Join students at the Climate, Politics & Global Leadership Summer School, hosted at the prestigious Yale University. Students will tackle the challenges of preserves life on planet earth as they collaborate in small groups to generate solutions to some of the most challenging issues facing humanity. This programme exposes students to how the fields of climate science, politics, law and leadership can work together to beat extinction.
Explore the fields of political science, climate science and international affairs through exciting case studies.
Collaborate with a team of delegates to tackle some of the grand challenges facing your generation as you work to publish the “2025 Accords”—a list of ideas and innovations created by students and their peers. Be inspired by extraordinary global thought leaders and diverse faculty working on the front lines of climate change, water resources, food instability, and wildlife conservation.
| Location | Yale University |
| For Ages | 16-18 years |
| Duration | 2 weeks |
| Price | |
| Course Dates |
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Watch our Racing Extinction trailer to see how students on our programme learnt invaluable leadership skills whilst discussing the biggest issue in the modern world: climate change. Hear directly from students and teachers about the confidence students develop, and how it prepares them to become a leader of the future.
Watch our Summer Courses in Yale trailer to hear from students and teachers about the transformative experiences they had whilst attending programmes in Yale. See the amazing university campus venues of our lessons and parties whilst students speak about their academic learning. Also, hear students on making international friends against the backdrop of their trip to New York.
In designing a programme to prepare the next generation of global leaders, we recognised that our educational offer must have at its heart solutions to climate change as humankind and its environment face unprecedented existential risks. This uniquely interdisciplinary course, drawing together global politics, leadership, and sustainability, offers conscientious young students from all over the world the opportunity to put their heads together in mapping out how we can win the race against extinction.
We pride ourselves on being the world’s most international summer school, having seen students of over 175 nationalities represented since our foundation in 2005. This is ideal for the purposes of this programme, as it allows for rich comparisons and debates surrounding different countries’ approaches to the existential threats posed by climate change, and fosters a spirit of international collaboration. Students will make friends to last a lifetime, and will be able to draw on this unique global network for years to come as they pursue careers in sustainability and development.
We are privileged to work with expert faculty in global sustainability and leadership. Students will benefit from their years of experience, as they partake in a highly interactive and inclusive learning environment which incorporates workshops, seminars, and debates. Tackling wide-ranging issues at the intersection climate change and international government over 20+ hours of intensive tuition per week, they will:
– Critically analyse the aims and methods of different strategies and climate change campaigns, including the Sustainable Development Goals set by the UN
– Confront popular myths about climate change, and address points of global contention through diplomatic debate and dialogue among peers
– Learn how to use research and monitoring methods, including qualitative data, to build a report or proposal for climate action
– Identify different political theories and ideologies from a perspective of climate action
Many of our attendees will be contemplating a career in a variety of high impact sectors. We endeavour to provide them with a solid foundation in both theoretical and practical skills, instilling in them the confidence to pursue their life’s ambitions. Students will:
– Identify and explore roles within high impact sectors, such as climate science, law, government, diplomacy, or sustainable enterprise
– Learn about the role of the business sector in climate action through drafting a sustainable business bid
– Engage in a mock United Nations summit on climate change, and draft their own charter of ‘2025 Yale Accords’ – a list of ideas and innovations to tackle climate change globally
– Study and implement techniques and analytical methods for application in wildlife & biodiversity conservation and management
Global leadership, whether as a politician or a diplomat, a conservationist or a conscientious executive, requires not only expertise in one’s field, but also exceptional interpersonal or ‘soft’ skills. Both inside and outside of the classroom, students will benefit from ample opportunities to hone their leadership abilities – they will:
– Develop public speaking through regular debates, both in academic sessions and as part of our extracurricular debating society
– Practice negotiation and compromise through collaboration with students and professionals from a wide variety of international backgrounds
– Learn from the expertise of headline speakers, all of whom have achieved excellence as leaders in their respective fields
– Master time and project management abilities, whether working alone or as a member of a team towards formative deadlines
Effective learning is only possible through a harmonious balance of work and leisure time. We do our best to deliver students an enjoyable programme of extracurricular activities, so that they’ll have plenty of time to make great memories with their newfound friends. Our attendees will have the opportunity to:
– Enjoy a vibrant social calendar, including karaoke nights, talent shows, and team-building treasure hunts
– Participate in a wide range of sports suitable for all, from young athletes to total beginners
– Benefit from cultural excursions to sites around their campus and university town, including museum visits and walking tours
– Enjoy a thrilling day out to New York
Responding to a need for ecological conscientiousness in politics, this programme prepares the next generation of leaders for responsible government. Students will conduct stakeholder analysis on political organisations and actors – concentrating, naturally, on climate change issues – and learn to design and measure the success of campaigns for sustainability. Our emphasis on dialogue and debate is key to preparing young people to take a fair and diplomatic approach towards global leadership matters.
Following participation in a Racing Extinction UN Mock Summit, for which student-delegates will implement and apply the research and design methods they have studied, attendees will collaborate on formulating a ‘2025 Yale Accords’ charter. They will analyse the issue and current actions, ideate solutions, and offer their unique recommendations, pulling together everything they have learned over the course of the two weeks.
Students will enjoy stepping back from their studies after a day’s hard work and going on culturally enriching excursions around Yale University and New Haven. These will include walking tours, museum trips, cinema trips, and recreational activities such as bowling. Over the mid-programme weekend, students will go on a day-trip to New York, to imbibe quintessential American culture. In previous years, this has involved trips to Statue of Liberty, Times Square, or Central Park.
Students at the world’s top universities work incredibly hard, but make no mistake: they don’t skimp on having fun to reward their efforts. Attendees of our Racing Extinction Summer Programme will be able to let their air 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 followed by a party at an illustrious venue.
Full timetable
To view a full sample timetable of our Climate, Politics, & Global Leadership Summer School, click here.
Typical Day
Week One
The programme will kick off bright and early on Monday with introductory seminars evaluating grand challenges posed by climate change and related sustainability issues, such as global hunger and diminishing water resources. These will continue throughout the week, moving on to cover plans of action across government, policy, economic management, conservation, and sustainable business practices. Students’ academic calendar will be interspersed with enrichment activities such as cultural excursions, study support and life skills workshops, and opportunities to hone public speaking skills through our debating society, meeting in the evenings. The week will wrap up with a Friday night mid-programme party, and over the weekend, students will enjoy an exciting day out to a New York.
Week Two
Week two commences with a focus on practices related to wildlife and conservation, as well as ethical production, which will be sustained through a series of seminars throughout the week. In this time, students will also begin to conduct research towards drafting their ‘2025 Oxford Accords’, meeting in a mock UN Summit ahead of an end-of-course presentation session to determine the precise challenges and contentions their charters must tackle. Over these final days, students will also engage with location-wide events, such as the Oxford Royale Headline Address and the Debate Grand Final. Finally, after presenting on their innovations for the ‘Yale Accords’, attendees will see their hard work rewarded at an illustrious graduation ceremony, followed by a final party where they’ll celebrate in style with their friends.
Residential on the prestigious campus of Yale University
Inspiring programme taught by experts
Graduation ceremony, report cards and graduation certificate
International student community with over 170 nationalities represented since 2004
Accommodation, breakfast and dinner, tuition and cultural programmes included
17.5 hours of tuition per week
Inspirational cultural programmes
Escape ordinary classroom teaching and learn through interactive and immersive lessons.
Hands-on classes designed to help students learn through practical application.
An interactive forum with an expert in the field, giving students valuable insights into related and new topics.
Successful and famous guest speakers offer students the chance to pose their most important questions.
Dynamic lectures given by passionate teachers packed with facts and viewpoints to engage the audience.
Escape ordinary classroom teaching and learn through interactive and immersive lessons.
Essential for honing students' reasoning abilities and public speaking skills.
An opportunity to work closely with, and learn from, different perspectives.
Working in pairs and small groups, students have plenty of opportunity for discussion and debate.
Apply the skills and knowledge gained throughout your two-week programme in an immersive full day simulation event.
Visit New York and experience the excitement of this world-famous city. From landmarks like the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty, to cultural venues like the Museum of Modern Art, and unmissable tourist destinations from Central Park all the way to Broadway!
A guided tour of New Haven will help you feel like a local in this historic university city: as the first planned city in the whole of the US it is easy to navigate, and your guide gives you a chance to see the magnificent Gothic architecture and vibrant local scenery.
Experience history at the Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library, the literary archive of Yale University. One of the largest buildings dedicated to rare books, the library contains more than a million books– a book-lover’s dream!
Celebrate the end of your course in style at your Oxford Royale graduation. Have the chance to dress in your best clothes and receive a certificate that showcases all your hard work during the course, joined with the new friends you’ve made.
“I chose to come to Oxford Royale because I wanted to have a first experience of the subject I wanted to do, and have a first insight into what it’s like to study at university. I love the classes and the teachers are great, and I have met some lifelong friends from all over the world.”Laura, Italy
“I think Oxford Royale has been an absolutely invaluable experience, and it is perfectly exemplified in the slogan of the programme: travel to learn and learn to travel. Meeting new people and living independently has perfectly prepared me for what I will be doing in the years to come.”Quinn, United States of America
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.
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.
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A Welcome Pack is available to download from the Oxford Royale Portal.
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All enrolments require an enrolment fee to secure the booking. For Summer 2025, enrolment fee payments are structured as follows:
Summer Schools for ages 13-18 (University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London and the University of California, Berkeley and Yale University) – £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 amount and then 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 programmefees 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 amount. If you would like to enrol and make your enrolment fee payment 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.
Yes, students will be awarded an Oxford Royale Graduation Certificate in their chosen programme upon satisfactory completion of the programme. This will be presented in a graduation ceremony on the final evening of the programme.
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.
Any cancellation must be received in writing and can only be made on the following terms:
| 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.
