The Oxford Experience

Experience life as an Oxford student

All courses are held at Christ Church, where you can experience what it’s like to live as an Oxford University student.

Christ Church is one of Oxford University’s largest and grandest colleges, known for its unique dual role as both a college and the cathedral for the Diocese of Oxford. The college is famous for its stunning architecture, including the Great Hall which inspired the Hogwarts dining hall in the Harry Potter films, and its impressive grounds and library.

Academic programme

Small group classes, of up to 12 participants, take place on weekday mornings and are taught by experienced and friendly tutors.

While you may be expected to complete some pre-course reading, you are not required to produce any written work during the week, with the possible exception of our creative writing courses.

The course fee includes:

• 10 x 90-minute seminars held in Christ Church seminar rooms
• Two or three optional evening lectures per week
• Where applicable, a course field trip
• Access to many areas of the college closed to the general public
• Invitation to a lively social programme as outlined below

Social programme

The Oxford Experience warmly invites all participants to take part in our social programme. This is tailored to provide you with opportunities to socialise with fellow participants and tutors, and to explore the city of Oxford during your free time. The optional social activities, at no extra cost, may include the following depending on your week of enrolment:

• Welcome drinks reception on the Sunday of your arrival
• Croquet in the Christ Church Masters’ Garden, usually closed to the public
• Morris dancing display
• Guided walking tour of Christ Church
• Visit to historic pubs in Oxford
• Opportunity to dine on High Table, usually reserved for senior members of the college
• Farewell drinks reception in Christ Church Cathedral Garden, usually closed to the public
• Formal gala dinner to close each week of the programme

There will also be optional social events and excursions with tickets available for purchase in spring. Activities and locations vary each week of the programme, and include the following (subject to change):

• Walking tours: Choice of one of three walking tours, led by expert local guides
• Excursion: Visit to a local place of interest such as a manor house or gardens
• Drinks tasting evening

Accommodation and meals

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.

Single bedrooms

• Single en suite
• Single standard

En suite rooms include private bathroom facilities (shower, washbasin and toilet). Standard rooms include a washbasin and shaver point only, with bathroom facilities shared with other rooms.

Shared 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.

• Double en suite
• Twin en suite
• ‘Twin set’ standard

En suite rooms include private bathroom facilities (shower, washbasin and toilet). ‘Twin set’ standard rooms comprise 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.

Non-residential

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. Applications can be made online.

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.

Participants attending multiple weeks

The Oxford Experience welcomes participants who want to attend multiple courses over the summer. Resident participants staying in Christ Church for consecutive weeks can have bed and breakfast accommodation arranged for the Saturday night between their courses.

Welcome to your Oxford summer!

Whether you’re here for a week or a longer stay, make sure to explore the city of Oxford. We’ve drawn together some of our favourite sights, tips and resources, to help you get to know – or re-acquaint yourself – with our wonderful city.

Joining one of our summer programmes? By taking part you’re taking part in a long-standing tradition: since 1888, adult learners have been expanding their horizons with summer learning in Oxford.

Interactive map

The University’s online interactive map lets you choose what locations you’d like to see, including ancient and modern colleges, fascinating museums, and parks and green spaces in which to relax.

Things to see and do

GLAM

Oxford’s gardens, libraries and museums – collectively named ‘GLAM’ – should be among your first ports of call during your stay in Oxford. GLAM have created a handy landing page to guide you to their locations and events.

• Oxford’s Gardens Libraries and Museums landing page

Individual members of GLAM are:

• The Ashmolean Museum – the UK’s oldest university museum, and nearest neighbour to Rewley House.
• Botanic Garden and Harcourt Arboretum – founded in 1621, used in teaching and research for 400 years.
• Museum of Natural History – a world-leading science museum.
• Pitt Rivers Museum – anthropology and world archaeology collections.
• Museum of the History of Science – historic scientific instruments.
• The Bodleian Libraries – the UK’s largest university library system.

Colleges

A page of college visiting information hosted by the University.

Punting and river cruising

Oxford’s two rivers are the Thames (known as the Isis where it passes through Oxford) and the Cherwell. Punting is one of the most popular summer activities.

• The Magdalen Bridge Boathouse
• The Cherwell Boathouse
• Salter’s Steamers

More resources

• University events page
• Daily Info listings
• Experience Oxfordshire

Oxford at a Glance

Disability support

Participants who declare a disability during their application will be contacted by our student support team to discuss any support needs or adjustment requests.

Disabled students planning to attend the Oxford Experience summer programme may wish to contact the programme administrator via oxfordexperience@conted.ox.ac.uk to discuss any support needs in advance.

Please note that Christ Church bedrooms 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 indicate this on your enrolment form, or contact the programme administrator as soon as possible before 1 June 2026.

Students with a mobility impairment may wish to consult the University Access Guide.

If you would like more information about support available to students with disabilities, please see our support page.

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

Details of fees can be found on each individual course page. Tuition and meals are included in the programme fee, with both residential (full board) and non-residential (lunch and dinner only) options available.

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

Supplementary costs

• Any excursions listed in the ‘programme details’ on each course page 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, extra ticketed activities not detailed in the ‘programme details’ on the course page may incur an additional cost. A social programme outlining these options will be sent to you in advance of the course start date.

Funding

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

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.

Please be aware that all payments (and refunds) are subject to exchange rates at the time of processing.

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.

Registration closes 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.

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 each course page. Please do not complete an enrolment form for these.

If you have trouble booking online, please contact the programme administrator via oxfordexperience@conted.ox.ac.uk.

Online enrolments require payment in full at the time of registering.

Enrolment form (multi-occupancy or accessible accommodation)

Those requiring twin, double or accessible accommodation (including ground/lower floor accommodation) should complete an enrolment form as these rooms cannot be booked or requested online.

Enrolment forms can be found on each individual course page, along with details of how to send these to us.

Those who have specific requirements (e.g. an accessible bedroom) should contact the Programme Administrator directly at oxfordexperience@conted.ox.ac.uk or The Oxford Experience, Oxford Lifelong Learning, University of Oxford Department for Continuing Education, 1 Wellington Square, Oxford, OX1 2JA, UK.

If you have any questions, please contact us at oxfordexperience@conted.ox.ac.uk.

You may also find our frequently asked questions help page useful.