12 Programs in Oxford, England for High School Students
Structured academic programs can be a useful option if you’re a high school student looking to explore subjects beyond your standard coursework. They allow you to study advanced topics while building skills and learning alongside peers and instructors in a more focused academic setting. You can also use these experiences to better understand your interests across fields such as medicine, computer science, engineering, law, economics, and the humanities.
Why should you attend a program in Oxford, England?
Oxford is home to universities and academic organizations that offer programs designed specifically for high school students, giving you a chance to experience a new academic environment. Depending on the program, you might attend lecture-style classes, work on subject-specific projects, or take part in discussions and activities that reflect university-level study. These opportunities can be worth considering, whether you are based in the UK or an international student looking to study in a different setting.
Below, we have narrowed down a list of 12 programs in Oxford for high school students.
If you are looking for free online programs, check out our blog here.
1. Immerse Education’s Academic Insights Pathway
Location: Oxford, Cambridge, Singapore, Sydney, Toronto, and Boston
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: 2 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students aged 13-18 currently enrolled in middle or high school
The Academic Insights Program provides school students with an opportunity to take undergraduate-level classes at universities around the world. Participants work with academics from universities like Oxford, Cambridge, and Harvard in classes of 4-10 students. They attend university-style lectures and 1:1 weekly sessions with their tutor. The program includes practical experiences such as dissections in medicine, building robotic arms in engineering, and moot courts in law. Students can choose from over 20 subjects, including biology, artificial intelligence, business management, computer science, economics, medicine, philosophy, and more. By the end of the program, they complete a personal project and receive written feedback and a certificate of completion. You can find more details about the application here.
2. Oxford University Year 12 Summer School Physics
Location: University of Oxford, England
Cost: None
Dates: July 28 - August 1
Eligibility: Year 12 students at non-fee-paying schools, living in Oxfordshire, Berkshire, or Buckinghamshire
Deadline: June 4
The Oxford University Year 12 Physics Summer School is a week-long, in-person programme designed for local A-level students to experience academic and professional life within Oxford’s Physics Department. Replacing traditional work experience, the programme immerses you in research-led projects alongside physicists, technicians, and departmental teams, complemented by lab exposure, sample lectures, career talks, and departmental tours. Alongside the general Physics Summer School, a smaller Quantum Experience track introduces selected students to quantum physics through tutorials, lab work, coding, and visits to quantum technology organisations. The week concludes with you presenting your work through poster presentations, offering a realistic glimpse into physics study and research pathways.
3. UNIQ Oxford University Access Programme
Location: University of Oxford, England
Cost: Free
Dates: June 29 - July 31 (one-week residential within this window)
Eligibility: UK state-school students in Year 12 (England & Wales), Year 13 (Northern Ireland), or S5 (Scotland), prioritising students from underrepresented educational and socioeconomic backgrounds
Deadline: January 13
UNIQ is a fully funded access programme run by the University of Oxford for high-achieving UK state-school students from underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds who are considering applying to university. The programme combines a one-week, subject-specific residential in Oxford with a sustained online academic component, giving you first-hand exposure to university teaching, college life, and application guidance. Through academic sessions, mentoring, and skills workshops, UNIQ is designed to build confidence, demystify Oxford, and support you in making informed decisions about higher education - particularly if you don’t see Oxford as an accessible option.
4. Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) Work Experience Programme
Location: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Oxfordshire, UK
Cost/Stipend: Not specified (no programme fee mentioned)
Dates: 1-2 weeks between June 29 and July 24
Eligibility: Students in full-time education in Years 10-13 (England & Wales), S4-S6 (Scotland), or Years 11-14 (Northern Ireland), attending UK schools
Deadline: February 28
The Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) Work Experience Programme offers UK-based secondary school students the opportunity to take part in short, on-site scientific and technical placements at one of the UK’s leading national research laboratories. You apply to individual projects and gain exposure to real research environments across science, engineering, and technology, working alongside professionals while developing an understanding of how large-scale research facilities operate. The programme is designed as a practical introduction to STEM careers rather than a training course, and you are expected to manage daily travel or local accommodation during your placement.
5. Brown Experiential Education: Oxford (Biotechnology)
Location: Oxford, England (with field visits in London)
Cost: Paid programme (fee not publicly listed)
Dates: July 6-17
Eligibility: Students completing grades 10-12; ages 16-18 by June
Deadline: Not specified (rolling admissions likely)
Brown Experiential Education’s Oxford programme is a 12-day immersive experience that introduces high school students to the foundations of biotechnology in one of the world’s most influential research hubs. Based in Oxford with a dedicated day in London, the programme traces how scientific ideas move from university labs to biotech companies and clinical settings. Through interactive classes, expert conversations, and site visits to research institutes, hospitals, and innovation hubs, you explore topics such as genetics, CRISPR, cancer immunotherapy, and the growing role of AI and machine learning in medicine. The programme emphasises scientific literacy, critical thinking, and practical context while offering a collaborative academic environment rooted in Oxford’s historic and modern scientific landscape.
6. Oxford Saïd Teen Leadership Summer Academy
Location: Oxford, England
Cost: £8,995
Dates: July 18 - July 31 (14 days)
Eligibility: Students aged 15-18
Deadline: Not specified
The Oxford Saïd Teen Leadership Summer Academy is a two-week residential programme designed for high school students interested in leadership, entrepreneurship, and future-facing skills. Hosted in Oxford, the academy combines academic sessions with cultural immersion, introducing you to core leadership themes such as artificial intelligence, negotiation, public speaking, and ethical decision-making. Through lectures, workshops, and group projects, you explore how leadership functions in real organisational and social contexts, while gaining exposure to university-style learning and student life in Oxford. The programme emphasises confidence-building, collaboration, and practical communication skills.
7. St. Claire’s Oxford
Location: Oxford, UK (North Oxford campus) or Merrist Wood, Surrey (near London)
Cost/Stipend: Varies by course and duration
Dates: June-August (multiple 2-week intakes)
Eligibility: Students aged 15-17
Deadline: Check the website for details
These summer courses are designed for international teenagers aged 15-17 who want a structured academic experience in the UK, combining classroom learning with cultural exposure. Programmes are offered in Oxford, on a dedicated international school campus, and at the Merrist Wood campus in Surrey, set in the English countryside near London. You can choose from academic and English-language subjects, including Business, Science, Art, Leadership, and exam preparation, with teaching that emphasises interaction, small class sizes, and applied learning. Alongside academics, the programme includes supervised activities, excursions to UK cities and landmarks, and pastoral support within a residential setting.
8. Oxford Saïd Teen Leadership Summer Academy
Location: Oxford, England
Cost: £8,995
Dates: July 18 - July 31 (14 days)
Eligibility: Students aged 15-18
Deadline: Not specified
The Oxford Saïd Teen Leadership Summer Academy is a two-week residential programme designed for high school students interested in leadership, entrepreneurship, and future-facing skills. Hosted in Oxford, the academy combines academic sessions with cultural immersion, introducing you to core leadership themes, including artificial intelligence, negotiation, public speaking, and ethical decision-making. Through lectures, workshops, and group projects, you explore how leadership functions in real organisational and social contexts, while gaining exposure to university-style learning and student life in Oxford. The programme emphasises confidence-building, collaboration, and practical communication skills.
9. AI & Computer Science Summer Course (Oxford)
Location: St Hilda’s College, Oxford
Cost: £3,195 per week (fully inclusive)
Dates: Starts 30 June or 14 July (2 or 4 weeks)
Eligibility: Students aged 15-17; minimum English level B2
Deadline: Not specified
This pre-university summer course offers students a focused introduction to computer science and artificial intelligence within a university-style academic environment in Oxford. Taught at an undergraduate foundation level, the programme combines core computing concepts with hands-on learning in areas such as programming, algorithms, robotics, computer vision, and cybersecurity. You work in small groups under expert tutors, applying theory through coding challenges and collaborative projects that culminate in a final applied assignment. Alongside academics, you live on an Oxford college campus and take part in supervised excursions, making this a strong option if you’re looking to experience UK university-level study in computer science and AI.
10. Oxford Scholars Programme
Location: Oxford, England
Cost: £6,499 (OSP Experience Fee)
Dates: 2-15 August
Eligibility: Students aged 14-18
Deadline: Not specified
The Oxford Scholars Programme (OSP) is a selective two-week summer programme designed for ambitious students aged 14-18 who want to explore depth in academics, leadership, and global perspectives in an Oxford setting. Bringing together just 100 scholars from around the world, the programme combines rigorous learning, structured discussions, and collaborative projects with a strong emphasis on personal growth and confidence-building. With a close scholar-to-staff ratio, OSP is best suited for students who thrive in intellectually driven, discussion-led environments and seek a serious academic summer experience rather than a casual camp.
11. British American Drama Academy (BADA) Midsummer Conservatory Program
Location: St Hilda’s College, Oxford, England
Cost: $7,100 (Tuition $3,675 + Accommodation & meals $3,425; excludes $55 application fee)
Dates: 11 July - 1 August
Eligibility: Students aged 16-18
Deadline: Not specified
The BADA Midsummer Conservatory Programme is a prestigious three-week residential acting intensive for students aged 16-18, hosted at Oxford University’s St Hilda’s College. Designed for committed young performers, the programme offers conservatory-style training focused on Shakespeare, combining acting, voice, and movement with close textual analysis. You learn directly from industry professionals through masterclasses, one-to-one tutorials, and cultural context sessions, while theatre excursions provide exposure to professional Shakespearean performance. You should consider exploring this program if you’re seriously considering drama school or acting training and looking for a rigorous, immersive introduction to conservatory life.
12. Faculty of Global Leadership
Location: Oxford, UK
Cost: £6,695 (2 weeks, residential); £13,390 (4 weeks, residential); non-residential options available
Dates: Jul-August (multiple 2-week and 4-week sessions)
Eligibility: High school students
Deadline: Not specified
The Faculty of Global Leadership is an academic summer programme focused on developing leadership, communication, and global awareness in high school students. The curriculum combines elements of international relations, public policy, and leadership studies, with a strong emphasis on applied learning. A core component of the programme is the Time to Shine project, where you research a real global challenge and present a structured strategy to address it, building confidence in public speaking and persuasive communication. Through guided presentations, discussions, and project work, you strengthen your ability to articulate ideas clearly while engaging with global issues that extend beyond the classroom.
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