Summer Schools
Pre-University Summer Schools
Give your applications the edge on our pre-university summer schools. Booking for summer 2027 now open.
Why Choose Our Pre-University Summer Schools?
- Intensive preparation for university applications
- Designed for ages 15-17
- Study in a University of Oxford college
- Options for Humanities and Sciences
- Develop outstanding critical thinking and independent study skills
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
Boost your university applications
University Preparation Summer School
Thinking of applying to a top university? Give your application a boost on our pre-university summer schools.
Our courses are designed for students aged 15-17 who want to experience university-level study in the subjects that interest them, while developing the academic skills which will help you excel at university.
Hosted at the University of Oxford, you’ll benefit from a unique opportunity to experience life as a student a a word-leading university. Whether you’re researching like an undergraduate scientist or learning to write outstanding humanities essays, our courses will set you up for university success.
Discover more about our pre-university summer schools and book your place today.
Our immersive summer schools are delivered by SBC, the UK’s number 1 multi-campus summer school for children aged 6-17.
Our Pre-University Summer Schools
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Future Scholars: Sciences
Explore the medical sciences, master essential academic skills, and study like an undergraduate in Oxford.
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Future Scholars: Humanities
Study history, literature, law, and politics at an Oxford University college, while mastering key academic skills for university.
Which Course Should I Choose?
Experience university-style study in medicine and the sciences
Future Scholars: Sciences at Oxford College gives students aged 15–17 a taste of university-level study, exploring subjects including Medicine, Biomedical Sciences, Neuroscience, and Pharmacology. You’ll attend university-style lectures, develop your academic writing and research skills, and complete a scientific project while living and studying in an Oxford college.
It’s best suited to academically ambitious students who want to prepare for university and explore the medical sciences in greater depth.
Study the Humanities like an Oxford undergraduate
Future Scholars: Humanities at Oxford College introduces students aged 15–17 to Law, Politics, Literature, and History through university-style study. You’ll learn to weigh evidence and build persuasive arguments, putting your academic skills into practice through a group research project. Living in an Oxford college adds a taste of student life to the experience.
An ideal choice for curious, academically ambitious students considering a humanities degree who want to explore their interests beyond the school curriculum.
Need Help Deciding?
Contact us and a member of our friendly team will get back to you as soon as possible.
Why Book Our Pre-University Summer School?
Our pre-university summer school is hosted at Oxford college, our campus located in a real college of the University of Oxford. You’ll live and learn like an Oxford undergraduate, getting an inspiring taste of what it’s like to study in one of the world’s most renowned universities.
With accommodation in college and seminars and lectures in Oxford’s teaching rooms, it’s an unparalleled opportunity to prepare for life at a leading university.
Our pre-university summer schools will set you up for success when you arrive at your chosen university. Our expert tutors will help you embed skills and learning habits which will give you a head start on other undergraduates. With an emphasis on critical thinking, research, essay-writing, note-taking, and independent study, you will be perfectly placed to hit the ground running at the start of your first year.
Although the courses are hosted in Oxford, our pre-university summer schools are suitable for applicants to universities in the UK, US, and many other countries around the world. With 25 hours of academic tuition per week, you’ll get an intensive crash course in your chosen subject area, as well as gaining the key academic skills which all good universities are looking for.
The knowledge and abilities you acquire will stand you in good stead whether you’re applying to Oxbridge, the Ivy League, or anywhere else.
Whatever your area of academic interest, you can learn and think like a university undergraduate on our university preparation summer schools.
Future Scholars: Sciences gives you the chance to evaluate scientific evidence and research a question in an area of STEM that interests you.
On Future Scholars: Humanities, meanwhile, you’ll learn how students in Law, History, Politics, and Literature analyse texts, conduct independent research, and write persuasive arguments.
Our students always rave about the social activities we put on in the evenings. Relax after a hard day’s studying and make fantastic friendships – whether you’re solving a murder mystery, enjoying a film festival, or burning off steam at a silent disco.
Our Students Love Us
Testimonials
What’s Included in Our Summer Schools?
Students have 25 hours of lessons per week with expert tutors. Teaching is designed to mirror the experience of learning a top university: it takes place in a mixture of seminars, guest lectures, and independent research projects.
Throughout our pre-university summer school, students have regular opportunities to strengthen their English language skills – improving their confidence in speaking, writing, and presenting. With a specific focus on academic English in your subject of interest, it’s the ideal way to improve your language abilities before a competitive university application.
All of our summer schools include exciting and enriching excursions to some of the UK’s top landmarks and cultural attractions.
In addition to a guided tour of the the historic university city of Oxford, students will also visit central London, discovering its famous landmarks, museums, and cultural attractions, with plenty of time to see the sights.
All students are supervised during their excursions.
Evenings give students time to relax, get to know one another, and make the most of life outside lessons. You’ll experience how students at Oxford unwind through college societies and clubs.
Activities range from sports and arts & crafts to a murder mystery, film festival, and silent disco. There are also opportunities to enjoy Oxford traditions such as punting. With plenty to choose from, students can explore new interests and form friendships with peers from around the world.
On our pre-university summer schools, students live and study in a real University of Oxford college. They get a taste of university life in one of the world’s most celebrated academic cities.
Within easy walking distance of the city centre and university parks, the campus offers an inspiring backdrop for seminars, lively debate, and independent study.
Students typically stay in single rooms with shared bathrooms, giving them a feel for traditional Oxford college life.
Our Pre-University Summer School Campus
Learn more about where you’ll be studying on our pre-university summer schools.
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
FAQs
Our Pre-University Summer Schools are tailored for ambitious students aged 15-17 who are preparing for university applications in the UK, US, or internationally. It is ideal for those looking to experience university-style study in their subject of interest (whether in the sciences or humanities) while developing the key skills which you’ll need to succeed at university.
Students will benefit from:
- Access to expert tutors and interactive seminars
- Living and learning in a real University of Oxford college
- Developing key academic skills (e.g. research, critical thinking, argumentation) needed at university
- Choice of subject focus – sciences or humanities
The courses help students develop the independent study, research, and presentation skills which universities value – for instance, by delivering an academic lecture to their peers on a research topic of their choice.
They also exposes students to university-style study in their subject area of interest, enabling them to make informed decisions about their applications, as well as giving them an advantage over their peers.
Yes, our programme welcomes students from around the world. It is designed to support university applications for institutions in the UK, US, and beyond, ensuring all participants receive relevant and personalised guidance.
These summer schools focus on:
- Independent study and critical thinking skills.
- Academic research and writing development.
- Improving your academic English
- University-style topics in Humanities and the Sciences (depending on the course you choose)
The programmes run for two weeks at Oxford College, one of our Oxford summer schools hosted at a real University of Oxford college. Intakes for 2027 are the 5 July & 19 July. Early booking is recommended to secure a place.
Yes, we do offer accommodation, meals, and guardianship on our pre-university summer schools. Please select this option when booking if required.
Alternatively, you can also attend as a day student. The academic programme is exactly the same, but students travel to and from the campus each da
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