Which English Summer School should I choose with Summer Boarding Courses?

Welcome to Summer Boarding Courses! We’re excited to see you here and help you discover our residential English Summer School courses.

We are passionate about helping students aged 8 to 17 skyrocket their English speaking, whilst living and studying in many of the prestigious UK University towns.

Let us help you choose the best English Summer School from the seven different campuses we offer, so that you can have the best Summer School experience possible.

Quick Answer: Which English Summer School should I choose?

The best Summer Boarding Courses’ school for you depends on how old you are.

Why should I choose Summer Boarding Courses as my English Summer School?

We have been running highly engaging, educational and fun Summer experiences at boarding schools and Oxford University campuses since 2006! We believe in learning through exploring, interacting and working with others! With many fantastic courses to choose from, studying with us is your chance to excel in your English over an unforgettable Summer and beyond.

Our Passion

We are culturally passionate and intellectually curious. We believe in balance; combining the best education with fun social experiences. Our international Summer School programmes involved students from 95 different nationalities in 2018! By learning and speaking English together, we encourage you to become a global citizen, make new friends, build your confidence, expand your cultural understanding, discover new skills and develop your independence.

Our Education

We believe in 21st-century learning: progressing in our skills and abilities to keep up with a very exciting, quickly changing digital society. We strive to develop our critical thinking, problem-solving and teamwork skills to ultimately live a happy and fulfilling life.

By learning English in a real-world setting, your English language skills will quickly progress to the next level. We want to help you be as confident as possible in your English speaking. Through our special ‘Time to Shine’ presentations, fascinating excursions and thought-provoking project work, you will have plenty of opportunities to grow in your English language journey.

Our Accreditation and Expertise

With our consistent and professional approach to English as a second language, SBC is officially accredited by the British Council and English UK. 

Our dedicated teachers are professionally qualified and passionate about your English lessons. Our teachers include University lecturers, Oxbridge graduates and EFL teachers with experience around the world.

Our Care

Our students’ lessons, accommodation and social programmes are all delivered within safe and secure campus environments by highly-trained, professional staff. We work hard to give you the care and support you require: we’re here every step of the way.

Our Results

Both inside and outside the classroom, you are guaranteed to grow with Summer Boarding Courses. Your time management, social and teamwork skills will blossom just as much as your English ability. Our students thrive throughout Summer with 55% of our students returning to study with us again. After leaving our Summer Schools, our students progress in their English study; with our eldest advancing to study at renowned UK schools and Universities. Find out more about our latest star student here!

Discover more about our 7 Summer Schools below to find out which English Summer School is the best for you.

SBC Oxford (Ages 8-12)

For our younger learners, SBC Oxford at the world-renowned Dragon School in Oxford, combines our dynamic English lessons with fun and engaging social activities for 2 to 4 weeks.

What English tuition does SBC Oxford offer?

We offer 15 hours of English tuition per week with a maximum class size of 15 students. You can choose between General English or Junior Summer Study.

General English: For all levels, General English allows our students to develop their spoken English, English vocabulary, and grammar in a fun and dynamic environment.

Junior Summer Study: Junior Summer Study is for our upper intermediate and advanced English students, where they can build their English fluency through topics such as history and science.

What social activities are available at SBC Oxford?

In the afternoons and evenings, our students can express their social side through many different engaging activities! Our activities include football, swimming, knitting, photography and coding. This is your chance to relax and try something new.

Try one of our special English Plus programmes

Two afternoons of the week, you can opt into our special social activities for an additional price. We have a multi-activity programme, adventure sports, horse riding, drama, art and design, general English extra, intensive English writing or intensive English speaking on offer.

We have 2 excursions a week too

Every week, we have 2 full day trips to famous landmarks in the UK. You can see the wonderful animals at Cotswold Wildlife Park, enjoy the rides at Legoland Windsor and Drayton Manor Theme Park, discover science in Bristol and go back in time at Warwick Castle. You will, of course, have time to spend in Oxford too.

Is food and accommodation included?

Yes. Students will stay in dormitories at the Dragon School. It’s a very secure and welcoming environment and three meals are provided each day.

When are the courses and how much does it cost?

15th July – 29th July for 2 weeks at £3000
15th July – 12th August for 4 weeks at £5400
29th July – 12th August for 2 weeks at £2700
*Some of our English tuition and social activity courses come at an extra charge.

Click here to find out more details about SBC Oxford

SBC Canford (Ages 11-15)

For students aged 11-15, this is their chance to study General English or one of our special academic English summer school courses, at Canford School in Bournemouth. Courses run for 2, 3, 4 and 5 weeks.

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What English tuition does SBC Canford offer?

We offer 15 hours of English tuition at SBC Canford with a maximum class size of 15 students. You have 5 study options to choose from and at the end of your time here, you will give a short presentation in English. This is your chance to develop your communication, teamwork, research and presentation skills!

Our five study options are:

General English

For all levels of English, you can work on improving your English skills through fun and collaborative activities. We will help you improve your English vocabulary and grammar.

For an additional price, you can choose one of the 4 remaining options:

Summer Study

For our upper-intermediate and advanced students, this is your chance to develop your English language and fluency through history, science and literature.

Introduction to STEM

This course is perfect for students of an intermediate to advanced level of English who have interested in scientific and technological development. Develop your English language skills through learning about Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

Introduction to Business

For budding entrepreneurs with intermediate to advanced English, you can learn all about branding, finances, marketing and top business English strategies here.

Introduction to International Relations

For students with an intermediate to advanced level of English who want to discuss world politics and global issues, our International Relations is an excellent choice.

What are the social activities at SBC Canford?

In the afternoons and evenings, our students can express their social side with many different engaging and dynamic activities! This includes swimming, cookery, yoga, English sports and discos to name a few. This is your chance to relax and try something new.

Try one of our special English Plus programmes

Two afternoons of the week, you can opt into our special social activities for an additional price. Join our multi-activity programme or choose street dance, art and design, adventure sports, water sports, horse riding, general English extra, intensive English writing  or our intensive English speaking classes.

We have 2 excursions a week too

Every week, we have 2 full day trips to famous landmarks in the UK with transport and entrance fees included! You can enjoy the rides at Thorpe Park, discover the famous UK towns of Bath, Oxford and London, and relax and have fun on the beach in Bournemouth.

Is food and accommodation included?

Yes. Students stay in comfortable on-campus accommodation, with a mixture of single, twin and small dorm rooms available. Three meals are provided each day.

When are the courses and how much does it cost?

8th July – 22nd July for 2 weeks at £3000
8th July – 29th July for 3 weeks at £4200
8th July – 5th August for 4 weeks at £5400
8th July – 12th August for 5 weeks at £5750
22nd July – 5th August for 2 weeks at £3000
22nd July – 12th August for 3 weeks at £3750
29th July – 12th August for 2 weeks at £2700
*Some of our English tuition and social activity courses come at an extra charge.

Click here to find out more details about SBC Canford

Are you ready to come to SBC Canford?

Click here to book your place
Click here to ask us a question

Headington Oxford (Ages 13-16)

For our teenage students aged 13-16, come to Headington Oxford (one of the UK’s top Boarding Schools) for our specially designed English lessons and activity programme. Courses run for 2, 3, 4 and 5 weeks.

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What English tuition does Headington Oxford offer?

We offer 15 hours of English tuition per week with a maximum English class size of 15 students. You can choose between General English or Summer Study. At the end of your time here, you will give a short presentation in English. This is your chance to develop your communication, teamwork, research and presentation skills!

General English: For all levels, our General English course allows students to develop their spoken English, learn English vocabulary, and take part in English grammar lessons in a fun and collaborative environment.

Summer Study: Summer Study is for our upper intermediate and advanced students, where students will build their fluency through topics such as history, science, English literature and creative writing.

What are the social activities at Headington Oxford Summer School?

In the afternoons and evenings of our Summer courses, our students can express their social side with many different engaging and dynamic activities! This includes swimming, poetry and blogging, arts and crafts and English sports. This is your chance to relax with your new friends and practice your English outside of the classroom.

Try one of our special English Plus programmes

Two afternoons of the week, you can opt into our special social activities for an additional price. We have our multi-activity option, adventure sports, art and design, dance, general English extra, intensive English writing and intensive English speaking.

We have 2 excursions a week too

We have 2 full day trips to famous landmarks in the UK every week of Summer School, with transport and entrance fees included! You can enjoy trips to Brighton Beach, Bath, Royal Windsor Castle, Bristol, London and Thorpe Park.

Is food and accommodation included?

Yes. Students will live on the Headington Oxford Summer School campus, in traditional boarding accommodation. We have a mixture of single, twin and dorm rooms available. 3 meals are provided every day.

When are the courses and how much does it cost?

15th – 29th July for 2 weeks at £3000
15th July – 5th August for 3 weeks at £4200
15th July – 12th August for 4 weeks at £5400
15th July – 19th August for 5 weeks at £5750
29th July – 12th August for 2 weeks at £3000
29th July – 19th August for 3 weeks at £3750
5th – 19th August for 2 weeks at £2700
*Some of our English tuiton and social activity courses come at an extra charge.

Click here to find out more details about Headington Oxford

Are you ready to come to Headington Oxford?

Click here to book your place
Click here to ask us a question

Oxford College (Ages 15-17)

For students who want to experience what UK University life is like, Oxford College Summer classes are an excellent choice. We provide English language classes and subject courses along with essential University preparation workshops. This is your chance to develop your subject knowledge and English language skills in one of two prestigious campuses in Oxford: Wycliffe Hall Oxford or St Hugh’s Colleges. Courses are 2, 3, 4 and 6 weeks.

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What English tuition does Oxford College offer?

We offer 41 hours of tuition over 2 weeks. This consists of 30 hours subject-specific tuition, 8 hours of University Preparation and 3 hours of London Academic Excursions*

*Please note: Foundation English students receive 38 hours of academic tuition and one 3 hour academic excursion during their two week course. Foundation English students do not have University Preparation.

Students can choose to study one two-week course from 11 different options or opt to study two of the 11 Elective courses, one per week which is part of Academic Discovery.

The University preparation workshops and seminars are the perfect opportunity to gain practical advice and guidance on the University application process and experience authentic University lecture and seminar life.

At the end of your time with us, you will deliver a group presentation as part of the Time to Shine project.

The 11 different study options are…

Business and Leadership

Present your own sales pitch by studying finance, sales, marketing and leadership.

General English

Develop your vocabulary, fluency and confidence in English through topical content and presentations.

Engineering

Students will study elements of Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering and Environmental Engineering Civil Engineering.

Medicine

Develop your analytical and communication skills whilst studying human biology and medical symptoms through ethical debates in our Medicine Summer School course.

Natural Sciences

Deepen your knowledge in chemistry, physics and biology whilst developing your research and presentation skills.

Politics and Economics

Understand key political and economic concepts, trends and policies whilst improving your communication and presentation skills through political campaign projects.

International Relations

Develop your understanding of global powers, international policy and diplomacy whilst progressing in your critical reasoning, negotiation and presentation skills through debates and conference scenarios.

History of Art

From visual media to painting, sculpture, architecture and design – develop your critical thinking, visual literacy and research skills.

Law

Calling all aspiring solicitors and barristers – develop your critical thinking, debating and legal arguments and create your own case for a mock trial in our Law Summer School course.

English Literature and Creative Writing

Ignite your imagination and develop your critical thinking and creative writing skills whilst studying a range of classic and modern literature.

Academic Discovery

Students have the opportunity to study two or more Elective courses for one week only (15 hours tuition per week), in place of the regular two week duration.

Foundation English

Our Foundation English course is specifically for those students who wish to develop their grammar, vocabulary reading, writing and speaking skills, in a university style setting.

What are the social activities at Oxford College?

Our afternoon and evening activities will give you the chance to explore Oxford city, get to know new friends and relax. You will have the chance to play recreational sports, participate in art workshops and conversation clubs, do yoga and mindfulness sessions, visit museums and take nature walks. In the evening you can go to places such as the cinema and theatre and enjoy quiz nights and discos.
We also have a Formal Dinner and Graduation Ceremony to celebrate the achievements of our students!

We have 2 excursions a week too

We have 2 full day trips to famous landmarks in the UK every week of Summer School, with transport and entrance fees included. You can enjoy trips to Brighton Beach, Cambridge, Bristol and London.

Is food and accommodation included?

Yes. Just a short walk into the city of Oxford, both campuses give you the opportunity to experience what it is like to live in a prestigious UK University. You can choose from single, twin or triple rooms. Three meals are provided each day. The Oxford College Summer School is operated by Summer Boarding Courses Ltd. We contract with St Hugh’s and Wycliffe Hall for the use of the facilities but have no formal connection with the University of Oxford.

When are the courses and how much does it cost?

8th – 22nd July for 2 weeks at £4000
8th – 29th July for 3 weeks at £5550
8th July – 5th August for 4 weeks at £7000
8th July – 19th August for 6 weeks at £900

22nd July – 12th August for 3 weeks at £5550
22nd July – 19th August for 4 weeks at £7000

5th August – 19th August for 2 weeks at £3500

Click here to find out more details about Oxford College

Are you ready to come to Oxford College?

Click here to book your place
Click here to ask us a question

Summer Day Camps (Ages 8-17)

Would you like to experience Summer Boarding Courses in a shorter amount of time? If you are living or staying with your family nearby, attending our Summer Day Camp is the perfect opportunity to participate in all the lessons, activities and excursions that we offer!

Running 7 days a week, students can join us from 08:15 for breakfast, start their lessons at 09:00, enjoy an afternoon packed full of fun activities, then finish around 21:00 after the evening activity. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included, with staff at all four of our schools 24 hours a day.

Find out more about Summer Day Camps here