How to Make the Most of Your Summer School Experience

Here at the Oxford Scholastica Academy, we’re passionate about giving our students the edge to succeed, find their purpose and make a difference as they navigate their future study and career options.

Our international summer school for 12 to 18-year-olds is a unique chance to experience university-style teaching, academic challenges, masterclasses, and cultural adventure.  

Our courses are a mix of theory and hands-on experience, all taught by our expert team of tutors and mentors. We believe that learning should be fun and dynamic, sharpening your skills while exploring your interests.

We offer a wide range of courses, from Creative Writing to Engineering, Law to Neuroscience – so there really is something for everyone! They are designed to give you a taste of university-style study, helping you choose the right career path and stand out in applications to your dream university.

Preparing for Your Oxford Summer School Experience

The key to making the most of your Oxford summer school experience is preparation! Here are some steps to get you started. 

Research and Choosing the Right Course for You

Our international summer school divides courses by age group, meaning you’ll be working with peers at a similar stage in their learning, and the course content will be tailored to your aims and experience. We have two types of course: our Discover courses for 12-14 year olds, and our ‘Experience’ courses for students aged 15-18.

It’s important to choose a summer course which aligns with your personal interests and goals. Planning to study Medicine at university? Our residential Medicine summer course offers hands-on experience with real patients, as well as the opportunity to, learn key clinical skills that will make your application stand out!

Or perhaps you’d like to take a Creative Writing course in order to hone your written communication skills while also getting a taste of what career options writing can offer. 

Spend some time looking at the different courses we offer before you apply, to make sure you choose an option you’re happy with. If you need support in deciding, our Head of Student Experience, Stephanie, will be more than happy to help. You can get in touch with her via phone or email.

It’s worth remembering in your search that Oxford University doesn’t run its own summer schools for international students. Instead, organisations such as our Oxford summer school, the Oxford Scholastica Academy, uses the university’s facilities. You can read more about our relationship here.

Familiarise Yourself with the Programme Schedule

Summer school isn’t just about being in the classroom – there are plenty of workshops, social activities, and cultural adventures as well! Each day includes classes as well as cultural and educational activities, like a trip to Windsor Castle and a scavenger hunt around the city of Oxford, as well as evening social activities, like movie nights or some local Shakespeare.

This is part of what makes an Oxford Scholastica Academy summer school such a great experience, but you’ll need manage your time carefully so that you can make the best of everything on offer. Taking a look at the programme schedule before you start will help you plan your time so that you arrive prepared to have your best summer school experience. 

It’s also important that you stick to the schedule, making sure you take full advantage of rest time – you don’t want to miss out on activities because you stayed up too late!

Making the Most of Academic Opportunities at an Oxford Summer School

Engage in University-style Teaching

Oxford Scholastica tutors are the best of the best! They are highly qualified subject experts studying or working at Oxford, Cambridge and other top institutions, meaning they are at the forefront of research in their fields.

Our Oxford international summer school teaching combines real-world theory with hands-on experience, giving you a taste of what studying a course at university and pursuing a career will really be like. Learning from these inspirational tutors can ignite a new passion or set you on the path to a career you really love!

Participate in Academic Masterclasses and Workshops

An international summer school can help you break out of your comfort zone and realise your true academic potential. You’ll participate in our Masterclasses, building confidence in areas like public speaking and university applications, and discussing the issues that are directly relevant to your futures.

Our range of academic activities help develop skills like critical thinking, collaboration, and communication. They’re a great chance to network with fellow students and experts, establishing friendships and setting you up for future opportunities.

Cultural Adventures and Social Activities

An Oxford international summer school isn’t just about the classroom! Explore the famous ‘City of Dreaming Spires’, and walk the same streets as some of history’s greatest heroes, villains and geniuses. 

Summer in Oxford is a real treat! Visit some of the University’s beautiful colleges, try your hand at punting, or browse the shelves of the famous Blackwell’s bookshop. There’s never a dull moment, whether you want to explore the treasures of the Ashmolean Museum, or take a walk to Port Meadow.  

An international Oxford summer school is the ideal place to make lasting friendships with like-minded people from around the world. Everyone arriving at a summer school is in the same boat, sharing similar goals and interests that have brought you together, and everyone is keen to make friends! You’ll get to meet people from all over the globe and build an international network of peers.

Maintaining these friendships after a summer school can be just as fun as making them! Exchange social information to stay in touch, and maybe plan to study online together when you get back home to keep supporting one another in the skills you developed together during the summer. And of course, arrange to meet again! You can explore one another’s home countries or go on a whole new adventure together.  

Online Summer School and Internship Opportunities

The Oxford Scholastica Academy offers an amazing range of online courses and internships.

Our live online courses for teenagers offer the opportunity to experience university-level teaching from anywhere in the world! As part of a small group of students, you’ll learn through discussion, research, and debates, all led by an expert teacher. With one- and two-week courses throughout the summer on a broad range of topics, the Oxford Scholastica Academy’s online courses can help you achieve your goals and make friends from anywhere in the world. This is a great way to fit your summer school plans around other commitments and suit your budget. 

With our range of online research and work experience internships for high school students you can experience the next level of learning, apply your skills, and get a taste of your future career from anywhere in the world. Guided by expert mentors, you’ll work collaboratively to get hands-on experience of real challenges. This is a great opportunity to connect with industry professionals and fellow interns to build relationships for your future career. The experience and a professional letter of recommendation from an Oxford Scholastica Academy online internship will stand out on university applications and beyond!

An Oxford summer school experience is a unique opportunity to invest in yourself and your future while having fun in a friendly, international environment. Combining academic development with social opportunities and cultural engagement, an Oxford Scholastica Academy international summer programme will build confidence, create new friendships, hone your expertise, and help give you the edge to succeed at your chosen university and beyond!