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Oxford Royale 2024

Oxford Business Summer School

Oxford Royale Summer School

Oxford Business Summer School (Ages 16-18)

Inventing the Future: Business, Innovation & Entrepreneurship

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 in the ‘Inventing the Future Innovation Challenge’.

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.

 

Location Oxford
For Ages 16-18 years
Duration 2 weeks
Price
Start Dates 30 Jun, 14 Jul, 28 Jul
Enrol Today
A Lesson of our Business Summer School

See our Business Programme in Action

Watch our Business Summer School trailer to see how students on the programme in Oxford learnt vital business and entrepreneurship skills in amazing locations. Listen to students and teachers talk about our experienced faculty and the depth of knowledge students gain whilst on the course, and watch students gain confidence whilst presenting on marketing strategies.

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.

Oxford Business & Entrepreneurship Summer School Details

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

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.

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: 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 a group day trip to explore various exciting areas of London.

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 famous Oxford graduation.

An Oxford Royale Graduation Certificate

What's Included

  • Residential on campus in the prestigious colleges of the University of Oxford.

  • Inspiring programmes taught by experts.

  • A truly international environment - over 170 nationalities.

  • Accommodation, breakfast and dinner, tuition and cultural programmes included.

  • Graduation, report cards and certificate.

  • 20+ hours tuition / week.

  • Talks and debates with world-class guest speakers.

  • Inspirational cultural programme, including excursions to historic UK locations.

Watch our video Graduation 2023

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!

Meet Our Faculty

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

Law & Politics

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

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.

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.

Interactive Lectures

Dynamic lectures given by passionate teachers packed with facts and viewpoints to engage the audience.

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.

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.

Our Guest Speakers

Watch our video The Great Debate 2023

Oxford Royale Summer School Guest Speakers 2022
Oxford Royale Summer School Brochures
Oxford Royale Summer School Guest Speakers 2022
Oxford Royale Summer School Guest Speakers 2022
Oxford Royale Summer School Guest Speakers 2022
Oxford Royale Summer School Guest Speakers 2022
Oxford Royale Summer School Guest Speakers 2022

Exciting Activities and Trips

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!

See our exclusive events Night at the Museum

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.

See our exclusive events Ashmolean Museum

Summer school students graduating

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. 

See our exclusive events Oxford Royale Graduation

Punting in Oxford

Feel like a real Oxford student 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.

Visit 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. 

“I didn’t know a lot about business before I came here, so coming to a class like this has taught me so much. Here we talk and give our own takes instead of just being told what to do, and I have learned a lot more than at regular school, gaining perspectives from people from all over the world.”

Benjamin, United States of America

“I have learned so much about how business actually works. I know more about finance, marketing, different strategies for marketing and how to research new elements. The teachers are so helpful, and I really appreciate their help to learn more about the subject.  ”

Sasha, Ukraine

“The quality of the teaching is great, and it is fun to learn while you are making new friends. It gives you the specifics, and it gives you the teaching for what you need to know when it comes to business academics. Definitely come here if you want to learn about business and put a foot forward. The programme has changed my mind about the subject and I am extremely interested in pursuing it now.”

Nadir, Venezuela

Reviews

We have a 4.8 rating based on 769 reviews on Reviews.io.
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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!

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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!

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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

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 Service team, please feel free to contact us.

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.

All programme fees include the following:

  • Classes and tuition
  • Study files/materials
  • Guest lectures by academic speakers
  • Personalised academic reports and graduation certificate
  • Accommodation at a top university
  • Meals in the dining hall of your college, every day of your programme (Meals provided are typically as follows: breakfast, lunch and dinner for ages 13-15; breakfast and dinner for ages 16-18)
  • Free WiFi (subject to availability)
  • A wide selection of afternoon and evening activities
  • Coach excursions (kindly note that excursions can be to local attractions or to sites further afield)
  • Welcome and graduation events
  • A multitude of extras, including an Oxford Royale notebook and branded clothing

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
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.

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