Oxford Summer School for Adults

Experience life at the University of Oxford and follow in the footsteps of 28 British Prime Ministers and 55 Nobel prize winners at the world's oldest English speaking university.

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Oxford Royale Academy Oxford Summer School for Adults

Join us in at our award-winning Oxford Summer School. Step into one of Oxford’s world-famous colleges – your new home – and start a journey that will transform your working life. You will make connections with people from all over the world and have the chance to study, dine and experience the life and culture of the University of Oxford, one of the world’s most prestigious universities. Read and work in the famous Bodleian library, gaze on the gothic towers of All Souls College, and walk in the footsteps of the most brilliant thinkers in history. Soak in Oxford’s historic atmosphere, and take inspiration from this city of dreaming spires with its 800 years of learning tradition.

This unique experience promises to be life changing. At Oxford Royale Academy you will be taught by expert tutors, at the cutting edge of their fields, who will inspire you with their experience and passion for their subject. All this in the environment of a world class university – Oxford.

The UK's Number 1 International Summer School

We have hosted thousands of students and received many accolades since we first opened our doors nearly two decades ago.

30,000+

Alumni

170+

Nationalities

3 Times

Winner of the Queen's Award

18 Years

of Success

The University of Oxford

What’s life like at the oldest university in the English-speaking world? Join us this summer to find out!

Experience the University of Oxford

What’s life like at the oldest university in the English-speaking world? Join us this summer to find out! Your Oxford summer school is hosted in historic residential colleges of the University of Oxford where you will experience authentic undergraduate life.

Dine in the University College

Sleep in student bedrooms set in centuries-old quadrangles, socialise in vibrant student common rooms, and relax in glorious college gardens. Take your place in vaulted halls where students have dined for over eight centuries.

Study in historic classrooms

Learn in lecture theatres and laboratories where groundbreaking discoveries have been made, and study in the classrooms where 55 Nobel prize winners developed the key academic and life skills crucial for future success

What can I study in Oxford?

Our courses are taught by world-class tutors and feature incredible guest speakers!

Browse All Courses

Global Business & Management (Ages 19+, Oxford)

Build the skills and expand the perspectives needed to emerge as a new generation of business leader driving innovation in a period of disruptive and profound global change. Through interactions with thought leaders and practitioners, you will reassess emerging trends in finance, operations, and marketing to build the sustainable global business of tomorrow.

International Medical Research and Practice I: Foundation (Ages 19+, Oxford)

Join the Medical Summer School and prepare for a successful application to Medical School, while exploring the varied and exciting career pathways available to you. Immersive and hands-on, you will gain insights into cutting-edge medical research while practicing clinical and lab skills through medical simulations.

Developments in Global Engineering (Ages 19+, Oxford)

Explore emerging advances in the fields of mechanical, electrical, chemical, civil and structural engineering through an immersive and hands-on curriculum designed to jump-start your career in engineering. More than a technical course, your will practice innovation and creative methodologies that will enable you to create engineering solutions to solve real-world problems.

International Law & Politics (Ages 19+, Oxford)

Immerse yourself into the challenging and exciting world of international law and global governance and you develop the skills to lead meaningful change. Focused on how international politics impacts both nation-states and multi-national entities, this course provides an illuminating introduction to issues like human rights, armed conflict, resource access, the environment, and economic affairs.

Psychological and Behavioural Science (Ages 19+, Oxford)

Find your career path in the exciting fields of psychology and behavioural science as you conduct original research, design investigations, debate ethical concerns, and explore emerging advances in social psychology. Personalize your experience by selecting either or both of two immersive modules including the “Psych Research Module” and the “Cognition Module”—designed to strengthen your skills and propel your future.

Creative Writing (Ages 19+, Oxford)

Immerse yourself in the art of crafting compelling stories with an emphasis on novels, speculative fiction, drama and poetry. More than a mechanics course, “Creative Writing” will expand your creativity and confidence through exposure to the genres of modern dystopian novels, science-fiction, Shakespearian drama, and Romantic poets like Keats, Coleridge, and Shelley.

Shakespeare Immersion (Ages 19+, Oxford)

Discover the “Bard of the English Language” and immerse yourself into the world, the mind and the writings of arguably the world’s greatest dramatist and master of the human condition. You will expand your literary and performance analysis skills through in-depth exposure to the plays and sonnets of Shakespeare as you evaluate whether “It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves” (“Julius Caesar”).

Stately Homes and Country Gardens (Ages 19+, Oxford)

Step back in time and explore art, architecture, and gardens as you analyze the social, political, and economic contexts of the country house through over 500 years of English history and culture. With historic estates, homes and gardens as the classroom, you will complete your own research that investigates the multidisciplinary history of the country house.

General English for the Modern World and Workplace (Ages 19+, Oxford)

Develop strong skills in English grammar, syntax, pronunciation and colloquial usage in speaking, listening, reading and writing. Expand your vocabulary and build the foundation to support superior English reading and writing skills leading to a strong application to an English-speaking university or a career at an English-speaking company

Ready For a New Adventure?

Oxford Online Summer School 2022Oxford Online Summer School 2022

Ready For a New Adventure?

Book a call with one of our expert advisors. We will call you back at the time requested to answer any questions you have and help you through the booking process. Start your summer adventure now!

Book a Call

What Our Students Say

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Anorina

Pakistan

It’s this place where you learn so much more than just the course you're taking. You not only have your teacher so invested in making sure your concepts are clear, but you have your counsellors and the Programme Director ensuring all is well. It's really just a second home, considering it’s a course for only two weeks.

Ellie

Wales

Studying at Oxford was a dream come true. To live and study like a university student enabled me to gain a valuable insight into what attending a prestigious university would be like.

Domantas

Australia

A cultural experience in a city with a brilliant academic atmosphere. You will make long-term friends and learn important skills for your career. An overall brilliant experience.

Shrishti

India

Oxford Royale Academy provides you with the experience you want, and to get to know the world with a better perspective. The tutor I had for my Law course had GREAT knowledge of the field.

Emma

Denmark

I loved the strong focus on the practical lessons and the hands-on dissections. After leaving, I feel that ORA has really left a mark and I have created memories for life!

Anorina

Pakistan

It’s this place where you learn so much more than just the course you're taking. You not only have your teacher so invested in making sure your concepts are clear, but you have your counsellors and the Programme Director ensuring all is well. It's really just a second home, considering it’s a course for only two weeks.

Ellie

Wales

Studying at Oxford was a dream come true. To live and study like a university student enabled me to gain a valuable insight into what attending a prestigious university would be like.

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Download Our Brochures

Find out more about our inspirational venues, award winning academic programmes, and the life changing impact our summer schools can have.

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Any Questions?

Check out our FAQ's
How do I book a place on the course I want?

Once you have decided which course you would like to attend, you can book online using our secure booking system. Once your application has been submitted, you will be sent an email confirming that it has been received.

If you prefer, you can download an Application Form by clicking here. You can return the Application Form to us by any of these methods:

  • Scan and email to [email protected]
  • Fax to +44 (0) 845 280 01 22
  • Post to Oxford Royale Academy, The Punt House, St Catherine’s College, Manor Road, Oxford, OX1 3UJ, UNITED KINGDOM.

Once your booking has been processed by one of our members of staff, you will receive email confirmation of your place on the course of your choice. A Welcome Pack will be available to download from the ORA Portal from April. If at any time you would like to discuss your booking with a course advisor, please feel free to email [email protected] or call us on +44 (0) 1865 954 800.

How do I pay for my course?

All courses require a deposit payment to secure the booking. The deposit is £995 GBP for all two-week courses for ages 13+, and £395 for one-week courses for 8-12 years. You may either pay the full course fee when you book your place, or pay the deposit amount and then the balance at a later date. The balance clearance is required at least 60 days before the start date of the course. Where the student is booking less than 60 days before the start date, the balance must be covered in full.

New online enrolments will require a Debit or Credit Card payment of at least the deposit amount. If you would like to enrol and make your deposit payment via Bank Transfer, please contact our Admissions team, who will be happy to assist you in doing so. ([email protected])

Payments for existing enrolments can be made via a number of methods, including domestic and international bank transfer, credit or debit card, as well as local payment options; please log in to your ORA Portal and click on the ‘Pay Now’ button on your booking details.

What do my course fees include?

All course fees include the following:

  • Classes and tuition (20 taught hours per week)
  • Study files/materials
  • Guest lectures by academic speakers
  • Personalised academic reports and graduation certificate
  • Accommodation in your chosen location (see our accommodation page for the specific colleges and locations)
  • Meals in the Hall
  • Free WiFi (subject to availability)
  • Daily updates for parents and family on the ORA campus blogs
  • A wide selection of afternoon and evening activities
  • Coach excursions
  • Welcome and graduation events (parents invited)
  • A multitude of extras, including an ORA notebook and branded clothing
Will I receive a graduation certificate?

Yes, students will be awarded an Oxford Royale Academy Graduation Certificate in their chosen course upon satisfactory completion of the course. This will be presented in a graduation ceremony on the final evening of the course.

Will I have to share a room/facilities?

Most of our accommodation sites offer a mix of single and twin bedrooms, with some campuses having en-suite bedrooms available and others have shared bathroom facilities between a small group of same-sex students. If you have a particular preference for a certain room type, you can make a request on booking, which may be granted subject to availability. If a particular room type is required for medical reasons, please contact our Admissions Team who will be able to check availability on different sites, depending on the course chosen.

Sharing your room with fellow students is a great way of getting to know people and making friends.

How secure are the campuses?

All our programmes take place in a secure environment. Our students are supervised 24 hours a day by campus staff. All students must check-in regularly during the day: at roll-call at breakfast; at their morning classes; in the afternoon for lessons, workshops or activities; at dinner and in the evening before curfew. All campuses have a curfew.

Each campus office has its own safe where students may deposit items of value such as passports, travel documents, bank cards etc.

All campuses have residential staff who can be contacted 24 hours a day.

Do I need a visa to travel to the UK?

If your country is part of the EU or the European Economic Area you will not require a visa to enter the UK. It is always safest to check whether you need a visa with the relevant authorities.

I want to change to another course or study option. Is this possible?

If you wish to change your course or study options (including dates), please do not hesitate to contact us. However, changes to courses are always subject to availability. For this reason, it may be more difficult for us to accommodate any changes requested less than 60 days before the course start date.

If I need to cancel my booking, will I get my money back?

Oxford Royale Academy’s terms and conditions for refunds are as follows:

Any cancellation must be received in writing and can only be on the following terms:

no refund of deposit will be made under any circumstances, once the two-week cooling-off period has concluded;
for cancellations before your course start date, the remainder of the course fees less the deposit amount will be proportionally refunded as per the table below:

Period Before Start Date Total refunded
120+ days 100%
90-119 days 50%
45-89 days 10%
0-44 days 0%
I want to attend one of your English language courses: how will you know what my level of English is and what sort of tuition I need?

All students registered to attend our English Language courses will be required to take an English Language Placement Test, which will assess the relative abilities of each student. Students are then placed into ability groups based on the results of their assessment, and the material that they study is tailored to the level of the class.

Once you have booked your place on a course we will send you information on how to take our online Placement Test. This test should take approximately one hour and should be taken by the student at least one month prior to their arrival date.

Please note that Oxford Royale Academy English courses do not cater for beginners in English.

Can I take more than one course?

It is certainly possible to take more than one course and combine a variety of study programmes. You can simply book onto two different courses, for example students from 13 to 15 years old could start with our Creative Writing course in Oxford and then move on to the Flim Academy

Students staying for two consecutive sessions will be provided with accommodation for the Saturday night, and their campus will provide supervised activities between their first session ending and second session starting. Should you have any queries about how to take more than one course please do not hesitate to contact us.