Berkeley Business Summer School

We pride ourselves on our status as the world’s most international summer school, having welcomed students from over 175 countries since our foundation in 2005. This represents an invaluable opportunity for aspiring businesspeople and entrepreneurs: through early access to a global network of like-minded peers, students are not only exposed to global perspectives, but also have a chance to identify potential future collaborators. Who knows where a classroom discussion or a casual conversation at dinner may take you?

Students aged 16-18 will benefit from a rigorous and thoroughly contemporary course, encompassing a well-considered balance of theoretical and practical learning. They will develop a profound understanding of business and entrepreneurship by:

– Gaining a comprehensive overview of how market trends, emerging technologies, and socio-cultural influences affect businesses

– Exploring the concept of investment and its impact on global economics across different sectors

– Analysing real-world case studies to glean deep insights into the mechanisms of commercial success and failure

– Collaborating on hands-on projects to map out actionable strategies

– Drawing inspiration from a dynamic range of workshops, seminars, and talks from business leaders and experts

A holistic education nurtures an individual’s ability to coexist and cooperate effectively with other people, regardless of the situation or professional context they might find themselves in. Our programmes help students develop crucial ‘soft’ skills to thrive across the board through:

– A wide range of extracurricular activities, giving them the opportunity to network with peers and implement problem-solving in real word scenarios

– A debating and public speaking society, to improve their confidence in addressing an audience

– Helping students master time management and embrace accountability through the introduction of independent study

– Workshops and masterclasses targeting career pathways and the competitive university application process

Our courses go beyond the classroom, helping students to develop essential work and life skills so as to be able to hit the ground running upon starting their careers. Attendees will cultivate the adaptability to secure future success by:

– Partaking in opportunities to hone presentation skills, such as seminars and the end-of-course challenge and exhibition days

– Developing crucial interpersonal skills such as active listening and negotiation through classroom collaboration

– Building up their professional portfolios by working on industry-grade projects, such as developing a business plan and marketing strategy

– Networking with fellow students, tutors, and leading minds across diverse industries

For older teenagers, the pressure is on as they face formative examinations and the university applications process. We recognise the need for restorative down-time, and have crafted our courses to offer a harmonious life-work balance, with plenty of time to rest and relax outside of the classroom. Students can:

– Enjoy cultural excursions, including walking tours of their university town and daytrips to nearby cities such as London and New York

– Partake in a wide range of sporting activities, designed to suit everyone, from the beginner to the seasoned athlete

– Relax on our beautiful campus grounds, in aesthetic and comfortable gardens, common rooms, and dining halls

– Explore local culture, trying out new cuisine, going to the cinema, or exploring bustling commercial centres nearby

Personality drives business. This module will provide students with an overview of different leadership styles, as well as the space to introspect on which elements of their own character they might draw upon in order to grow as highly effective leaders. They will examine real-world case studies of the impact of these different strokes upon organisations, as well as the crucial role of cultural differences in international business and decision-making processes.

It is impossible to understate how the lay of the land has changed over the past few decades. Students will explore the impact of burgeoning technologies such as AI upon the future of enterprise, influencer marketing in the digital age, and the changes wrought upon investment – and, as a consequence, the global economy – by the vicissitudes of Covid-19 and the advent of Fintech.

Our practical challenges represent an opportunity for students to put into practice all they have learned over the course of the two weeks, working as a team to present an industry-standard project to an audience of peers and professionals. Attendees will develop an accurate, sophisticated business plan and marketing strategy for a start-up in an industry of their choosing. This is a valuable addition to students’ professional portfolio, to be drawn upon in applications and interview scenarios.

Students will enjoy an opportunity to step back from a week’s hard work and spend a day of the mid-programme weekend exploring San Francisco, the commercial and cultural centre of Northern California. They’ll visit iconic sites such as the Golden Gate Bridge, and have ample opportunities to try out a wide variety of cuisine, or shop for souvenirs to take home to friends and family.

Students at the world’s leading universities know how to balance hard work and play. Attendees of our Business Summer Programme will be able to let their hair down and celebrate their hard work at two show-stopping events over the course of the summer school: a mid-programme celebration, and a final formal graduation followed by a party at an illustrious venue.

To access a full sample timetable of our Berkeley Summer Programme, click here.

8AM: Students wake up for breakfast on campus before heading to lessons
9AM: Morning lessons, with two short breaks
1PM: Lunch break for students to buy food and explore the city with friends
2PM: Afternoon lessons
3:30PM: Business academic workshop to develop key skills, or cultural activities such as a museum visit
6PM: Dinner on campus
7PM: Study support sessions
8PM: Public Speaking and Debate Society, Shaping your Future Seminar Series
9PM: Social activities such as quiz nights, movie nights or karaoke
10:30PM: Curfew

The week kicks off with an introduction to enterprise and entrepreneurs, innovation and invention. Seminars cover topics such as ownership structures, finance and fundraising, market research, business planning, and risk analysis. Further modules explore strategy and tactics. In the evening, students take part in study focus groups, social and sporting activities, debating and public speaking and seminars on what steps to take to ensure their future success. The first week finishes with an exciting day out in nearby San Francisco.

The second week starts with a focus on sustaining a business with seminars on cash flow and break-even, budgeting and investments, recruitment, operations, and leadership. Students will take part in academic and practical workshops, followed by the opportunity to present and pitch their new business idea. Evenings will continue to focus on study support, social and sporting activities, and the headline address – an engaging talk given by one of our business leaders. The week culminates in the debate grand final and the Oxford Royale graduation ceremony and party.