Summer schools in Oxford
Summer courses for adult learners
Join us for a study holiday in Oxford – for personal enrichment, academic progression or professional development. You'll live and study at one of Oxford's historic colleges or at Rewley House, experience dining in hall, and explore the world's most famous university city.
Choose from more than 100 one-week introductory summer courses; or opt for a longer, specialist summer programme in a single topic. Many classes can be taken for credit; others require no coursework and are non-assessed.
Courses span a range of subjects, including history and archaeology, literature, film and creative writing, international relations and law, psychology and sociology, environmental studies and biological sciences, history of art and architecture, philosophy and theology, and more.
For those aged 18 and above only.
SUMMER PROGRAMMES IN OXFORD
Introductory level
These week-long non-assessed summer programmes all take place at one of Oxford University’s historic colleges. All courses are pitched at an introductory level for non-specialists, and no prior knowledge is necessary.
Our Inspiring Oxford programme is still open to enrolments, but we have limited accommodation available – so we recommend booking your place soon.
- Inspiring Oxford, Brasenose College
- The Oxford Experience, Christ Church (closed to new enrolments)
Undergraduate level
The Oxford University Summer School for Adults (OUSSA) programme offers accredited week-long courses at Rewley House in central Oxford. Credit earned from OUSSA is transferable towards our flexible and part-time Undergraduate Certificate of Higher Education.
Courses cover a wide range of subjects including literature, archaeology, architectural history, creative writing, history of art, philosophy, biological sciences, theology, psychology and more.
Oxford University Summer School for Adults, Rewley House (closed to new enrolments)
Specialist and advanced
These intensive summer programmes are for those who want in-depth learning on a subject they are passionate about for personal, academic or professional advancement.
Open to applications:
- English Language Teachers’ Summer Seminar, Harris Manchester College
Closed to new applications:
- Creative Writing Summer School, Exeter College
- English Literature Summer School, Exeter College
- History, Politics and Society Summer School, Exeter College
- International Politics Summer School (next running in summer 2027)
- Theology Summer School, Christ Church
Creative Writing Summer School students
Christ Church
Hertford Bridge (also known as the Bridge of Sighs)
Christ Church cloisters
Exeter College
