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Oxford Summer SchoolOur renowned summer school, for students aged 13-25, in the colleges of Oxford.
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10 week Gap Year Programme
Spaces still available for ORA's 10 week Gap Year Programme starting 5th January 2020 Follow your aspirations and feed your passion! Be inspired by academic trips, debates and university lectures whilst you get a taste for the Oxford student lifestyle.
Ages 17+ International Study Centre Oxford, Yarnton Manor
Study with Oxford Royale Academy during your Gap Year and prepare for success at university and beyond.
Key Features:
Live and study in Oxford, UK for 10 weeks- Start in September, January or April
- Choose your course from a broad range of options or a mixture of two
- Enjoy academic tutorials and independent research
- Take part in academic trips linked to your course
- Attend high profile public events at nearby universities
- Make new international friends
- Immerse yourself in a range of social and cultural trips
Students leaving school increasingly welcome some time to decide on their next steps before starting university or entering the workplace. They may choose to take up to a year off to travel, volunteer and explore new horizons. This is also known as a gap year. Those experiences undoubtedly provide valuable opportunities to acquire life skills. However, universities and employers also appreciate evidence of constructive academic development during a gap year.
The ORA 10 week Gap Year Programme enables students to achieve both. Our academic focus strengthens their profile for future university applications or career.
Follow your aspirations and feed your passion! Be inspired by academic trips, debates and university lectures whilst you get a taste for the Oxford student lifestyle.
Academic Content
The 10 week residential Gap Year Programme is designed for ambitious students aged 17-19 seeking an experience beyond regular school study. The Programme equips students with a deeper understanding of their chosen subject and the competence to pursue it at a higher level, either at university or in the workplace.
At Oxford Royale Academy, small classes strengthen students’ academic knowledge while individual project work develops their research skills. Regular guest-speaker debates stimulate their intellectual curiosity and critical thinking.
Build the Gap Year Programme that suits your needs:
- Business
- Creative Writing and Literature
- Experimental Psychology
- Future Filmmakers
- Law
- Medicine
- Politics and International Relations
- Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics Themes (STEM)
or if you are undecided re subject, choose two from the above list to study as a 50/50 pathway.
The 10-week residential Gap Year Programme is designed for ambitious students aged 17+ seeking an experience beyond regular school study. The Programme equips students with a deeper understanding of their chosen subject(s) and the competence to pursue it at a higher level, either at university or in the workplace.
At ORA, small classes strengthen students’ academic knowledge while individual project work develops their research skills. A 50/50 pathway offers the flexibility to pursue two subjects for those who are undecided on a particular route. Individual interests can be factored into the programme to offer a tailored approach to help transition to the next stage of education or employment. Regular guest-speaker debates stimulate intellectual curiosity and critical thinking.
The project also provides students with an opportunity to explore their creativity. It may consist in an essay, a story, an experiment, a business plan, a documentary or any other form relevant to their course. Choose the format and content that will best showcase your profile for university applications or your future job search..
You will take part in life skills, critical thinking, research design, guest lectures and academic trips. Living so close to Oxford means you will be invited to high profile public events at nearby universities including the University of Oxford, Oxford Brookes University or University College London.
We will also ensure you make the most of your time with us by organising a range of social activities to introduce international students to British culture.
Gap Year Study Options
Business Gap Year Course
Business is now one of the most popular degree choices in the UK, as well as being one of the most popular options for international students studying in the UK. This course will help you to gain the knowledge and skills that will help you stand out from the crowd in a university application or job interview. The course will enhance your ability to think critically and conduct independent research into a topic – traits that are invaluable to modern business leaders.
Creative Writing and Literature Gap Year Course
This course allows students to look at a wide range of different texts and teaches them the skills they need both to write well and to succeed commercially. This course is ideal both for students who wish to write for a living and those who wish to expand their literary horizons in order to gain a head start ahead of going to university.
Experimental Psychology Gap Year Course
Throughout the Experimental Psychology Gap Year Course, students explore the breadth and depth of the field. Students new to the discipline will gain the academic knowledge they need to build their confidence in preparation for further university study or career. Students with prior knowledge in Psychology will ascertain their interest in a specific area by exploring new developments and putting their skills into practice.
Future Filmmakers Gap Year Course
Oxford Royale Academy’s Future Filmmakers Gap Year Programme is a dynamic and creative course, designed to take students from “concept to screen” over a period of 10 weeks. An immersive introduction to the practicalities of Filmmaking, this course is a suitable for students keen to take their first steps in the business, as well as those looking to build or expand an existing portfolio.
Law Gap Year Course
Getting a head-start is vital in a field as competitive as Law. The Law Gap Year Course will help you grow in understanding of the areas that underpin the legal system in the UK, as well as giving your study skills a boost. It will enhance your ability to think critically and conduct independent research into a topic – traits that are invaluable to modern employers – and will provide an introduction to more specialist legal skills such as writing legal letters.
Medicine Gap Year Course
Throughout this course, Oxford Royale Academy’s expert tutors help students get set on the right path to maximise their chances of getting into medical school and becoming a doctor. The course will enhance students' ability to think critically and conduct independent research into a topic – traits that are invaluable to modern medical practitioners – and will provide an introduction to the theory and practice of medicine. The Medicine Gap Year Course is an ideal opportunity for students on a gap year looking to use a considerable portion of their year to enhance their future possibilities in the field of Medicine.
Politics and International Relations Gap Year Course
The Politics and International Relations Gap Year Course will help you to gain the knowledge and skills that will help you stand out from the crowd in a university application or job interview, whilst also providing an in-depth understanding of the fundamental areas of Politics and International Relations, which are fascinating in their own right, regardless of the career prospects they provide.
STEM Themes Gap Year Course
The relevance and the importance of STEM subjects in every student’s education are increasingly acknowledged. Constant developments in science and technology have emphasised the need for data analysis, modelling and interpretation, as well as problem-solving skills to get ahead in the current and future job market. Many university degrees already require applicants to demonstrate strong quantitative or analytical skills. The STEM Themes Gap Year Course helps students fulfil their objectives by stimulating their intellectual curiosity and developing their research and critical thinking abilities.
Student Testimonials
Rebecca, USA
An aspiring cinematographer, Rebecca joined us at the ISC for our Future Filmmakers Gap Year Programme.
Read Rebecca's story
Ajda, Netherlands
Read how Ajda's time at the ISC helped her do something academically beneficial during her Gap Year.
Read Ajda's story
Lexi, Belgium
Attended a full year at the ISC pursuing her passion for Creative Writing and English Literature.
Read Lexi's storyGallery
Want to see what our students get up to?
View our International Study Centre blog to see
our exciting programme for yourself.
Teaching Faculty & Campus Life
Teaching Faculty
At Oxford Royale Academy we are committed to providing our students with the most qualified and high-calibre teaching faculty available. All Oxford Royale Academy teachers are passionate about their subjects, and are looking forward to passing their knowledge on to their students this summer!
Yarnton Manor
The International Study Centre is based in Yarnton Manor, a beautiful and historic building that dates back to 1611. Students enjoy the privilege of living and studying in an elegant and peaceful setting while retaining easy access to the centre of Oxford, which is only 15 minutes away.
This course has the following accreditation
Study in confidence with ORA's accredited, award-winning educational courses
