Inspiring Oxford Summer School

​*Online enrolment for Inspiring Oxford has now closed however we may be able to accept late enrolments on some courses. Please contact summercourses@conted.ox.ac.uk for more information.*

Programme overview

Experience the University of Oxford this summer as a participant on our Inspiring Oxford summer programme. With seven exciting courses to choose from, you will have the opportunity to stay and study in historic Merton College, Oxford. This new one-week programme is aimed at non-specialists aged 18 and above. 

You will have two small group seminars each weekday morning in the course option of your choice, followed by a plenary lecture before lunch. Afternoons are free to explore the many places of interest in and around Oxford or participate in the programme's optional social activities. 

Programme dates are Sunday 2 - Saturday 8 July 2023.

Course options

Participants choose one course, which they study in detail with their tutor and seminar group:

Plenary lectures

All participants attend the plenary lectures:

Programme

All courses are pitched at an introductory level for those aged 18 and above, and no prior knowledge is required. Classes of up to 16 participants study in small groups taught by highly experienced tutors. While you may want to complete a small amount of pre-course reading, you will not be required to produce any written work during the week.

The course fee includes ten 70-minute small group seminars and four 45-minute plenary lectures, each followed by a question-and-answer session, on Oxford-themed topics.

Social programme 

Inspiring Oxford warmly invites all participants take part in our social programme, with all events provided at no additional cost. 

Optional social activites include:

  • Welcome drinks reception;
  • Guided walking tour of Merton College;
  • Chauffeured punting, leaving from Magdalen Bridge Boathouse;
  • Walking tour of Oxford: choice of themed tour led by expert local guides;
  • Visit to Blenheim Palace including afternoon tea at Clementine's on the lawn;
  • Private String Quartet Afternoon Concert;
  • Croquet evening;
  • Invitation to join programme director and tutors on high table one evening;
  • Farewell drinks reception and gala dinner.

Closing reception, presentation of certificates and gala farewell dinner

We invite you to join us for the presentation of your certificates and a glass of wine on the Sundial Lawn before enjoying a gala farewell dinner in the beautiful surroundings of Merton College's dining hall. For this special occasion formal dress is encouraged.

Accommodation and meals

During your course you will stay in typical Oxford student accommodation at Merton College, in buildings with views of award-winning gardens and historic quadrangles. All rooms come with a workspace, tea and coffee-making facilities, and complimentary wi-fi. Please note that bedrooms are modestly-furnished and do not have air-conditioning. 360º views of accommodation and dining areas can be found on the Merton College website.

The following types of accommodation are available:

  • Single en suite
  • Twin en suite

En suite rooms include private bathroom facilities (shower, washbasin and toilet). All twin rooms are shared between participants that apply to the programme together, and cannot be booked by individuals.

Please note that only single accommodation may be booked online; those requiring twin accommodation should complete an enrolment form (see ‘Application’).

Please note that Merton College rooms do not have lift access, and the higher rooms can be located up a few flights of stairs. If you need a room on a ground or lower floor please indicate this either online or on your enrolment form, or contact the programme administrator directly at summercourses@conted.ox.ac.uk prior to your arrival.

We regret that we are unable to offer accommodation at Merton College prior to or following your course. Family or friends who are not enrolled in the programme cannot be accommodated in college.

Meals and morning refreshments

The course fee includes breakfasts Monday-Saturday, four weekday lunches, one afternoon tea, and served dinners Sunday-Friday. All meals are taken in Merton’s historic dining hall, contructed in 1277.

Breakfast

A self-service buffet style breakfast is provided offering a range of hot and cold options.

Refreshments

Tea, coffee and biscuits are served during the morning breaks.

Lunch/afternoon tea

A two-course self-service lunch is provided in the college dining hall on four days. An afternoon tea will be served in lieu of lunch during the visit to Blenheim Palace.

Dinner

A two-course served dinner is provided in the college dining hall.

High table dinner

On one evening, you will receive an invitation to join the programme director and tutors on high table. Formal dress is encouraged.

Daily timetable

The programme schedule, subject to change, will be as follows:

Sunday 2 July

12:00-17:00 - Registration
17:00-17:30 - Orientation meeting
17:30-18:30 - Merton College & Gardens Tour
18:30 - Welcome drinks reception & Dinner

Monday 3 July, Tuesday 4 July, Thursday 6 July

08:00-08:45 - Breakfast
09:00-10:10 - Seminar
10:10-10:30 - Refreshment break
10:30-11:40 - Seminar
11:50-12:50 - Lecture
13:00-14:00 - Lunch
14:00-18:00 - Optional Afternoon Activity 
18:00-19:30 - Dinner

Wednesday 5 July

08:00-08:45 - Breakfast
09:00-10:10 - Seminar
10:10-10:30 - Refreshment break
10:30-11:40 - Seminar
12:00-17:00 - Visit to Blenheim Palace, including afternoon tea at 12:30
18:00-19:30 - Dinner

Friday 7 July

08:00-08:45 - Breakfast
09:00-10:10 - Seminar
10:10-10:30 - Refreshment break
10:30-11:40 - Seminar
11:50-12:50 - Lecture
13:00-14:00 - Lunch
18:00-18:30 - Farewell drinks reception
18:30-21:00 - Gala farewell dinner and presentation of certificates

Saturday 8 July

08.00-09.00 - Breakfast
Before 10.00 - Vacate rooms

Fees and supplements

Programme fees

All fees are charged on a per week, per person basis.

  • Single en suite accommodation and meals: £2200.00 per person;
  • Twin en suite accommodation and meals: £2050.00 per person.

Supplementary costs

Course change administration fee: Please note that course transfers may be permitted in exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the programme administrator, up to 1 May 2023. In accordance with our Terms and Conditions, an administration fee of £50 will be charged.

Please be aware that all payments made via non-UK credit/debit cards and bank accounts are subject to the exchange rate on the day they are processed.

Funding

Please note there are no sources of funding (scholarships, bursaries, etc.) available for applicants.

Payment terms

  • If enrolling online: full payment by credit/debit card at the time of booking.
  • If submitting an enrolment form: full payment online by credit/debit card or via bank transfer within 30 days of invoice date.

Disabled participants (including those with mobility difficulties)

Disabled students who have registered or are planning to attend a college-based summer school with the Department should please contact the Programme Administrator, via email at summercourses@conted.ox.ac.uk, to discuss any support needs.

Students with a mobility impairment can consult the University Access Guide and should contact the programme administrator at summercourses@conted.ox.ac.uk to request any accommodations they need in this regard. Please note that Merton College bedrooms do not have lift access, and the higher rooms can be located up a few flights of stairs. If you need a room on a ground or lower floor please indicate this on your enrolment form, or contact the Programme Administrator prior to your arrival.

If you would like more information about support available to students with disabilities, please see: www.conted.ox.ac.uk/about/students-with-disabilities.

Please note that the optional 'Chauffeured Punting' activity, is not recommended for those who experience difficulties while walking. 

Application

Please note the programme is open to those over the age of 18.

Single accommodation may be booked online by clicking on the green 'Book now' button in the 'Course details' box at the top right-hand side of each course page.

Those requiring twin accommodation should complete an enrolment form, as these rooms cannot be booked online.

If your preferred course is fully booked, you may wish to add yourself to the waiting list and the Programme Administrator will contact you should a place become available.

Cancellations and refunds

1. Cancellation by you

Participants who wish to cancel must inform the Programme Administrator in writing: by email to summercourses@conted.ox.ac.uk, or by post to Inspiring Oxford, OUDCE, 1 Wellington Square, OXFORD, OX1 2JA, UK.

The following cancellation and refund policy applies in all cases:

  • Cancellation within 14 days of online enrolment / payment of fees – full refund of all fees paid.
  • Cancellations received up to and including 30 April 2023 – the Department (OUDCE) will retain an administration fee of £100; all other fees paid will be refunded.
  • Cancellations received between 1-31 May 2023 – OUDCE will retain 60% of the fees paid; the remaining 40% of fees paid will be refunded.
  • Cancellations received on and after 1 June 2023 – no refunds will be made under any circumstances.

Where course fees have been paid in currencies other than pounds sterling, refunds will be subject to the exchange rate on the day they are processed.

2. Cancellation by us

The Department reserves the right to cancel a course where there is good reason, for example, if exceptionally low enrolment would make it educationally unviable. In these cases we will refund the course fees that you have already paid. If we cancel a course, our liability is limited to the fees that we have received from you; this means that we will not compensate you for any pre-booked travel costs or any other expenses incurred.

Where course fees have been paid in currencies other than pounds sterling, refunds will be subject to the exchange rate on the day they are processed.

The status of all courses will be reviewed on 1 May 2023. If it is likely that the course may be cancelled, all those affected will be notified by email within 7 days; if you have not heard from OUDCE by 8 May 2023, you should assume that your course will be running. You may wish to delay finalising your travel arrangements until after this date.

3. Travel insurance

All participants need to purchase travel insurance to cover the programme fee, travel costs, and any other expenses incurred. OUDCE cannot be held responsible for any costs you may incur in relation to travel or accommodation bookings as a result of a course cancellation, or if you are unable to attend the course for any other reason.