Opportunities in and near Oxford

Academy Royale International’s Economics & Finance Summer School is a two-week academic programme for students aged 16 to 18. It is designed to introduce participants to key ideas in economics and finance, with teaching delivered in an international, university-style environment in Oxford or Cambridge. The curriculum covers topics such as scarcity, incentives, supply and demand, inflation, venture capital, IPOs, shares, market structures and investment decision-making. Students learn through a mix of lectures, seminars, workshops, case studies, simulations and practical exercises, helping them build analytical judgement, critical thinking and confidence in discussing real-world economic issues. Beyond the classroom, the programme includes a social and cultural experience with college meals, formal dinners, guest speakers and activities around the host city. Students also receive a certificate, grades and a personalised report at the end of the course, making it a strong option for those exploring university study or future careers in economics and finance.

Atlas Summer Courses offers a two-week Oxford summer school for students aged 16-17, hosted at colleges of the University of Oxford. The programme is designed for ambitious young people who want a challenging academic experience in an inspiring university setting, with courses delivered through small, discussion-based classes and personalised tutorials led by expert tutors. Students explore their chosen subject through seminar-style teaching, guided independent study, and regular feedback that helps build critical thinking, analytical skills, confidence, and independence. The programme also brings together an international community of students, creating opportunities to learn alongside like-minded peers while developing communication, research, and problem-solving skills. Beyond the classroom, the experience includes cultural and social activities around Oxford, such as exploring historic landmarks, museums, libraries, and college buildings, as well as evenings of social events and activities. Atlas also provides travel support for airport transfers and guidance on visas and enrolment, making it a structured and well-supported summer course experience.

Broadening Horizons is a two-week residential Oxford summer programme for curious students aged 16-18. Each participant chooses two academic subjects and one Power Skills workshop, building a personalised combination from a large menu of options across the arts, humanities, sciences, business, languages and more. The programme is designed for students who want to explore more than one interest, test possible university directions, or try a subject they have not studied before. Teaching is university-style and interactive, with discussion, challenge, debate and practical work woven into the academic sessions. Alongside the learning, students live in Oxford and take part in a full residential experience that includes college dinners, guest speakers, tours and social activities. The aim is to leave students with broader knowledge, stronger confidence, practical skills and a clearer sense of where their interests might lead.

Atlas Summer Courses’ Art History summer school in Oxford is designed for ambitious 16-17-year-olds who want to explore the subject in greater depth. Hosted at colleges of the University of Oxford, the programme examines art movements, symbolism, techniques and visual culture across a wide range of artworks, from fine art and sculpture to modern and abstract pieces. Teaching is delivered through small-group seminars and tutorial-style sessions, with tutors tailoring content to the interests of the group rather than following a fixed curriculum. Students also take part in tutorial Q&A, an academic skills masterclass, expert talks on career pathways, a university fair, and cultural activities in and around Oxford. The course combines academic challenge with a broader summer school experience, helping students build critical thinking, communication and independent study skills. Participants finish with a certificate, detailed tutor feedback and a personalised letter of recommendation, alongside the opportunity to experience Oxford’s museums, architecture and scholarly atmosphere firsthand.

The Practical Ethics and Responsibility Competition invites school students to explore a real ethical issue and think critically about the role responsibility plays in addressing it. Entrants take part by creating a video that explains an ethical problem and presents their ideas on how responsibility is involved. The competition is designed to encourage discussion, reflection and careful argument, while giving young people a chance to develop communication and analysis skills. It is open across the UK to teams of school students in the relevant year groups. Entries are judged, and the top five teams are invited to the final in Oxford. The organisers provide travel costs for all participants, and accommodation costs for teams travelling more than two hours from Oxford. Finalist schools receive a cash prize, making the competition both an academic challenge and a recognised opportunity for students interested in ethics and public debate.

Immerse Education’s History Summer Programme in Oxford is a residential, university-style summer school for students aged 16-18. It is designed for ambitious learners who want to explore history through evidence, debate, critical analysis, and guided discussion in one of the world’s most historic university cities. The programme includes in-depth academic sessions led by expert tutors, a personal research project, and 1-on-1 tutoring to support independent thinking and stronger writing skills. Students study key historical events, figures, and movements while building research and analytical abilities that can support future study in history, politics, or the humanities. Participants live and learn in Oxford University colleges, with a close-knit residential experience and formal dining in historic halls. The course runs in July and August, lasts two weeks, and includes a certificate of achievement. An optional UCAS points add-on is also available for eligible students.

Oxbridge Summer Scholars’ Law, PPE, and Global Issues stream is a junior summer course that introduces students to law, politics, philosophy, economics, and international relations through the lens of major global challenges. The programme is designed to help younger learners explore how laws, governments, and wider systems shape society, while building confidence in debate and critical thinking. Teaching combines academic sessions with discussion-led learning, giving students the chance to examine justice, human rights, ethics, and global affairs in an engaging, interdisciplinary way. Sessions are led by field professionals and experienced tutors from Oxford, Cambridge, and other leading UK universities, with a focus on problem-solving, communication, and connecting ideas across subjects. The experience goes beyond the classroom too, with cultural visits, university experiences, workshops, and supervised evening activities designed to complement the academic content. It is a structured and aspirational programme for students who are curious about leadership, changemaking, and how ideas from law and PPE apply to the real world.

The Oxford Summer Program is a residential academic and cultural summer experience run by The Oxford Institute, offering students a chance to study in Oxford and experience life in historic colleges. The programme is designed to provide a high-level, immersive environment with a strong focus on academic development, personal growth, and international connection. Participants benefit from tutorial-style learning, keynote lectures, essay counselling, and presentation skills development. The programme also highlights leadership and career development through workshops, Oxford Union-linked activities, and mentorship, all delivered in small groups with a 1:3 student-to-teacher ratio. Students choose two subjects from a wide academic offer of more than 30 options. Beyond the classroom, the programme includes college life, formal dinners, cultural activities, excursions, and opportunities to meet peers from around the world. The overall experience is presented as a blend of learning, lifestyle, and leadership, with options including Oxford, Oxford London, and Executive Leadership programmes.

Join the Business, Economics, and Entrepreneurship summer programme from Oxbridge Summer Scholars for a pre-college academic experience in the UK. Designed for students interested in business, economics, management, and entrepreneurship, the programme combines undergraduate-style learning with practical discussion, analysis, and creative problem-solving. Participants explore how markets, organisations, and start-ups operate, while building confidence in strategic thinking and leadership. The curriculum includes four core modules: Business, Economics, Entrepreneurship, and Management. Students examine topics such as business strategy, leadership, economic modelling, corporate ethics, sustainability, and the challenges facing enterprises in a global context. Teaching is delivered by tutors with experience from Oxford, Cambridge, and other leading UK universities. Beyond the classroom, students take part in cultural and university experiences that add context to their studies, including visits connected to Oxford and Cambridge. The programme is intended to give ambitious young people early exposure to academic study in these fields and a stronger foundation for future university applications or careers in business and related industries.

Expert Wealth Management offers structured work experience placements designed to introduce sixth form students to the world of financial planning. The programme is aimed at students who are interested in finance, business, economics, or related subjects and want to learn more about careers in the sector. Students can expect a mix of practical and observational experience, including administrative tasks, research projects, insight sessions, team meetings, training sessions, and opportunities to see how different parts of the business work together. The placement also includes guidance and mentoring from experienced professionals who want to support the next generation. The programme is intended to build confidence, professional skills, and career awareness, giving participants a clearer understanding of the workplace and the role financial planners play in helping clients. Placements take place at Expert Wealth Management’s office in High Cogges, Witney, and are available during school breaks, including Easter and summer holidays.

Refugee Education UK’s study support and mentoring programme offers weekly one-to-one support for young people who want help with learning. Educational mentors meet once a week to support English, homework, coursework, revision, exam preparation, and confidence in education. The sessions are designed to give regular, practical help from a trained volunteer mentor. The programme is for young people aged 14-25 from refugee or asylum-seeking backgrounds who are studying in school or college in London, Oxford or Birmingham. It is suitable for learners at any stage of English, including those who have only just started. Mentoring is focused on helping students better understand their lessons, stay engaged with education, and feel more confident about their next steps. Meetings usually take place for about one hour each week in a local library or other safe community space. If you would like a mentor, you need to speak to a teacher, social worker or key worker, who can make a referral and contact the mentoring coordinator for your area. The programme also has safeguarding support and local coordinators if you have questions or concerns.

St. Hilda's College (University of Oxford) runs a summer immersive programme hosted and promoted via EDVISION Group. The programme takes place at St. Hilda’s College, a historic Oxford college noted for its riverside location, strong academic resources and the Jacqueline du Pré Music Building. Classes are small (10-15 students) and are led by professional tutors; no prior English proficiency is required. The programme runs during July-August and is aimed at teenagers aged 13-17. Sessions are offered in 2-6 week lengths. Participants receive an English training certificate and an individual performance report on completion. The listed fee on the page is £1,900; prospective applicants are invited to submit an application via the site’s request popup or contact EDVISION Group for more information and to confirm dates, inclusions and availability.

Oxford Brookes University offers a travel bursary to help prospective undergraduate students attend Offer Holder Days and Undergraduate Open Days at the Headington Campus. The bursary reimburses the cost of a round trip from your home postcode to the Headington Campus at a rate of £0.40 per mile, with a maximum claim of £80. To request the travel bursary you must be a UK student meeting at least one of the eligibility criteria (for example, living in a low university-progression area by POLAR4, living in areas of higher socio-economic disadvantage by IMD, being a care leaver, or being an estranged student under 25). If you think you are eligible, register for the relevant event on Eventbrite and contact uniopenday@brookes.ac.uk at least 48 hours before the event; the university will send further instructions about claiming the bursary by email.

The Oxbridge Summer Scholars Senior Programme is a two-week residential summer school for students aged 16-19 that replicates Oxbridge-style teaching through lectures, seminars and small-group tutorials. Senior students choose from specialised streams including Business & Economics and Law, PPE & Global Issues, and are taught by over 40 expert tutors from Oxford, Cambridge and other leading UK universities. The programme emphasises critical thinking, independence, and preparation for competitive university study. Participants live in authentic college accommodation in Oxford or Cambridge, with full board (three meals per day) and 24/7 staff support. The academic schedule can include up to eight hours of classes each day alongside personalised mentorship and small-group tutorials. A rich programme of cultural and social activities - college traditions, historic-site visits, punting on the River Cam, and excursions such as Blenheim Palace and Bodleian Library tours - complements the academic work. The programme is selective to ensure a motivated cohort and attracts an international student body from over 45 countries. It is aimed at senior school students who want intensive subject immersion and clearer preparation for top university applications and study.

Balliol College's Access & Outreach programme provides a range of free activities to support prospective applicants from state schools, including online talks, subject taster days, year-long access programmes and short "Try Before You Buy" days. Activities are delivered by Oxford graduates and tutors and are intended to introduce pupils to subject-specific academic material, Oxford-style teaching, and the admissions process. Specific offerings include Insight Talks aimed at Year 12 (and interested Year 11s) that run online as workshops and are recorded; a Discovery Programme for Year 10 state school students that consists of online seminars (with a teacher present) and preparatory work; Subject Taster Days and Try Before You Buy Days for Year 12 state school students which include academic sessions, college tours and a free two-course lunch. Balliol also runs three year-long access programmes (Floreat, Frontier and Fibonacci) for Year 12 state-school students, focused on humanities, life sciences and mathematics respectively. The year-long programmes involve a series of virtual seminars (evening sessions beginning in the Spring Term), assessed/preparatory tasks, and a two-night residential in August held at Balliol College. Many programmes prioritise disadvantaged and under-represented students and are explicitly free of charge. Sign-up and further details are provided on Balliol College's Outreach / "Outreach Talks and Events" pages.

Academy Royale International's (formerly Oxford Royale) Economics & Finance Summer School is a two-week course for students aged 16–18, held in Oxford or Cambridge. Week one covers the foundations: scarcity, incentives, supply and demand, inflation, venture capital, IPOs and shares, and how micro- and macroeconomic conditions shape markets. Week two turns to business finance and investment: cash-flow models, start-up funding, risk management, and judging high- and low-risk investments through case studies and simulations. Teaching comes from academics and finance professionals. Summer 2027 sessions run 4–17 July, 18–31 July and 1–14 August; course fees are £7,995 and places are offered on a rolling basis.

Oxford Brookes University invites prospective undergraduate students to attend on-campus Undergraduate Open Days in Oxford. The events give attendees the chance to experience campus life, meet academic staff and current students, and learn about the range of undergraduate courses on offer. Guests: visitors may bring up to two guests. What to expect: the Open Days include subject taster sessions to show what it’s like to study chosen subjects at degree level, opportunities to meet lecturers and current students, university life talks (covering accommodation, sport, the student union, study abroad, finances and the application process), and campus tours across the Headington Campus sites. Practical information: sessions run across the Headington Campus; organisers will email suggested start locations closer to the event. There is a free U1/U1B bus service from key locations. A Travel Bursary is available to cover round-trip travel at £0.40 per mile up to a limit of £80 - register for the event and contact uniopenday@brookes.ac.uk for further information and to claim.

The Reading Scholars Programme gives Year 12 students a real taste of life as a university undergraduate and provides practical support as participants begin their higher education application process. The programme features input from leading academics, current undergraduate e-mentors and university alumni, and is designed to challenge participants academically and enhance their current studies. The programme takes place in-person at the University of Readings Whiteknights campus and comprises four events across the academic year. These events include subject masterclasses led by academics, a Student Experience Day in February, a study skills session and a two-day summer school. Events typically run from 09:30 to 15:30, and transportation costs are covered in advance for participating students. Eligibility requires Year 12 study, at least five GCSEs at grades A* - C and being on course for good A-Level grades (around BBB or equivalent). Priority is given to applicants with no parental experience of higher education and those living in identified postcode areas. Participants who later apply to the University of Reading are guaranteed either an invite to interview or a conditional offer, and those who firmly choose Reading may apply for a £1,000 Scholars bursary in their first year.

Justin Craig's Residential Summer School 2026 is a five-day residential revision programme designed for current Year 10 and Year 12 students. The course is delivered in partnership with Queen Anne's School and is hosted in a scenic boarding-school environment on the Surrey/Berkshire border, with an additional day-centre option in central London. The programme balances focused academic revision with supervised leisure and social activities in a supportive boarding setting. GCSE students attend one-day sessions in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Maths and either English Language or English Literature. A-level students participate in an intensive five-day course concentrated on their chosen subject, emphasizing knowledge development, exam technique and targeted revision. Teaching takes place in school facilities with dedicated study spaces to support individual learning. The residential programme begins on Sunday afternoon with arrivals and an ice-breaker. Catering is provided on-site (breakfast and dinner at Michell House; lunch in the main school restaurant). Planned evening and late-afternoon activities include swimming, tennis, outdoor cinema, silent disco, a murder-mystery evening, BBQ and a campfire. Common rooms and quiet computer/study rooms are available for relaxation and independent study. Two centre options are available: Michell House at Queen Anne's School (Michell House, 22 Derby Road, Caversham, Berkshire, RG4 6DX) and a day centre at Queen's Gate House (65-67 Queen's Gate, South Kensington, London, SW7 5JS). Prospective participants are invited to contact Justin Craig course advisors via the website to find course options and to book.

Oxford Royale’s Law & Politics Summer School is an immersive two-week programme for young people aged 16–18 who want to explore how law and politics work in practice. It is designed for aspiring lawyers, future politicians, and curious students who want to build confidence in debating, presenting ideas, and thinking critically about current issues.

Students study legal principles, democratic systems, and real courtroom practice through hands-on activities such as mock trials, investigations, group research, case studies, and simulations. The programme also includes workshops, masterclasses, seminars, interactive lessons, and debates, all led by expert teachers and subject specialists.

Alongside the academic content, participants live and study on an Oxford campus, with college accommodation, meals, pastoral support, and a programme of social activities and cultural visits. The experience is designed to help students develop public speaking, leadership, and communication skills while gaining a taste of university-style learning in a historic Oxford setting.