Oxford Politics Summer School
Keen to get ahead in your future in politics? Join our Politics Summer School in Oxford, or online, to develop the confidence and knowledge to put you ahead of the curve – in preparation for university and beyond.
Get excited about politics
Imagine spending two weeks in the historic city of Oxford exploring fascinating topics – from leadership, to the role of rising world powers. Our Oxford Politics Summer School programmes let you explore politics, international relations, philosophy, and economics.
Learn from world-class politics tutors
You’ll feel inspired as you encounter big new ideas. And, you’ll make friends with fellow students from around the globe who have different perspectives. You’ll meet a successful professional from this field, take part in a fast-paced challenge, and learn about different political systems.
Be inspired
You’ll follow in the footsteps of famous political faces past and present – from British Prime Minister Winston Churchill to campaigner and actress Emma Watson – when you speak at the historic Oxford Union during our Debating Masterclass.
Get the OSA experience
You’ll leave this experience with the knowledge and confidence to make the right decisions about your future. And you’ll achieve all of this while enjoying the magic that the city of Oxford has to offer.
Browse our Oxford Summer Politics Courses
Our summer politics courses are two weeks long and are held on the famous Oxford University campus. Whether you’ve studied aspects of politics before, or are totally new to it, our Politics Summer School offers a perfect course to suit your needs.
In Oxford | 15-18 Year Olds
Experience Debate & Public Speaking
Want to improve your public speaking and debate skills? This debating summer course will help you develop confidence, learn persuasive techniques, and practise the art of rebuttal — skills that are essential in many careers and day-to-day life. You’ll learn what made famous speeches so powerful and put your skills to the test in our international diplomacy challenge.
In Oxford | 15-18 Year Olds
Experience International Relations, Politics & Leadership
This Oxford politics summer programme helps students better understand the importance of relationships between nations and cultures. We’ll explore case-studies of politics in action — and how it’s created significant change. You’ll also put your new-found diplomacy skills to the test in our United Nations challenge.
Browse our Online Politics Courses
Drawing on the Oxford Scholastica Academy’s years of experience of running world-class summer schools, our online politics courses combine the city of Oxford’s spirit of excellence with the very best in future-focused learning.
Online Courses | 12-14 Year Olds
Politics & Debate
This course will enable you to explore politics, politics and systems of government. Along the way, you’ll practise your debating skills, writing speeches and debating with your peers about political ideas that interest you. You’ll leave the course with more confidence in your public speaking abilities and with a greater understanding of government and politics.
On this course, you’ll:
- Practise debating and public speaking
- Learn about key ideas in political theory
- Understand how countries work together in international organisations
- Be “Prime Minister for a day” and make a plan for tackling issues you care about
Online Courses | 15-18 Year Olds
International Relations, Politics & Debate
What does it take to negotiate the greatest challenges facing our world – from COVID-19 to poverty to climate change? What role do governments, international organisations and activists play? On this course, you’ll debate key issues, such as what you, your country and the global community can do to prevent and respond to catastrophes.
To further develop your debating and public speaking skills, you’ll discuss:
- International Law and Organisations, such as the UN, NATO and the WHO
- Political theory
- Diplomacy and crisis management
- Revolutions and political change
Online Internships | 15-18 Year Olds
Politics & International Relations Internships
Guided by your Mentor, an academic researcher, you’ll collaborate with interns from around the globe. You’ll co-author a research paper on a cutting edge politics or international relations topic for publication in an academic journal.
You’ll conclude the internship having gained hard-to-find work experience, as well as a Letter of Recommendation and a Certificate.
Students from up to 85 different nationalities chose to experience our politics courses last year:
9 out of 10 said our politics summer courses were one of the most memorable summers of their life
9 out of 10 said that our high school summer politics courses gave them greater certainty about their future direction
94% of students said they had a greater certainty over their future academic and career choices
Why choose one of our Oxford Politics summer school programmes?
The Best Courses
We’ve designed our high school summer politics courses to stimulate, stretch and challenge you – regardless of your existing subject knowledge.
The Best People
Your politics course will be taught by tutors that are current or former students and faculty of world-class institutions such as Oxford and Cambridge Universities.
Your Future Success
Our politics summer school is designed to help you discover, experience and prepare for a successful future personally, academically and professionally.
Be Inspired
You’ll be taught politics in the inspirational city of Oxford, where many world-famous figures in the field began their own career journeys.
Politics Summer School Testimonials
I had such an amazing time on my Oxford Scholastica course on Politics & Debate! This course has broadened my view on politics and allowed me to connect with other kids my age from around the world.
The course was fantastic, very informative, and interactive. I was so sad it ended and I really enjoyed all parts of it. It was truly a wonderful experience. Thank you all very much!
My daughter thoroughly enjoyed her Oxford Scholastica Debating course. She learnt a lot during the program and it helped her to widen her thinking. She kept saying that she wanted it to last longer!
What You’ll Get From Our Politics Courses
Our politics summer courses are a perfect introduction to global affairs. Prepare for your future success by joining one of our fully-accredited politics courses. We will:
- Help you decide whether a career in politics is the right choice for you, and introduce you to the wide variety of career options available in this field
- Give you the opportunity to be taught by subject experts so you can see what it’s like to study politics at university – you’ll receive teaching from our faculty of expert staff from world-class universities
- Give you an insider’s view of politics through our Hero sessions, where you’ll meet someone who has built a successful career in the politics field
- Give you hands-on experiences, for example where you test your leadership skills by taking on the role of a UN Diplomat
- Explore many topics – such as the role of global institutions, the key features of democracies, global financial crises, and many more
- Help you choose the politics degree for you, and show you how to prepare a strong application
- Give you the chance to build an international network of fellow students and join our community of Oxford Scholastica Academy alumni
- Enable you to graduate when you’ve successfully completed your politics course – you’ll attend a formal Graduation Ceremony
Get an Authentic University Experience
College-style teachingYou’ll learn in small, dynamic classes just as you would be at top UK universities. You’ll be taught by our first-class teaching faculty thereby ensuring you have the very best politics summer school experience.
University-style independenceYou’ll have the opportunity to study, socialise and take part in legendary activities such as punting. You’ll have the opportunity to meet and make friends with ambitious students like you from all over the world.
Real-world skillsYou’ll leave equipped with key skills for the future – like public speaking, how to prepare for your future career and how to bounce back from failure – thanks to our Masterclass programme.
Reserve Your Spot Today
Ready for a life-changing educational experience? Apply in minutes and reserve a spot for Oxford's #1 rated summer school or our online programmes.