1+
Lessons
25 hours per week
Class size
15 students max

Future Scholars: Sciences

Ages 15–17Level B1+

Medicine, biomedical sciences, neuroscience and pharmacology, through seminars, research and clinical simulations.

LengthResidentialDay
2 weeks£6,295£3,495
4 weeks£12,590£6,990

Future Scholars: Humanities

Ages 15–17Level B1+

Law, politics, literature and history, through seminars, debate, mock trials and parliamentary debates.

LengthResidentialDay
2 weeks£6,295£3,495
4 weeks£12,590£6,990

Course dates

LengthArriveDepart
2 weeksMon 5 JulyMon 19 July
2 weeksMon 19 JulyMon 2 August
4 weeksMon 5 JulyMon 2 August

Fees are per student. The Oxford Research Scholars optional extra is charged separately. Airport transfers are available at £150 each way.

2 · The college

Study in the heart of Oxford

Oxford College introduces students to university-style learning before they leave school. Students live and learn on a college campus in the centre of one of the world’s best-known university cities, surrounded by historic colleges, museums and parks.

It suits students who are thinking seriously about university, are curious about different subjects, are ready for a real academic challenge, and want greater independence in a supportive community. The programme is British Council accredited and rated a Centre of Excellence by EL Gazette from 2018 to 2026.

25 hrs
of seminars, presentations and debate each week
5
core academic skills: lectures, writing, critical thinking, research, presentation
15
students maximum per class
155
nationalities welcomed since 2008
Two students studying together in a college gardenStudents relaxing outside on campusStudents playing table tennis

3 · The summer programme

Experience university before university

Students choose Future Scholars: Sciences or Future Scholars: Humanities and explore university subjects while developing five essential academic skills: lecture skills, academic writing, critical thinking, research and presentation.

Learning goes beyond the classroom, with Academic Experiences, guest lectures from subject specialists and an Admissions Masterclass. Oxford becomes part of the programme through college visits, museums and time to explore the city.

At the centre is Time to Shine: over two weeks, students investigate an academic question, develop their ideas with their teachers and present their findings at the final Future Scholars Showcase. Every student leaves with a detailed tutor reference letter to support university and career applications.

What students gain
Academic confidence that prepares them for university applications
Deeper subject knowledge through seminars, presentations and debate
Key university skills: critical thinking, time management and problem solving
Career insight from guest speakers and professionals
A clearer sense of direction for the future
A guest speaker addressing studentsA student in a barrister’s wig during a mock trialA student presenting his research

Timetable: a typical week

A sample week for residential students. Activities and excursions are examples and may change.

TimeMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturdaySunday
07:30–09:00London excursion
Iconic landmarks and museums, cultural attractions, famous shops and London’s unforgettable energy		Wake-up · 08:00 breakfast in halls · 08:45 morning assemblyLie-in and brunchWake-up · 08:00 breakfast in halls · 08:45 morning assembly
09:00–10:30Academic programmeAcademic programmeTime to Shine projectOxford excursion
A day out in Oxford, visiting the Ashmolean Museum, the Botanic Garden or an Oxford college tour, then free time at the Westgate shopping centre		Academic programmeAcademic programme
10:30–10:45BreakBreak
10:45–12:15Time to Shine orientation
Introduction to the week’s project		Academic programmeGuest lectureAcademic programmeTime to Shine Ceremony
Presenting projects to the school
12:15–13:45LunchLunch
13:45–15:00Time to Shine projectTime to ShineAcademic Experience
13:45–16:30		Time to Shine
Developing ideas and the presentation		Packing and getting ready
13:45–16:30
15:00–15:15BreakBreak
15:15–16:30Time to Shine projectTime to Shine
Mind-mapping ideas in small groups		Time to Shine
Rehearsal for tomorrow’s ceremony
16:30–18:30Free time and tutorialsGraduation event
16:30–22:30
18:30–19:45Dinner · 19:30 evening assembly
19:45–21:30Campus evening
Photography Challenge		Societies evening
Football, cricket, Oxford sketching, debate, murder mystery night		Campus evening
Film Festival		Campus eveningSocieties evening
Volleyball, rounders, friendship bracelets, arts and crafts, picnic in the park
21:30–22:00Return to accommodation
22:30All students to rooms

Evenings and activities

University life is about more than studying. Societies Evenings let students choose activities based on their interests, like the clubs and societies at university, while Campus Evenings bring everyone together for larger social events.

DebateDramaFilm FestivalMurder Mystery NightPhotographyQuiz NightTaskmasterTrashion ShowArts and craftsFootballBasketballPuntingSports tournamentGraduation Party

Optional extra: Oxford Research Scholars

A one-to-one research programme for academically ambitious students. Students choose a subject and are matched with experienced academic mentors, who guide them from developing a question to structuring arguments. The programme continues after the summer through individual online sessions, as students complete a 5,000-word research paper and have the chance to present at the Oxbridge Research Scholars Symposium. Additional fee applies.

Excursions

Weekly excursions take learning beyond the classroom.

The Bridge of Sighs, Oxford
Oxford
Colleges, museums, parks and famous locations across one of the world’s best-known university cities, including the Ashmolean Museum and the Botanic Garden.
Students in front of Big Ben in London
London
Iconic landmarks, museums and cultural attractions, with time to explore the capital.

Accommodation and care

Boarding
Single and twin shared rooms with shared bathrooms, plus a student common room. Boys and girls live separately.
Welfare and safety
Pastoral staff are available around the clock, led by a dedicated Welfare Manager with trained first aiders on site. All staff are DBS-checked and safeguarding-trained, and the staff-to-student ratio is 1:6.
Meals
Breakfast and dinner in the modern dining hall, with lunch taken off-site.
Facilities
Student common room, modern dining hall, laundry service and Wi-Fi, in the heart of Oxford.

Included in every course

25 hours of academic sessions per week
Guest lectures, Academic Experiences and an Admissions Masterclass
Weekly London and Oxford excursions
Full evening programme and graduation event
Accommodation and meals (residential)
Detailed tutor reference letter
4 · Booking

Book your place for summer 2027

Places are limited, and the earlier you book, the more choice you have. A £1,000 deposit secures a place. Complete the booking form, or send us an enquiry and we’ll help you choose the right pathway and dates. You can also email info@summerschool-uk.com.

New to booking? Read the course booking procedure.