Summer Schools
Future Scholars: Humanities – Oxford College
Explore law, politics, literature, and history, master essential academic skills, and study like an undergraduate in Oxford.
Key Details
- Ages: 15-17
- Location: Oxford
- Start dates: 5 July & 19 July 2027
- English level: B1+
- Duration: 2 weeks
Students from
countries around the world
We’re the UK’s
multi-campus summer school
We’ve welcomed
students since 2008
5 star-rated by
of families
Study like an Oxford Humanities Student
Great Minds Ask Better Questions
What makes an argument convincing, a law just, or a political decision right? Future Scholars: Humanities in Oxford invites students aged 15–17 to explore challenging ideas while preparing for university-style study.
On this summer school in the UK, you’ll investigate Law, Politics, Literature, and History, learning to evaluate evidence, question assumptions, and develop persuasive arguments. You’ll also build essential skills in academic writing, research, and presentation.
Debate competing viewpoints. Interpret sources. Defend your conclusions. Working with fellow students, you’ll complete a humanities research project and present your findings in an inspiring Oxford academic setting.
Discover where your curiosity could take you and book your place on Future Scholars: Humanities today.
Our immersive summer schools are delivered by SBC, the UK’s number 1 multi-campus summer school for children aged 6-17.
Future Scholars: Humanities – Oxford College
Future Scholars: Humanities is an inspiring two-week pre-university summer school in Oxford for students aged 15–17, combining academic skills development with an exploration of Law, Politics, Literature, and History.
During the programme, you will:
– Experience university-style lectures and learn to take good academic notes
– Learn to construct persuasive written arguments supported by evidence
– Weigh competing viewpoints, challenge assumptions, and sharpen your critical thinking
– Research a humanities question with your team and present your findings
You’ll also discover Oxford’s historic academic environment, explore its colleges and cultural attractions, and form friendships with students from around the world.
Book your place today and take an exciting step towards your academic future.
At a Glance
- Price
- Duration
- Location
- Ages
- Start Dates
- From £3,495
- 2 weeks
- Oxford
- 15-17
- 5 & 19 Jul 2027
Academic Overview
Discover what you’ll learn – and how you’ll learn – in the academic overview for this programme.
24/7
Pastoral support
From 100% DBS-checked, trained residential staff.
1:6
Staff-to-student ratio
Ensuring our focus is always on your child.
25 hours
Academic teaching per week
An immersive learning experience.
15/15
Areas of strength
In our most recent British Council inspection.
Course Modules
Listen actively, think critically
Learn how to get the most from university-style lectures and academic discussions. You’ll practise identifying the central arguments of a lecture, recognising supporting evidence, and taking effective notes. Discover how to organise information so you can revisit ideas, compare different perspectives, and prepare for further research.
Make every argument count
Good academic writing begins with clear thinking. Explore how to develop a clear thesis, structure your reasoning, and use evidence to support your conclusions. Across literature, history, politics, and law, you’ll practise engaging with opposing viewpoints and writing with greater precision.
Make your ideas heard
Learn how to turn detailed scientific research into a clear, engaging presentation. Explore persuasive speaking techniques and presentation structures. You’ll also practise responding to challenging questions and adapting your arguments for different audiences.
Challenge assumptions, defend your reasoning
Can you spot the weakness in an argument? Examine how claims are constructed, identify hidden assumptions, and assess the strength of supporting evidence. Through examples from law, politics, literature, and history, you’ll learn to weigh competing interpretations before reaching a reasoned conclusion.
Turn curiosity into academic research
Every compelling research project begins with a worthwhile question. Learn to narrow a broad interest into a focused enquiry, locate relevant sources, and distinguish between different forms of evidence. You’ll develop methods for organising research and drawing conclusions that can withstand scrutiny.
Get started
Choose Your Date
Pick the start date that suits you and secure your place.
Live in a University of Oxford college
Experience life as an Oxford student
At Oxford College, students have the opportunity to live and study in a University of Oxford college, experiencing university life in one of the world’s most renowned academic cities.
Just a short walk from the city centre and university parks, the campus provides an inspiring setting for seminars, lively discussions, and independent study.
Accommodation is typically in single rooms with shared bathrooms, reflecting the traditional Oxford college experience.
Students can also enjoy the on-site common rooms or spend their free time exploring Oxford’s historic streets with their group.
Have a Question?
If you’d like to speak to us before you book, we’re happy to answer any questions you may have. Fill in the form and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible.
Our Campus
Future Scholars: Humanities is hosted at Oxford College.
Ages 15-17
Oxford College
Oxford College is the ideal campus for ambitious students aged 15-17 who want to dive deeper into a subject they are aiming to study at university. Our Oxford College campus is located in Oxford University: students live in an Oxford college and are taught in the university’s lecture and seminar rooms. This campus provides an unmatched opportunity to experience life as an Oxford student.
- Price
- Duration
- Start Dates
- From £3,495
- 2 weeks
- 5 Jul & 19 Jul 2027
Life at Oxford College
A home from home
Oxford College Summer School students stay in a University of Oxford college, enjoying a comfortable and authentic introduction to university life. Located close to Oxford’s city centre and university parks, the college offers an ideal base for students to experience the city’s rich academic heritage and vibrant atmosphere. Outside of lessons, students can unwind in the on-site common rooms or explore Oxford’s historic streets with friends.
- Single or twin rooms with shared bathrooms
- Student common room and modern dining hall
- Separate accommodation for boys and girls
Discover Oxford and London
At Oxford College, you’ll wander through the centre of the medieval university city of Cambridge: charming architecture and centuries of academic heritage in one of the world’s most renowned centres of learning.
You’ll also spend a day in London, discovering its famous landmarks, museums, and cultural attractions, with plenty of time to see the sights.
Relax and have fun
Our evening activities programme gives students plenty of opportunities to unwind, make new friends, and enjoy life beyond the classroom. From sports and arts & crafts to a murder mystery, film festival, and silent disco, there is something to suit every interest. Students can also take part in memorable experiences such as punting along the River Ox. With a varied programme of activities, evenings are a chance to have fun, try something new, and build friendships with students from around the world.
Safe days, settled nights
We understand that sending your child abroad is a big decision, which is why their safety and wellbeing are at the heart of everything we do. Our dedicated residential staff provide 24/7 on-site pastoral support, with a staff-to-student ratio of 1:6 to ensure every student receives the care and attention they need. All residential staff are fully trained and DBS-checked, creating a safe, welcoming environment where students can settle in, make friends, and enjoy their summer.
One summer, a lifetime of learning ahead
What Your Child Takes Away
After your child’s programme, they leave with recognition of their achievements and skills that set them up for their next steps.
A certificate recognising that your child has completed the Future Scholars: Humanities programme.
A personalised letter acknowledging your child’s participation and their achievements during the programme.
Students gain practical experience in lecture note-taking, academic writing, research, critical thinking, and presentation. They’ll learn to evaluate arguments, engage with different perspectives, and produce evidence-based writing.
Working in groups of three, students investigate a humanities question of their choice from history, politics, literature, or law. They examine relevant evidence and consider competing interpretations of their question. They’ll present their findings through an academic poster and oral presentation at the Time to Shine Presentation Ceremony.
Fees
Day or Residential?
Recommended
Residential
From £6,295
- Full board — all meals & accommodation included
- Multi-activity programme
- Evening activities & excursions
- 24/7 pastoral care
Day
From £3,495
- Same academic programme as residential
- Lunch & evening meals
- Activities and excursions
- Return home in the evening
FAQs
Of course. Just fill out our enquiry form and a member of our admissions team will get back to you as soon as possible.
No prior study is required. Students should have an interest in the subject area but the course is designed to be flexible to different levels of knowledge and experience.
All workshop and project resources are provided. Students can choose to bring standard study items such as pens, notebooks, and a laptop or tablet for project work.
Although we cover lots content, our teachers are skilled at adapting the level of difficulty according to each student’s comfort with English and ability to absorb new information.
An intermediate level (B1) or above is recommended in order to participate effectively in this summer school.
All our residential staff are DBS-checked and trained. We have a high staff-to-student ratio and we offer 24/7 pastoral support.
No. This programme is designed and delivered by Summer Boarding Courses, which is part of Dukes Plus. Summer Boarding Courses contracts the use of these facilities and has no formal connection with the University of Oxford or its colleges, and they do not deliver, partner in, or endorse our programmes.
We keep our classes to a maximum of 8 students each. This means each student is personally known by their tutor who can support and challenge them individually as required.
You May Also Be Interested In
-
Engineering Summer School
Forge your career in engineering on our incredible summer school.
-
Medicine Summer Schools
Summer schools and experiences in a range of medical disciplines, hosted in Oxford, Cambridge and London.
-
Psychology Summer Schools
Join our psychology summer schools and experience a career as a psychologist.
-
Computer Science Summer School
Experience life as a computer scientist with our immersive summer school.
-
Dentistry Summer Schools
Dive into a career in dentistry on our exceptional summer school.
-
Vet Summer School
Take your first steps into a veterinary career on our vet summer school.
Have a Question?
Fill out the form and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible.