During the week, though, days are structured around seminar and tutorial teaching, with smaller trips and fun group activities in the mornings and evenings. For a flavour of what your time could be like with us at Oxford Summer Courses, here is a day in the life of one of our students!

What’s Included in an Oxford Summer Course?

Our tailored summer courses for ages 9-24 include all teaching and academic content, accommodation, meals (including Friday night formal dinners), a prize-giving ceremony, all-day trips and activities, airport transfers, access to Oxford Summer Courses Foundations, travel and medical insurance, and a welcome pack. Apply now to secure your spot in one of our comprehensive summer courses.

08:00 - 09:00: Breakfast!

We do breakfast well in Britain. Some of our more impressive and industrious students and staff might burst fresh-faced into the beautiful dining hall at Somerville having gone for a morning run around the University Parks (just a few minutes away) – but for most of us breakfast is a vital wake-up call. Enjoy anything from a cooked Full English (bacon, sausage, eggs, mushrooms, tomatoes, beans, hash browns…) to a more continental affair (pastries, fresh fruit, toast and preserves) – or have the lot!

09:00 - 12:00: Registration and a trip to the Ashmolean Museum

Next up is registration with your group’s assistant course director, who will check everyone is happy and outline the schedule for the coming day. Each morning, students go on a trip to one of the local attractions in Oxford – whether that’s taking in wonderful panoramic views from the top of the University Church, or spotting Harry Potter filming locations in a tour of the Bodleian Library. One of our most popular morning destinations is the Ashmolean Museum, the world’s oldest university museum. Exhibits include drawings by Leonardo, painting by Picasso and Cezanne, and an extraordinary Egyptian collection. With artefacts from all over the world, there’ll certainly be something to take your interest!

12:00 - 13:00: Lunch in the Covered Market

We like to balance structure with independence at Oxford Summer Courses, and so after their morning trips, students are free to explore the city of Oxford and find somewhere to eat their lunch. There are plenty of fantastic cafes and restaurants – and be sure not to miss out on the eclectic delights of Oxford Covered Market.

Afternoon: Seminars

Seminars take place during the afternoons at Oxford Summer Courses. It really depends on your subject what kind of work you’ll be doing, but we take pride in our small groups (no larger than 6 for seminars, and 1 on 1 for tutorials).

18:30: Registration and dinner at Pierre Victoire

Each day groups visit different restaurants, taking in a variety of global cuisines across the two weeks. One of our most popular places to visit is Pierre Victoire, a delightful French restaurant just a minute’s walk away from Somerville College. The menu boasts starters ranging from Fritures (whitebait with sauce tartare) to Rillettes de Canard au Poivre (duck & green peppercorn pâté with toasted brioche), and mains include Confit de Canard à l’Orange (slow-roasted duck leg served with an orange sauce) and Saumon à la Florentine (baked salmon fillet and spinach with a béchamel sauce).

20:00-21:30: Punting

There’s no better way to spend a summer’s evening in Oxford then punting with friends on the River Cherwell. Punts are Britain’s take on the Venetian Gondala, and boats of up to six students make their (often haphazard) way up the river, into the surrounding of beautiful Oxfordshire countryside as the sun sets. Students don’t usually fall in – although the same can’t always be said for the staff!

Ready to Join Oxford Summer Courses?

After submitting your application, we'll be in touch very soon to inform you of the outcome. Apply now to begin your journey with Oxford Summer Courses!

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.