Study Biology Oxford Summer Courses
From the smallest cells to the largest flora and fauna, biology offers the chance to study the interactions between organisms and the way in which they are adapted to their environment along with their classification and function.
In Oxford, biology teaching is divided between two departments, plant sciences and zoology, so for this course you will get a taste of both with a tutor based in each of the two departments. You can read more about our course options and explore a sample timetable below.
Courses
At Oxford Summer Courses we are committed to the best academic experiences and to the personalised learning that has made Oxford a global academic force. So while all of our tutors are at the top of their fields depending on your age you'll be taught in slightly different ways. We use small group seminars to ensure that you get greater attention than you could elsewhere. On top of that if you're aged 16-17 or 18-24 then you'll receive weekly tutorials from leading academics mirroring the teaching method that makes Oxford a world-renowned university. Choose your Biology course below:
18-24 years
- 2 and 4 weeks courses available
- Oxford/Cambridge University accommodation
- Tutorials & group seminars
- Breakfast & Dinner included
Our 18-24 course aims to give students an in-depth development of the subjects that are important to them. Across your time at Oxford Summer Courses, we'll look at Zoology and then Plants and Biodiversity, looking at the ecosytems and evolutionary mechanisms that provide our planet with a diversity unmatched within our solar system.
Teaching will mix seminars and tutorials with field experience and visits to some of Oxford's great biological amenities, including the Natural History Museum and the University Herbaria.
There will also be an opportunity for students to conduct their own research before consolidating their work with a written essay.
16-17 years
- 2 and 4 weeks courses available
- Oxford/Cambridge University accommodation
- Tutorials & group seminars
- Breakfast & Dinner included
Our course provides students with a fascinating overview of biology as a subject, including the complex terrestrial ecosystems which populate our planet and the incredible evolutionary mechanisms and adaptations within them.
There will be an opportunity for students to conduct their own research before consolidating their work with a written essay.
Teaching will mix seminars and tutorials with field experience and visits to some of Oxford's great biological amenities, including the Natural History Museum and the University Herbaria.
Testimonials
Sami Tapp, 2016 Biology student
Oxford Summer Courses is a place unlike any other, allowing me to talk in depth about my subject interests with like-minded people and experts in that particular field. The seminars are absolutely amazing as they allow you to talk about subjects that you are truly passionate about with people that share your passion and have dedicated their whole life to that subject. They also allow you to genuinely learn more about the subject and individual topics that you may never have the opportunity to cover in school.
Staff
Victoria Wylllie de Echeverria
Victoria Wyllie de Echeverria is a tutor in Biology at Oxford Summer Courses. Victoria has taught students ranging in age from 16-4th year university for 6 years, in the subjects of biology, ecology, human and physical geography, plant sciences and ethnoecology. To this end, Victoria has taken training courses both at the University of Victoria and the University of Oxford to receive accreditations to teach in higher education and investigate different interactive teaching methods. Her research interests include plant taxonomy and ethnobotany, in particular how local people use and classify plants and animals, and how they are adjusting to changes in the weather and ecosystems, and she has co-authored several peer-reviewed journal articles.
Hila Levy
Hila Levy is studying for her DPhil in Zoology at Oxford, researching the diseases and population genetics of several penguin species in Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic. Originally from Puerto Rico, Hila has lived, studied and worked on every continent. A strong believer in interdisciplinary teaching and research, she obtained a B.S. in Biology, Arabic, French and Spanish from the US Air Force Academy, followed by an MSt. in Historical Research and an MSc. in Biology from Oxford while on a Rhodes Scholarship. She subsequently worked in government service for several years, and obtained an additional M.S. in Environmental Planning and Management from Johns Hopkins University before returning to Oxford for her doctoral studies on a Clarendon Scholarship. Hila has taught with Oxford Summer Courses for two years, and also lectures and tutors Oxford undergraduates in Biological Sciences.Prices and Dates
Select your Age Range
| Course start date | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Courses – 09-10s | 30/06/2019 | 07/07/2019 | 14/07/2019 | 21/07/2019 | 28/07/2019 | 04/08/2019 |
| 1 Week – Wycombe Abbey | £1,495 | £1,495 | £1,495 | £1,495 | £1,495 | |
| 2 Week – Wycombe Abbey | £2,795 | £2,795 | £2,795 | £2,795 | – | |
| 3 Week – Wycombe Abbey | £3,995 | £3,995 | £3,995 | – | – | |
| 4 Week – Wycombe Abbey | £5,195 | £5,195 | – | – | – | |
| 5 Week – Wycombe Abbey | £6,295 | – | – | – | – | |
| 6 Week – Wycombe Abbey | – | – | – | – | – | |
Included in this price is:
- All Teaching, in class sizes of 15 or less
- Accommodation
- All Meals, including lunch
- A Graduation Ceremony
- All Activities and Excursions
The price does not include flights/travel or medical insurance
| Course start date | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Courses – 11-12s | 30/06/2019 | 07/07/2019 | 14/07/2019 | 21/07/2019 | 28/07/2019 | 04/08/2019 |
| 1 Week – Wycombe Abbey | £1,495 | £1,495 | £1,495 | £1,495 | £1,495 | |
| 2 Week – Wycombe Abbey | £2,795 | £2,795 | £2,795 | £2,795 | – | |
| 3 Week – Wycombe Abbey | £3,995 | £3,995 | £3,995 | – | – | |
| 4 Week – Wycombe Abbey | £5,195 | £5,195 | – | – | – | |
| 5 Week – Wycombe Abbey | £6,295 | – | – | – | – | |
| 6 Week – Wycombe Abbey | – | – | – | – | – | |
Included in this price is:
- All Teaching, in class sizes of 15 or less
- Accommodation
- All Meals, including lunch
- A Graduation Ceremony
- All Activities and Excursions
The price does not include flights/travel or medical insurance
| Course start date | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Courses – 13-15s | 23/06/2019 | 30/06/2019 | 07/07/2019 | 14/07/2019 | 21/07/2019 | 28/07/2019 | 04/08/2019 | 11/08/2019 |
| 2 Weeks – Cambridge | £4,195 | £4,195 | £4,195 | £4,195 | £4,195 | – | – | – |
| 2 Weeks – Oxford – Standard (shared bathroom) | – | £4,195 | £4,195 | £4,195 | £4,195 | £4,195 | £4,195 | £4,195 |
| 2 Weeks – London – Standard (shared bathroom) | £4,195 | – | £4,195 | – | £4,195 | – | – | – |
| 4 Weeks – Cambridge | £7,895 | £7,895 | £7,895 | – | – | – | – | – |
| 4 Weeks – Oxford – Standard (shared bathroom) | – | £7,895 | £7,895 | £7,895 | £7,895 | £7,895 | – | – |
| 4 Weeks – London – Standard (shared bathroom) | £7,895 | – | £7,895 | – | – | – | – | – |
Included in this price is:
- All Teaching, including small group seminars (8 students or less) and subject related workshops
- Accommodation and All Meals, every day, including evening meals at local restaurants
- A Three-Course College Banquet, on Friday evening (this may differ for London programme students)
- A Graduation Ceremony
- 3 Full Day Trips and All Activities
The price does not include flights/travel or medical insurance
| Course start date | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Courses – 16-17s | 23/06/2019 | 30/06/2019 | 07/07/2019 | 14/07/2019 | 21/07/2019 | 28/07/2019 | 04/08/2019 | 11/08/2019 |
| 2 Weeks – Cambridge | – | £4,195 | £4,195 | £4,195 | £4,195 | – | – | – |
| 2 Weeks – Oxford – Standard (shared bathroom) | – | £4,195 | £4,195 | £4,195 | £4,195 | £4,195 | £4,195 | £4,195 |
| 2 Weeks – London – Standard (shared bathroom) | £4,195 | – | £4,195 | – | £4,195 | – | – | – |
| 4 Weeks – Cambridge | – | £7,895 | £7,895 | – | – | – | – | – |
| 4 Weeks – Oxford – Standard (shared bathroom) | – | £7,895 | £7,895 | £7,895 | £7,895 | £7,895 | – | – |
| 4 Weeks – London – Standard (shared bathroom) | £7,895 | – | £7,895 | – | – | – | – | – |
Included in this price is:
- All Teaching, including tutorials and small group seminars and subject related workshops
- Accommodation and Breakfast, every day
- All Evening Meals, including those at local restaurants
- A Three-Course College Banquet, on Friday evening (this may differ for London programme students)
- A Graduation Ceremony
- 3 Full Day Trips and All Activities
The price does not include flights/travel or medical insurance
| Course start date | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Courses – 18-24s | 23/06/2019 | 30/06/2019 | 07/07/2019 | 14/07/2019 | 21/07/2019 | 28/07/2019 | 04/08/2019 | 11/08/2019 |
| 2 Weeks – Cambridge | – | £4,195 | £4,195 | £4,195 | £4,195 | – | – | – |
| 2 Weeks – Oxford – Standard (shared bathroom) | – | £4,195 | £4,195 | £4,195 | £4,195 | £4,195 | £4,195 | £4,195 |
| 4 Weeks – Cambridge | – | £7,895 | £7,895 | – | – | – | – | – |
| 4 Weeks – Oxford – Standard (shared bathroom) | – | £7,895 | £7,895 | £7,895 | £7,895 | £7,895 | – | – |
Included in this price is:
- All Teaching, including tutorials and small group seminars and subject related workshops
- Accommodation and Breakfast, every day
- All Evening Meals, including those at local restaurants
- A Three-Course College Banquet, on Friday evening (this may differ for London programme students)
- A Graduation Ceremony
- 3 Full Day Trips and All Activities
The price does not include flights/travel or medical insurance
Christ Church, the most magnificent college in Oxford was re-founded by King Henry VIII in the 16th century, it has educated 13 British Prime Ministers and was the inspiration for Alice in Wonderland but today it offers our students modern en-suite rooms in a grand setting.
If you stay at Christ Church this summer on either the 2nd or 16th July you’ll have:
- A superior quality en-suite room
- Breakfast in the same dining hall Harry Potter was filmed in each morning
- A special 4 course banquet each Friday in Christ Church’s magnificent banqueting hall
- A graduation ceremony in the Old Library which houses numerous historical artefacts including Cardinal Wolsey’s 16th century hat
If you are looking for a unique experience this grand setting offers our students a chance to live and study in a historical environment that has played host to inquiring minds for nearly 500 years.