13 Programs for High School Students in Oxford, England
- Stephen Turban
- 1 hour ago
- 9 min read
If you’re a high school student who wants a clearer understanding of your academic direction, enrolling in a structured program can provide that clarity. These programs introduce you to college-style learning, guided instruction, and show you how university subjects are approached and organized. You can explore different fields and see what matches your interests.
Why should you attend a program in Oxford, England?
Oxford is a location where academic work is central to the community, which makes it a suitable place for programs designed for high school students. The city’s institutions, study spaces, and student networks create a setting where you can focus on your work and understand how academic study operates on a larger scale. The experiences can also support your college applications by giving you concrete examples of your abilities and interests.
To help you explore these opportunities, we’ve put together a list of 13 programs for high school students in Oxford, England!
If you are looking for courses in Oxford, check out our blog here.
Location: Oxford, Cambridge, Singapore, Sydney, Toronto, and Boston
Cost: Varies according to program. Financial aid available
Application Deadline: Multiple summer cohorts with rolling admissions throughout the year
Program Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Eligibility: Students aged 13-18 currently enrolled in middle/high school
The Academic Insights Program allows high school students to take undergraduate-level classes at universities around the world. The program pairs you with academics from universities like Oxford, Cambridge, and Harvard in classes of 4-10 students. You'll attend university-style lectures and 1:1 weekly sessions with your tutor. The program includes practical experiences such as dissections in medicine, robotic arm building in engineering, or moot courts for law. You can choose from over 20 subjects, including architecture, artificial intelligence, business management, computer science, economics, medicine, philosophy, and more. By the program’s end, you will complete a personal project and receive written feedback and a certificate of completion. You can find more details about the application here.
Location: Oxford, England (with field trips in London)
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 6–17 (tentatively)
Application Deadline: May 22
Eligibility: Students completing grades 10–12, ages 16–18 by June 14
In this 12-day program offered by Brown University, you’ll explore how biotechnology and artificial intelligence are transforming modern science and medicine. You’ll take the course Basics in Biotech: From Genes to Innovation, where you’ll learn about DNA, proteins, and cells before diving into advanced topics such as CRISPR gene editing, cancer immunotherapy, and brain–computer interfaces. Through site visits to Oxford’s research institutes, biotech companies, and hospitals, plus a day trip to London, you’ll see firsthand how ideas move from the lab to real-world impact. Classes are discussion-based and hands-on, emphasizing both foundational biology and practical application.
Location: Remote — you can participate from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Vary by cohort; Summer, Fall, Winter, or Spring; programs range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Eligibility: High school students who demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program designed for ambitious high school students seeking to conduct independent, mentor-guided research. You will be paired 1-on-1 with Ph.D. mentors from top research universities to develop a full-length research paper over the course of 12 weeks. You can choose from a wide variety of subjects, including psychology, physics, economics, computer science, data science, engineering, chemistry, and international relations. Founded by researchers from Harvard and Oxford, Lumiere combines personalized mentorship with academic rigor to prepare students for advanced research and college-level inquiry. You can find more details about the application here.
Location: Oxford, United Kingdom
Cost: Free (fully funded by the University of Oxford)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 15–20% acceptance; 850 spots
Dates: Spring: Online/small groups (Feb–Jun); Summer: One-week residential (July)
Application Deadline: January 13
Eligibility: Year 12 students (England and Wales), Year 13 students (Northern Ireland), or S5 students (Scotland) attending a UK or Islands state school or college
The UNIQ Summer Programme is the University of Oxford’s flagship access initiative for UK state school students in their first year of further education. UNIQ offers a chance to experience life as an Oxford undergraduate through academic sessions, workshops, and residential experiences in Oxford colleges. You’ll explore a chosen subject area with Oxford tutors, attend lectures and tutorials, and gain insight into the admissions process, and also connect with current Oxford students and mentors. UNIQ is completely free to participate in, covering accommodation, meals, and all activities. The program utilizes contextual criteria in its selection process, prioritizing students from underrepresented backgrounds at top universities, including those eligible for Free School Meals, in care, or from lower socioeconomic areas.
Location: Oxford, UK (University of Oxford campus)
Cost: $6,395 (residential; financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 5–16, July 20–31, August 4–15 (tentatively)
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on program dates
Eligibility: High school students
The National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC) Oxford Summer Programs give you the chance to explore potential career paths while studying at the historic University of Oxford. Over 12 immersive days, you’ll participate in hands-on academic sessions, leadership workshops, and real-world simulations designed to help you develop both professional and personal skills. Programs include Engineering, International Business & Finance, International Law & Politics, and Medicine & Health Care, each offering a blend of experiential learning and mentorship from Oxford-affiliated faculty and professionals. You’ll live in university housing, share meals in Oxford’s dining halls, and experience what college life abroad feels like while making connections with peers from around the world.
Location: Oxford, United Kingdom
Cost: £8,995 (includes all meals/accommodation/excursions)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; limited spaces; 50–60/cohort
Dates: July 5–19
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students aged 15–18 with at least a B2 (upper-intermediate) level of English proficiency
The Oxford Saïd Teen Leadership Summer Academy is a two-week residential program hosted at the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School. Designed for ambitious teens aged 15 to 18, the academy combines academic challenge with cultural immersion to help you grow as a future leader. You’ll attend lectures by Oxford faculty, alumni, and industry experts while taking part in hands-on workshops covering topics such as leadership fundamentals, entrepreneurship, negotiation, and social neuroscience. The program emphasizes teamwork and project-based learning, so you’ll research, develop, and pitch innovative business ideas to a panel of experts. The program also includes social events, day trips, and a graduation ceremony in the historic Divinity School, where you’ll receive a certificate from the University of Oxford.
Location: Oxford, United Kingdom
Cost: £6,499
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective (100 global scholars total program)
Dates: August 2–15 (two weeks)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students aged 14–18
The Law & Justice Summer Program at Oxford Summer School offers an immersive introduction to modern legal principles, constitutional rights, and systems of governance. You’ll explore how laws are made and enforced through interactive lectures, workshops, and mock trials, gaining practical insight into how justice functions in democratic societies. The curriculum includes modules on constitutional law, legal ethics, and parliamentary processes, helping you develop skills in critical thinking and persuasive argumentation. Beyond the classroom, you’ll enjoy Oxford walking tours, London excursions, and a graduation ceremony, while connecting with peers from around the world.
Location: University of Oxford (Worcester College confirmed via prior years)
Cost: £6,995 (includes £750 reservation fee)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: small groups; 100–150/session
Dates: Session 1: July 5–18; Session 2: July 19–August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling (secure with £750 deposit)
Eligibility: Ages 13–18; open to international students
The International Summer School for Teens (ISSFT) at the University of Oxford is a residential pre-university program designed for students aged 13–18 who want to combine academic learning with cultural exploration. You’ll take morning classes in subjects such as English, Global Leadership, or Study Skills, taught in small, interactive groups by experienced instructors. In the afternoons, you’ll choose from creative and athletic electives, like Photography, Tennis, and Sports Leadership, allowing you to balance academics with hands-on, active learning. Outside of class, you’ll join excursions around Oxford and across the UK, attend social events, and experience life at one of the world’s most historic universities.
Location: Oxford College, University of Oxford
Cost: £6,695 for 2 weeks; £13,390 for 4 weeks
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small groups (15–20/class)
Dates: July 6–20, July 20–August 3, August 3–17
Application Deadline: Rolling (early application advised)
Eligibility: Ages 15–17; English level B1+ (intermediate and above)
The Faculty of Global Leadership program introduces you to international relations, global economics, and political theory through a mix of academic study and practical exercises. You attend around 25 hours of seminars and small-group sessions each week, where you take part in model UN activities, negotiation exercises, and leadership workshops that reflect real decision-making settings. You also work on the “Time to Shine” project, where you develop a policy proposal and present it at the Oxford Summit or Global Solutions Forum alongside students studying business, law, and other fields. The program includes talks from practitioners, visits to organizations connected to global affairs, and coaching sessions to help you understand the career paths available in diplomacy, policy, and international leadership.
Location: St Hilda’s College, University of Oxford
Cost: From £2,876 per week (10% discount if booked before Dec 31); regular price £3,195 per week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Average class size of 8 students; acceptance rate not available
Dates: June 30–July 13 or July 14–July 27 (2 weeks); 4-week option also available
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Ages 15–17; English level B2 (upper-intermediate or above)
The Psychology Preparation Course by Bucksmore Education offers an intensive pre-university experience to explore psychology at a first-year undergraduate level. You’ll study in small tutorial groups at St Hilda’s College, learning from Oxford-based tutors about cognitive, developmental, and social psychology while gaining experience in research methods and ethics. The curriculum blends theory with practice through discussions, data-analysis workshops, and independent research projects that strengthen critical thinking and essay-writing skills. Each week includes 23 hours of academic tuition, guest lectures from university scholars, and supercurricular activities like debate societies and masterclasses on UK university applications. Outside the classroom, you’ll join excursions to Oxford, Cambridge, London, and historic sites like Windsor Castle and Bath.
Location: St Hilda’s College, Oxford
Cost: £3,195 per week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Average class size of 8 students
Dates: June 30–July 13 or July 14–July 27 (2 weeks); 4-week option available
Application Deadline: Not mentioned
Eligibility: Ages 15–17; English level B2 (Upper-Intermediate or above)
Designed for ambitious students interested in STEM and emerging technologies, the programme blends Python programming, robotics, and AI theory through hands-on projects. You’ll learn coding fundamentals, algorithm design, and object-oriented programming, then apply these to robotics challenges using Raspberry Pi-powered autonomous vehicles. The course also explores advanced topics like computer vision, cybersecurity, and machine learning concepts, helping you build both technical skills and problem-solving confidence. By the end of the course, you’ll have a portfolio of projects demonstrating your technical expertise and teamwork, plus a Bucksmore Certificate of Achievement, Letter of Recommendation, and personalised academic report.
Location: Oxford, United Kingdom
Cost: $4,998 (residential) or $2,498 (commuter) for the first week; $3,998 or $1,998 for additional weeks
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective (based on academics, involvement, and goals)
Dates: July 5–11, July 12–18, July 19–25, July 26–August 1 (one-week sessions; can combine multiple weeks)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; application fee $99+; $600 program deposit required
Eligibility: Ages 12–18 (must have completed 8th grade); 3.0 GPA or equivalent; English proficiency demonstrated via interview or standardized test scores
Summer Springboard offers flexible one-week courses at Oxford, where you pick what to study and how long to stay. Choose from nine courses, including Emergency Medicine, International Law, Global Business, Psychology & Neuroscience, Economics, Immunology, Literature & Writing, International Relations, and Foundation courses. You'll enjoy small group tutorials led by Oxford-affiliated instructors, combined with hands-on labs, academic excursions directly connected to your studies, and real-world case analyses. Residential students live in Oxford dorm rooms, eat in the college dining hall, and participate in evening activities and weekend trips to Cambridge and London.
Location: Oxford University Colleges (St. Anne's, St. Hugh's, Somerville, Linacre), Oxford, United Kingdom
Cost: £5,699 base fee + £999 for Career Exploration module (optional); approximately £6,698–£7,000 total
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; only 100 global scholars are admitted per summer
Dates: August 3 (check-in) to August 16(check-out)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; apply early as only 100 spots are available
Eligibility: Ages 14–18; competitive selection based on academics, leadership, and goals
The Oxford Scholars Programme is an elite two-week summer program where you'll experience academics at an Ivy League level within Oxford's prestigious setting. You'll choose one academic module from seven specialized options, including Engineering, Medicine, Machine Learning, Business, International Relations, Psychology, and Economics. Classes feature small group tutorials (just 8 students) with distinguished academics from Oxford and top universities worldwide, ensuring personalized attention and mentorship. You'll live in four of Oxford's most picturesque historic colleges, make lifelong connections with ambitious peers from 30+ countries, and receive a prestigious academic recommendation letter for your college applications.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program in which students work one-on-one with a mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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