Experimental Psychology

Oxford Royale Academy's award-winning Psychology Summer School on the campus of the University of Oxford, taught by elite ORA academic faculty.

Answer Life’s Most Intriguing Questions

Join our Experimental Psychology course and become an expert on the human mind. Dig deep into the workings of the mind, and explore everything from psychological disorders, to how childhood attachments affect someone’s future. Design your own investigations, network with experts, and explore the ethics of human psychology experiments.

Why Choose This Course?

  • You will explore issues such as: what makes you you, and if there is always a clear difference between good and evil. Gain strong critical skills for the future, as you debate compelling and controversial issues.
  • Dive into fundamental psychological concepts, and examine the work of the most influential theorists. You’ll gain insight into your own personality, and relate what you learn to your own life.
  • You’ll gain vital practical skills in experimental psychology, as you create your own lab-based experiment in small groups. Whether this is based on a research topic that fascinates you, or a theory that you’d like to put to the test, you’ll learn all the key processes of psychology research.

What’s included?

  • Residential in the prestigious colleges of the University of Oxford.
  • Inspiring courses taught by experts.
  • A truly international environment – over 170 nationalities.
  • Accommodation, meals, tuition and cultural programmes included.
  • Graduation, report cards and certificate.
  • Maximum of 15 students per class.
  • 20+ hours tuition / week.
  • Talks and debates with world-class guest speakers.
  • Inspirational cultural programme, including excursions to historic UK locations.
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What you will learn

On our Experimental Psychology course, you will:

  • Learn the fundamental concepts of experimental psychology, and the multi-faceted nature of the discipline.
  • Investigate major issues and debates in experimental research.
  • Explore core aspects of several different research methodologies and critically evaluate experimental research presented in the media
  • Look at famous psychological experiments, note their ethical issues and implications, and evaluate them in light of these shortcomings.
  • Learn through university-style tutorials, by reading original research articles and discussing these in class.

Great For Students Thinking About

  • Psychological research and applicable ethics
  • Pursuing a Psychology degree at University
  • Considering a career in Psychology, Social Work, or Intelligence

Earn your certificate

After your amazing summer of discovery, we know that you’ll want to share your success with your family, friends and teachers back at home. We also know that you’ll want to understand from your ORA tutor what you did particularly well on your course, but also where there might be room for future learning and development.

After successfully completing your course, you’ll receive a graduation certificate, awarded at a memorable ceremony hosted for you and your parents on the final Friday of your summer school. We’ll also provide a detailed report card, highlighting all that you have achieved during your time with us, as well as some next steps for future success.

Experience life on the campus of 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 where you will experience authentic undergraduate life. 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. 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.

Learn from the world’s best minds

Have you ever wondered what it takes to make a new discovery at the cutting edge of science? Would you like to learn what it’s like to study in an Oxford tutorial, a Cambridge supervision, or in a top British boarding school? Or explore whether university study in your favourite subject is really for you?

Whatever your motivation, our exceptional, inspiring, world-leading teachers can help you achieve more this summer. Our amazing array of talented tutors includes Oxbridge academics, Ivy League lecturers, groundbreaking medical researchers, glittering industry leaders in film and fashion, acclaimed authors, and more!

We assemble our diverse faculty from all over the world, exclusively for you, so you only learn from the very best. Every tutor will guide you on your path to future greatness.

Hear from eminent guest speakers

Baron William Hague of Richmond speaks at our Great Debate event in Oxford

We know that you’re already passionate about your chosen subject. But have you ever wanted to find out more about another field, to explore paths as yet undiscovered? Wouldn’t it be great to listen to and debate with leading figures from the worlds of culture, media, sport and academia, while boosting your confidence and public speaking skills?

Here at ORA, we can help with that! In Oxford, you will enjoy fantastic talks from world-renowned guest speakers, from eminent Cabinet Ministers and ambassadors, to celebrated explorers and globally esteemed businessmen and women, all of whom are ready to share the secrets of their success with you. Unique among Oxford summer schools, our guest lecture programmes will help you to explore and debate the challenges facing the world today, from climate change to global security and the spread of misinformation, boosting your summer of learning even further!

Join exciting activities and trips

Summer should be fun, right?! Don’t worry, we get that – we never forget that you’re on holiday!

We can help you to uncover Oxford’s secrets, from the best coffee shops to the dreamiest riverside parks, from Oxford’s very own castle to must-visit shops, galleries and museums. You and your friends will enjoy an amazing extra-curricular timetable, including dazzling graduation balls, excursions offering a glimpse of Britain’s past, the opportunity to visit glitzy attractions such as the bright lights of London’s theatres, Windsor Castle, Blenheim Palace and many more!

Something for the parents too…

Would you like to network with high achievers from over 170 countries, and gain your own taste of the Oxford experience? And would you like to visit classic venues such as the Ashmolean, the world’s oldest university museum? Or Oxford’s Grand Cafe, site of England’s first coffee house? If so, our parents’ events are definitely for you!

At the beginning of each summer school, we invite students’ parents, families and carers to join us for a reception hosted at a stunning Oxford venue. Mingle with other high flyers, and meet senior ORA staff and company founders who will be delighted to answer your questions about the summer school. Build new connections while enjoying an exclusive peek into the experiences that your children will enjoy this summer. We can’t wait to meet you!

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Parents welcome at ORA summer school

Useful Information

Information for Parents

Visit our parents page to find some useful information for parents and students about living and studying in our summer school centres. Further practical information will be made available through the ORA Portal in the months leading up to your summer school booking.

Pastoral Care

Over 15 years of delivering world-class summer programmes, we have established robust processes and structures to ensure all of our over 25,000 students have been well looked after during their stay with ORA. We pride ourselves on the exceptional levels of pastoral care we provide to our students

Medical Care and Insurance

We are absolutely committed to your safety and wellbeing as our number one priority. Students must be comprehensively insured for their time with us - click to find suggested policy details, along with further information about our medical policies and procedures designed to keep you safe.

Visas and Immigration

Students are responsible for obtaining their own visa prior to travelling, but can request assistance from Oxford Royale Academy if required. You can find some helpful information here

Hear from our students

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Doreen, Taiwan

The Medicine course gave me the opportunity to meet people from around the world with the same passion as me. My new friends and I were able to discuss and exchange information to support each other...

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Sara, Greece

Year after year the allure of Oxford Royale has pulled me back. I met many different people during my first two weeks from different cultures and backgrounds.

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Mifta, Indonesia

I decided to return because I fell in love with Oxford, the gardens, the old buildings, the good books…

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Carolina, Qatar

I found the Oxford Royale course online, saved the link as ‘life saving course.’ What I needed the most was help with my UCAS application, but I also wanted to challenge myself intellectually and learn new things

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Yoosuf, Maldives

This summer school has taught me many things, including the basics of engineering, which will most definitely help me in my future – academically and professionally.

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Wisam, Sudan

Oxford Royale Academy creates a small family-like community that makes everyone feel welcome and cared for. All in all, my experience at Oxford Royale is something that I will always remember and be grateful for.

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Vannakhone, Laos

I gained so much knowledge and experience from this trip; it showed me things that are totally different to my home country. Now I’m very interested in studying at a UK university in the future.

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Taonga, Zambia

This experience was life-changing in so many good ways. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and made me realise that ‘the world is my oyster’. I highly recommend this program to students who would like a memorable international experience without limits.

Study in confidence