Finding unique gifts can be a struggle for the person who has everything, that’s why experience gifts have become increasingly popular. So why not give the gift of summer?

Here are our top 5 reasons why a summer course in the cities of Oxford, Cambridge or London can be the ideal gift for someone aged 9-24.

Where are Oxford Summer Courses Hosted?

For ages 9-12, our junior summer courses are hosted at renowned boarding schools including Harrow School, Eton College, and St. John's Beaumont. For ages 13-24, our summer courses are hosted in Cambridge and Oxford University colleges. Apply now to secure your spot in one of our prestigious summer courses.

1. Delay the post-holiday blues - give them something to look forward to. Our award winning courses are all about the experience. As well as a high quality education, during our 2 week courses, students will get the chance to explore the city - Oxford, Cambridge or London and also visit other parts of the UK on day trips. Younger students aged 9-12 will have fun-packed days of hands on-learning and plenty of playtime, including an organised ‘bop’ with music and dancing.

2. Invest in their future. A summer course is the gift that keeps on giving. Help them to improve their knowledge, or test out a subject they may want to continue studying. With more than 40 subjects to choose from, you can find the ideal course for them. They will also receive a certificate and a letter of recommendation at the end of their course that they can put on their applications and take part in a graduation ceremony. Before arriving on the course, they will be enrolled onto Oxford Summer Courses Foundations (OxFo), our pre-course online learning platform designed to help kick start students’ learning through pre-course materials and guidance on learning objectives.

3. Help them make exciting new friends. Students come from all over the world to attend our courses (over 100 countries in 2022) and many of our students make friends for life, even returning in subsequent years together! Help them expand their horizons and build new friendship networks to learn from.

4. Give a gift that also gives back. We know we have an impact on our environment. That’s why we are always looking for ways to counteract this wherever possible. Each year wtexte work with Climate Impact Partners to offset the carbon emissions generated both by us as a company, but also by our students’ travelling to attend our in-person programmes. This money is invested into low carbon sustainable development projects. In addition we also support Universify, an independent charity committed to educational equality, through significant annual financial donations, volunteers and office space. So while they’re busy learning, they will also be giving back.

5. Experience Oxbridge style learning. All our tutors use the Oxbridge tutorial method, a style of teaching hundreds of years in the making. This method is focussed on small class sizes and working closely with the teacher. At Oxford Summer Courses, they will learn in classes of no more that 8 other students and get to experience personalised learning and feedback from their tutor. Gift this gift to your loved one today!

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.