Exceptional Pre-College International Relations Program for Teenagers at Oxford University

For a better future

Brasenose

Course Description

Do you want to influence the socio-political agenda of your country or the rest of the world? Do you often wonder just how governments run, and how their decisions affect not only their own country but also on a global level? The International Relations summer programme provides you with a solid foundation of knowledge about international relations. Academic sessions explore the theoretical frameworks with which to approach global political, economic, and social issues past, present, and future.

Location

The Oxford Summer Schools are a unique opportunity for you to live and study in the colleges of the United Kingdom’s oldest university, Oxford University. Choose to study with us this summer and not only will you follow in the footsteps of famous Oxford academics, but you will also gain an unparalleled insight into your chosen subject and meet like-minded students from all over the world.

  • Balliol College

  • St. Edmund Hall

  • Lady Margaret Hall

  • Brasenose College

What's Included

- 13 nights accommodation in a central college of the University of Cambridge/Oxford

- Breakfast and dinner in College Hall

- Accommodation in an individual bedroom

- 40 hours of academic sessions from Oxford University and Cambridge University tutors

- Carefully designed study and lecture materials

- Mentor programme and access to support material

- All excursions- including formal dinner at Cambridge/Oxford colleges, punting, croquet

- Comprehensive summer school insurance

- 2 coach excursions including a trip to London

- Graduation ceremony and certificate

- Detailed evaluation written by tutor

- Notebook and pen

- Mentor family photograph

- Free premium membership to UniPrepare's 'Nurture' plan

Starting From

£5,495.00

Age Range 13-15 Years
Duration 2 Weeks
Weekly Course Hours 20 hours

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.

Immerse education balliol oxford activities

Activities

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.

Immerse education lady margaret hall oxford

Accommodations

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.

Immerse education balliol oxford tours backstrets

Excursions

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,

yellow school bus

Transportation

Lesson Plan

Do you want to influence the socio-political agenda of your country or the rest of the world? Do you often wonder just how governments run, and how their decisions affect not only their own country but also on a global level? The International Relations summer programme provides you with a solid foundation of knowledge about international relations. Academic sessions explore the theoretical frameworks with which to approach global political, economic, and social issues past, present, and future.

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

**The United Nations and Its Challengers: **This module explores the historical context of the United Nations and the failings of past models. Having analysed the institutional structure of this organisation, you will evaluate the relative significance of other international actors, debating whether globalisation reinforces or undermines the UN system.

Rising Powers and International Order The Case of China: By exploring policies such as the 'Made in China 2025 Strategy' and the gradual process by which China is integrating international organisations (such as the World Trade Organisation in 2001), you will explore the rising power of China and its consequences for the international order.

Change and Continuity In US Foreign Policy: Current US Foreign Policy focuses on three areas: military disengagement from the Middle East, the defence of US foreign trade interests and a challenging attitude towards Europe. You will assess these policies in the historical context of Trump's predecessors to evaluate the possible consequences of his actions.

**Exploring International Actors: **You will choose one key international actor and analyse their structure and function within the context of the International Relations theory that you have studied over the course of the programme. Then present your research as a written essay and also deliver a presentation to your peers ahead of a class discussion and questions.

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

Extras

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

Gallery

Video

Session Dates

Good news, more sessions will be available soon! Leave us your contact to stay informed about dates and prices.

Our Clients Speak

We have been working with parents and children around the world

They want to repeat

They were happy. They want to repeat, they have done friends from all over the world, good quality, opened their minds and enjoyed a lot. Thanks for helping me selecting these camps! I'm grateful!! 🙏🙏🙏

smiling star avatar

Santiago

Father of 4 from Argentina

The kids are having such a great time

Hey Best Parents - The kids are having such a great time and I am resting well in beautiful St. Gallen. This has been excellent all around. Thanks again 🙏

smiling star avatar

Lily

Mother of 2 from USA

Mindblowing Service

Yes my son enjoyed his program very much. We will definitely continue to work with Best Parents in the future. As my son gets closer to college we need your support in enrolling my son in programs that will enhance his changes of getting accepted into top universities.

smiling star avatar

Hakim

Father from Egypt