Accommodation

What's the accommodation like?

You'll be staying in Oxford college accommodation, so you'll experience what it's like to live at Oxford. All rooms are single and have internet access. See here for more information on our accommodation.

How secure are the campuses?

Safety is of great importance to us. Colleges in Oxford are supervised 24 hours a day by college staff called Porters. Our team will also be there throughout the day to look after the safety of the students. Throughout the day there will be check-ins for the students, at breakfast, after lunch and at dinner. There will be a curfew for students.

The students’ welfare is of key consideration to us. All our staff and tutors are Criminal Records Bureau Checked, and Child Protection and Health and Safety trained. Staff will be on site 24-hours per day, and as well as academic tutors we have pastoral staff there to support the students. We believe that, while the academic element of the Summer School is key, parents and students want to be sure that the welfare of the students is paramount.  As a small summer school, we have a high staff pupil ratio, and are able to provide this individual welfare and support. 

We have comprehensive insurance for the Summer School, and to ensure best practice our students are obliged to take out medical and travel insurance as well.

Meals

Are meals included?

We think it's really important that our young people are well looked after. Breakfast and dinner are provided every day, along with packed lunches for our activities and trips. For other lunch meals the students can buy their own lunch and there are a multitude of nearby sandwich shops and restaurants which the students can visit during their lunch breaks.

Can you accommodate my special dietary requirements?

Of course. If you have any dietary requirements please let us know before the summer school begins so that we can make arrangements with the college and our other venues.

Booking and refunds

How do I apply for a place?

Please apply here or email Flo with your details and she will get back to you as soon as possible to discuss your requirements and confirm your booking. Please note that we have a limited number of spaces. We pride ourselves on offering a high quality experience, so while other summer schools take large numbers of students we have a small group of students taking part.

What's your cancellation policy?

We have a simple cancellation policy: for cancellations made more than 2 months in advance we will refund 50% of the fees. For cancellations with less than 2 months notice, the full amount is charged. This is so that other students who want to take advantage of the opportunity to join us on the summer school have enough time to make their plans. We recommend all our students take out travel insurance so they are covered by this in case of cancellations.

Arriving and Departing

When should I arrive for my course?

Rooms will be available from 4pm (16:00) UK time on the arrival date. We will send you an in-depth information pack before your arrival which will detail everything you need to know about where to go, as well as other important information.

On arrival, Sophie, Flo, Jamie and the Oxford & Cambridge Summer School team will be there to help the students to get settled into their room, and to meet the other students. After supper there will be a chance to get to know each other better through our interactive games evening.

How do I get to the UK and Oxford?

Oxford is under an hour away from London's biggest airport, Heathrow. Students can also travel to Gatwick, Luton and Stansted. From these airports, students can either take the train or the ‘Airline’ bus (from Heathrow or Gatwick) or National Express coach from Stansted or Luton.

Students can also reach London St Pancras International Station on the Eurostar. On arrival at St Pancras students can take the London Underground (or a taxi) to London Paddington station, from where they can get a train to Oxford.

If you have any questions please contact Flo and she will be pleased to advise you on your travel plans. We can arrange for airport transfers for a small additional fee of £130 from London airports (Heathrow/Gatwick/Stansted/Luton).

When should I leave at the end of my course?

After a celebratory dinner and our Prize Giving on the Friday night, the summer school comes to an end on the Saturday. Students should vacate their rooms by 9am.

Visas and Insurance

Do I need a visa to travel to the UK?

If your country is part of the EU or a European Economic Area you will not require a visa. Check here to see the requirements for your country. Unfortunately we can't support visa applications from outside of Europe or the US.

What kind of insurance do I need?

All students must have both travel and medical insurance. Students from the EU or the European Economic Area should bring a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

Useful Information

What is a typical day like?

After breakfast, students have tutorials with our tutors. They are then given a lunch break and come back for independent study on the work set by their tutors. Later in the afternoon, there will be a group activity which might be a visit to a museum, a sports afternoon or a debate. Supper will be eaten all together, either in the college or at a local restaurant. In the evening, there will be socialising and lectures or trips out to the theatre.

On trip days, we will leave after breakfast and arrive back in Oxford in time for supper and have a debrief session afterwards in the common room. Throughout the day, we will stay together as a group or in smaller groups supervised by an adult.

Please see the timetable for more information on our schedule for the two weeks.

What level of English do I need?

You do not have to be a native or fluent English speaker, however you are expected to be capable of understanding lectures and producing work, either essays or projects, to a high standard.

Do I need to bring money with me?

There are plenty of banks and ATM cash machines (which may charge you for withdrawing money) in Oxford. You may also wish to bring traveller’s cheques and a small amount of cash with you. You'll need some money for buying lunch - there are lots of cheap eateries and sandwich shops around Oxford. 

Am I allowed to leave Oxford to visit friends or family?

You will be very busy throughout the two weeks with tutorials, private study and activities. We recommend that you stay in Oxford throughout the course.

Should I bring a mobile phone and laptop?

Students are welcome to bring their mobile phones with them for contacting family and friends (there will also be other phone facilities available). We recommend you bring a mobile phone, to allow contact between students and our staff, in the unlikely event of emergencies. Mobile phones will not be allowed in tutorials and lectures.

We recommend students should bring a laptop. This helps for academic work that your tutors may set you to do.

What happens in the case of an accident or an emergency?

We will have residential staff in the college, so someone will always be on site and contactable 24 hours a day.