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Oxford Royale 2025

History, Philosophy & Literature Summer School

New for 2025 Oxford History, Philosophy & Literature Summer School

Oxford Royale’s History, Philosophy & Literature Summer School offers a comprehensive journey through centuries of history and philosophy, exploring the key ideas, thinkers, and events that shaped our world. From the classical period to the modern day, students will examine how philosophical ideas influenced historical progress, with an insight into how writers captured the zeitgeist of their time.

Through studying influential figures like Aristotle, Nietzsche, and Rousseau, our students will see how history, philosophy, and literature intersect to create meaning. By encouraging critical discussion and creative thinking, this course helps students develop a nuanced understanding of how past thought shaped the world we live in today.

Location Oxford
For Ages 16-18 years
Duration 2 weeks
Dates & Prices
  • 6th Jul - 19th Jul

    £6,995
  • 20th Jul - 2nd Aug

    £6,995
Enrol Today

Oxford History, Philosophy & Literature Summer School

Ideal for students fascinated by how historical events, philosophy, and literature are deeply interconnected, and want to develop the key skills to pursue a degree or career in these humanities subjects.

Gain insights into pivotal historical events and philosophical movements spanning centuries, providing a fascinating two weeks of study.

Develop critical reading, argumentation, and public speaking skills essential for studying humanities at a higher level, especially top universities including the University of Oxford.

Participate in lively discussions and debates that sharpen the ability to articulate ideas clearly and confidently. Learn alongside – and from – a diverse mix of international peers.

Explore key historical turning points like the Reformation, Revolutions, and World Wars in relation to philosophical thought.

Study major philosophical topics such as logic, epistemology, metaphysics, ethics, metaethics, and ontology, topics usually found at an undergraduate level of study.

Enhance critical thinking and argumentation skills through debates, presentations, and writing assignments.

A city that has inspired some of the greatest minds in history, and has been at the centre of academic thought for centruries, Oxford is the perfect place to be immersed in history and philosophy. Explore countless museums and libraries, and visit scenic sights that inspired authors like Lewis Carroll, J R R Tolkein and CS Lewis.

Find a sample timetable here.

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.

Learn from experts

Whatever your motivation, our exceptional, inspiring, world-leading teachers can help you achieve more this summer.

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 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.

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.

Exciting Activities & 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!

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.

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. 

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.

Independent and Verified Reviews

4.8 / 5 from 867 reviews

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.

Booking your place is simple and can be done online using our secure booking system

What you’ll need to book:

  • Student details
  • Payment details (debit/credit card or alternative method)
  • The name of your chosen programme(s)

After booking:

  • You will receive an email confirmation once your deposit has been processed.
  • A login to the Oxford Royale Portal will be provided, where you can:
    • Access all details about your enrolment.
    • Submit important information to keep us up to date.

For any questions or assistance, our Admissions Team is happy to help.

Deposit & Payment Options:

  • A deposit of £1295 GBP per 2-week session is required to secure your booking.
  • You can either:
    • Pay the full programme fee at the time of booking, OR
    • Pay the deposit and settle the balance later.
  • The balance must be paid no later than 90 days before the start date.
  • If booking within 90 days of the programme start date, full payment is required.
  • If you prefer to pay your deposit by bank transfer or another method, please contact our Admissions Team who will be able to assist you.

We accept multiple payment methods to make the process easy:

  • Debit or credit card (required for online applications)
  • Bank transfer (contact our Admissions Team to arrange alternative payment methods)
  • Oxford Royale Portal (For balance payments for existing enrolments, login and click ‘Pay Now’ to complete balance payments)

Your fees cover everything you need for a rich academic and extracurricular experience, including: 

  • Classes and tuition with expert tutors
  • Study materials
  • Guest lectures by academic speakers
  • Accommodation on campus at a top university
  • Meals in the college dining hall:
    • Ages 12-15: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
    • Ages 16-18: Breakfast and dinner
  • Free WiFi
  • Activities and excursions
  • Welcome and graduation events
  • Graduation certificate and report
  • Oxford Royale merchandise
  • Access to Future Ready online masterclasses

You can request changes to your booking, including switching subjects or changing dates, but all changes are subject to availability.

  • To request a change, contact our Admissions Team as soon as possible.
  • Changes made less than 60 days before the programme start date may be harder to accommodate.
  • If a change is not possible, our team will discuss alternative options with you.

For assistance, please reach out to our Admissions Team.

Any cancellation must be received in writing and can only be made on the following terms:

  • No refund of the deposit 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 deposit will be proportionally refunded as per the table below:
Period Before Start Date Total Refunded (excluding enrolment fee)
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.

For full information regarding cancellation and refund terms, please see our full terms and conditions, and please contact us if you have any questions.

Our English language requirements are as follows:

  • B1 for Learn English programmes
  • B2 for IELTS Preparation
  • C1 or IELTS level 6.5 or higher for all academic programmes

Students who have studied at an English speaking school for two or more years are exempt from English requirements.

Yes! All students who successfully complete their programme will be awarded an Oxford Royale Graduation Certificate.

  • The certificate will be presented at a graduation ceremony on the final evening of the programme.
  • Graduation ceremonies are primarily for students, but in some cases, parents may attend upon request.

Due to limited seating, parents must contact the campus office well in advance to check availability.

All students will be well looked after, and security is carefully monitored on campus. Our campuses are only accessible to our students, with one entry point that is staffed 24/7.

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.

Yes! You can enrol in multiple programmes to explore a variety of subjects.

  • Students attending consecutive sessions will receive accommodation for the Saturday night between programmes.
  • Supervised activities will be arranged during the transition between sessions.

If you have any questions about combining programmes, please contact our Admissions Team for guidance.