Summer usually means a break from school, but it can also be a chance to try something new. Summer programs in Oxford for high school students let you explore subjects you care about, meet motivated peers and experience life in a world-famous academic city. It is an opportunity to turn a simple summer holiday into something inspiring and unforgettable.

Summer programs hosted in Oxford for high school students offer that opportunity. Imagine attending seminars in a historic Oxford college, debating ideas in old courtyards and exploring cobblestoned pathways with friends. Summer programs in Oxford are an invitation into one of the world’s inspiring academic environments, where you can experience rigorous academics alongside deep cultural immersion.

Whether you’re from the UK or have always dreamed of studying there, these programmes give you a chance to experience Oxford authentically – combining university-style learning with the independence, pace, and atmosphere you wouldn’t get just by visiting or studying at home.

What are summer programs in Oxford for high school students?

Various acclaimed institutions offer summer programs in literature, law, science, business, medicine, and the arts. These programmes differ in expertise levels, so you can explore an existing interest or dabble in a new field.

You’ll learn from esteemed instructors, participate in lively discussions, and connect with peers who share your passion. By the end, you will have boosted your confidence, improved your communication, and developed independence. 

Some summer programs can feel like costly, unstimulating add-ons with not enough academic rigor. But that’s where the right information becomes crucial, because not all summer programs offer the same depth, quality, or experience.

To make your choice easier, we’ve come up with a list of 15 Summer Programs in Oxford for High School Students. They’ve been selected for their intellectual rigor, faculty mentorship, and strong reputations.

15 Summer Programs For High School Students in Oxford

1. Oxford Saïd Teen Leadership Summer Academy

Location: Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, Oxford, England
Cost/Stipend: £8,995
Dates: July 18 – 31
Application Deadline: Early spring (tentatively)
Eligibility: Ambitious students aged 15 to 18, including international applicants.

This Oxford summer school allows teens to experience academic life inside one of the world’s most prestigious universities. In addition, you can choose subjects such as business, computer science or creative writing while attending lectures and seminars led by Oxford tutors.

The program includes hands-on projects, peer collaboration and excursions around Oxford. Furthermore, living in Oxford colleges gives you a taste of undergraduate life while improving your academic and communication skills.

Why it stands out: You’ll get early exposure to Oxford’s tutorial-style teaching, university-level business studies, and student life at Oxford.

2. Immerse Education’s Oxford University Summer School For Teens 

Location: Oxford University Colleges, Oxford, UK (other global locations available, including Cambridge, London, Boston and Toronto)
Cost/Stipend: Varies; summer school scholarship available through our bursary programme.
Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Multiple cohorts with rolling admissions.
Eligibility: Domestic and international students aged 13-18 currently enrolled in middle or high school

At Oxford, the Academic Insights programme lets you experience university-level learning inside one of the world’s most historic academic cities. You’ll work with tutors from leading universities such as Oxford and Cambridge in small groups of around 7 students, with weekly 1:1 sessions to help you push your thinking further.

Alongside your tutor, you’ll be supported by a dedicated mentor – a current or recent undergraduate at Oxford or another leading university – who helps you settle in, understand student life, and build confidence day by day.

Across two weeks, you explore a subject through theory and learning, from engineering to law debates and medical cases. Then, you’ll complete a Personal Project with written tutor feedback and receive a certificate to mark your achievement.

You’ll live and learn in an Oxford college, surrounded by libraries, quads and cobbled streets that have shaped generations of scholars. Furthermore, this immersive experience gives you a true sense of Oxford life, with locations available if you prefer studying elsewhere. You can find more information about the application here.

Why it stands out: You’ll study under expert academics, be guided daily by an Oxford student mentor, complete a project you can show in future applications, and experience genuine Oxford college life – with other campuses worldwide as alternatives.

3. Oxford University Year 12 Summer School Physics

Location: Oxford University Colleges, Oxford
Cost/Stipend: Free
Dates: July 28th – August 1st
Application Deadline: June 4th
Eligibility: Local students in Year 12; check here for details

The Year 12 Physics Summer School gives 30 local A-level students a taste of life at a physics department. You gain experience working in research and department services, including technical support, outreach activities and communications work.

You will also get the opportunity to collaborate and work on an existing project. Additionally, you will attend departmental tours, career talks, and sample lectures. You will be assigned a physics topic for the project. Past topics have included climate physics and particle physics. 

Why it stands out: Direct involvement with the department’s technical, research, and operational teams gives you a rare view of how research at major universities operates.

4. STFC Summer Work Experience Program

Location: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Oxfordshire, UK
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Dates: 1–2 weeks between June 29 – July 24
Application Deadline: February 26
Eligibility: Students living in the UK and in full-time education in Years 10-13 in England and Wales, S4-S6 in Scotland and Years 11-14 in Northern Ireland.

During the STFC Summer Work Experience Program, you will be working for 1–2 weeks on a project, either individually or in a group. The project matches your interests and includes independent work along with scheduled sessions led by your supervisor.

Your project could be in various departments, focusing on topics like laser physics, neutrons, space, computing, technology, and more. There are around 50 projects offered and 100 placements available. For past projects, students have worked on writing code, analyzing data, designing websites, and more. 

Why it stands out: It provides exposure to projects shaped by government-funded science and global collaborations, an opportunity that is rarely available to high school students.

5. Oxford Saïd Teen Technology and Innovation Summer Academy (University of Oxford)

Location: Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, Oxford, England
Cost/Stipend: From £8,995
Dates: July 18 – 31
Application Deadline: Early spring (tentatively)
Eligibility: Ambitious students aged 15 to 18 from the UK and around the world.

This program focuses on empowering the next generation of innovators by diving deep into technology-driven fields and their practical applications. The intensive, project-based curriculum explores subjects such as AI, tech entrepreneurship, sustainability tech, and biotech. You will be taught by esteemed academics and industry experts.

You work in teams to research and pitch tech solutions to expert panels, strengthening technical ability and persuasive communication. Finally, the course provides an official University of Oxford certificate, validating your learning and accomplishment in a highly relevant field.

Why it stands out: You’ll have the rare opportunity to network with like-minded global peers and esteemed Oxford faculty. 

6. Oxford Saïd Future Climate Innovators Summer School (University of Oxford)

Location: Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, Oxford, England
Cost/Stipend: From £8,995
Dates: July 19 – August 1
Application Deadline: Early spring (tentatively)
Eligibility: Motivated students aged 16–18, including international students (must be at least 16 and under 19 on the program start date).

Tailored for students keen to explore and address climate change challenges, this rigorous academic curriculum emphasizes real-world impact and innovation. The program covers complex climate challenges and sustainability solutions, integrating knowledge from business and policy.

You will gain experience in crafting innovative environmental solutions and developing impactful business proposals, translating academic knowledge into practical actions. The program also includes guidance for university applications. Upon successful completion of the program, you will get a certificate of completion. 

Why it stands out: You’ll get an extended nine-month access to Oxford’s online Entrepreneurship School, giving you opportunities for future mentoring and skill building.

7. Oxford Saïd Future Entrepreneurs Summer School (University of Oxford)

Location: Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, Oxford, England
Cost/Stipend: From £8,995
Dates: August 2 – August 15
Application Deadline: Early spring (tentatively)
Eligibility: Motivated students aged 16–18, including international applicants (must be at least 16 and under 19 on the program start date).

This program develops your entrepreneurial potential by guiding you through the full process of shaping a start-up idea. The curriculum focuses on applying fundamental entrepreneurship principles, from ideation and market analysis to funding strategies and pitch presentations.

Additionally, you will utilize business tools like value propositions and business model canvases to build robust solutions. The course places a strong emphasis on developing core entrepreneurial skills like persuasive storytelling and negotiation, preparing you for academic and professional success.

Why it stands out: You will have the unique opportunity to pitch your idea to existing startup founders, learn through educational visits, and give a TED-style talk.

8. St Clare’s, Oxford 

Location: St Clare’s, Oxford, England
Cost/Stipend: Varies by course
Dates: June – August (multiple 2-week intakes)
Application Deadline: Rolling; closes when full
Eligibility: Domestic and international high school students aged 15-17

St Clare’s runs academic and English-plus summer courses specifically for 15–17-year-olds in Oxford. You could pick from Academic English, Business, Science, and Art & Digital Design tracks. Several leadership and study-skills options are also available.

The package includes tuition, residence, meals, activities, insurance and excursions, with a report or certificate on completion. Furthermore, small classes emphasize communication, project work and confidence-building in an international cohort.

Why it stands out: You’ll be attending classes with peers from 45+ countries, getting an idea of what diverse university cohorts look like.

9. University of Oxford UNIQ Summer Programme

Location: University of Oxford, Oxford, England
Cost/Stipend: Free
Dates: June 29 – July 31
Application Deadline: January 13
Eligibility: UK-based high school students (Year 12) from state or underrepresented schools

UNIQ is one of Oxford University’s flagship residential access programs offering high-achieving, underrepresented students a preview of university life. You could study science, philosophy, arts, medicine, etc., whilst living in Oxford colleges, attending lectures and tutorials led by Oxford tutors, and engaging in subject-specific workshops across sciences, social sciences, and humanities.

The program also offers admissions guidance, personal-statement support, and networking opportunities with current undergraduates. Post the end of the program, you will also receive support to create a competitive Oxford application.

Why it stands out: You’ll have rare access to university applications support and guidance from an institution that has a good track record of helping students secure Oxford offers.

10. British American Drama Academy (BADA) Midsummer Conservatory Program

Location: St Hilda’s College, University of Oxford, Oxford, England
Cost/Stipend: $7,100
Dates: July 11 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: High school students aged 16–18, including international applicants.

The Midsummer Conservatory is a three-week intensive training program that includes exploring Shakespeare and his language through acting, voice, and movement. You will learn about Shakespeare, the cultural context surrounding his work, and period dance. You will attend masterclasses with artists working in British theatre and have one-on-one tutorials with the Course Director.

Additionally, you will go on excursions to the UK’s leading theatres, including Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. By residing on St Hilda’s campus, you will get a realistic view of what university life at a leading UK university looks like. Through this program, you will develop insight into acting processes, analysis, and critical thinking, aiding future drama school applications.

Why it stands out: You’ll get to interact with actors, directors, and faculty who are part of the UK’s professional theatre scene.

11. Oxford Cherwell College Summer Courses

Location: Oxford Cherwell College, Oxford, England, UK
Cost/Stipend: Varies by course
Dates: 1-, 2-, and 3-week summer course available
Application Deadline: Not announced yet
Eligibility: Domestic and international high school students aged 15–19

Cherwell College offers a variety of summer courses for both local and international students. If you’re an international student, you can opt for their Oxford Summerland program that will help you prepare for UK education and include historic and cultural immersions. If you’re a local, you can pick between their A-level, university preparation, and GCSE courses.

All include 15 hours of classes per week and recreational and cultural activities. For the A-level and GCSE courses, you can pick from various subjects, such as mathematics, psychology, biology, English literature, and more. In the university preparation track, you can choose to prepare for UCAT, TSA, LNAT, MAT, or PAT. Extracurricular activities would include punting, Oxford tours, and trips to London. 

Why it stands out: Its classes are structured to mirror Oxbridge’s model of personalised academic mentoring, providing you with early exposure to what university-level academics involve.

12. Oxford Brookes University Summer School

Location: Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, England, UK
Cost/Stipend: Free
Dates: June 30 – July 2; July 7 – July 9
Application Deadline: Not announced yet
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 and above; check here for details

The Oxford Brookes University Summer Program offers an in-depth look at university life through subject taster sessions and on-campus living. Participants can explore areas such as biomedical science, architecture, business, computer science, law and more, with hands-on practicals included throughout the programme.

Each subject offers insight into studying it at university and the different career paths it can eventually lead to. Living on campus provides a realistic feel for university life and allows students time to explore Oxford. Those who join the longer, online Brookes Engage programme receive ongoing guidance and support for future university applications.

Why it stands out: Its program is focused on providing university-style practical work and subject tasters, so you’ll be in a better position to make academic decisions for your future.

13. Wadham College Summer Schools

Location: Wadham College, Oxford University, Oxford, England, UK
Cost/Stipend: Free
Dates: Five days in August
Application Deadline: Applications open in Spring
Eligibility: Year 12 students in UK state schools or sixth-form colleges

At the Wadham College Summer Schools, you will take part in academic programs, live at the college, and meet student ambassadors studying currently at Oxford. You can pick from programs in gender and sexuality studies, climate change, and modern languages (French, German, or Spanish).

You will receive support from current undergraduate students and the college in crafting successful applications for college admissions. Some programs include field trips, such as visiting the Ashmolean Museum. The program is structured to give you a taste of university life, including academics, student life, and the university setting. 

Why it stands out: It provides targeted admissions preparation support, making it especially useful if you’re applying for competitive UK universities.

14. Immerse Education’s Online Research Programme (ORP)

Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Starts at £1,295; summer school scholarship available through our bursary programme.
Dates: Year-round (multiple intakes)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students aged 13–18 anywhere in the world

If you want the academic challenge of an Oxford-style programme but need the flexibility to study from home, the Immerse Online Research Programme is a strong option. It brings the tutorial system online and pairs you with an academic from Oxford, Cambridge or an Ivy League university for personalised learning through one-to-one discussions, independent reading and guided research.

Across 10 or 15 hours, you explore a topic of interest and develop it into a full research paper with regular tutor feedback. Students aged 13 can join the Classic programme to build core research and writing skills. Students aged 14 and above can choose an accredited pathway that awards 8 UCAS points or 3 US college credits.

With more than twenty subjects to choose from, the programme offers academic depth without needing to travel to Oxford. It suits ambitious students who want the pace and personal attention associated with top-tier university study.

Why it stands out: You experience authentic Oxford-style tutorials online, work closely with leading academics and produce an assessed research paper, with the option to earn UCAS points or US college credit if you are aged 14 or above.

15. Oxplore (The University of Oxford)

Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Free
Dates: Year-round (Self-paced)
Application Deadline: Open
Eligibility: Students aged 11–18 from anywhere in the world.

Oxplore is a free online platform created by Oxford to introduce students aged 11–18 to interdisciplinary academic thinking. The site presents “Big Questions” that draw on research from Oxford scholars across fields such as philosophy, politics, science, literature, history, and ethics. You explore each topic through articles, short videos, debates, quizzes, and multimedia content that encourage critical analysis beyond the standard school curriculum.

The platform is fully self-paced without a formal course structure, which makes it accessible to students worldwide. Oxplore also hosts occasional live online events and webinars led by Oxford academics, offering additional insight into university-level discussion.

Although not a structured summer programme, Oxplore provides high school students with a university-run space to practise analytical thinking and engage with academic ideas in preparation for future studies.

Why it stands out: It enriches critical thinking skills and, by drawing on current Oxford research, helps students get an idea of what academic research looks like.

Preparing for Oxford Study 

The summer programs in Oxford for high school students listed in this article give you more than academic enrichment. You walk quads once crossed by Bill Clinton and Hugh Grant, debate ideas and study in spaces sparking curiosity.

These programmes help you imagine what university learning truly feels like. Through hands-on projects and tutorial-style discussions, you begin to see how your interests could grow in a demanding academic setting.

They also make Oxford feel genuinely within reach. When you test ideas, meet motivated peers and experience real independence, you start to understand where your strengths can lead.

If you want practical steps for exploring Oxford further, you can download Immerse Education’s Oxford Guide for deeper insights.