It’s your turn to call Oxford home
Known as the city of dreaming spires, Oxford has educated and inspired world-changing thinkers through the ages. The city hosts the oldest university in the English-speaking world, and it’s where Oxford Summer Courses was born.
During your time here, experience Oxford’s renowned tutorial teaching, and walk the same halls as Benazir Bhutto, W H Auden, Bill Clinton, and Thomas Hobbes. Whether you’re an aspiring poet, politician, or business mogul you’ll be learning from the best tutors in the best location. Along the way you’ll grow academically and socially through networking with like-minded people and learning from expert tutors.
This elite teaching location is the perfect place to develop a passion for your chosen subject, hone your skills with world-class academics and take your next step towards success.
It’s our city, and we can’t wait to make it yours.
Feel confident in your studies and comfortable in your surroundings
Absorb Oxford’s fascinating history and culture while studying independently and together in groups and seminars. It’s the best of both worlds – the collaboration with others and the freedom to go solo when you want to. To ensure you never feel alone, a our team of current university students and alumni will be on hand to support you with city life. So whether you need a recommendation for lunch or simply need directions to one of the museums, you’re always supported.
While you are here, be sure to take your time to wander the cobbled streets, explore museums, and mingle with locals in this creative and cosmopolitan city. We love Oxford because there is always something new (or very old) to discover at every turn- keep your eyes peeled for blue plaques marking out the houses of famous alumni!
The Experience
You’ll have time to explore Oxford for yourself, as well as forging new friendships for the future, and there’s an action-packed programme of social activities, field trips and excursions to help bring your learning to life. We might even head to London for the day.
You’re not a tourist, so we won’t treat you like one. Instead we’ll help you uncover genuine local treasures and show you what life here is really like, from the inside.
Located within a 5 minute walk of Oxford centre, St John’s is the ideal hub for your time studying and exploring with Oxford Summer Courses.
Sleeping
Established in 1555, it is the wealthiest college of Oxford University and has had some well known people study here in it’s time, including British Prime Minister Tony Blair in 1972, who studied Jurisprudence (legal theory) for 3 years.The college boasts historic buildings, beautiful gardens and modern facilities, including a common room with quiz machines, a jukebox, TV & DVD’s, board games, and a vast art collection to keep you entertained in your free time.The well known Ashmolean Museum of art and archaeology can also be found almost directly opposite the college, where objects dating from 500,000BC to present day can be found. St Johns caters for our 16-17 year old students who can be accommodated in private single rooms with shared bathroom facilities.
Eating
Although the on-site facilities are enough keep you busy, the college is situated just a short walk from Oxford University Parks, where planned activities and sports may take place on some of your evenings.
Useful information
St John’s is only the beginning. Explore all summer courses in Oxford, held throughout the city in its most prestigious colleges.
Having educated 13 British Prime Ministers, it is no surprise that Christ Church is the most famous college in Oxford. It has been featured in films, immortalised by England’s great poets, and images of Tom Tower, designed by Sir Christopher Wren, have come to symbolise the city of Oxford.
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Founded by King Henry VIII, The famous ‘Tom Tower’, over the entrance to the college, was designed by the architect and ex-student of the college, Sir Christopher Wren. The bell in the tower is known as ‘Great Tom’, and it chimes 101 times every evening at 9pm, once for each of the original 101 students of Christ Church.Christ Church is located in the centre of Oxford and boasts magnificent views across Christ Church Meadow, down to the river where Oxford’s famous rowing crews practise. While your teaching might be on site, you’ll have plenty of reasons to venture beyond the college and explore the city. Available for our 18-24 year old students, Christ Church offers both single en-suite, and single and twin standard rooms, depending on when you stay with us.
Eating
Walking through the iconic Tom Gate, you’ll find yourself in the heart of Oxford, steps away from the finest restaurants in town.Our 18-24 year old students are treated to a four course banquet each Friday in the college’s formal dining hall. Our staff will help you find your feet and show you to our exclusive common room which provides a relaxed space for a chat, a film, or just a cup of tea (in true British style).