Geopolitics: Finding the Patterns in the Chaos



Overview

International politics has rarely been so interconnected and impactful on our lives, yet can often seem beyond comprehension. This course will navigate the choppy waters of geopolitics today – finding the patterns in the chaos as together we explore and discuss key issues and tensions in the world today and likely future developments. 

The course begins by explaining the notion of geopolitics in the modern world, before looking at key contemporary dynamics including the emerging US-China rivalry, the role of Russia and India, Europe and the UK, Asia, and the Middle-East. We will end with a ‘simulation experience’ where students get to play policy-makers, responding to a realistic geopolitical scenario. 

The course includes a field trip to Sulgrave Manor, home of the ancestors of George Washington that was saved from ruins by donors from the UK and USA due to its place as the 'home of the US-UK Special Relationship'.

This course is part of The Oxford Experience summer school, held at Christ Church.

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 and field trip

Monday seminars

Geopolitics today and ‘The Global Game’ (US-China-Russia-India)

  • Course introduction – concepts and definitions.
  • The Global Game – US, China, Russia, India.

Tuesday seminars

Europe – The EU, the UK (Brexit!) and ‘The Ukraine Factor’

  • Europe has been seen as the birthplace of ‘Western Civilisation’ and the home of democracy, yet conflict between European nations sparked both World Wars. 
  • We examine Europe today, post-Brexit and in light of the war in Ukraine.

Wednesday seminars

Asia – The new centre of global power?

  • Is the gravity of global political and economic power moving to Asia?
  • If so, what does this mean for the US, ‘the West’, and global power dynamics?

Thursday seminars

The Middle-East and Africa – Ignore at your peril!

  • The enduring influence (instability?) of the Middle-East on global affairs.
  • Politics, economics, oil – The ‘New’ Saudi Arabia and the Iran Quandary.
  • Africa – The importance of the recent wave of military coups.
  • Africa – Jihadist threats (Al-Qaeda and IS/ISIS/ISIL) – irritation or escalation?

Friday seminars

Simulation Experience and course conclusion

  • We end the course with a ‘simulation experience’, a fun yet instructive exercise with students in small teams playing the role of (competing!) governments responding to a simulated international geopolitical scenario.
  • Course conclusion, drawing together all we have explored and consider where things may be going in the years to come.

Field trip

Destination: Sulgrave Manor

Duration: Afternoon, after morning in class

Excursion Rating: Easy – up to an hour’s walk on even ground or less than half an hour’s walk on uneven/unpaved ground.

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.

Fees

Description Costs
Fee option 1 (single en suite accom and meals per person) £2470.00
Fee option 2 (single standard accom and meals per person) £2360.00
Fee option 3 (double en suite accom and meals per person) £2350.00
Fee option 4 (twin en suite accom and meals per person) £2350.00
Fee option 5 (twin set standard accom and meals per person) £2350.00
Fee option 6 (no accom; incl lunch and dinner per person) £1750.00

Funding

Please note there are no sources of funding (scholarships, bursaries, etc) available for the Oxford Experience programme.

Payment

All fees are charged on a per week, per person basis.

Please be aware that all payments made via non-UK credit/debit cards and bank accounts are subject to the exchange rate on the day they are processed.

Course change administration fee: Please note that course transfers may be permitted in exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the programme administrator, up to the 1 May 2026. In accordance with our Terms and Conditions, an administration fee of £50 will be charged.

Supplementary costs

  • Any excursions listed in the 'programme details' above are included in the course fees and do not require a separate payment.
  • If your course includes a day-long excursion, you may need to make your own lunch arrangements.
  • Any optional, plenary excursions/social activities not detailed in the 'programme details' above may incur an additional cost. A social programme outlining these options will be sent to you in advance of the course start date.

Payment terms

  • If enrolling online: full payment by credit/debit card at the time of booking.
  • If submitting an enrolment form: full payment online by credit/debit card or via bank transfer within 30 days of invoice date.

Cancellations and refunds

Please see the terms and conditions for our open-access courses.

The Department cannot be held responsible for any costs you may incur in relation to travel or accommodation bookings as a result of a course cancellation, or if you are unable to attend the course for any other reason. You are advised to check the terms and conditions carefully and to purchase travel insurance.

Tutor

Hagai M. Segal - Tutor

Hagai M. Segal is a multi-award-winning academic, consultant and analyst, specialising in geopolitics, terrorism/counter-terrorism, and the Middle-East. A Departmental Tutor here at Oxford Lifelong Learning, University of Oxford and a New York University London professor, he is twice a recipient of NYU annual teaching awards and has extensive experience teaching at leading universities, including having taught at distinguished academic institutions including NYU, the LSE and King’s College London. Hagai has advised a range of public sector bodies across the globe, and has an over two-decade track record as a researcher, advisor, educator/trainer and keynote speaker in over 30 countries on the strategic and economic impacts of geopolitics. He also sits on the UK Steering Committee of OSAC (the Overseas Security Advisory Council, Bureau of Diplomatic Security, U.S. Department of State), and previously served on the London First Security and Resilience Advisory Board for the whole of its 10-year tenure. Hagai is also currently conducting a major piece of academic research on how CEOs and corporate boards understand and address geopolitical risk.

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
  • Video recordings
  • Tutor-led field trip
  • Other: Simulation experience

Application

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.

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. 

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support