What Happens After You Apply to Oxford Summer Courses

Step-by-step guidance for what to expect once your application is submitted

Completing your application to Oxford Summer Courses is just the beginning of your journey. Whether you’ve applied for a course in Oxford, Cambridge, Eton, or one of our top UK boarding school venues, we want you to feel confident about what comes next. This page outlines the entire post-application process, step by step—from when you’ll hear back, to how long you have to confirm your place, when to pay, and how to access your student portal. By the end, you’ll know exactly what to expect, and how to stay on track. Staying responsive during this stage is key to securing your place and making the most of the opportunities ahead.

Step 1: Application Review

We aim to review all applications within 24 hours of submission.

Decision by Email: You’ll receive a message letting you know whether your application has been successful.
Optional Call: In many cases, we’ll also try to call you to discuss your application. This is optional, but a helpful opportunity to ask questions or clarify anything before you’re offered a place.
Contact Method: We’ll reach out using the preferences you selected on your application—phone, email or SMS (please note SMS is one-way and only used to send your booking link).

Our goal is to ensure you feel fully informed and supported right from the beginning.

Step 2: Accepting Your Offer

Once your application is successful, we’ll send you an offer to join your chosen course.

Reservation Window: You’ll have 12 days to confirm your place by paying your deposit. We recommend confirming early, as spaces are limited.
Need More Time? Speak to the admissions team. We may be able to offer an extension depending on availability and your circumstances.
What Happens Next: After you confirm, we’ll send follow-up emails with your next steps, key dates, and preparation advice.

Securing your place early also helps with accommodation preferences, visa timelines (if applicable), and travel planning.

Step 3: Admissions Discussion

After accepting your offer, we’ll be in touch to talk through the practical and academic details of your summer.

Topics we typically cover include:

Your motivations and goals for the course
Travel logistics, including arrival dates and transfers
A preview of your course structure and timetable
What kind of learning experience you can expect
Payment plans, options, and deadlines

This conversation helps ensure everything is tailored to your needs before you arrive.

Step 4: Payment and Preparation

To fully confirm your place, you’ll need to complete a few final steps.

Full Payment: The remaining balance is due 90 days before your course starts. If you need flexibility, contact our team to discuss instalments or extensions.
Student Profile Form: Once your deposit (or full balance) is paid, you’ll be sent a form to complete. This helps us gather academic, personal, and learning preferences so tutors can tailor your experience.
Portal Access: After the form is submitted, you’ll receive access to your Student Portal. This includes pre-arrival details, packing lists, travel info, and your welcome materials.

These final steps help us prepare your course experience and ensure a smooth arrival.

FAQs about What Happens After You Apply

How soon will I hear back after submitting my application?

We aim to review all applications within 24 hours. You’ll receive a decision by email—and sometimes a call—to discuss next steps and answer any questions you may have.

How long do I have to accept my offer?

You’ll have 12 days to confirm your place by paying your deposit. If you need more time, just speak to our admissions team—we’re happy to discuss extensions where possible.

What happens after I accept my offer?

Once you confirm, we’ll arrange a follow-up discussion to talk through your goals, travel plans, course structure, and any other practical or academic details.

When do I gain access to the Student Portal?

After your deposit or full payment is received and your profile form is completed, you’ll get access to your Student Portal. This includes travel info, pre-arrival guidance, and your welcome materials.

Secure Your Place

To secure your preferred location, we highly recommend applying early. Each of our courses has a limited number of places available, and they tend to sell out quickly. Once they are full, no further places will be available. Submit your application as soon as possible to ensure you don’t miss the opportunity to study in one of our prestigious locations.

Apply now

Aryo

Indonesia

"I studied international relations at Oxford Summer Courses summer school, and it was beneficial to have such a diverse group. Discussions on global affairs were enriched by examples from different regions, enhancing the learning experience significantly. It was an eye-opening and rewarding course overall."

Perla

Lebanon

"The tutor brought whole new perspective to subjects that I understood differently before. He really made us think outside the box and I feel like I\u2019ve challenged intellectually."

Rolan

The Philippines

"So if you're a parent or kid who's worried about being alone. Don't worry and as Ed Sheeran sang, "trust me and give it a chance." Because Oxford Summer Courses will surely take care of you well and make those few weeks the best moments of your life."

Sulezia

Angola

"Because we were such a diverse group of students, even though there was only 7 of us, I got to see every subject from very different perspectives."

Valerie

Canada

"My course was in-depth and engaging. The smaller class size helped me participate more and get more one-on-one time with my tutor. A very enriching experience."