The Oxford Arts Summer Schools offer a unique opportunity for individuals aged 18 to 25 to engage deeply with the arts in an academically rigorous environment. Hosted by esteemed institutions such as Lady Margaret Hall University of Oxford, Oxford Royale, and Oxford Summer Courses, these programs are designed to foster creative and critical thinking through a diverse range of artistic disciplines. Participants will benefit from expert instruction and access to the rich cultural heritage of Oxford, enhancing both their artistic skills and intellectual development.
Oxford offers a focused set of Arts summer programmes for Adults, providing early exposure to structured study and subject-specific development.
The teaching approach in Oxford’s arts summer schools emphasizes critical engagement and interdisciplinary exploration. Instructors often draw upon their extensive experience in the arts, fostering an environment where students can delve deeply into various themes, from contemporary practices to historical contexts. This contrasts with traditional school settings, where curricula may be more rigid and less focused on collaborative inquiry. Students are encouraged to challenge conventions, articulate their perspectives, and engage with complex ideas, cultivating not just technical skills but also intellectual curiosity and creative thinking.
The structure of these summer schools typically features a blend of lectures, seminars, and hands-on workshops, allowing for a dynamic learning environment. Students often find themselves immersed in discussions that foster peer interaction and collaborative projects. Independent work is commonly encouraged, challenging participants to apply their learning outside of structured class time. Such an approach not only enhances understanding but also promotes a sense of ownership over the educational journey, leading to a rich and fulfilling overall experience.
Targeted at young adults aged 18 to 25, these summer schools cater to individuals in a formative stage of their artistic and academic development. Participants typically seek to refine their skills, explore new mediums, or deepen their understanding of artistic concepts. The programmes are designed to accommodate diverse backgrounds and experience levels, fostering an inclusive atmosphere where all students can thrive.
Oxford’s arts summer schools stand out due to their rich historical context and vibrant cultural milieu. Unlike many other programmes, they benefit from the city’s long-standing association with literature, art, and academia, infusing the learning experience with a sense of place and inspiration. The opportunity to study in such an intellectually stimulating environment, surrounded by centuries of artistic heritage, offers students a unique backdrop that enhances their educational experience and personal growth.
Fees vary by provider and course.
When you’re ready, you can browse providers or compare courses that match your interests.
Last updated: 27/01/2026
| Course | Provider | Subject | Location | Duration | Fees | Short Description | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Film Academy for ages 12-15 (Oxford) | Oxford Royale | Media, Arts, Creative Writing | Oxford | 2 weeks | 6995 | Create, edit, and screen your own short film at the Oxford Summer School Film Academy for ages 12-15. Using professional equipment and Final Cut Pro, you’ll learn screenwriting, storyboarding, filming, and editing on location in Oxford. | View |
| Creative Writing (16-17 years old) | Oxford Summer Courses | Creative Writing, Arts, Humanities | Oxford | 2 Weeks | 6995 | The Creative Writing summer school at Oxford Summer Courses, designed for 16-17 years old students, provides tutorials and is priced from £6,995. | View |
| Film Academy for ages 16-18 (Oxford) | Oxford Royale | Arts, Media, Creative Writing | Oxford | 2 weeks | 6995 | Create, edit, and screen your own short film at the Oxford Summer School Film Academy for ages 16-18. Use professional HD cameras and editing tools like Final Cut Pro, and learn screenwriting, storyboarding, and location scouting in historic Oxford. | View |
| Photography MINOR ONLY (The Oxford Experience) | Oxbridge Academic Programs | Arts, Media, Creative Writing, Design | Oxford | 4 weeks | $12,495 | Photographers of all levels of expertise spend much of their time in the field, pursuing assignments designed to improve their landscape, portraiture, art, and fashion photography skills. Students exhibit their best work at the end of the program. | View |
| Architecture in Oxford for Ages 13-15 | Immerse Education | Architecture, Arts, Design, Humanities | Oxford | 2+ weeks | 7495 | Begin your architectural journey in Oxford, where centuries of design inspire future innovators. | View |
| Art and Digital Design in Oxford (15-17 years old) | St Clares | Art, Arts, Design | Oxford | 2 Weeks | 3575 | Improve your Art and Digital Design skills this summer | View |
| Architecture, Heritage, and Urban Planning | Lady Margaret Hall University of Oxford | Architecture, Arts, Humanities, History | Oxford | 3 Weeks | 4384 | How can we see cities and their buildings as a means of understanding history and society? In this course you will examine the everyday built environments of cities in Britain (and beyond). | View |
| Art History (16-17 years old) | Oxford Summer Courses | Art, Arts, Humanities | Oxford | 2 Weeks | 6995 | The Art History summer school at Oxford Summer Courses, designed for 16-17 years old students, provides tutorials and is priced from £6,995. | View |
| Creative Writing (Adults) | Oxford Royale | Creative Writing, Arts, Literature, Drama, Media, Business, Marketing | Oxford | 2 weeks | 6995 | Immerse yourself in creative writing at an historic Oxford college, exploring novels, speculative fiction, drama, and poetry. Learn from expert faculty and professional writers, studying genres from modern dystopian fiction to Shakespeare and the Romantics. | View |
| Jane Austen: Literature and Legacy | Lady Margaret Hall University of Oxford | Literature, Arts, Humanities | Oxford | 3 Weeks | 4384 | A moderately successful author in her own lifetime, Jane Austen has since become a global phenomenon: her writings are now read the world over and successive generations of readers have been captivated by her innovative fusion of romance and reality. Why do Austen’s novels continue to resonate so deeply across the centuries? | View |
| Architecture (16-17 years old) | Oxford Summer Courses | Architecture, Arts, Design | Oxford | 2 Weeks | 6995 | The Architecture summer school at Oxford Summer Courses, designed for 16-17 years old students, provides tutorials and is priced from £6,995. | View |
| Architecture (18-24 years old) | Oxford Summer Courses | Architecture, Arts, Design | Oxford | 2 Weeks | 6995 | The Architecture summer school at Oxford Summer Courses, designed for 18-24 years old students, provides tutorials and is priced from £5,495 for Non Residential option. | View |
| Pre-University Architecture, AI & Computer Science |
Bucksmore Education | Architecture, Engineering, Design, Arts, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, STEM, University Preparation | Oxford | 2 or 4 weeks | 3195 | This programme prepares students to excel in their chosen subjects within the highly competitive higher education environment. Students choose one university-level subject taught at a first-year undergraduate level. | View |
| Creative Writing (The Oxford Experience) | Oxbridge Academic Programs | Arts, Creative Writing, Literature | Oxford | 4 weeks | $12,495 | Students compose fiction and poetry under the guidance of a published author, with Oxford's rich literary history as their inspiration. They experiment with new forms and styles of writing. | View |
| Public speaking and debating | Saïd Business School | Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Business, Social Sciences, Psychology, Arts, Humanities | Oxford | 14 days | 8995 | The Oxford Saïd Teen Leadership Summer Academy is a 14-day immersive leadership and business programme for ambitious students aged 15–18. Hosted in Oxford, it combines academic excellence, real-world business challenges, and a transformational cultural experience designed to shape future leaders and changemakers. | View |
| Museum Studies: Collection, Curation, and Colonialism | Lady Margaret Hall University of Oxford | Humanities, History, Arts, Anthropology | Oxford | 3 Weeks | 4384 | Museums: What are they good for? The Ashmolean, since it opened its doors in 1683 as the world's first ever public museum, has informed and been informed by every development in museum scholarship, collecting practice, and object-centred teaching and learning. | View |
| Arts and Humanities (13-15 years old) | Oxford Summer Courses | Arts, Humanities, History, Philosophy | Oxford | 2 Weeks | 6995 | The Arts and Humanities summer school at Oxford Summer Courses, designed for 13-15 years old students, provides seminars and small group learning and is priced from £5,495. | View |
| IB Introduction (15-17 years old) | St Clares | English, Humanities, Arts, Sciences, Mathematics, Exam Preparation, Social Sciences | Oxford | 2 Weeks | 5325 | IB Introduction develops your study skills and gives you a taster of IB study | View |
| Architecture in Oxford for Ages 16-18 | Immerse Education | Architecture, Arts, Design, Humanities | Oxford | 2+ weeks | 7495 | Analyse architectural marvels in Oxford, a city that embodies the evolution of design through the ages. | View |
| Marketing and Media (16-17 years old) | Oxford Summer Courses | Marketing, Media, Business, Entrepreneurship, Arts, Humanities | Oxford | 2 Weeks | 6995 | The Marketing and Media summer school at Oxford Summer Courses, designed for 16-17 years old students, provides tutorials and is priced from £6,995. | View |