With so many options available, choosing a UK summer school for your child can be a difficult decision. To help you navigate this process, we’ve put together this handy guide to get you started.
Choosing a Summer School Location
When you look for a summer school in the UK, your might immediately think of the cities of Oxford and Cambridge. Home to two of the world’s leading universities, the cities are synonymous with academic excellence. Unfortunately, neither of these universities offer summer schools for international students. The University of Cambridge collaborates with the Sutton Trust to provide short summer courses, but it reserves places for UK students who would benefit from a widening participation programme.
However, many UK summer school providers offer courses in famous university cities, including Oxford and Cambridge. While these are not affiliated with any university, they often use university facilities, giving students a taste of campus life and an enriching academic experience. If your child would prefer a break from the hustle and bustle of city life, several schools offer residential summer programmes in rural areas as well.
London
As the UK’s capital city, London is a popular summer destination for international students. There’s always something to see and do in the UK’s city that never sleeps, so students experience a well-rounded and eventful summer. There are a wide variety of summer school courses based in London, ranging from English language tuition to university preparation programmes.
Cambridge
Cambridge is also home to a number of top UK summer schools. Students benefit from a smaller setting than London, while still enjoying the rich history of a city which has hosted the likes of Charles Darwin, David Attenborough and Helena Bonham Carter. A summer course like those offered by Reach Cambridge would give your child a taste of life in the city of Cambridge.
Oxford
Similarly, another incredibly popular summer school destination is Oxford, home to the oldest university in the English-speaking world. Midway between the sizes of London and Cambridge, students experience the cosmopolitan excitement of a sizable city with the beauty and culture of a historic university town. A summer at the Oxford Scholastica Academy can help your child realise their full potential in this unforgettable city.
Key Factors to Consider
Once you and your child have decided on a location, it’s important to conduct the right research to ensure they have the best experience possible. Here are some key factors to take into consideration.
I. Type of programme
Different summer schools offer different types of programmes, so it’s important to choose an institution that provides the kind of experience you’re looking for. Some popular examples for international students include language, academic and cultural programmes.
Language programmes help students hone their fluency in a chosen language through intensive classes, workshops and cultural experiences.
Academic programmes serve as educational courses aimed at students who intend to apply to prestigious universities around the world. These are the types of programmes we offer at Oxford Scholastica, which enable students to delve into their chosen subject beyond the school curriculum.
Cultural exchange programmes give students first-hand experience of another country’s culture and way of life. This could include living with a volunteer host family or staying with a group of international students for the summer.
Programmes also differ in length and can be residential or non-residential, so it’s important to decide which you’d prefer – especially if your child will be travelling to the UK on their own.
II. Curriculum and teaching
Your child might already have a dream career in mind, but if not, then an academic summer school provides an excellent opportunity for them to begin thinking about their future. Many summer schools give students the chance to study a subject that isn’t offered at school, like medicine or law, allowing young people to test drive a future career before committing to a degree.
Tutors
With this in mind, your choice of summer school will partially depend on the courses and subjects that a particular institution offers. However, it’s a good idea to find out more about the tutors who will deliver the course material and the teaching methods they predominantly use.
For example, our tutors at the Oxford Scholastica Academy are leading experts at the forefront of their fields, often teaching or conducting research at top universities like Oxford, Cambridge and Harvard. We select our tutors through a rigorous process, not just for their credentials but for their ability to communicate in an engaging way and inspire a lifelong curiosity in students.
Teaching Method
Similarly, every student has their own learning style and preferences. When exploring summer school options, find out how much of the curriculum focuses on theory to see if the balance works well with your child’s personal academic style. Our programmes follow our Learn, See, Do teaching philosophy:
Learn: Students deepen their subject knowledge through engaging classes and Masterclasses that encourage critical thinking and intellectual curiosity.
See: Students meet inspirational tutors, mentors and Heroes who offer practical insights based on real-world experience.
Do: Students put theory into practice through hands-on activities, problem solving and academic challenges.
Whichever UK summer school you choose, find out as much as you can about the tutors and teaching methods before applying.
III. Extracurricular activities
Most summer schools provide excursions and extracurricular activities to help students immerse themselves in the local culture, giving them a well-rounded and holistic experience. Typical timetables differ but many schools will dedicate one portion of the day to classes, another to supplementary academic events and a third to social activities. To find out more about the day-to-day of our summer school, look over our typical schedule which includes punting on the River Thames, our talent show, a traditional ceilidh and an international boat ball!
We also take our students on day trips to Windsor Castle and Blenheim Palace. It’s important to check whether your chosen summer school includes these trips in their base price (our residential fees cover our day trips), or whether they’re elective activities which require extra payment.
IV. Accreditation and reputation
Finally, you need to check the school’s accreditation status before applying. The British Accreditation Council (BAC) accredited the Oxford Scholastica Academy as a short course provider for Independent Further and Higher Education. This means the BAC assessed and approved teaching quality, pastoral care and overall standards.
An excellent way to assess the reputation of a provider is to read verified reviews on independent websites, such as REVIEWS.io. Oxford Scholastica maintains a 4.9/5 star rating, with 99% of reviewers recommending us. You can read our reviews here.
As previously mentioned, there is not an official Oxford University summer school, so proceed with caution if a provider is claiming to have official Oxford University status.
Practical Considerations
There are also a few practical factors to consider.
I. Price
It’s important to find out whether the quoted price is solely for tuition or whether accommodation and meals are also covered. This changes between summer schools, so it’s important to clarify what exactly the fees include.
For example, our residential fees cover classes, accommodation, day trips, cultural and social activities, a Certificate of Achievement and Letter of Recommendation upon completion, as well as breakfast and dinner each day. The only elements not covered are lunches (students explore Oxford with their new friends over lunch) and, if your child is travelling from abroad, flights and airport transfers.
II. Accommodation and safety
Most importantly, it’s vital to research a provider’s safeguarding policy, recruitment procedures and security measures. Any reputable provider will make this information easily accessible and will gladly answer any of your questions or concerns.
Some key questions to consider are:
- Are all staff trained in first aid?
- Are there residential staff members on site 24 hours a day?
- Is there an emergency phone number available?
- How secure is the accommodation?
- Does the provider monitor the whereabouts of students?
You can find out more about how we safeguard children and young people here, and read our safety and welfare FAQs here.
III. Travel
If you’re from the UK, the European Union or the European Economic Area, your child shouldn’t need a visa but be sure to double check. If you’re from another country, you can use the UK government’s website to find out whether you need a visa for summer study in the UK. After your child enrols on an Oxford Scholastica course, we issue them a stamped acceptance letter to use when applying for a visa.
Many international students fly to London Heathrow or London Gatwick airports, regardless of where in the UK they’re spending their summer. If your child is heading to an Oxford Scholastica summer school, we recommend Heathrow as it’s closer to Oxford and acts as our central meeting point for international students. On arrival days, Oxford Scholastica staff attend and we offer our own minibus service from the airport to our campus, which can be booked in advance for £150.
We hope you’ve found our parent’s guide to choosing a UK summer school useful and that it has answered your key questions. If you’re considering our Oxford summer school and still have some questions, you can send us a message here, email us at hello@oxfordscholastica.com or give us a call.
By Oxford Scholastica Academy
The Oxford Scholastica Academy was founded in 2013 by Jamie and Sophie, two former University of Oxford students, who have built a dynamic education company dedicated to empowering young people to chart their path in the world and make it better.
