Young Professional Business and Marketing at d'Overbroeck's in Oxford, UK

Course Description: Young Professional Business and Marketing at d'Overbroeck's in Oxford, UK

The Young Professionals: Business & Marketing programme is a career-focused summer experience designed for ambitious students who want a practical and academically rigorous introduction to the worlds of business, entrepreneurship, and marketing — while simultaneously developing strong English language fluency.

The programme combines subject teaching, hands-on workshops, and real-world industry projects, allowing students to learn business and marketing in meaningful, context-rich environments. Rather than studying theory in isolation, students apply their learning to realistic challenges, developing critical thinking, communication, and commercial awareness alongside cultural understanding 🌍.

Set in Oxford, students benefit from a safe, supportive campus environment close to the city centre, while enjoying a fully inclusive residential experience that balances academic study, industry exposure, and memorable excursions.

Where the Programme Is Run 🏫🌿

The Young Professionals: Business & Marketing programme is hosted at d’Overbroeck’s, a highly regarded independent school located close to Oxford city centre. The campus offers a safe, nurturing, and academically focused environment, ideal for students taking part in an intensive pre-university programme.

Teaching takes place in the school’s modern Sixth Form building, which features contemporary classrooms, an auditorium, and a variety of social and collaborative learning spaces. These facilities are specifically designed to support discussion-based learning, group projects, presentations, and professional workshops.

Students live on site in separate male and female boarding accommodation, creating a secure “home-from-home” atmosphere where students can study, socialise, and relax together. Multiple boarding houses are located within close proximity to the academic buildings, ensuring ease of movement and constant supervision.

The campus setting combines the calm and safety of a boarding school with convenient access to Oxford’s historic city centre, allowing students to benefit from both focused academic study and enriching cultural experiences.

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Programme Objective 🎯

The core objective of this programme is to develop subject knowledge and English language proficiency at the same time. English is not taught in isolation, but embedded throughout business discussions, marketing projects, presentations, and collaborative work.

This integrated approach ensures students:

• Improve fluency and confidence in academic and professional English

• Develop business and marketing skills through real application

• Strengthen communication, teamwork, and leadership abilities

• Gain insight into global business practices and cultural influence

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Who This Programme Is For 🌱

This programme is ideal for students who:

• Are interested in business, entrepreneurship, marketing, or management

• Enjoy practical learning, teamwork, and creative problem-solving

• Want early exposure to real-world business environments

• Are preparing for future study or careers in business-related fields

It is particularly well suited to students who want more than classroom learning and prefer hands-on, applied experiences.

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What Students Will Gain 📚

By the end of the programme, students will:

• Develop English language fluency through real-world business contexts

• Understand entrepreneurship and how business ideas are generated and refined

• Conduct market research and analyse consumer needs and industries

• Evaluate organisations, leadership styles, and business strategies

• Build a brand identity and design marketing campaigns

• Deliver confident business pitches and presentations

• Understand how trade, government policy, and culture affect global business success

Students also leave with a portfolio of applied work and increased confidence in professional communication.

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Academic Rigour Combined with Industry Experience 🎓

The academic element of the programme introduces students to:

• Business planning and entrepreneurship

• Market research and industry analysis

• Financial awareness and commercial decision-making

• Branding, positioning, and marketing strategy

• Leadership and organisational impact

These topics are reinforced through interactive workshops, case studies, and collaborative projects, ensuring students understand not only what businesses do, but why they succeed or fail.

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Capstone Industry Project 🚀

A defining feature of the programme is the Capstone Industry Project, designed and delivered by GoCreate Academy, a specialist learning provider offering university-accredited and industry-endorsed qualifications.

During this project, students work in teams to:

• Develop a full business plan

• Create a brand identity for an innovative product, event, or festival

• Design a marketing strategy aligned with target audiences

• Collaborate on a professional podcast episode and video project

The programme culminates in a professional showcase, where students present their ideas to an audience — gaining invaluable experience in applied business English, teamwork, and professional communication 🎤.

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Industry Workshops & Real-World Exposure 🏙️

To complement academic learning, students take part in industry-led workshops and visits, offering direct insight into branding, retail, and consumer behaviour.

Retail & Brand Strategy (London)

Students analyse flagship stores in Mayfair, examining:

• Brand heritage and storytelling

• Visual merchandising strategies

• Sustainability and technology in modern retail

• The evolving role of the high street

Museum of Brands

Students explore the evolution of branding and packaging from Victorian times to today. Using historical collections, they research consumer habits and market trends before redesigning packaging concepts to meet modern expectations 📦.

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Activities & Excursions 🌍

The programme includes a rich programme of activities and excursions, ensuring a balanced and engaging experience:

• 2 full-day excursions per week

• 1 half-day excursion per week

Excursions combine cultural discovery, inspiration, and social bonding, including:

• Oxford walking tours and college visits

• London political and royal landmarks

• Thames river cruise and Greenwich exploration

• Theme park experience for relaxation and fun

• Day trip to Cambridge, including punting on the River Cam

These experiences reinforce cultural awareness and global perspective while giving students time to relax and connect with peers.

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Accommodation & Campus Life 🏫

Students stay at d’Overbroeck’s, a prestigious independent school in Oxford.

• Teaching takes place in the modern Sixth Form building

• Contemporary classrooms, auditorium, and social spaces

• Separate male and female boarding accommodation on site

• Safe, nurturing, and international “home-from-home” environment

The campus setting allows students to live, study, and socialise together — building friendships, independence, and confidence.

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Safety & Student Welfare 🛡️

Student wellbeing is prioritised at every stage:

• Private airport welcome and supervised transfers

• 24-hour on-site management and security

• Staff trained in safeguarding and first aid

• On-site medical support and welfare monitoring

• Dedicated systems for reporting and responding to concerns

Parents can be reassured that students are supported from arrival to departure.

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Certification & Outcomes 🏆

At the end of the programme, students receive:

• A personalised academic report card

• A course completion certificate

• An external capstone certification linked to the industry project

These outcomes provide tangible evidence of progress and achievement, valuable for future academic applications.

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The Young Professionals Business & Marketing Experience ✨

This programme offers far more than a traditional summer camp. It is a career-focused, academically structured experience that equips students with real-world business insight, professional communication skills, and increased confidence.

Students leave with:

• Stronger English fluency

• Practical business and marketing knowledge

• A portfolio of applied work

• Global awareness and independence

An ideal foundation for future study and success in competitive business environments.

Who Looks After the Students? 🛡️

Student care is central to the programme, with a strong staffing structure in place.

Each centre includes:

• A Centre Manager overseeing day-to-day operations

• A Director of Studies responsible for academics

• An Activity Manager coordinating sports and excursions

• Residential Counsellors and Tutors providing pastoral care

Staff live on-site (with limited exceptions), meaning support is available 24/7, day and night.

A Day in the Life: Young Professionals Business & Marketing ☀️💼

A typical day on the Young Professionals Business & Marketing programme is carefully structured to balance academic learning, hands-on projects, cultural exploration, and social time, ensuring students stay engaged, supported, and inspired throughout their stay in Oxford.

Morning: Academic Focus & Professional Skills 📚

The day begins with breakfast on campus, where students gather with friends from around the world before heading to their morning sessions.

From 08:45 to 13:00, students take part in focused academic learning. Depending on the day, this may include:

• Subject theory sessions, exploring business strategy, entrepreneurship, marketing principles, and global trade

• Practical workshops, where students apply theory through case studies, teamwork, and problem-solving

• Industry workshops, such as visits to the Museum of Brands or London retail analysis tours, offering real-world insight into branding, consumer behaviour, and marketing strategy

Lessons are interactive and discussion-based, encouraging students to think critically, ask questions, and build confidence using professional English.

Midday: Lunch & Social Time 🍽️

At 13:00, students enjoy lunch on campus. This is a relaxed social moment where friendships grow and students recharge before the afternoon programme.

Afternoon: Projects, Excursions & Real-World Learning 🚀

From 14:00 to 17:15, afternoons focus on application and exploration:

• Capstone Industry Project sessions, where students work in teams to develop a business plan, brand identity, and marketing campaign

• Cultural excursions, such as visits to Oxford museums, walking tours, Windsor Castle, or London landmarks

• Industry-focused activities, allowing students to connect classroom learning to real business environments

These sessions help students develop teamwork, leadership, creativity, and professional communication skills.

Evening: Dinner & Community Activities 🌙

Dinner is served between 18:00 and 19:00, followed by a varied evening activity programme designed to help students unwind and bond.

From 19:00 to 21:00, activities may include:

• Team games and challenges

• Quiz nights and themed social events

• Creative clubs and sports in the park

• End-of-week celebrations and the graduation ceremony

Evenings are relaxed, supervised, and inclusive, helping students feel at home while building confidence and independence.

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The Overall Experience ✨

Each day blends academic rigour with creativity, culture, and fun, ensuring students stay motivated while developing real-world business skills and English fluency. By the end of the programme, students leave not only with new knowledge and a portfolio of work, but also with lasting friendships, increased confidence, and a strong sense of achievement.

Food & Dining 🍽️

Nutritious, varied meals to support busy summer days

Meals are served on campus and reflect the diversity of the student community.

What’s Provided:

• Breakfast: fruit, cereal, toast, and a cooked option

• Lunch & Dinner: multiple main course options, desserts, and a salad bar

• Packed lunches on excursion days

Vegetarian and vegan options are available at every meal, and dietary requirements or allergies can be accommodated when notified in advance. Families are encouraged to contact the team before arrival to discuss specific needs.

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Sample Weekly Menu (Example)

Breakfast (Daily)

• Fruit juice

• Bacon, sausage, eggs, baked beans, mushrooms, toast

• Cereals, yoghurt, fresh fruit

• Tea and coffee

Lunch (Varies by Day)

• Slow-cooked beef or plant-based meatballs with tomato sauce

• Paprika chicken or tomato & mozzarella tart

• Fish of the day or vegetable pancakes

• Mexican beef or vegetable chilli with nachos

• Roasted chicken or cauliflower steak

• Jacket potatoes, salad bar, soup of the day

• Desserts such as mousse, shortcake, brownies, or sponge cake

Dinner (Varies by Day)

• Teriyaki chicken or mushrooms with rice

• Cajun chicken or falafel gyros

• Moroccan tagines with couscous

• Homemade pizzas or chicken goujons

• Hoisin beef or vegetable noodles

• Tortilla wraps with assorted fillings

• Pasta bolognese (meat or plant-based)

• Desserts including cheesecake, puddings, mousse, and fruit-based treats

Menus are designed to keep students well-fuelled, satisfied, and ready for busy academic and activity schedules.

Travel & Airport Transfers ✈️

Complimentary Transfers

A free airport transfer service is available for flights arriving and departing within designated time windows from:

• London Heathrow (LHR)

• London Gatwick (LGW)

Students are met at arrivals by staff and escorted to their transport.

Transfer Notes:

• Wait times can be up to 2 hours during peak arrivals

• Transport may be by coach, minibus, or taxi

• All students are accompanied by trained staff or trusted travel partners

• Drivers are background-checked

Unaccompanied Minors

Students using airline unaccompanied minor services are:

• Met directly by staff on arrival

• Assisted on departure until handed over to airline staff

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Arrival, Departure & Forms �*

• Families must submit flight details at least two weeks before arrival

• All students must complete a transfer form, even if arriving privately

• Parents bringing students directly to campus should notify the centre in advance

• Recommended arrival time: 12:00–17:00