The Oxford University Summer School for Adults (OUSSA) is a residential summer programme held at Rewley House central Oxford, offering sixty week-long accredited courses for adult learners (18 years and over) covering a wide range of subjects including literature, archaeology, architectural history, creative writing, history of art, philosophy, biological sciences, theology, psychology and more.
The 2024 programme (6 July - 10 August 2024) will open in the autumn. If you would like to be notified, please contact oussa@conted.ox.ac.uk. Summer 2023 attendees will be notified via email when the 2024 courses are available.
Participants are taught in small seminar groups of up to 12 students, and receive two one-on-one tutorials with their tutor.
During the course you will:
Listen to what students have to say in the video, below:
The daily timetable will normally be as follows:
14.00–16.30 - Registration
16.30–17.00 - Orientation meeting
17.00–17.30 - Classroom orientation for tutor and students
17.30–18.00 - Drinks reception
18.00–20.00 - Welcome dinner
09.00–10.30 - Seminar
10.30–11.00 - Tea/coffee break
11.00–12.30 - Seminar
12.30–13.30 - Lunch
13.30–18.00 - Afternoons are free for tutorials, individual study, course-related field trips or exploring the many places of interest in and around Oxford.
18.00–19.00 - Dinner
**There is a formal gala dinner on Fridays to close each week of the programme**
A range of optional social events will be offered throughout the summer school. These are likely to include: a quiz night, visit to historic pubs in Oxford, visit to Christ Church for Evensong and after-dinner talks and discussions.
Beyond the summer school, Oxford is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city with a busy cultural and social scene offering a wide variety of plays and shows, concerts, films and exhibitions.
Participants are required to undertake preparatory reading and complete a pre-course assignment of 1,500 words. Although this does not count towards credit, it is seen as an important way of developing your ideas and is mandatory. The pre-course assignment is typically due in the first week of June.
You will be assessed during the summer school by either a 1,000 word written assignment or a presentation supported by individual documentation. Participants will attend two one-on-one tutorials with their tutor during the week.
All summer school courses are taught through group seminars (12 during the week) and individual tutorials (2 during the week). Students also conduct private study when not being taught and there is a well stocked library at OUDCE to support individual research interests.
OUSSA is an accredited summer school taught at undergraduate level; each one-week course carries 10 CATS (Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme) points at FHEQ (Framework for Higher Education Qualification) Level 4. Credit is awarded by the Board of Studies of Oxford University Department for Continuing Education.
To successfully gain credit (10 CATS points) students should attend all classes and complete the on-course assignment. Students will receive a transcript of the amount awarded. Replacement transcripts are available for a nominal sum.
A maximum of 30 credits earned from OUSSA can be transferred towards our flexible Certificate of Higher Education.
Gain credit from short courses, including short online courses, weekly classes and OUSSA, and build your way to an Oxford University award. This part-time programme lasts between two and four years depending on how intensively you want to study, so you can study when and where it suits you.
Find out more about the Certificate of Higher Education
Click here for more details about our accomodation.
Please note that twin rooms are only available on a shared occupancy basis. If you wish to book a twin room each person should complete an application form and email it to us at oussa@conted.ox.ac.uk as these rooms cannot be booked online. (Forms may also be posted to us at: OUSSA, OUDCE, 1 Wellington Square, Oxford, OX1 2JA, UK)
If you need a room on a ground or lower floor please indicate this on your application, or contact the programme administrator prior to your arrival.
We also offer places on a non-residential basis whereby participants can take classes and have meals (lunch and dinner) at Rewley House, having arranged their own accommodation elsewhere.
Disabled students who have registered or are planning to attend OUSSA summer programme with OUDCE should please contact the Programme Administrator, via email at oussa@conted.ox.ac.uk, to discuss any support needs.
Students with a mobility impairment can consult the University Access Guide and should contact the Programme Administrator at oussa@conted.ox.ac.uk to request any accommodations they need in this regard. There is a special access ramp and a self-contained bedroom suite on the ground floor, equipped for use by people with mobility problems with an adjoining room for carers. Two public disabled parking bays provided by Oxford City Council are situated on Wellington Square close to the Department. If you need this accessible room, please indicate on your enrolment form, or contact the Programme Administrator prior to your arrival.
If you would like more information about support available to students with disabilities, please see: www.conted.ox.ac.uk/about/students-with-disabilities.
Most courses fill quickly so early registration is strongly recommended. 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.
Please note, the programme is only open to those over the age of 18.
Single accommodation and non-residential places may be booked online by clicking on the “Book now” button in the “Course details” box at the top right-hand side of the course page.
Those requiring twin or double accommodation should complete an application form as these rooms cannot be booked online.
Online enrolments require payment in full at the time of registering.
Those who do not wish to register online or who have specific requirements (e.g. the accessible bedroom) should contact the Programme Administrator directly at oussa@conted.ox.ac.uk or OUSSA, OUDCE, 1 Wellington Square, Oxford, OX1 2JA, UK
As students are expected to participate fully in seminar discussions and are required to produce written work it is important that applicants can demonstrate an appropriate level of proficiency in the four language skills - listening, reading, writing and speaking.
Applicants for whom English is not their first language must provide evidence of their proficiency in the form of an original certificate or a certified copy that is not more than two years old on the date the summer school starts. These applicants must satisfy one of the following requirements:
For further information on English language qualifications:
The requirement to provide English language test scores may be waived in either of the following circumstances:
European Economic Area (EEA) or Swiss nationals (excludes Irish nationals)
You do not need a visa to enter the UK to participate in the summer school. You can enter as a visitor for up to 6 months by using your passport at the eGates; this is explained on the UK Government website. The Programme Administrator will provide all non-UK students with a standard format pdf letter by email confirming enrolment and course details once their fees have been paid in full which you should keep in your hand luggage in case you are ever asked any questions on arrival. If you have pre-settled or settled status granted under the EU Settlement Scheme this paragraph does not apply.
Non-EEA nationals
a. Nationals from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, USA
If you hold a passport from one of these countries you can enter via the eGates as a visitor for up to 6 months. However, you should still keep the standard format pdf letter we will provide you in your hand luggage in case of any queries, or in case you need to attend a staffed desk if the eGates are not working or if the eGates cannot recognise the chip in your passport.
b. Other non-EEA nationals
You may need to apply for a visa before coming to the UK depending on which passport you hold. You can check if you need a visa before coming to the UK on the UK Government website
If you are not a national in section a. we strongly recommend that you establish whether you will require a visa before submitting your application.
You should ensure your summer school application is submitted as early as possible to allow yourself sufficient time to complete the visa application process.
The Programme Administrator will provide all non-UK students with a standard format pdf letter by email confirming enrolment and course details once their fees have been paid in full.
For legal reasons the Programme Administrator is not permitted to provide any visa advice to applicants. You can find information about visitor visas on the University visa and immigration webpages.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you have taken the necessary steps to enable you to be admitted to the UK. The university takes no responsibility for a visa being denied at any point before or during a course.
If you fail to attend the course and are from a nationality that require a visa before coming to the UK, we may need to contact the Home Office if we have issued you with a standard format pdf letter for visa purposes to cancel this visa.
Please note that the standard cancellation policy applies in all cases.
Details of fees can be found on each individual course page. Tuition and meals are included in the programme fee, with both residential and non-residential options available.
Course change administration fee: Please note that course transfers may be permitted in exceptional circumstances; however, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions, an administration fee of £50 will be charged.
Please be aware that all payments (and refunds) are subject to exchange rates at the time of processing.
Concessionary rates are available on a non-residential basis for those that qualify, more information can be found here
Unfortunately we do not offer any specific scholarships or funding opportunities for OUSSA programme, but you can visit our departmental funding webpage, where you may be able to find a particular source of funding that matches your requirements alongside meeting the funding criteria.
Participants who wish to cancel must inform the Programme Administrator in writing: by email to oussa@conted.ox.ac.uk or by post to OUSSA, OUDCE, 1 Wellington Square, OXFORD, OX1 2JA, UK.
The following cancellation and refund policy applies in all cases:
OUDCE reserves the right to cancel a course where there is good reason, for example, if exceptionally low enrolment would make it educationally unviable. In these cases we will refund the course fees that you have already paid. If we cancel a course, our liability is limited to the fees that we have received from you; this means that we will not compensate you for any pre-booked travel costs or any other expenses incurred.
Where course fees have been paid in currencies other than pounds sterling, refunds will be subject to the exchange rate on the day they are processed.
The status of this course will be reviewed on 1 May 2024. If it is likely that the course may be cancelled, all those affected will be notified by email within 7 days; if you have not heard from OUDCE by 8 May 2024, you should assume that your course will be running. You may wish to delay finalising your travel arrangements until after this date.
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. You are advised to check cancellation policies carefully and to purchase travel insurance.
Although it is not required, most students bring a laptop to Oxford to assist them with their studies.
For residential students, wireless internet access is available in all bedrooms; for all students, wireless access is available in communal spaces of the college.
All students will be eligible to use the computers and printer at the Department for Continuing Education, Rewely House, computer room.
Dates: 6 July - 10 August 2024
Location: Rewley House
Level: Undergraduate FHEQ Level 4
Contact us: oussa@conted.ox.ac.uk
