Join us in the summer of 2025 at Inspiring Oxford, a unique residential summer programme held at Brasenose College, in the heart of Oxford close to the iconic Radcliffe Camera.
Here you will immerse yourself in a setting steeped in centuries of history as you unlock new knowledge and embark on a journey of personal enrichment, while part of a vibrant community of adult learners from all over the world.
More than 40 exciting week-long courses are available for you to choose from in a wide range of subjects including literature, diplomacy, history of art, creative writing, psychology, and history.
All are pitched at an introductory level for non-specialists aged 18 and above and no prior knowledge is required. You will be taught by highly experienced tutors in small groups of up to 16 students.
View all 2025 Inspiring Oxford courses
You can enrol on a single one-week course or enrol on multiple courses to stay for two, three or four weeks.
During your course you will sample life in Brasenose College – with all lectures, seminars and meals taking place here. You can also choose to stay at Brasenose College during the course.
Founded in 1509, Brasenose College alumni include the archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans, former UK Prime Minister Henry Addington, the first captain of the England football team, Cuthbert Ottaway, and William Webb Ellis, Clergyman and the alleged inventor of rugby football.
You will have one or two small group seminars each weekday morning, followed by a plenary lecture before lunch. While you may want to complete a small amount of pre-course reading, you will not be required to produce any written work during the week.
On the Wednesday of each course there is a an optional field trip which leaves at lunch. Some courses may also include an additional field trip (details appear on the relevant course pages).
With your free afternoons you can then explore the many places of interest in and around Oxford before dinner. The programme also includes a range of optional social activities you can take part in during the afternoon/evenings.
On one evening, you will also receive an invitation to join the Programme Director and tutors on high table (formal dress is encouraged).
On Friday, there will be a special gala farwell dinner and reception, where Certificates of Attendance will be presented. For this special occasion formal dress is encouraged.
All meals included are taken in Brasenose College's dining hall.
Each weekday morning you participate in two 70-minute seminars taught by friendly, expert tutors. You do not need to have studied your course subject previously as all courses have been specifically designed for non specialists. With participants from many different countries in each group, your seminar discussions are likely to be intellectually stimulating, lively and, we hope, hugely enjoyable. Importantly, there are no essays to write or tests to take so we invite you to experience immersive learning with like-minded adults in a relaxing and unforgettable Oxford college setting.
Just before lunch each Monday, Tuesday and Friday, participants from all of the different courses come together for a 45-minute lecture, followed by a question and answer session.
This year we're delighted to offer lectures on a wide range of topics including literature, history, diplomacy and politics delivered by distinguished speakers such as:
Simon Horobin (Professor of English Language and Literature, Magdalen College)
Steven Gunn (Professor of Early Modern History, Merton College)
William Whyte (Professor of Social and Architectural History, St. John's College)
Yolanda Spies (Director of the University of Oxford Diplomatic Studies Programme)
Sandie Byrne (Professor of English Literature, Department for Continuing Education)
You can learn more about our special guest lecture series online here.
We warmly invites all participants take part in our social programme, with all events provided at no additional cost.
Optional social activites may include:
The course fee includes breakfasts Monday-Saturday (residential guests only), four weekday self-service lunches, two self-service dinners and four served dinners Sunday-Friday. All meals included are taken in Brasenose College's dining hall.
You will stay in typical Oxford student accommodation at Brasenose College.
Please note that bedrooms are modestly-furnished and do not have air-conditioning. You can find out more about Brasenose by visiting their website.
The following types of accommodation are available:
A non-residential option is also available whereby students can take classes and have lunch and dinner at Brasenose, having arranged their own accommodation elsewhere.
Non-residential students are encouraged to attend all aspects of the academic and social programme, and they have equal access to Brasenose as residential participants.
We welcome students who want to attend multiple Inspiring Oxford courses. Resident participants staying in Brasenose College for consecutive weeks can have bed and breakfast accommodation arranged for the Saturday night between their courses.
When applying for the Department's college-based summer programmes, prospective participants with mobility difficulties or visual or hearing impairments (for example) may wish to consult the University Access Guide. This includes specific information about University buildings, many of which are centuries old, and the extent to which modern adaptations have been made to support accessibility.
Prospective participants are also encouraged to contact the Programme Administrator at inspiringoxford@conted.ox.ac.uk to make preliminary enquiries regarding access or disability support.
Participants will receive a physical Certificate of Attendance at the end of the course.
You will also be eligible for a digital badge of attendance. Information on how to access this digital certificate will be emailed to you after the end of the course. This digital badge will show your name, the course title and the dates of the course you attended. You will be able to download your certificate or share it on social media if you choose to do so.
Please note the programme is open to those over the age of 18.
The deadline for registration for summer 2025 is 31 May 2025.
If your preferred course is fully booked, you may wish to add yourself to the waiting list and the Programme Administrator will contact you should a place become available.
Single accommodation and non-residential places may be booked directly online by clicking on the 'book now' button on each individual course page. Please do not complete an enrolment form for these.
If you have any trouble booking online, please contact the Programme Administrator by emailing`inspiringoxford@conted.ox.ac.uk.
If you wish to book a twin en suite room for two people, each person should complete an enrolment form and name the other person who they wish to share a room with. Please note these rooms have limited availability. Enrolment forms can be found on each individual course page.
The form is an editable PDF and can be competed electronically, so you should not need to print and scan it. Completed forms should be sent by email to inspiringoxford@conted.ox.ac.uk.
Brasenose College rooms do not have lift access, and the higher rooms can be located up a few flights of stairs. If you need a room on a ground or lower floor please indicate this on your enrolment form, or contact the Programme Administrator directly at inspiringoxford@conted.ox.ac.uk as soon as possible after enrolling online before 31 May 2025.
All fees are charged on a per week, per person basis. Fees are stated on each individual course page.
Please be aware that all payments made via non-UK credit/debit cards and bank accounts are subject to the exchange rate on the day they are processed.
Participants staying multiple, consecutive weeks will be charged an additional bed and breakfast fee for the cost of the Saturday night between courses.
Please note that course transfers may be permitted in exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the programme administrator, up to 1 May 2025. In accordance with our Terms and Conditions, an administration fee of £50 will be charged.
All participants must purchase travel insurance to cover the programme fee, travel costs, and any other expenses incurred. The Department cannot be held responsible for any costs you may incur in relation to travel or accommodation bookings as a result of a course cancellation, or if you are unable to attend the course for any other reason.
Full details of our cancellation policy terms and conditions (both if you wish to cancel or if the Department has to cancel the course) can be found on each individual course page.
If enrolling online: full payment by credit/debit card at the time of booking.
If submitting an enrolment form: full payment online by credit/debit card or via bank transfer within 30 days of invoice date.
Please note, there are no sources of funding (scholarships, bursaries, etc) available for attendees of this summer programme.
A selection of courses are also 'previewed' below, under the gallery of images, or you can browse all courses.
Location: Brasenose College
Level: Non-specialists aged 18+
Enrolment: Online or via enrolment form
Enquiries: inspiringoxford@conted.ox.ac.uk
