Ages 8–12
For younger children. A good first summer away from home, with learning through play, projects and outdoor fun.
AGES 8–17
Oxford Summer Schools for Ages 8–17
Two-week residential courses in Oxford, UK. Choose from four campuses, each built for a different age group. Day places are also available.
- No.1 UK multi-campus summer school
- 155 nationalities (since 2008)
- British Council or BAC accredited
At a glance
- Fees from
- £2,995 2-wk day programme · Residential £4,095 (Subject to campus)
- Ages
- 8–17 4 programmes by age
- Start dates
- From 28th June 2027 Two-week sessions, 2027
- Class size
- 12 or 15 max Students per class
- English level
- A2 to B1+ Depends on the course
- Academic hours
- 15–25 hrs Lessons per week, by programme
- Location
- Oxford 4 campuses
What’s included: tuition, accommodation (residential option), meals, excursions, social programme, student report, certificate and student insurance. Transfer service available for an additional fee.
Summer Boarding Courses contracts the use of facilities in Oxford and has no formal connection with the University of Oxford, Headington School or Dragon School.
Find your Oxford programme
Four programmes. Choose by your child’s age.
Each programme is for a different age group, with its own campus, timetable and activities.
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Camp Headington
View Camp HeadingtonAges 10–14
For curious children who like science and the outdoors. Practical challenges outdoors, with English used all day.
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Headington Oxford
View Headington OxfordAges 12–16
For teenagers who want a busy mix of subject lessons, team projects and activities on a green campus.
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Oxford College
View Oxford CollegeAges 15–17
For older students who are thinking about university and careers. Students live in a University of Oxford college.
Why Oxford
A historic city that is easy to explore
Oxford is a small, historic city with old stone buildings, green parks and a long history of learning. Most places are close together, so it is easy to explore on foot.
We run four programmes in Oxford. Each one is for a different age group, with its own campus, timetable and activities. Students also leave the city for full-day trips on Fridays and Mondays.
- Classes of 15 or fewer
- Students from many countries in every group
- Residential and day places on every programme
- A dedicated team supports students on every campus
Ages 8–12 · Explorer Programmes
Camp Dragon
Young Explorers mixes fun, adventure and learning. Children take part in interactive lessons, workshops and activities, with a new theme each day. Topics include science, maths, English, history, and art and design.
The programme was designed by English-language experts and qualified play workers. It is a residential camp where younger children can grow in independence and make new friends.
- Young Explorers: science, maths, English, history, art and design
- Trips to Oxford, LEGOLAND Windsor and Warwick Castle
- Optional extra trip to the Harry Potter studio tour (extra cost)
Ages 10–14 · Adventure Programmes
Camp Headington
Outdoor Adventurer uses practical science challenges to build English. Every day starts with a big question, about things like the weather, renewable energy, rockets, forensics or engineering.
Students work in small groups to explore, examine, experiment and share what they find. English is used all day, not only in class. Courses are two weeks long.
- Explore, Examine, Experiment, Summit — every day
- Fieldwork and outdoor investigations
- On the Headington School campus in Oxford
Ages 12–16 · Adventure Programmes
Headington Oxford
Students choose a course and take 15 hours of project-based lessons each week. The courses were designed by SBC’s own academic team. They are designed to build confidence, teamwork and independence, and to help students get ready for future study.
Courses: Future Scientists, Future Entrepreneurs, Future Doctors, Future Global Leaders, Future Artists and English Adventures. Afternoons and evenings are full of sport, arts, adventure activities and whole-school events.
- 15 hours of project-based lessons a week
- Trips to central London, Oxford, museums, galleries and theme parks
- 23-acre campus, under two miles from central Oxford
Ages 15–17 · College Pathways
Oxford College
A pre-university experience for students who want to explore a subject they may study at university. Students live in a University of Oxford college. Teaching uses a university style, with lectures, seminars, tutorials and practical workshops.
Students also join guest lectures, academic experiences and the Admissions Masterclass Series on future-focused topics. Time to Shine includes a team challenge that mixes subjects. Courses: Future Scholars: Science and Future Scholars: Humanities.
- Lectures, seminars, tutorials and workshops
- Guest lectures, academic experiences and masterclasses
- Graduation ceremony: certificate, reference letter, end of course celebration
Why an Oxford summer school?
What your child can gain
By the end of their course, we aim for each student to:
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Enjoy learning and feel positive about their studies
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Feel more confident using English, in lessons and in everyday situations
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Expand their vocabulary specific to their chosen subject
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Try new things, work well in a teams and solve problems together
Not sure where to start? Find your Oxford programme
Features
Learning beyond the classroom
Each Oxford programme has its own projects and experiences. Here are some of them, and who they are for.
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All four programmes
Time to Shine
Each week ends with a team project. Students plan it, build it and present it in English. Time to Shine gives students a chance to bring together what they have learned during the week and the English they have practiced. Working in teams, students choose a topic or challenge, develop their ideas and prepare to share them clearly with an audience.
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Oxford College only · Ages 15–17
Industry experience and guest speakers
Oxford College students take part in industry experience and hear from guest speakers. This helps them see how their subjects link to real careers.
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Camp Headington · Ages 10–14
Outdoor adventure
Practical science challenges and outdoor projects. English is used all day, not only in class.
Activities
Each Oxford campus has its own activity programme. Here are some of the activities you may find. Please check each campus page for full details.
- Sports Tournament
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Football
- Drama
- Dance
- Arts & Crafts
- Secret Cinema
- Punting
- Capture the Flag
- Quiz Night
- Talent Show
- Board Games & Puzzles
- Tag Rugby
- Badminton
- Basketball
- Combat Archery
- Fashion Show
- Disco
- Film Night
- Karaoke
- Staff Safari
Excursions
Full-day trips run on Fridays and Mondays. A sample of what recent groups have done. Excursions vary by campus and are subject to change, please speak to a member of the team to find out more.
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London
See famous landmarks, visit world-class museums and cultural attractions, take epic photos, shop some big-name stores, and soak up London's unforgettable energy.
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Warwick Castle
Step back in time with a visit to Warwick Castle, a spectacular medieval fortress offering history, scenic grounds, dungeons and epic shows that bring tales to life.
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Legoland
An exciting day of adventure awaits at LEGOLAND Windsor, filled with themed rides, creative fun, and interactive LEGO experiences.
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Oxford
Wander through the historic city of Oxford, home to the world-renowned university, stunning architecture, and centuries of academic tradition.
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Thorpe Park
Experience the thrills of Thorpe Park, one of the UK’s top theme parks, packed with exhilarating rides and unforgettable adventures.
Safeguarding & welfare
Safe days, settled nights
Sending your child abroad is a big decision. So we start with your child’s wellbeing, and build everything else — lessons, activities, boarding life — around it.
- 24/7 On-site pastoral support
- 1:6 Staff-to-student ratio
- 100% DBS-checked, trained residential staff
Independently recognised
Checked by inspectors. Ranked by the EL Gazette. Rated by families.
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No.1
The UK’s No.1 multi-campus summer school
El Gazzette 2018-2027
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Accredited
Each campus holds it own accreditation
British Council & BAC
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Great
Rated by families on Trustpilot
Dates & fees
Two options. Four Oxford programmes.
Your child can board with us or go home each evening. Prices depend on the programme. The lowest Oxford prices are below.
Residential
From £4,095
per 2-week course · boarding, full days plus evenings and weekends. Prices vary by campus
- Full board — all meals and accommodation included
- Multi-activity programme
- Evening activities and excursions
- 24/7 pastoral care
Non-residential
From £2,995
per 2-week course · daytime hours vary by campus. Prices vary by campus
- Same academic programme as residential
- Lunch included
- Activity programme and excursions
- Return home in the evening
2027 dates
Course length
2 weeks. 4 weeks at Headington Oxford and Oxford College
Programme start dates
28th June 2027
Each programme has its own dates. Check availability before you plan.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
No. Summer Boarding Courses (SBC) is an independent summer school and part of Dukes Education. We contract the use of facilities in Oxford, including a University of Oxford college for Oxford College students. SBC has no formal connection with the University of Oxford, Headington School or Dragon School.
Camp Dragon is for ages 8–12. Camp Headington is for ages 10–14. Headington Oxford is for ages 12–16. Oxford College is for ages 15–17. If your child’s age fits two programmes, our team can help you choose.
Camp Dragon and English Adventures at Headington Oxford need A2 (elementary) English or above. The subject courses at Headington Oxford, Camp Headington and Oxford College need B1 (intermediate) or above. Your child takes a placement test after booking, so we can put them in the right class.
| Residential Programme | Day Programme | |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | ✓ | Not Included |
| Meals* | All meals | Lunch + Evening Meal |
| Tuition | ✓ | ✓ |
| Course materials | ✓ | ✓ |
| Sports, social activities and events | Daytime and evening | Daytime and evening |
| Standard excursions, including entry costs | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wi-Fi | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weekly laundry | ✓ | Not Included |
| Graduation certificate and academic progress report | ✓ | ✓ |
| Student insurance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Flights | Not Included | Not Included |
| Airport and Train Transfers | Not Included | Not Included |
| *We will do our best to meet all dietary needs, for example vegetarian, vegan and Halal. | ||
Choose a programme, then fill in the booking form (Make a Booking) or send us an enquiry. The Student Experience team will contact you to check the details. You then pay a £700 deposit to secure the place, and we email you a booking confirmation.
Yes. All four Oxford programmes offer day places. Day students join the daytime programme and go home each evening. Day prices are shown next to residential prices.
We can meet your child at London Heathrow airport on the course start date and bring them to their campus in Oxford. We take them back to Heathrow on the end date. Visit our transfer page for more information.
We do our best to meet dietary needs, for example vegetarian, vegan and halal diets. Please tell the Student Experience team when you book.
You can choose to pay at the point of booking. Bookings without payment will require a £700 deposit to secure your place. Our Student Experience team can send you an invoice and a secure Flywire payment link post-booking to complete the deposit or payment in full.
Please refer to our Terms and Conditions for information relating to the cancellation of a programme.
It depends on your child’s nationality. Please use the UK government visa checker. Many students from other countries need a Standard Visitor visa, which can take about 3–4 weeks. Please email us a scan of your child’s passport and visa. We may cancel a booking if we do not receive the visa at least 4 weeks before arrival.
Yes, but not at the same time. For example, your child can book two courses one after the other. Please talk to the Student Experience team
Yes. Please contact the Student Experience team.
Every student receives a certificate and a student report at the end of the course. Oxford College students receive their certificate at a graduation ceremony, with a signed reference letter.
It is a chance to study new subjects, practise English every day and make friends from many countries, in a historic city. Our team can help you decide if it is right for your child.
Why SBC
Trusted, accredited and part of Dukes Education
IGNITE YOUR SPARK
Arrange a free consultation
Our friendly Student Experience team are happy to answer any questions, big or small, and help you find the best summer experience for your child — no pressure, ever.
What happens after you enquire
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Step 1
We read it personally.
A member of our Student Experience team reviews your enquiry.
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Step 2
You’re matched with an advisor.
Someone who knows the Oxford programmes and can answer your questions.
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Step 3
We arrange a call.
Phone or video, at a time that suits you, to talk through dates, options and any concerns.
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Step 4
You decide — no pressure.
We help you find the right fit. You book when you're ready.
One student’s summer
Max
Student · Headington Oxford
Jasper
Student · Oxford College · Canada
My daughter is looking forward the next SBC summer camp!
Paula
Parent · Headington Oxford · Belgium
155+
Nationalities represented since 2008
21,000+
Alumni since 2008
№1
UK multi-campus summer school (ranked by EL Gazette)