Enrich your mind and your summer with the Oxford Experience.
Live and study within the historic walls of Christ Church with the Oxford Experience, a programme of residential summer courses for adults aged 18 and above.
Choose from more than 80 week-long courses in a range of subjects including archaeology, history, literature, philosophy, history of art and creative writing. All courses are pitched at an introductory level, and no prior knowledge is necessary.
Mornings are spent in small, engaging seminars, with afternoons and evenings free for course-related field trips, exploring the many places of interest in and around Oxford, or taking part in the optional social programme.
Join a vibrant community of learners, make new connections and sample Oxford University life.
All courses are held at Christ Church where you can experience what it's like to live as an Oxford University student.
Christ Church is one of Oxford University's largest and grandest colleges, known for its unique dual role as both a college and the cathedral for the Diocese of Oxford. The college is famous for its stunning architecture, including the Great Hall which inspired the Hogwarts dining hall in the Harry Potter films, and its impressive grounds and library.
Small group classes, of up to 12 participants, take place on weekday mornings and are taught by experienced and friendly tutors.
While you may be expected to complete some pre-course reading, you are not required to produce any written work during the week, with the possible exception of our creative writing courses.
The course fee includes:
The Oxford Experience warmly invites all participants take part in our social programme. This is tailored to provide you with opportunities to socialise with fellow participants and tutors, and to explore the city of Oxford during your free time. The optional social activities, at no extra cost, may include the following depending on your week of enrolment:
There will also be optional social events and excursions with tickets available for purchase in spring. Activities and locations vary each week of the programme, and include the following (subject to change):
At the end of the course you will receive a 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.
During your course you can stay in typical Oxford student accommodation at Christ Church, in buildings which range from the 18th to the 20th century. Please note that bedrooms are modestly-furnished and do not have air-conditioning.
The course fee includes breakfasts Monday-Saturday (residential guests only), lunches Sunday-Friday, and three-course dinners Sunday-Thursday. On Friday, there will be a special four-course gala dinner to celebrate the closing of the week. All meals are taken in Christ Church’s spectacular dining hall.
Single en suite
Single standard
En suite rooms include private bathroom facilities (shower, washbasin and toilet). Standard rooms include a washbasin and shaver point only, with bathroom facilities shared with other rooms.
Double and twin bedrooms are only available for two participants that apply to the programme together. They are charged per person and cannot be booked by individuals.
En suite rooms include private bathroom facilities (shower, washbasin and toilet). 'Twin set’ standard rooms comprise two separate single standard rooms, each with a washbasin and shaver point only, opening onto a private sitting room, with bathroom facilities shared with other rooms.
We also offer places on a non-residential basis whereby participants can take classes and have lunch and dinner at Christ Church, having arranged their own accommodation elsewhere. Applications can be made online.
We are unable to arrange accommodation at Christ Church prior to or following your course. Please contact Christ Church directly if you require additional nights of bed and breakfast accommodation, and they may be able to assist.
Additionally, family or friends who are not enrolled in the programme cannot be accommodated in college.
The Oxford Experience welcomes participants who want to attend multiple courses over the summer. Resident participants staying in Christ Church for consecutive weeks can have bed and breakfast accommodation arranged for the Saturday night between their courses.
Participants who declare a disability during their application will be contacted by our student support team to discuss any support needs or adjustment requests.
Disabled students planning to attend the Oxford Experience summer programme may wish to contact the programme administrator via oxfordexperience@conted.ox.ac.uk to discuss any support needs in advance.
Please note that Christ Church bedrooms 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 as soon as possible before 1 June 2026.
Students with a mobility impairment may wish to consult the University Access Guide.
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.
Single accommodation and non-residential places should be booked online by clicking on the 'Book now' button at the top of each course page. Please do not complete an enrolment form for these.
If you have trouble booking online, please contact the programme administrator via oxfordexperience@conted.ox.ac.uk.
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.
Enrolment forms can be found on each individual course page, along with details of how to send these to us.
Those who have specific requirements (eg an accessible bedroom) should contact the Programme Administrator directly at oxfordexperience@conted.ox.ac.uk or The Oxford Experience, Oxford Lifelong Learning, University of Oxford Department for Continuing Education, 1 Wellington Square, OXFORD, OX1 2JA, UK.
Details of fees can be found on each individual course page. Tuition and meals are included in the programme fee, with both residential (full board) and non-residential (lunch and dinner only) options available.
Course change administration fee: Please note that course transfers may be permitted in exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the programme administrator, up to 1 May 2026; however, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions for our open access courses, an administration fee of £50 will be charged.
Please note there are no sources of funding (scholarships, bursaries, etc) available for the Oxford Experience programme.
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.
If you have any questions, please contact us at oxfordexperience@conted.ox.ac.uk.
You may also find our frequently asked questions help page useful.
Dates: One-week courses, running from 5 July - 22 August 2026
Location: Christ Church, Oxford
Level: Non-specialists aged 18+
Questions? Email: oxfordexperience@conted.ox.ac.uk
