Week 5 Seminars OUSSA
Join us in Oxford for a study holiday
Week 5: Saturday 8 - Saturday 15 August 2026
The Oxford University Summer School for Adults (OUSSA) is a residential summer programme held at Rewley House central Oxford, offering more than 60 week-long accredited courses for adult learners (18 years and over) covering a wide range of subjects in Literature, Archaeology, Architectural History, Creative Writing, History of Art, Philosophy, Biological Sciences, Theology and Psychology.
A selection of courses taking place during week 5 can be previewed below. To view all week 5 courses please select 'full listing'.
To learn more about this summer programme, and to browse courses taking place during other weeks, see full details of the OUSSA programme.
Upcoming courses
Summer schools • Short courses
Explore the rich and vibrant history of African Art, from ‘primitivist’ readings of material culture from Africa, to a thriving and lively contemporary African art scene.
- Sat 08 Aug 2026 – 15 Aug 2026
- 9:00am – 12:30pm
Summer schools • Short courses
2026 marks the 150th anniversary of the first production of Wagner’s Ring, arguably the greatest work of art conceived by a single individual but also one of the most controversial. Explore the music and the controversy and debate it caused.
- Sat 08 Aug 2026 – 15 Aug 2026
- 9:00am – 12:30pm
Summer schools • Short courses
Our hands-on workshop will explore short-form writing – long valued by readers, writers and publishers. 'Writing short' provides writers (beginning and experienced) with an ideal vehicle for creativity, with a focus on style, experimentation and editing.
- Sat 08 Aug 2026 – 15 Aug 2026
- 9:00am – 12:30pm
Summer schools • Short courses
An introduction to the process of recording archaeological sites prior to excavation. Through lectures and site visits, we class will go through the fundamentals of site recording emphasising simple measurement techniques.
- Sat 08 Aug 2026 – 15 Aug 2026
- 9:00am – 12:30pm
Summer schools • Short courses
AI technologies are now an integral part of our everyday experiences. But what does the future hold? How intelligent, self-aware, autonomous, can machines become? What is their impact on society, and will they pose an existential threat?
- Sat 08 Aug 2026 – 15 Aug 2026
- 9:00am – 12:30pm
Summer schools • Short courses
Examine notions of 'self', 'psyche' and 'soul' in mystical, medieval and contemporary psychoanalytical settings. As well as giving a historical framework to these terms, we will also explore pastoral and practical applications in a contemporary context.
- Sat 08 Aug 2026 – 15 Aug 2026
- 9:00am – 12:30pm
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Oxford University Summer School for Adults
Undergraduate level. A residential summer programme offering week-long accredited courses for adult learners. Held at Rewley House on iconic Wellington Square.Undergraduate Certificate of Higher Education
A flexible, part-time route to an Oxford University qualification. Gain credit from flexible short online courses, weekly classes, and the Oxford University Summer School for Adults. Explore a wide range of subjects in this multidisciplinary programme.