Our Story

Oxford Royale Academy was born from a firm belief that education changes lives and an idea cooked up in an Oxford college dining hall. Today, we’re the UK’s most established and innovative summer-school provider.

Nearing the end of his undergraduate degree at Oxford University, our CEO and Founder, William Humphreys, reflected on the life-changing opportunities that had been afforded to him, and the countless avenues now open ahead of him, as a result of his time at Oxford.

Affected profoundly by the transformational effect this place and this education had had on his life, he started discussions with his brother and COO, George, about how these same opportunities and experiences might be offered to students looking to make decisions about their own futures.

George and William opened the first ORA summer school in 2005, made up of 35 students, a number of whom are still in touch with us and each other today! That summer was full of academic energy and progress, friendship, cultural expansion, and fun! It became clear that the opportunity to use summer holidays to learn in an entirely different way from school was both exciting and inspiring to students from all over the world. Energised by the opportunity to bring something new to the world of education, our most popular courses were born and aptly named ‘New Perspectives’ and ‘Broadening Horizons’.

We build and retain close relationships with our students and their parents, listening carefully to their experiences and ambitions. These relationships have become an important driver of our growth and we are always thrilled to hear from alumni about the paths they have taken and the successes they have enjoyed.

By 2008, we were accredited by the British Council, had assembled a committed team of staff and teachers excited by this new philosophy, and were welcoming hundreds of students each year to Oxford to study a growing number of courses. From 2010 onwards, with students wanting to return to the programme but keen to see more of the world, we began programmes in Cambridge, and later St Andrews, London, and Yale. In 2017 we launched programmes for younger students, from age 8, as well as courses for students aged 19 and over, many of whom were former students wishing to continue their education with us. We have been awarded the BETA Award for Best Educational Product an astonishing five times, and have been proud recipients of The Queen’s Award for Enterprise three times.

We have an extraordinary team of staff, all entirely committed to the transformational effect education has on a young life. These range from the counsellors on our campuses who guide students through each day and offer insights into university life, to the teachers who get to know our students well enough to introduce them to the precise topics and ideas that will inspire them, to the office staff who work with parents to ensure their children are happy, safe, and make the most of every opportunity presented to them in their time with us.

Of course 2020 was not part of anyone’s plan. When it became clear in March that we would be unable to guarantee the safety and wellbeing of our international student body that summer, we were forced to suspend our programmes for the first time in our history. Disappointed but not disheartened, we decided to rise to the challenge and move our courses online, with the firm commitment to preserving the interactivity, the excitement and the academic rigour that characterises our summer programmes. We were blown away by the dedication of our teaching staff that summer, by the positivity and intelligence of our students, and by the enduring commitment to learning and aspiration.

With this confirmation that the ORA philosophy thrives even in the face of such challenges, and with a firm commitment to innovation in a fast-changing world, we became extremely excited about the future.

Having overcome the challenges of the pandemic, Oxford Royale made a triumphant return in the summer of 2022, back on campus at both The University of Oxford and The University of Cambridge.

From academic programs in traditional subjects such as law, medicine, and engineering, to subjects like creative writing and our film academy, students from all over the globe were able to enhance their skills and knowledge in a unique and inspiring setting, for the first time since 2020. With expert instructors, a diverse student body, and a range of extracurricular activities, the 2022 summer school program was a huge success, and participants left with memories and experiences that will last a lifetime.

Education, and working globally, has never been more important and we are proud to be at the forefront of innovation in international education.

Oxford Royale Summer School has once again raised the bar for educational excellence, returning to the prestigious halls of Yale University in the summer of 2023. Offering a taste of Ivy League brilliance, our courses, ranging from the Law and Trial Advocacy Academy to the opportunity to delve into the world of Medicine, empower students with the knowledge and skills they need to excel in their academic and professional pursuits. At Oxford Royale, we are committed to providing students with an experience that is truly inspiring and transformative, and our Yale program is no exception.

But we didn’t just stop there. For summer 2023, we also added an entirely new location to our roster: The University of California, Berkeley. This new and unique campus offers students the opportunity to immerse themselves in West Coast culture, and explore what life is like for a student ‘on the bay’. Being a student in the San Francisco bay is an incredibly exciting experience, as the city is known for its vibrant culture, diverse community, and endless opportunities for exploration and discovery. This new campus not only offer students the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the world around them but also to explore the cutting-edge research and innovation that is taking place at UC Berkeley.

We are resolute in our commitment to empowering students with the knowledge and skills they need to achieve their goals, and we stand ready to embrace the future with a sense of enthusiasm and determination. As we continue to evolve, learn and grow, we are excited to see the boundless potential of our students unfold, and to be a part of their journey towards success.