Oxford University Summer School for Adults

Programme overview

The Oxford University Summer School for Adults (OUSSA) is a residential summer programme held at Rewley House central Oxford, offering sixty week-long accredited courses for adult learners (18 years and over) covering a wide range of subjects in Literature, Archaeology, Architectural History, Creative Writing, History of Art, Philosophy, Biological Sciences, Theology and Psychology.

A breakdown of our courses for each week in 2023 can be found using the following links:

Programme features

Participants are taught in small seminar groups of up to 12 students, and receive two one-on-one tutorials with their tutor.

During the course you will:

Participate in classes taught by tutors with a proven background in adult education
Gain experience of studying at university level
Develop new skills
Have access to on-site library and IT facilities to support you with your academic work
Be part of a diverse student body encompassing a wide range and many nationalities
Experience a friendly and supportive learning environment
Have the opportunity to attend guest lectures and participate in social events

Listen to what students have to say in the video, below:

Programme timetable

The daily timetable will normally be as follows:

Saturdays

14.00–16.30 - Registration

16.30–17.00 - Orientation meeting

17.00–17.30 - Classroom orientation for tutor and students

17.30–18.00 - Drinks reception

18.00–20.00 - Welcome dinner

Sundays – Fridays

09.00–10.30 - Seminar

10.30–11.00 - Tea/coffee break

11.00–12.30 - Seminar

12.30–13.30 - Lunch

13.30–18.00 - Afternoons are free for tutorials, individual study, course-related field trips or exploring the many places of interest in and around Oxford.

18.00–19.00 - Dinner

**There is a formal gala dinner on Fridays to close each week of the programme**

Social programme

A range of optional social events will be offered throughout the summer school. These are likely to include: a quiz night, visit to historic pubs in Oxford, visit to Christ Church for Evensong and after-dinner talks and discussions.

Beyond the summer school, Oxford is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city with a busy cultural and social scene offering a wide variety of plays and shows, concerts, films and exhibitions.

Coursework

Participants are required to undertake preparatory reading and complete a pre-course assignment of 1,000 words. Although this does not count towards credit, it is seen as an important way of developing your ideas and is mandatory. The pre-course assignment is typically due in the first week of June.

You will be assessed during the summer school by either a 1,500 word written assignment or a presentation supported by individual documentation. Participants will attend two one-on-one tutorials with their tutor during the week.

All summer school courses are taught through group seminars (12 during the week) and individual tutorials (2 during the week). Students also conduct private study when not being taught and there is a well stocked library at OUDCE to support individual research interests.

Accreditation

OUSSA is an accredited summer school taught at undergraduate level; each one-week course carries 10 CATS (Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme) points at FHEQ (Framework for Higher Education Qualification) Level 4. Credit is awarded by the Board of Studies of Oxford University Department for Continuing Education.

To successfully gain credit (10 CATS points) students should attend all classes and complete the on-course assignment. Students will receive a transcript of the amount awarded. Replacement transcripts are available for a nominal sum.

Learn more about CATS points.

Credit earned from OUSSA is transferable towards our award programme, the Certificate of Higher Education - a part-time undergraduate course in which you study a main subject discipline, but also undertake study in other academic subjects.

Accommodation

Click here for more details about our accomodation.

Please note that twin rooms are only available on a shared occupancy basis. If you wish to book a twin room each person should complete an application form and email it to us at oussa@conted.ox.ac.uk as these rooms cannot be booked online. (Forms may also be posted to us at: OUSSA, OUDCE, 1 Wellington Square, Oxford, OX1 2JA, UK)

If you need a room on a ground or lower floor please indicate this on your application, or contact the programme administrator prior to your arrival.

Non-residential

We also offer places on a non-residential basis whereby participants can take classes and have meals (lunch and dinner) at Rewley House, having arranged their own accommodation elsewhere.

Disabled participants (including those with mobility difficulties)

Disabled students who have registered or are planning to attend OUSSA summer programme with OUDCE should please contact the Programme Administrator, via email at oussa@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 oussa@conted.ox.ac.uk to request any accommodations they need in this regard. There is a special access ramp and a self-contained bedroom suite on the ground floor, equipped for use by people with mobility problems with an adjoining room for carers. Two public disabled parking bays provided by Oxford City Council are situated on Wellington Square close to the Department. If you need this accessible room, please indicate 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.

How to apply

Most courses fill quickly so early registration is strongly recommended. 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.

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

Single accommodation and non-residential places may be booked online by clicking on the “Book now” button in the “Course details” box at the top right-hand side of the course page.

Those requiring twin or double accommodation should complete an application form as these rooms cannot be booked online.

Online enrolments require payment in full at the time of registering.

Those who do not wish to register online or who have specific requirements (e.g. the accessible bedroom) should contact the Programme Administrator directly at oussa@conted.ox.ac.uk or OUSSA, OUDCE, 1 Wellington Square, Oxford, OX1 2JA, UK

English language requirements

If English is not your first language you must supply suitable evidence (an original certificate that is not more than two years old and issued by a responsible body) before we will offer you a place. The University recognises only certain English tests including IELTS, TOEFL, and Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency. More details about the language requirements can be found here.

Student visas

We welcome international students on all our courses however, it is the responsibility of successful applicants to ensure that they conform to UK immigration law. Guidance and information about international student visas can be found here.

Payments

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

Details of fees can be found on each individual course page. Tuition and meals are included in the programme fee, with both residential and non-residential options available.

Course change administration fee: Please note that course transfers may be permitted in exceptional circumstances; however, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions, an administration fee of £50 will be charged.

Please be aware that all payments (and refunds) are subject to exchange rates at the time of processing.

Payment terms

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

Funding

Concessionary rates are available on a non-residential basis for those that qualify, more information can be found here

Unfortunately we do not offer any specific scholarships or funding opportunities for OUSSA programme, but you can visit our departmental funding webpage, where you may be able to find a particular source of funding that matches your requirements alongside meeting the funding criteria.

Cancellations and refunds

1. Cancellation by you

Participants who wish to cancel must inform the Programme Administrator in writing: by email to oussa@conted.ox.ac.uk or by post to OUSSA, 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 – OUDCE will retain an administration fee of £100 per week booked; 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.

2. Cancellation by us

OUDCE 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 this course 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

The Department 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. You are advised to check cancellation policies carefully and to purchase travel insurance.