Architecture & Design Summer School

Having welcomed students from over 175 nations, we are pleased to be able to call ourselves the world’s most international summer school. For students of architecture, this variety of perspectives offers a once-in-a-lifetime learning opportunity, as each individual will come with unique insight into their country’s traditions of architecture and urban planning. The spirit of collaboration fostered in our interactive classrooms helps students form friendships to last a lifetime – and these connections could even bear fruit in the form of shared architectural projects later down the road.

We have the great privilege of being able to offer attendees access to world-leading experts in the field, whose collective years of experience as professors and practising architects and urban planners offer a profound depth of knowledge rarely afforded to pre-university students. Under the aegis of these expert guides, students will: 

– Develop observational and technical drawing and scale modelling skills

– Gain an overview of architectural history from Ancient Greece to the present day, including the latest trend and discourse surrounding our constructed environments

– Explore local buildings and urban environs, treating these as architectural case studies

– Examine the variety of pathways available to early career architects

– Gain an understanding of the level of ambition and commitment that is expected of architecture undergraduates

Despite appearances, architecture isn’t all technical: the very best architects will have highly attuned interpersonal skills, enabling them to work fluently as they transform into design the needs and ambitions of their clients. As such, there is an emphasis on interaction and collaboration both within and outside the classroom to help students develop crucial ‘soft skills.’ Over the two weeks, attendees will:

– Refine their active listening skills, working closely with expert tutors both in 1:1 tutorial sessions and wider classroom discussions

– Learn to respond to constructive criticism of their work productively and professionally as they develop their architectural portfolios

– Master public speaking and develop confidence through our public debating society

– Articulate ideas effectively as they present on an urban planning project at the end of the programme

These are exciting times to become an architect, as global interconnectivity and technological reliance augments, creating a need for design which reflects changing social, commercial, and domestic organisation. To discover how well suited they are to this fast-paced professional environment, students will:

– Work on an industry-grade project, putting into practice theories surrounding the modern built environment as they design their own ‘City of the Future’

– Learn about sustainable design in the context of climate change and other existential risks

– Learn to conduct a site survey, an essential component of any architectural or interior design project

– Benefit from subject-specific sessions on preparing for a future in architecture, as well as general academic enrichment workshops which form part of our extracurricular calendar

Students of our Architecture summer programmes will not only benefit from the very best education in their field; they will also have the summer of a lifetime, as they explore novel locations with newfound friends and are spoiled for choice with our action-packed extracurricular calendar. Throughout the duration of their course, students will:

– Partake in exciting enrichment activities, including museum visits, walking tours, and a day trip to London to explore quintessential British culture

– Enjoy a stimulating range of challenges, such as fact-finding scavenger hunts and photography competitions

– Socialise with students on other programmes through recreational activities such as karaoke nights, bowling, and sporting events

– Enjoy talks from talented motivational speakers across a range of industries and professions

All excellent architects draw on the history of their trade, both to draw inspiration and to rebel against the status quo. Students will be guided by expert faculty through a history of architecture, beginning with the Ancient Greeks and culminating with a thorough examination of emerging trends in the industry.

During their final week, attendees will get involved in a forward-facing urban design project titled ‘City of the Future’. Pulling together everything they have learned over the course of the programme, this is an excellent opportunity for students to showcase their learning both to peers and tutors at Oxford Royale, and to future admissions faculty and employers as a unique addition to their portfolios.

Students will enjoy the opportunity to step back from a day’s hard work and explore their local cities, all of which boast rich cultural offers. There will be opportunities to visit museums, go punting , snap pictures at sites of interest, and sample local cuisine. There will also be a mid-programme trip to a London. This is a fantastic way to be immersed in quintessential English culture as you make lifetime memories with your newfound friends.

Students at the world’s top universities are renowned for their work ethic, but lesser known is their penchant for letting their hair down and celebrating their achievements in style. Students on our programmes get the very best of both academic excellence and fun with friends, as they are rewarded for their efforts through two parties over the two weeks: one on the mid-programme weekend, and the other following an illustrious formal graduation ceremony to mark their completion of the course.