Deepen your knowledge, expand your horizons.
The Oxford University Summer School for Adults (OUSSA) is a residential summer programme held at Rewley House in central Oxford, offering more than 60 week-long accredited courses for adult learners (18 years and over).
Whether you’re exploring new subjects out of interest or advancing your academic journey, OUSSA offers an enriching programme designed for those ready to immerse themselves in university-level study.
Courses cover a wide range of subjects including literature, archaeology, architectural history, creative writing, history of art, philosophy, biological sciences, theology, psychology and more.
Our programme of courses for summer 2026 is now open to enrolment.
During the course you will:
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 every Friday 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.
Students are encouraged to 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 computer room at Rewley House.
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. To successfully gain credit (10 CATS points) students should attend all classes and complete the on-course assignment.
Participants will also attend two one-on-one tutorials with their tutor during the week.
Please see the 'certification' section below for more details about CATS points.
All participants who complete the course will receive a physical Certificate of Attendance.
You will also be issued with an official digital badge of attendance. After the course, you will receive an email with a link and instructions on how to download this. You will be able to share this on social media and add to your email signature if you wish to do so.
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.
CATS points will be awarded to students who attend all classes and complete the on-course assignment to the required standard. Please see the 'assessment methods' section above for more details.
Students will receive a transcript of the amount of CATS points awarded. Replacement transcripts are available for a nominal sum. Learn more about CATS points.
Credit (CATS points) earned from OUSSA can be transferred towards our flexible Certificate of Higher Education. This part-time, award-bearing course lets you decide what, how and where you study by gaining credit from short courses, including short online courses, in-person weekly classes and OUSSA.
For full details, including transfering credit gained from OUSSA to the programme, see our Certificate of Higher Education programme page.
Please see the 'how to enrol' section below for guidance on how to book or request the right accommodation for you.
This includes accommodation and all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner).
View full details of Rewley House accommodation.
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 the Department 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 at Rewley House, 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 this on your enrolment form, or contact the Programme Administrator prior to your arrival. Please also let us know of any support needs you may require.
If you need a room on a ground or lower floor please indicate this 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 our support page.
Registration closes on 1 May 2026.
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, double room for 1 person and non-residential places should be booked online by clicking on the 'Book now' button at the top of each course page.
Online enrolments require payment in full at the time of registering.
Those requiring twin, double or accessible accommodation (including ground/lower floor accommodation) should complete an enrolment form as these rooms cannot be booked or requested online.
Please send the completed enrolment form to the email address below. Both the PDF and Word option of the form below are editable, so you can complete them online before saving and sending to us as an email attachment. You do not need to print and scan them. (Please use these forms only if you are making a twin or double booking for two people.)
Those who have specific requirements (eg an accessible bedroom) should contact the Programme Administrator directly at oussa@conted.ox.ac.uk or OUSSA, University of Oxford Department for Continuing Education, 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.
If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence of your 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. You must satisfy one of the following requirements:
TOEFL iBT - minimum overall score of 110, with not less than 22 for listening, 24 for reading, 25 for speaking and 24 for writing
C1 Advanced (formerly known as Cambridge English: Advanced or CAE) - minimum overall score of 191, with not less 185 in each of the four components.
For further information on English language qualifications:
The requirement to provide English language test scores may be waived in either of the following circumstances:
The Department welcomes international students on all its courses. However, it is the responsibility of successful applicants to ensure that they conform to UK immigration law.
If you are not a UK or Irish national, you might 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’s website. We strongly recommend that you establish whether you will require a visa before submitting your application.
If you don't require a visa to come to the UK for a short period of study, you will need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).
The Programme Administrator will provide non-UK/Irish nationals enrolled on the summer school with a standard format pdf letter by email confirming enrolment and course details once their fees have been paid in full. These letters are issued on a request only basis.
If you will require a visa, you should ensure your summer school application is submitted as early as possible to allow yourself sufficient time to complete the visa application process (see current visa processing times).
For legal reasons the Programme Administrator is not permitted to provide any visa advice to applicants; any queries should be addressed to student.immigration@admin.ox.ac.uk.
Information regarding visiting the UK to study is available on the UK Government’s website as well as Oxford University’s Student Immigration website.
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.
Please note that the standard cancellation policy applies in all cases. (See 'Cancellations', below)
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 for our open access courses, 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.
Please see the terms and conditions for our open-access courses.
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 the terms and conditions carefully and to purchase travel insurance.
Concessionary rates are available on a non-residential basis for those that qualify.
The concessionary fee is for non-residential attendance only; participants will then be responsible for finding their own accommodation. See full details including eligibility.
Dates: One-week courses, running from 11 July - 22 August 2026
Location: Rewley House
Level: Undergraduate FHEQ Level 4
Questions? Email: oussa@conted.ox.ac.uk
