Exceptional Summer Pre-College Philosophy Program for Teenagers at Oxford University Campus

Outside of lessons, we are proud to offer a busy and diverse social programme to help you get the most out of your time in Oxford. This includes activities such as punting on the River Cam, zorb football and a murder mystery night in the college. There are also two excursions during the programme, one day trip to visit Oxford and its constituent colleges, as well as an optional day out in London, seeing the city’s most famous landmarks as well as some free time for shopping. Those who choose not to travel to London are invited to afternoon tea in Oxford. Activities and excursions are run by our team of friendly mentors – whose main job is to maximise your enjoyment.

All participants attending our Cambridge/Oxford programmes will reside in central colleges of Cambridge/Oxford University.

All rooms are single occupancy with shared bathroom facilities, typically at a one bathroom ratio per four participants. Some ensuite facilities are available, with priority given to participants with additional needs.

Where bathroom facilities are shared, participants are accommodated by gender on separate corridors. Where ensuite facilities are provided, corridors may be mixed gender.

The accommodation is used by undergraduate students during term time and is therefore designed to support study, rather than cater to luxury. Many of the buildings are over 500 years old and therefore predate air conditioning quite significantly.

All accommodation is secured with a lock, and your key will be provided during registration. Housekeeping staff also have access to your room to replace towels etc.

*A few weeks before their arrival, all participants will be assigned to a college based on their dates and topic preferences.

Meals

Every institution has a customary weekly luncheon known as Formal Hall. Students will be able to dress up and dine by candlelight in the wonderful settings of an Oxford University college dining hall.

As a student, you will have formal dinner three times throughout your stay: once a week in Oxford and once on an excursion day at a Cambridge University college.

Remember to dress up for formal hall because it is a once-in-a-lifetime event.

Pocket Money

Money we recommend that participants bring £80 per week to cover

lunch each day, plus any souvenirs that they may wish to purchase.

Various banks and ATMs are available throughout Oxford, and Visa and

Mastercard are widely accepted.

Outside of lessons, we are proud to offer a busy and diverse social programme to help you get the most out of your time in Oxford. This includes activities such as punting on the River Cam, zorb football and a murder mystery night in the college. There are also two excursions during the programme, one day trip to visit Oxford and its constituent colleges, as well as an optional day out in London, seeing the city’s most famous landmarks as well as some free time for shopping. Those who choose not to travel to London are invited to afternoon tea in Oxford. Activities and excursions are run by our team of friendly mentors – whose main job is to maximise your enjoyment.

Participants should arrive between 2 pm and 5 pm on the first Sunday of the programme. Our team will be ready and waiting to welcome you, register you, and show you to your accommodation. Please note that your accommodation may not be ready until 3pm. 

If you are arriving at London Heathrow Airport, we are able to offer a shared airport transfer service. This is a chaperoned service departing from London Heathrow Airport Terminal 3 and travelling directly to the colleges in Cambridge/Oxford. Do not worry if you will be arriving to any other Heathrow terminal - our dedicated pastoral team will be there to meet you and escort to Terminal 3 for departure to your college

The transfers depart at 11:00, 14:00 and 17:00 on the Sunday of arrivals. On the final Saturday of the programme, the transfers to London Heathrow Airport depart at 07:00 and 12:00. This will be available to book for a fee per journey after enrolment.

Specific details, such as contact numbers, are shared with participants nearer the time of the programme.

If you are arriving at another airport, or by alternative means, further details about arrivals and departures are shared in your Welcome Pack, sent with your confirmation of enrolment.

To book the shared airport transfer service, which will cost £90.00 each way,

Philosophy is a broad subject that permeates many fields across the humanities and social sciences. Students interested in pursuing philosophy will gain an insight into what philosophy at university level entails: from the introduction of new material, writing excellent essays, to forming and defending an argument. The programme, designed and taught by experts from the world’s leading universities, not only introduces the historical context and areas of philosophical discussion but also the theories of famous philosophers who have shaped the thinking for centuries after them.

Learn directly from expert academics from world-class universities

You will explore novel concepts and share ideas in small groups of like-minded and ambitious peers from around the world. In small class sizes averaging 7 students, you will be guided by expert tutors who have honed their expertise through teaching undergraduate students at world-class universities, including the universities of Cambridge, Oxford, and Harvard. Our rigorous vetting process guarantees that all participants are taught by engaging and supportive educators who are, most of all, enthusiastic about sharing their expertise to ensure our summer school teaching is of the highest quality. It is an unrivalled academic experience.

Boost your confidence and develop key attributes in academic skills workshops

Our workshops are geared towards unlocking participants’ potential, giving them the tools to prepare for the next steps of their education and future goals. Build upon existing study skills to support future university-level learning. These workshops explore a diverse and enriching range of topics – past examples have ranged from ‘Productivity tips’ to ’21st Century Technology Skills’. We’re sure that you’ll learn something completely new. Unlike traditional schools, it allows you to learn beyond the traditional curriculum. This programme is designed for students with at least an upper-intermediate level of English (B2).

Example Modules

Origins The Presocratics: In this module, you'll examine the so-called Presocratics, Greek philosophers at the foundation of Western philosophical thought. Instead of relating to god-like entities in Ancient Greece, they looked to the four elements - water, air, fire, and the earth - to explain the nature of existence.

Beyond Truth and Morality Nietzsche: For Friedrich Nietzsche humanity is anything but innocent. In this module, you will examine Nietzsche's notion that what fundamentally drives us is our ‘Will to Power’, our desire to dominate, even to enslave our fellow men. You will also examine how Nietzsche’s views were distorted by 20th-century Nazi propaganda.

The Unconscious Freud: Sigmund Freud claimed that our actions and thoughts are motivated by unconscious plans and desires. In this module, you will explore his belief that one could access the unconscious mind through dream analysis and verbal slips, as well as his tripartite structure of the mind - the id, ego and superego.

Personal Project: This is one of the most exciting parts of the course. In this module, you will get the opportunity to give a presentation on an area of interest in the philosophy programme, engage in discussions with your peers, and receive important feedback from your tutor, an expert in the field of philosophy.

Key Facts

• Average class size is 7
• Maximum class size of 10 students
• 1:1 Career Coaching
• Personal support and guidance for success
• Professional development workshops
• Building essential skills for success
• World-class experience

-Shared airport transfer service, which will cost £90.00 each way,