Week 5: Inspiring Oxford summer school

Week 5: Sunday 2 August - Saturday 8 August 2026

Stay and study in historic Brasenose College.

Elevate your summer by exploring your passion in a dynamic and world-renowned university environment at our Inspiring Oxford summer programme. All week-long courses are pitched at an introductory level for non-specialists aged 18 and above, and no prior knowledge is required. 

Seminars are small and engaging (maximum 16 participants) and are led by friendly, supportive expert tutors who bring subjects to life through lively discussion and exploration. After class, wander through Oxford’s cobbled streets, unwind in the peaceful quads of Brasenose, or join our optional social activities to make the most of your Oxford experience.

Courses taking place during week 5 of our 2026 programme are listed below.

• The Architecture of Fear: Exploring the Gothic Imagination (Dr Christopher Pittard)

• Fantastic Worlds: Creating and Completing Your Fantasy Story (Elizabeth Garner)

• From Cloak and Dagger to Code and Data: Espionage, Technology and the Modern State (Andrew Badger)

• High Performance Leadership (Sean Heneghan) *new run added due to high demand*

• From Suffragettes to Spies: The Women Who Defined an Era (Dr Kate Vigurs)

• The Philosophy of Crime and Punishment (Ben Lang)

• The Universe: A Grand Tour (Dr Suman Chowdhury)

• The Wars of the Roses (Dr Rachel Moss)

• The World in 20 Maps: Power, Place and Global History (Dr Kat Hill)

Find out more

• Browse all Inspiring Oxford courses
• Learn more about Inspiring Oxford