Short course
Great Thinkers at Christ Church
Course status:
Closed to new applications
Dates:
19/07/2026 - 25/07/2026
Study format:
Summer schools
Level:
Beginner
Fees:
From £1,660.00 to £2,380.00
Christ Church, Oxford, has thrived for half a millennium. We select important and influential thinkers closely associated with the college, and introduce their key contributions. We will also explore how some Christ Church scientists, writers and theologians had a profound impact on philosophy.
We begin with the great 'empiricist' and 'father of liberalism,' John Locke (1632-1704), exploring his influence on the American Revolution. Our next focus will be polymath Robert Hooke (1635-1703) and the promoter of Isaac Newton, John Theophilus Desaguliers, FRS (1683-1744).
We continue by exploring the contributions of some prominent Christ Church philosophers. Various philosophical ideas, themes and problems about knowledge, reality, mind, language, AI and free will are introduced via consideration of key figures, including Michael Dummett, Daniel Dennett, John Searle, A J Ayer, Gilbert Ryle, John Rawls and J L Bell.
Finally we explore Einstein's association with Christ Church from 1931, his experiences at Oxford and the revolutionary impact of his theories.
This course is part of The Oxford Experience summer school, held at Christ Church.
Apply for this course
Apply using the button below.
Join the waiting list
Programme details
Daily schedule
Seminars meet each weekday morning after breakfast.
After lunch, afternoons are free for individual study or exploring the many places of interest in and around the city. Optional plenary excursions and social activities including walking tours will also be available.
The course fee includes breakfasts Monday-Saturday (residential guests only), lunches Sunday-Friday, and three-course dinners Sunday-Thursday. All meals are taken in Christ Church’s spectacular dining hall.
On Friday, there will be a special four-course gala dinner to celebrate the closing of the week.
Seminars
Level and demands
The Oxford Experience is aimed at non-specialists: no prior knowledge is required, and classes are pitched at an introductory level. The courses are designed for an international audience aged 18 and over.
There are no assessments for this course.
Accommodation
During your course you can stay in typical Oxford student accommodation at Christ Church, in buildings which range from the 18th to the 20th century. Please note that bedrooms are modestly-furnished and do not have air-conditioning.
The course fee includes breakfasts Monday-Saturday (residential guests only), lunches Sunday-Friday, and three-course dinners Sunday-Thursday. On Friday, there will be a special four-course gala dinner to celebrate the closing of the week. All meals are taken in Christ Church’s spectacular dining hall.
Residential options are outlined below.
Please see the ‘application’ section above for guidance on how to book or request the right accommodation for you, including how to request a lower/ground floor room.
Accommodation options at Christ Church
Single, twin and double bedrooms are available.
We welcome participants who want to attend multiple courses over the summer. Resident participants staying in Christ Church for consecutive weeks will have bed and breakfast accommodation arranged for the Saturday night between their courses at no extra cost.
Non-residential option
We also offer places on a non-residential basis whereby participants can take classes and have lunch and dinner at Christ Church, having arranged their own accommodation elsewhere.
Accommodation before/after your course
We are unable to arrange accommodation at Christ Church prior to or following your course. Please contact Christ Church directly if you require additional nights of bed and breakfast accommodation, and they may be able to assist.
Additionally, family or friends who are not enrolled in the programme cannot be accommodated in college.
Location: Christ Church St. Aldates, Oxford, OX1 1DP
Programme details
Daily schedule
Seminars meet each weekday morning after breakfast.
After lunch, afternoons are free for individual study or exploring the many places of interest in and around the city. Optional plenary excursions and social activities including walking tours will also be available.
The course fee includes breakfasts Monday-Saturday (residential guests only), lunches Sunday-Friday, and three-course dinners Sunday-Thursday. All meals are taken in Christ Church’s spectacular dining hall.
On Friday, there will be a special four-course gala dinner to celebrate the closing of the week.
Seminars
Programme details
Daily schedule
Seminars meet each weekday morning after breakfast.
After lunch, afternoons are free for individual study or exploring the many places of interest in and around the city. Optional plenary excursions and social activities including walking tours will also be available.
The course fee includes breakfasts Monday-Saturday (residential guests only), lunches Sunday-Friday, and three-course dinners Sunday-Thursday. All meals are taken in Christ Church’s spectacular dining hall.
On Friday, there will be a special four-course gala dinner to celebrate the closing of the week.
Seminars
Monday seminars
Christ Church: its history and alumni from Prime Ministers and Archbishops to Royalty.
Introducing John Locke: empiricism, science, liberalism and the American Revolution.
Robert Hooke (1635-1703) and J T Desaguliers (1683-1744).
Tuesday seminars
A selection of influential thinkers from the arts, theology and science.
The philosophical and historical significance of some key figures, including John Wesley, William Penn, Percy Dearmer, Lewis Carroll, John Ruskin and W H Auden.
Wednesday seminars
A selection of major Christ Church philosophers.
Introductions to key contributions of the most influential figures, from Gilbert Ryle to John Rawls and A J Ayer.
Thursday seminars
A further selection of influential philosophers.
An exploration of the significance and impact of the work of Michael Dummett, John Searle and Daniel Dennett.
Friday seminars
Einstein at Christ Church.
Einstein’s work and activities while at Oxford.
The revolutionary impact and philosophical significance of his theories.
Teaching methods
Participants will be taught in seminar groups of up to 12 people. The teaching methods used during this course may include:
- Short lectures/presentations
- Physical handouts
- Seminars/group discussions
- Written exercises in-class
- Student presentations
- Video recordings
- Audio recordings
- Tutor-led field trip
- Other:
Martin Ovens – Tutor
Born and educated in Wales, Martin Ovens (Wolfson College, Oxford) has taught courses in philosophy and religious studies since 1997, first for Cardiff University and then for Oxford Lifelong Learning from 2005. He is the Editor of Culture and Dialogue, an international, peer reviewed journal of cross-cultural philosophy (published by Brill). His research is based on interest in the relationship between skepsis and creativity. Among his publications are papers on comparative philosophy, scepticism and aesthetics. Current projects include work on Owen Barfield and political philosophy.
Certification
Certificate of Attendance
At the end of the course you will receive a Certificate of Attendance.
Digital badge
You will also be issued with an official digital badge of attendance. After the course, you will receive an email with a link and instructions on how to download this. You will be able to share this on social media and add to your email signature if you wish to do so.
Accommodation
During your course you can stay in typical Oxford student accommodation at Christ Church, in buildings which range from the 18th to the 20th century. Please note that bedrooms are modestly-furnished and do not have air-conditioning.
The course fee includes breakfasts Monday-Saturday (residential guests only), lunches Sunday-Friday, and three-course dinners Sunday-Thursday. On Friday, there will be a special four-course gala dinner to celebrate the closing of the week. All meals are taken in Christ Church’s spectacular dining hall.
Residential options are outlined below.
Please see the ‘application’ section above for guidance on how to book or request the right accommodation for you, including how to request a lower/ground floor room.
Level and demands
The Oxford Experience is aimed at non-specialists: no prior knowledge is required, and classes are pitched at an introductory level. The courses are designed for an international audience aged 18 and over.
There are no assessments for this course.
Fees
| Description | Costs |
|---|---|
| Fee option 1 (single en suite accom and meals per person) | £2380.00 |
| Fee option 2 (single standard accom and meals per person) | £2270.00 |
| Fee option 3 (double en suite accom and meals per person) | £2260.00 |
| Fee option 4 (twin en suite accom and meals per person) | £2260.00 |
| Fee option 5 (twin set standard accom and meals per person) | £2260.00 |
| Fee option 6 (no accom; incl lunch and dinner per person) | £1660.00 |
Enrolment deadline: registration closes at midnight on 1 May 2026.
Most courses fill quickly so early registration is strongly recommended. If your preferred course is fully booked, you may wish to add yourself to the waiting list and the Programme Administrator will contact you should a place become available.
Please note, the programme is only open to those over the age of 18.
Online enrolment (single person accommodation and non-residential)
Single accommodation and non-residential places should be booked online by clicking on the ‘Book now’ button at the top of this page.
Online enrolments require payment in full at the time of registering.
Single bedroom options:
-
Single en suite (private bathroom facilities – shower, washbasin and toilet)
-
Single standard rooms (includes a washbasin and shaver point only, with bathroom facilities shared with other rooms)
Enrolment form (multi-occupancy or accessible accommodation)
Double and twin bedrooms
Double and twin bedrooms are only available for two participants that apply to the programme together. They are charged per person and cannot be booked by individuals. If you wish to book a twin or double room for two people, each person should complete an enrolment form.
Shared bedroom options:
- Double en suite (private bathroom facilities – shower, washbasin and toilet)
- Twin en suite (private bathroom facilities – shower, washbasin and toilet)
- ‘Twin set’ standard (comprising two separate single standard rooms, each with a washbasin and shaver point only, opening onto a private sitting room, with bathroom facilities shared with other rooms)
Ground/lower floor accommodation
Christ Church rooms do not have lift access, and the higher rooms can be located up a few flights of stairs. If you need a room on a ground or lower floor please complete an enrolment form indicate your requirements, or contact the programme administrator directly at oxfordexperience@conted.ox.ac.uk as soon as possible before 1 June 2026.
Enrolment form
The enrolment form is an editable PDF and can be competed electronically, so you should not need to print and scan it.
Completed forms should be sent:
-
by email to oxfordexperience@conted.ox.ac.uk, or
-
by post to The Oxford Experience, Oxford Lifelong Learning, University of Oxford Department for Continuing Education, 1 Wellington Square, OXFORD, OX1 2JA, UK.