Oxford Business Summer School
Our Oxford Business Summer School will provide you with the foundation you need to become part of the next generation of innovators. Our motivational faculty of experienced teachers with business experience will coach you in the skills needed to incubate a business idea, before expanding it into a thriving company.
Students will be immersed in the core principles of business management, the practical process of innovation and the entrepreneurial mindset that combine to form all successful businesses. They will also join a group of international classmates to mock launch a new business idea.
As a residential student at our Oxford Summer School, you will have the opportunity to study in classrooms, and explore the historic streets where 55 Nobel prize winners and 30 UK Prime Ministers developed their key academic and life skills.
Be inspired by world-leading politicians, poets, philosophers, scientists and business leaders
Don’t miss the opportunity to hear from world-renowned guest speakers discussing something you are passionate about.
Oxford Business & Entrepreneurship Summer School Details
Why attend?
Teenagers aged 16-18 are close to entering the world of business, whether through the pursuit of a university degree or the undertaking of an entrepreneurial endeavour. Our Business & Entrepreneurship summer school at the University of Oxford, alma mater of some of the world's most prominent entrepreneurs, is expertly crafted to provide a deep understanding of the inner workings of organisations and start-up culture, giving them all the tools to thrive as well-informed young professionals.
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 a wide range of international 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 Oxford and a daytrip to historical Bath
- 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 the city, trying out new cuisine, going to the cinema, enjoying some bowling, or exploring the University of Oxford’s iconic buildings
Programme highlights
Ready to see how your programme comes together? Discover the exceptional features we love to highlight.
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 stepping back from their studies after a day’s hard work and going on culturally enriching excursions around their campus and its surrounding city, including walking tours, cinema trips, and outdoor pursuits. Over the weekend, students will go to the nearby city of London and experience quintessential British culture and international cuisine whilst relaxing with their new friends.
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 duration of the summer school: a mid-programme celebration, and a final formal graduation ceremony followed by a party at an illustrious venue.
Timetable
Curious about your daily schedule? Check out our sample timetable to get a glimpse of what a typical day and the entire two weeks with us will look like!
To download a full sample timetable of our programme in Oxford, click here.
A typical weekday on our Oxford Business Summer School for ages 16 to 18 looks like this:
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 punting
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: CurfewOur 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.
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 a group day trip to explore various exciting areas of London.
Oxford Royale Graduation
Watch our 16 to 18 graduation video to see our students celebrating everything they have achieved on campus at their Oxford Summer School. Experience the incredible venues, lifelong friendships and atmosphere of celebration for yourself.
What's included?
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Residential on campus in the prestigious colleges of the University of Oxford.
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Inspiring programmes taught by experts.
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A truly international environment - over 170 nationalities.
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Accommodation, breakfast and dinner, tuition and cultural programmes included.
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Graduation, report cards and certificate.
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20+ hours tuition / week.
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Talks and debates with world-class guest speakers.
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Inspirational cultural programme, including excursions to historic UK locations.
Want to find out more?
Book a call with us today.
Our friendly admissions team will be delighted to answer any and all questions you may have about our summer programmes.
Learn from world-leading experts
Whatever your motivation, our exceptional, inspiring, world-leading teachers can help you achieve more this summer. Our amazing array of talented tutors includes Oxbridge academics, Ivy League lecturers, groundbreaking medical researchers, glittering industry leaders, acclaimed authors, and more!
Dr Anisa Butt
Business & Entrepreneurship
A member of the Oxford Royale team for 3 years, Dr Anisa Butt is a lecturer in economics at King’s College London. Currently completing a PhD in Economics from the University of Reading, her focus is on gender and ethnic income inequality.
Dr Ameer Janabi
Engineering
Dr Ameer Janabi, a researcher at the University of Cambridge, is an accomplished entrepreneur with multiple successful ventures in the engineering industry, specifically in electric mobility and power electronics, both in the UK and US. His expertise in the field is highly regarded, and he has published several papers on power electronics.
Dr Endrit Shabani
Engineering
A trained lawyer, Dr Endrit Shabani has a Doctorate in Politics from the University of Oxford where he studied with a full Clarendon scholarship. He has consulted for multiple international organisations including UNICEF, UN Women and the EU, and has taught Politics internationally.
Dr Amy Booth
Medicine
Dr Amy Booth is a celebrated physician who graduated summa cum laude from the University of Cape Town. Now working towards a PhD at the University of Oxford on a Rhodes Scholarship, she formerly worked with the World Health Organisation.
Dr Rehan Shah
Engineering
Dr Rehan Shah is a Lecturer in Engineering Education at Queen Mary University of London. He has completed a BEng in Mechanical Engineering with Business Finance at UCL with LSE, an MSc in Mathematical Modelling and Scientific Computing at the University of Oxford, and a PhD in Applied Mathematics at UCL.
Dr Abdulazeez Imam
Medicine
Dr Imam, lecturer in Medicine, has over 14 years of clinical experience and a strong commitment to medical education. He completed a 6 year Paediatric programme in Nigeria and is currently studying for a PhD at the University of Oxford. He also holds an MSc in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from the University of Leeds.
Dr Claire Keene
Medicine
Dr Claire Keene is a public health clinician with a masters in International Health and Tropical Medicine from the University of Oxford. She is an experienced clinical trial manager, recently managing a Médecins Sans Frontières project on HIV and tuberculosis.
Bruce Windwood
Film Academy
Bruce Windwood is one of Oxford Royale’s most senior tutors, having helped design and develop our filmmaking classes. He is a multi-award winning filmmaker, a commissioned writer for TV and audio, and also composes soundtracks for film, audio, and TV content.
Have questions? We're here to help.
Schedule a call with us about our Oxford Business Summer School
How You'll Learn
Escape ordinary classroom teaching and learn through interactive and immersive lessons.
Workshops
Hands-on classes designed to help students learn through practical application.
Masterclasses
An interactive forum with an expert in the field, giving students valuable insights into related and new topics.
Guest Speakers
Successful and famous guest speakers offer students the chance to pose their most important questions.
Debates
Essential for honing students' reasoning abilities and public speaking skills.
Group Projects
An opportunity to work closely with, and learn from, different perspectives.
Seminars
Working in pairs and small groups, students have plenty of opportunity for discussion and debate.
Challenge Days
Apply the skills and knowledge gained throughout your two-week programme in an immersive full day simulation event.
Interactive Lectures
Dynamic lectures given by passionate teachers packed with facts and viewpoints to engage the audience.
Exciting Activities & Trips
Oxford Royale Graduation
Experience an Oxford Royale graduation, on campus at your residential college in Oxford. Dress up with your new friends, dine in a magnificent venue, and celebrate everything you have achieved on your programme.
Natural History Museum
Immerse yourself in British history through visits to incredible venues like the Oxford Museum of Natural History. Affiliated with the University of Oxford, this magical museum is home to centuries of Natural History, including the Oxford Dodo, the only surviving remains of dodo tissue to exist anywhere in the world!
Walking Tour of Oxford
Discover the magic of Oxford on a walking tour around the historic city. Explore magnificent colleges that have been home to Nobel Prize winners, leading scientists and Academy Award winners, take in the serene parks and Botanic Gardens, or uncover hidden gems from coffee shops to rare book stores.
Punting in Oxford
Feel like a real student in Oxford and try your hand at punting, a type of rowing that uses a metal pole to push the boat forward! Relax in the sun and view Oxford’s stunning natural landscape as you punt along the Cherwell river.
Explore London
Discover the UK’s most exciting city! From Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace to the Museum of Natural History and National Portrait Gallery, there are endless ways to be entertained. With luxury shopping and hundreds of restaurants, London is a must-visit location. This trip is for our 16-18 year old students.
Visit the Ashmolean Museum
The Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology is one of the largest museums and art galleries in the UK. Home to fascinating examples of historic artefacts from across the globe, join Oxford Royale to discover examples of art and archaeology from across the globe.
Reviews
We have a 4.8 rating based on 867 reviews on Reviews.io
Hannah
"I had an absolutely incredible time doing Summer school with Oxford Royale Academy! I learnt new things about myself and the world around me, and would definitely recommend to others!"
Clara
"I loved the Oxford Royal program, I met many people with bright personalities and unique minds, and I also learned a lot from the teachers, campus staff etc. You will enjoy it!"
Francesca
"Oxford Royals Academy made my summer amazing! I learned many new things and I met people from all over the world that I know I can call true friends. I definitely recommend ORA to anyone who wants to make unforgettable memories!"
Minquan
"The twelve days I spent in Oxford Summer School were very happy, the teachers were very kind and professional, and the curriculum was very reasonable, which expanded my knowledge. All the courses mean a lot to me and I hope I can come back next summer."
Jade
"The oxford royale academy was definitely the highlight of my summer. I have not only learnt more about the course I have chosen, but I've also met a lot of new friends, friendly staff and helpful teachers from different cultures all in the same campus and had a lot of unforgettable memories."
Katherine
"Oxford Royale was a great expreince. It was amazing to get to know people all over the globe and form life long relationships."
Frequently Asked Questions
If, after reading our FAQs, you still require assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact our Customer Services team.
Once you have decided which programme you would like to attend, and where you would like to study, you can book online using our secure booking system. You will need the details of the student and of the person paying the bill, the name of the programme or programmes you would like to study, and a credit or debit card to pay the relevant enrolment fee.
We are happy to accept enrolment fee payments via a number of other, non-card payment methods (including domestic and international bank transfer), thanks to our partnership with education payment specialists, Flywire. If you would prefer to pay your enrolment fee payment by bank transfer or another method, please contact our Admissions team who will be able to assist you.
Once your application has been submitted, your enrolment fee has been received by us and your booking processed by our system or our team, you will be sent an email confirming your place. You will also receive a login to the Oxford Royale Portal, which you will use to provide us with important additional information about you as your time with us approaches.
A Welcome Pack is available to download from the Oxford Royale Portal.
If at any time you would like to discuss your booking with a member of our award-winning Customer
All enrolments require an enrolment fee to secure the booking. For Summer 2023, enrolment fees are structured as follows:
- Summer Schools for ages 13-15 and 16-18 (Oxford, Cambridge, London, Berkeley and Yale) –£1295 GBP for each 2-week session
You may either pay the full programme fee when you book your place, or pay the enrolment fee and then settle the balance at a later date.
The balance clearance is required no later than 90 days before the start date of the programme. Where the student is booking less than 90 days before the start date, the programme fees must be covered in full. We appreciate that, with the uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, people may require additional flexibility to these terms, and we are doing our best to accommodate that – please contact us if you have concerns regarding making the balance payment in line with the 90-day deadline.
Enrolments received via our online application form will require a debit or credit card payment of at least the enrolment fee. If you would like to pay your enrolment fee via Bank Transfer or another method, we are happy to facilitate this. Please contact our Admissions team to arrange this.
Balance payments for existing enrolments can be made via a number of methods, including domestic and international bank transfer, credit or debit card, as well as local payment options; please log in to the Oxford Royale Portal and click on the ‘Pay Now’ button on your booking details.
If you wish to change your programme or study options (including dates), please do not hesitate to contact us. However, changes to programmes are always subject to availability. For this reason, it may be more difficult for us to accommodate any changes requested less than 60 days before the programme start date.
Oxford Royale’s terms and conditions for refunds are as follows:
Any cancellation must be received in writing and can only be made on the following terms:
- No refund of enrolment fee will be made under any circumstances once the two-week cooling-off period has concluded;
- For cancellations before your programme start date, the remainder of the programme fees excluding the enrolment fee amount will be proportionally refunded as per the table below:
Period Before Start Date | Total Refunded |
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120+ days | 100% |
90-119 days | 50% |
45-89 days | 10% |
0-44 days | 0% |
Cancellations made after the commencement date of the programme will not receive any refund.
Our English language requirements are as follows:
- B1 for EFL courses
- B2 or IELTS level 5.5 – 6.5 for IELTS Preparation
- C1 or IELTS level 6.5 or higher for all academic courses
Students who have studied at an English speaking school for two or more years are exempt from English requirements.
Yes, all students will be awarded an Oxford Royale Graduation Certificate upon satisfactory completion of the programme. This will be presented in a graduation ceremony on the final evening of the programme. In general, the graduation ceremony is for students only, but in certain cases, it might be possible for parents to attend on request. Due to limited seating and viewing facilities in the colleges, it is essential that parents contact the campus office well in advance to ascertain whether space is available.
All students will be well looked after, and security is carefully monitored on campus.
In order to leave campus students are required to sign out and sign themselves back in with a counsellor, and curfews are enforced on campus. Any issues that arise can be taken up with staff.
Students will also always be accompanied during lessons, trips, and excursions.
It is certainly possible to take more than one programme and combine a variety of study programmes. This can be done by enrolling on two different programmes. For example, you may wish to have two weeks on the Film Academy and then two more weeks on Architecture.
Students staying for two consecutive sessions will be provided with accommodation for the Saturday night, and their campus will provide supervised activities between their first session ending and second session starting. Should you have any queries about how to take more than one programme please do not hesitate to contact us.