Oxford Royale Review: Is It Worth It for High School Students?

Oxford Royale offers ambitious students the chance to immerse themselves in academic study while experiencing life on world-renowned university campuses.

Founded in Oxford and now spanning the UK, US, and the Middle East, the programme has welcomed more than 35,000 alumni from around the world. 

Through intensive two-week sessions, participants explore subjects ranging from Medicine and Engineering to Law, AI, and Business. Each programme blends seminars, workshops, and practical simulations with cultural excursions, culminating in a formal graduation certificate and report.

Here’s a comprehensive guide to Oxford Royale.

Course Breakdown

Note: Check their official website for their current pricing.

Why Choose Oxford Royale?

Oxford Royale offers students an authentic taste of university life by combining academic study with residential immersion on campuses such as Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, Yale, New York, and Dubai.

Each two-week session includes 20+ hours of teaching per week in small seminar-style classes, supported by lectures, workshops, and subject-specific labs or simulations. Students complete essays, projects, or presentations and graduate with a formal certificate and report.

Beyond the classroom, participants live in college accommodation with 24/7 supervision, join cultural excursions, and build friendships within a truly international cohort drawn from over 175 countries.

Where Oxford Royale stands out is its scale and global footprint, while Immerse Education offers a more personalised alternative with smaller tutorial groups, Oxbridge-style teaching, and additional career-focused and 1:1 research pathways.

With Oxbridge-style tutorials (avg. 7 students), guest speakers, networking, industry visits, and opportunities to produce independent research projects under Oxbridge and Ivy League mentors, students gain both academic depth and professional preparation.

Key Features of Oxford Royale

Oxford Royale’s programmes run in two-week blocks, with the flexibility to stack sessions across the summer until places are full. 

Each course offers around 20–40 hours of teaching per week, delivered through seminars, workshops, simulations, and group projects, with curricula designed and updated annually by subject and industry experts. 

Students also benefit from guest lectures by leading academics and professionals, providing insight into current trends and real-world applications.

The residential package includes accommodation in university colleges, meals (all meals for ages 12–15; breakfast and dinner for 16–18 in the UK; all meals in the US), and a vibrant co-curricular schedule of excursions and social activities. Ranging from exploring Oxford’s historic colleges to visiting landmarks in New York or Dubai. 

Throughout, 24/7 pastoral care and clear safeguarding measures ensure a secure and supportive environment for under-18s.

Each programme concludes with a formal graduation ceremony, where students receive an academic report and certificate that reflect their progress, achievements, and personal growth over the course.

Advantages

• Prestigious campuses: Students live and study at world-class institutions including Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, Yale, Barnard College in New York, and Dubai.
• Authentic university immersion: The residential setting provides a genuine taste of student life, with accommodation in college halls and access to lecture theatres, dining halls, and libraries.
• Applied learning: Interactive seminars, group projects, and practical simulations (e.g., clinical skills in Medicine) make the curriculum hands-on and engaging.
• Expert teaching: Courses are led by faculty with ties to Oxford, Cambridge, Ivy League universities, and industry professionals, supplemented by inspirational guest speakers.
  Global diversity: Participants join peers from over 170 countries, fostering cross-cultural friendships and international perspectives.
• Comprehensive package: Tuition, accommodation, meals (with some age-based variations), excursions, and social activities are included, plus a graduation ceremony with a certificate and academic report.
  

Disadvantages

• Selective entry and competitive booking – Popular campuses like Oxford, Cambridge, and Yale fill up quickly, often months in advance, which can limit availability for preferred dates or subjects.
• Scale of programme: With thousands of students across six campuses, the experience can feel less personalised compared to smaller providers.
• Extra costs & logistics: Lunch is not included for 16–18s in the UK, and travel/insurance are additional; families must also note the programme is independent from host universities (it rents facilities rather than being operated by Oxford, Cambridge, or Yale).
• Age mixing: The broad 13–18 age range on some campuses can occasionally lead to social or academic mismatches.

Oxford Royale vs Immerse Education

Immerse Education offers three core pathways: Academic Insights, Career Insights, and the Online Research Programme (ORP), combining university-style learning, real-world experience, and one-to-one research mentorship across global locations.

Is Oxford Royale Worth It?

For students who want to study on iconic campuses like Oxford, Cambridge, Yale, or Barnard and experience a truly international cohort, Oxford Royale is a compelling choice.

Its blend of hands-on academics, practical simulations, cultural excursions, and social activities provides a strong preview of university life. With over 35,000 alumni and a 4.8/5 independent rating, it delivers an experience many families value.

Selective entry and competitive booking mean that popular campuses like Oxford, Cambridge, and Yale often fill up months in advance, which can limit availability for preferred dates or subjects.

For those who thrive in diverse, high-energy settings, Oxford Royale offers prestige and global exposure.

But students seeking closer mentorship, smaller class sizes, and more sustained academic engagement may find Immerse Education better suited, with its Oxbridge-style tutorials, small groups, and career-focused pathways.

Alternatives to Oxford Royale

• Immerse Education – Academic Summer School: Oxbridge-style subject depth in Oxford, Cambridge, and Sydney; small tutorial groups.
• Immerse Education – Career Insights: Project-based learning with industry exposure in London, Singapore, and Boston.
• Immerse Education – Online Research Programme: 1:1 research mentorship with PhD tutors, closest to Polygence-style depth.
• Reach Cambridge (ages 14–18): Two-week residential courses in Cambridge, covering STEM, humanities, and creative subjects, with college accommodation and excursions.
• Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS, ages 15–18): Selective two-week residential at Yale with interdisciplinary tracks (STEM, politics, global challenges), drawing students from 150+ countries.

How to Apply for Oxford Royale

1. Choose Your Programme – Select your preferred campus (Oxford, Cambridge, London, Yale, New York, or Dubai), subject area, and session dates. If a session is full, Oxford Royale will suggest alternatives.
2. Complete the Online Application – Apply via the secure portal, providing student details, course choice, and parent/guardian information if under 18.
3. Confirm with a Deposit – Pay the enrolment deposit (typically £1,295) to secure your place. The balance is due 90 days before the programme starts; full payment is required if booking later.
4. Submit Pre-Arrival Forms – Through the student portal, complete medical and dietary forms, upload a passport copy, and arrange travel details. For international students, Oxford Royale provides supporting letters for visa applications.
5. Prepare for Arrival – Arrange travel (airport transfers are available at extra cost) and review pre-arrival information. On arrival day, students check in, attend induction, and begin their academic and residential experience. At the end of the programme, participants graduate with a certificate and academic report.

Final Thoughts

Oxford Royale offers a prestigious, short-term residential experience on world-class campuses, combining seminars, projects, excursions, and an international cohort. With 35,000+ alumni and strong reviews, it provides enrichment, confidence, and global connections.

For students who want breadth, prestige, and cultural immersion, Oxford Royale is compelling. 

However, for those seeking intensive academic preparation, personalised attention, and deeper subject exploration, Immerse Education is the stronger alternative. 

With smaller tutorial groups, expert Oxbridge mentorship, and programmes designed for university preparation, Immerse combines rigour with the inspiring environment of world-class institutions while maintaining the personalised guidance that makes a transformative difference.