What could be a better way to get to know the city of Oxford than a scavenger hunt? And what could be a better way to get to know each other than seeing how many of you can fit into a phone box?

To provide a true taste of Oxford, we ensure students have every opportunity to discover the joys of Oxford city life in between their studies. Striking a fine balance between modern city hustle and historic beauty, our students spend their first days acclimatising through an array of activities and personal exploration –

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Eligibility for standard courses across all age groups (ages 9-24) requires applicants to be proficient in English and possess a keen interest in exploring the subjects they are applying for. For advanced courses in Cambridge for ages 18-24, students must have completed at least the second year of an undergraduate qualification (or equivalent) in the same area as the subject they wish to study. Apply now to check your eligibility and apply for our courses.

A list of quintessentially ‘Oxford’ things in hand, our students head off in groups to frantically track them down before time runs out. From a life-sized Dobby to the carved lion’s head which inspired the character of Aslan in C.S Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia, students hunt down those subtler details of Oxford which are all too often missed. While Oxford is famous for the standard of its education and its breathtaking architecture such as the Radcliffe Camera, it is these smaller things that give the city its character and make it such a unique and welcoming place to study.

Not everyone is aware, for example, of the Anthony Gormley sculpture ‘Another Time’ which features an iron man on the roof of Blackwell’s Art & Poster shop on Broad Street. He gazes over the city towards Balliol College, eerily still as he perches close to the edge. Similarly there are blue plaques all over Oxford; eager to tell the tales of those renowned people and groups who found fame in the buildings here. Perhaps less well known than the big Oxford names of J.R.R Tolkien and Lewis Carroll, but all rich contributors to British culture; artist William Turner and pre-Raphaelite muse Jane Burden, also known as Mrs. William Morris, lived in the city centre.

As you make your way through the list, you’ll also find your knowledge of British-English challenged – finding a ‘wheelie bin’, for instance, defeats a few, while telephone and post boxes are not immediately obvious to those unused to the iconic red boxes which dot streets throughout the UK.

Our scavenger hunt allows students the chance to orientate themselves both to Oxford’s personal geography and history; discovering useful landmarks and new friendships before trips further afield and the course starts in full.

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About the author

Rhys Mackenzie is the Website Marketing Manager at Oxford Summer Courses. With extensive experience in SEO and digital content management, they are passionate about showcasing the best that Oxford has to offer. Their previous role at Experience Oxfordshire gave them a deep appreciation for the city's unique cultural and academic offerings. Learn more about Rhys here.