SUMMER 2017

ACADEMIC COURSES FOR 10-12 & 13-15 YEAR OLDS

2 Summer 2017
Welcome
At Oxford Summer Courses, we believe in the best. The best
teachers, the best setting and the best experiences. If you want
summer 2017 to stick in your mind while stretching and
strengthening it youve come to the right place.

We are both Oxford alumni. We set up a summer school for young

students because were passionate about the University and the
city and were determined to share the magic of Oxford with the world. Were not part of the University,
but Oxford is at the heart of everything we do. It shapes what we teach, how we go about it, and where.
Study with us and youll be taught by Oxford academics and experienced tutors. Youll live in Oxford college
accommodation. And youll experience the world-renowned Oxford education system. That means testing
yourself against some of the worlds finest minds. Our tutors dedicate their lives to researching and teaching
but during the summer they love to share their passion with students who want to find out more about their
subject. Dont be overawed weve laid on a committed team of student helpers (current or former Oxford
students) wholl help you with your work. But youll be pushed to challenge yourself and to challenge ideas.

These student helpers are part of the pastoral staff team who are dedicated, not only to your academic
development, but also to all aspects of your welfare while you are in Oxford. They will ensure you are
supported in all the workshops and activities outside of lessons; are comfortable in your Oxford college
home; and are safe at all times. More than that, they are the ones you will be living and laughing with
throughout the course.

Its not all work, though. Youll have time to meet like-minded students as you punt down the River Isis or
take in the sights of the ancient city. We eat out in our favourite Oxford restaurants and at a formal banquet
in the college dining hall on a Friday so by the time you leave, youll know all about the best Oxford has to
offer. Beyond Oxford, we take trips to Shakespeare plays, English castles and music at the Royal Albert Hall.

We founded Oxford Summer Courses in 2010 because we love Oxford and the social and academic adventure
it brings. We have grown from a small organisation to a BAC accredited provider of short courses. Across
seven summers we have welcomed over 1,500 students from across the globe. Many of our former students
now study the subject they read at Oxford Summer Courses at British Universities, including Oxford and
Cambridge. There are lots of summer schools in Oxford but we believe ours is the best because we are
former Oxford students who intimately know the city, the University and what it really means to be a
student in Oxford. We want to share our knowledge and experience with you so join us, and make summer
2017 unforgettable.

HARRY HOARE & ROBERT PHIPPS

Co-founders and Directors of Oxford Summer Courses

Oxford Summer Courses is Accredited by the British Accreditation Council for Independent Further and Higher Education as a Short Course Provider in the UK.

www.oxfordsummercourses.com 3
4 Summer 2017
TESTIMONIALS
TANISHKA SURI
Law Student from United Arab Emirates
Oxford Summer Courses is one of the best courses Ive been on to meet new people,
I made friends during my time that I will never forget. The course was an amazing
experience, it made me step out of my comfort zone and try new activities such as
punting. Punting was a great icebreaker, it allowed us to see other peoples new talents
and have lots of fun! I would definitely come back on this course, I met so many new
people and have made lots of memories that I will never forget. I truly loved it and will
come back for longer next time!

JADE FERRE
Medicine Student from Switzerland
I learned so much on the medicine course. Every morning we had three hours of
lessons in which we discussed different subjects on different days and each one was
even better than the last. Every afternoon we did different activities, went to museums
and sometimes had free time. The free time was great, it allowed me to meet so many
amazing people that I will never forget. Moreover, Oxford Summer Courses is great
because it welcomes people from all over the world. For example, I met a girl who
has a different religion to me and it is astonishing to learn the difference between my
religion and hers. Overall, Oxford Summer Courses was a new big adventure for me
and made me realise how much I liked studying medicine and socialising with people
all over the world.

ANDERSON GU
International Relations Student from the United States
My time here at Oxford Summer Courses has been one unlike any other. The rich
surrounding atmosphere, inspired by the beautiful and historic buildings of Oxford
as well as the amazing staff, allowed for a captivating academic journey. Tutors and
students alike engaged in intensive yet fun lessons and activities, forming a unique and
individualized classroom environment. Alongside the classroom, getting to meet some
of the brightest minds from around the world gave me the chance to make friends and
form bonds. This made my two weeks not only academically stimulating, but extremely
enjoyable and worthwhile.

For a students-eye perspective on Oxford Summer Courses visit Search for Oxford Summer Courses

www.oxfordsummercourses.com 5
 The Class of 2016 students and staff pose for
a group photo outside St Benets Hall before
the graduation Formal Hall. Dont worry
formal is only a name its a relaxed affair
with all the stuffiness taken out.

6 Summer 2017
www.oxfordsummercourses.com 7
8 Summer 2017
Programmes
The value of Oxford Summer Courses
We provide a learning experience that would stand alone as a fantastic memory and highlight of any
students summer. However, in this increasingly competitive world the value of a good education is more
valuable than ever for securing entry to top academic institutions.

For this reason, at Oxford Summer Courses we give you the opportunity to explore subjects you might not
have had the chance to study yet at school. You can take subjects you might want to study at university and
because we use the same small group teaching method, the course gives a unique insight into what studying
at university is really like. You will return to school having experienced a new way of learning.

Were dedicated to helping passionate students realise their aims, and hope that by providing a genuinely
stimulating and challenging curriculum, in a collaborative and inspiring learning environment, we can
enable you to get ahead in you chosen subjects, giving you the edge in this increasingly competitive world.
We also aim to improve your written and spoken English skills through this experience.

Students are divided into separate age groups, 10-12 and 13-15 year olds. Both courses offer a similar
structure and timetable but have course rules that are age appropriate.

Youll be matched with students of your age and ability - if you are over 13 youll be expected to produce
better quality and more thoughtful work for your seminars.

Courses for 10-12 year olds

Come and join us in Oxford this summer, youll have lots of pastoral staff to help look after you and ensure
you have fun and a vast array of activities. On top of that we have small group seminars led by great tutors to
help you develop your understanding of your chosen subject.

Courses for 13-15 year olds

Are you interested in discovering a new subject that you cant study at school and seeing how the British
educational system works? Well give you academic and pastoral guidance to bring out your best through
individually tailored independent learning in small group seminars.

www.oxfordsummercourses.com 9
Teaching Methods
Tutors
Your tutor is your academic guide; he or she will help you navigate your way on an intellectual journey in
your chosen subject. You will be taught in small groups of around six students and your tutor will channel
and expand the perspectives and opinions you all bring to this international learning environment. They
will push you to delve into a subject that you may well not have encountered in your education thus far. But
dont worry, they are experts at helping you learn at your own pace and to tackle the questions you want to
investigate.

Alongside classroom teaching, you will also spend two sessions learning outside of the classroom. This might
be a chance to do practical work, such as dissection, experiments in a lab, or to visit Oxford Crown Courts to
watch a legal trial, for instance. This is a fantastic chance to engage with the educational resources Oxford
city has to offer.

Seminars
We run daily seminars for groups of around six students. Theyre an unrivalled opportunity to work with
an experienced tutor, to gain a solid grounding and be bold enough to push beyond it. Its a chance to learn
from, and share with, your peers in a collaborative, friendly setting. You will take part in lively and thought-
provoking debate and our tutors will help give your academic presentation skills serious sheen. Dont be
daunted, though. Our tutors are here to guide and inspire you. They want to hear what you think, and why
and help bring out the very best in you. Youll learn new ways to think, gather evidence and defend your
views with flexibility and flair. This learning style has the additional advantage of improving your written
and spoken English skills.

Workshops
In addition to the seminars and lessons outside the classroom, you will also take part in a range of
interactive workshops and lively group projects to broaden your skills and increase your confidence levels.

During your first week, youll be involved in three Drama workshops, which will culminate in a final
performance at the end of the week. In 2016 the chosen performance was Alice in Wonderland, by former
tutor at Christ Church College, Lewis Carroll.

During your second week, youll have a chance to further develop your presentation skills. Youll participate
in a series of debating workshops which ends with a lively debating competition at the end of the week.

10 Summer 2017
Staff Profiles
Our tutors are all Oxford University academics or experienced tutors and have spent years honing their
teaching skills as undergraduate and graduate students. Oxford has been a centre of learning excellence for
centuries; it is both the superior quality of staff and first-rate facilities that make Oxford one of the worlds
pre-eminent universities. At Oxford Summer Courses we provide tutors of the highest quality and encourage
students to make the most of the city itself with a lively programme of activities.

IVAYLO IAYDJIEV
International Relations
Ivaylo Iaydjiev is a D.Phil. student in Public Policy with the Blavatnik School of
Government and St Antonys College, University of Oxford. His doctorate focuses on
International Political Economy, and in particular the politics of the European financial
crisis and the role of international institutions and he has published several articles,
working papers, and policy briefs on this subject. He holds an MSc in Global Governance
and Diplomacy (with Distinction) from the University of Oxford and a BA in French and
Politics (First-class) from the University of Bath. He is currently a Senior Researcher with
the European Policy Institute and was previously an adviser to the Bulgarian Ministry
of Defence, an analyst for the Office of the President of Bulgaria, and a trainee at the
European Commission, gaining first-hand experience of International Relations and
public policy.

LUCY MEREDITH
Law
Lucy recently completed the BPTC (a professional qualification focussed upon preparing
lawyers for work at the Bar of England and Wales) and previously read Jurisprudence
at Oxford University. She has undertaken internships at the High Court of Hong Kong
and the Asia-Pacific Office of the Hague Conference on Private International Law, as
well as a number of UK solicitors firms and barristers chambers. Currently, Lucy is
working for a number of charitable organisations that provide legal advice and support
pro bono to victims of domestic violence and to parents of children with special
educational needs, and is a member of the Bar Human Rights Committee.

DR. GAURI ANG

Medicine
Dr. Gauri Ang completed a BSc in Biomedical Sciences in University College London.
During her second year at university, she participated in a summer internship at the
University of Cambridge, where she investigated the roles of certain genes in learning
and memory. She then completed her DPhil in Neuroscience at the University of Oxford,
investigating the role of schizophrenia-relevant genes in the generation of body clocks,
sleep, and cognition. Her teaching experiences include teaching English in India as well
as current affairs to students in Singapore.

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12 Summer 2017
Accommodation
In 2017 our courses for 10-12 and 13-15 year olds will be based in St Benets Hall, Oxford.

St Benets Hall is a beautiful six-storey Georgian Grade II listed building right in the centre of Oxford. Despite
its location minutes away from the bustle of Cornmarket St the site has a quiet and peaceful atmosphere and
is home to a group of Oxford academics-cum-monks. During term time undergraduates of all faiths and none
live and study with a community of monks. St Benets has a homely vibe and is a secure site offering the ideal
location for younger students.

The accommodation mixes single and twin rooms and we ensure genders and age groups remain separate
and supervised. St Benets has a cozy common room with TV and games, a beautiful garden and a library for
quiet study. All meals are provided on site by the colleges professional chef. Although the college site offers
everything students need, we make daily supervised trips into the centre of Oxford to explore the city and walk
5 minutes over to the University Parks for sports so students can let off steam.

Most of the rooms share bathrooms (as is standard across Oxford) and we separate genders and age groups in
different floors. There is at least one staff member on each floor who will make sure all rules are obeyed. Our
pastoral staff and group leaders will be nearby to make sure youre safe, comfortable and happy and can help
with anything from finding a teaching room to helping you do your laundry.

Students at St Benets are allowed off site in small groups during free time though we are careful to note the
proposed route and purpose. We register students throughout the day and use an experienced team of pastoral
staff to ensure students have having fun in a safe and secure environment.

* Please note Oxford Summer Courses is an organisation which contracts with the university for the use of facilities, but
which has no formal connection with the University of Oxford.

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Cultural and
Social Activities
Cultural Activities
Oxford has a rich display of cultural sights and
activities to offer. We visit the Bodleian Library,
founded in 1320, whose current exhibition of
treasures includes Shakespeares First Folio; Christ
Church college and meadows, which includes the
dining hall featured in the Harry Potter films; and
the Ashmolean Museum, whose original seventeenth
century collection was one of the first to be open for
public viewing, thereby helping to create the concept
of a public museum. Theres also time to see the
sights that provided inspiration for Philip Pullmans
novels, Lewis Carrolls Alice in Wonderland and C.S
Lewis Chronicles of Narnia.
Sports and Punting
Punting is one of the quintessential Oxford activities.
Floating lazily down a meandering river in the shade
of the botanical gardens provides a fantastic way to
see Oxford from a different perspective and its
a great way to relax after a hard days study. The
University Parks are also an idyllic setting for some
social sport - a chance to play cricket, rugby and
rounders in true British style.
Workshops
One of Oxfords most famous pastimes is debating,
centred on the Oxford Union, where some of the
greatest ever orators and world leaders have spoken.
Students will take part in debating workshops and a
debating competition, coached in the Oxford system
used in the British Parliament. Other workshops
include Drama and Theatre, where the students put
together all aspects of a performance and Professional
Photography, alongside insight sessions into other
academic fields.
14 Summer 2017
Day Trips
Day Trips allow you to visit other parts of the UK
and see some of its impressive sights. These include
Windsor Castle, one of the residences of the royal
family; the city of Bath with its blend of Roman and
Georgian history. We also visit Blenheim Palace, the
birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, which offers
a fascinating insight into the English aristocracy
through the ages. The beautiful house, built in 1704,
is set in a stunning landscaped garden boasting an
enormous maze. Harry Potter Studios is also on the
menu, with its vast exhibition of the sets, props and
costumes, combined with detailed displays of the
mechanics and design behind the blockbuster films.
To cap it all off, we finish with a tour around Londons
highlights, including a ride on the London Eye,
offering something new for everyone.
Formal Dinners
Formal three-course meals are one of Oxfords great
traditions. Students and professors dine together
in the great halls of the colleges and under huge
portraits of their colleges most famous members. Its
a great way to get a sense of the history and tradition
of Oxford as the Latin grace that has been read for
nearly 700 years is recited before everyone begins
their meal. We try to maintain this historical element
but without the stuffiness. You wont be expected to
wear a dinner suit or follow the rules of etiquette
instead, we sample the best of the colleges kitchen in
a more relaxed atmosphere. The sense of occasion is
still very much maintained, particularly at the second
formal meal, which has a graduation ceremony
beforehand.
www.oxfordsummercourses.com 15
Subjects
The subjects listed below are intended as a guide. Our
philosophy is that you have control over what you
study during your time with us. You will have the
opportunity to study the topics and areas that interest
you, and our tutors are there to help narrow your focus
should you need advice.
Arts & Humanities
Our General Arts and Humanities course is designed to
develop critical thinking, debating and essay writing
skills. We cover a broad range of topics, from the
interaction between cultures and countries, and the
effect of ideas such as the renaissance on the structure
of society, and the politics and institutions that have
helped to form the modern world.
Computer Science
From app development to HTML and CSS, Computer
Science touches the very cutting edge of todays online
and offline technology. Our course introduces and
explores a range of coding techniques and languages,
including Python SQL and web development.
Economics and Business
Economics involves the study of how markets work
and why businesses succeed and fail, both at an
international level and within a domestic economy.
You will study key ideas such as supply and demand,
market structures and reasons for market failure,
alongside key business strategies.
English Literature and Creative
Writing
Oxford has long been an inspiration for the creation
of some of the best known, and best loved, novels.
Our course is taught by academics who actively write
(poetry, fiction and dramatic works) to give you an
insight to the subject from a practitioners perspective.
The course allows you to focus on their own areas of
literary interest and hone your textual analysis skills.
16 Summer 2017
International Relations & Politics
The course studies power and international politics to
analyse the relationships between states. Youll look at
case studies from around the world to help uncover the
diverse patterns of relations between states and regions.
Law
The course will develop your knowledge of the
complex operation of the law, as well as your skills in
public speaking and constructing arguments. All of
your tutors will work regularly in this environment
and will be involved in investigating and shaping
the latest legal developments. You will also have the
chance to conduct a mock trial to see how the legal
concepts youve learned in class work in action.
Mathematics
Our Mathematics course is specifically tailored to
meet your ability and understanding of the underlying
material. Mathematics can be sub-divided into many
individual disciplines, all of which are available for
students to study.
Medicine
Oxford has taught medicine since the 1300s and
remains at the cutting edge of the discipline today. You
will build a solid understanding of the foundations of
medical science and consider ethical questions, such
as the possibility of human enhancement, alongside
practical teaching of anatomy and medical practice.
Science
Biological topics range from bioethics to how
viruses infect humans and controversial debate
around genetics. Chemistry focuses on innovative
thinking around Chemistry and its important role in
understanding and improving the world around
us, while Physics studies the universe from large-
scale theories such as the Big Bang to the minutiae of
particle behaviour.
www.oxfordsummercourses.com 17
Welfare
Its not all about the brains, though. Our main concern is that youre happy and having the best summer
ever. So weve got non-academic staff on board to help you navigate the course and provide any support
you need. All of our pastoral staff are First Aid and Child Safeguarding trained, as well as having a range of
experience working with young people before they arrive.

The Course Director will make sure the whole programme runs smoothly. They are always available in
person and by phone and lead the whole team in providing a range of welfare support. Nothing is too small
or too big to raise with them, from dietary requirements to being ill in the middle of the night, they are
residential, living alongside you, and are there for your wellbeing.

All the staff at Oxford Summer Courses are committed to ensuring an inclusive environment for all our students
and work hard to cater to every individuals particular needs. We aim to create an atmosphere of respect and
intercultural learning, to make you feel as secure as possible in what may be a very new environment.

On hand to help you settle into Oxford life and culture are our student helpers. They are our local experts.
Theyll be around to show you the hidden corners of Oxford that larger groups often miss and theyll join
us on extra-curricular expeditions. Theyre all Oxford-educated too, so theyll be able to help you prepare for
tutorials and seminars. Below is a selection of our staff who led the course in 2016.

Kezia Fender
Course Director
Kezia is a Masters student at Wadham College, Oxford studying English Literature
650-1550, having completed her undergraduate degree there in English and German.
She has worked on residential courses for young people for Yellow Submarine charity
and Cape Adventure outward bound centre, as well as working as a teaching assistant
in Austria and Nepal for ages 10-18. Oxford Summer Courses is a chance for Kezia to
combine her interest in working with young people from all over the world with that
of academic study in Oxford. As Course Director, she is charge of a group, organising
cultural and social activities, alongside supporting them pastorally.

Tim Bird
Student Helper
Tim is a second year undergraduate studying Geography at St Peters College, Oxford.
His previous experience with children and young people is in the voluntary sector,
helping run Youth Groups and Holiday clubs in Oxfordshire. Tims role at Oxford
Summer Courses involves making sure that the students have a fun, engaging and
above all safe experience while they are with us. He provides pastoral care to a group
of students, helping them settle in and supporting them during their time at Oxford
Summer Courses. He accompanies students to lessons, the theatre, cinema and on
trips. He really enjoys getting to know students from a diverse range of countries and
cultures and watching students confidence grow throughout the course.

18 Summer 2017
www.oxfordsummercourses.com 19
Enrolment
Before you apply, there are a couple of things we need to check. You dont need to be a prodigious scholar
but you must have a genuine, demonstrable passion for your subject.

So, well ask you to write an online personal statement and supply any examination grades you have to
secure your place on Oxford Summer Courses. Youll also need to be proficient in English. And your age will
determine which course you embark on.

The prices
The price for summer 2017 is 3,895 for 2 weeks and 7,395 for 4 weeks. You dont have to pay it all in
one go the deposit is 500 for a 2 week course and 1,000 for a 4 week course and the rest can be paid in
instalments if you prefer.

Included in the price is:

All teaching, including small group seminars and workshops
Accommodation and breakfast every day
All evening meals at local restaurants
A three-course college banquet on Friday evening
All cultural activities in Oxford and further afield
Lunch three times a week

The price does not include flights or medical insurance.

In 2017 we will be running courses for 10-12 & 13-15 year olds on the following dates:

2 week courses: 3,895

25th June to 8th July
9th July to 22nd July
23rd July to 5th August

4 week courses: 7,395

25th June to 22nd July
9th July to 5th August

To apply for your place visit www.oxfordsummercourses.com/apply

20 Summer 2017
www.oxfordsummercourses.com 21
 9am-12pm 12-1pm 1-3pm 3-4.45pm 4.45-6.30pm 6.30-7.30pm 7.30-8.30pm
Course Directors Ice-cream &
Sunday Arrival and walking tour of Oxford by staff Dinner
Induction Icebreakers

Monday Lessons Christ Church Tour Scavenger Hunt Activities / Sports Dinner Games Night

Bodleian
Tuesday Lessons Drama Workshop Free time / Sports Dinner Punting
Library Tour

Wednesday Lessons Half-day trip to Windsor Dinner

Timetable 2017

Lunch
Natural History
Thursday Lessons outside classroom Drama Workshop Activities / Sports Dinner TED-style talks
Museum

Photobooth and
Friday Lessons Drama Workshop Free time / Sports Drama Performance Dinner
mocktails

Saturday Day trip to Bath Dinner

Quiet time

Sunday Country Walk, Picnic and Sports Dinner Quiz

Earthquakes
Monday Lessons Debating Workshop Free time / Sports Dinner Cinema
Workshop

Wake up at 7.30am
9.30pm curfew, 10pm lights out

Breakfast at 8am-8.45am
Lunch
Debating
Tuesday Lessons outside classroom Photography and Falconry Free time / Sports Dinner
Competition

Botanical Gardens / Punting /

Wednesday Lessons Ashmolean Museum Dinner Theatre
Free time / Sports

Thursday Day trip to London Dinner

Formal Dinner at
Friday Lessons Lunch Graduation Bop (disco)
St Benets Hall

Saturday Departures

The timetable shown is based on the actual activities form 2016. The 2017 timetable may be subject to minor adjustments (and improvements).
 In addition to our academic courses for 10-12 & 13-15
year olds, we offer a number of other courses
in Oxford and beyond.
Visit www.oxfordsummercourses.com
for more information.

Academic Courses for Academic Courses for

16-17s & 18-24s 10-12s & 13-15s

www.oxfordsummercourses.com 23
Oxford Summer Courses Ltd
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Oxford Summer Courses Limited

Company Number: 8011543