Charlize Andrews — Review of Atlas Summer Courses
Key takeaways:
As summer comes to an end, one of our favourite things is hearing from our students after they have finished their course. One of our students, Charlize, who studied Creative Writing with us in Oxford this summer, has written a blog about her Atlas Summer Courses experience.
Where are Atlas Summer Courses Hosted?
For ages 9–12, our junior summer courses are hosted at renowned boarding schools, including Harrow School. For ages 13–24, our summer courses are hosted at colleges in Cambridge and Oxford, whose facilities we hire for the summer. Apply now to reserve your place on one of our summer courses.
This summer, I travelled around 3,830 miles to the city of Oxford to have the experience of a lifetime. While there, I had the opportunity to study Creative Writing on a two-week course, living in college accommodation at Somerville College. The chance to live and study in one of the world's great academic cities was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for this 16-year-old American girl, and I took it.
Atlas Summer Courses connects students aged 13–24 with summer academic programmes held across the UK, in Oxford, Cambridge, and London. Students choose from a wide range of subjects based on their age and preferred location. Each two-week programme combines focused academic study with a full residential experience — including accommodation, daily meals, and airport transfers where needed. There is also time built in to explore the local area and its attractions.
Each week features a full programme of activities and excursions to memorable places. With small class sizes, expert tutors from leading universities including Oxford and Cambridge, and a rich academic environment in the historic city of Oxford, Atlas Summer Courses offers a unique perspective for anyone looking to reimagine their summer.
Our student helpers informed us each morning of the plan for any activities. The helpers were always incredibly welcoming and became close friends with everyone in the group. Everyone at Atlas Summer Courses, staff and students alike, were so welcoming from beginning to end.
Weekly Schedules Not everyone's schedule looked the same, but here’s a basic outline of what my time in Oxford looked like:
Week One 08:00 - Breakfast
08:30 - 08:55 - Check in
09:00 - 10:30 - Tutorial (otherwise known as a “class”)
10:30 - 10:50 - Break
10:50 - 12:00 - Tutorial continued
From noon on, you either have free time to get yourself lunch and explore, or your Student Helpers will have an activity planned that you’ll meet up for, usually around 14:00. Dinner in the dining hall is usually around 18:00 - 18:30 where you’ll eat for a couple of nights during the week. The other evening meals will be in a variety of restaurants around the city.
After dinner there’s usually free time, unless there’s an activity planned like a walking tour or a movie theatre trip. The college enacts a curfew at 22:30, so students retire to their buildings at that time.
Every Wednesday, there is no tutorial. Instead, you spend the extra time working on an assignment set by your tutor. Once you have handed this in, your day carries on the same schedule as the other days. On Thursdays, you’re split into 1:1 or 2:1 groups to have time to work more closely with your tutor and reflect on the work you have completed. Weekends are free from coursework to enjoy your time with your friends.
Week Two The only main difference in week two is that your tutorial is from 14:00 to 17:00, rather than having them in the morning like in week one. This causes your second week to fly by much faster than the first.
At the end of week two you will have a graduation ceremony with your course mates. This is a time for you and your friends to dress up formally, receive your completion certificate and to celebrate all you have achieved over the course.
There's so much to say about my time at Atlas Summer Courses. It is a wonderful experience for students worldwide and I highly recommend applying to anyone considering attending.
Ready to Join Atlas Summer Courses?
After submitting your application, we'll be in touch very soon to inform you of the outcome. Apply now to begin your journey with Atlas Summer Courses!
About the author
Rhys Mackenzie is responsible for creating and maintaining educational content at Atlas Summer Courses, helping students and families access clear, accurate information about studying in Oxford. With several years of experience in digital content and student-focused resources, Rhys specialises in presenting academic programmes in a way that reflects the quality and integrity of Atlas Summer Courses' academic offering. Learn more about Rhys here.
Summary
Charlize, a 16-year-old American, shares her Atlas Summer Courses experience studying Creative Writing. Discover UK summer university programmes for an enriching academic experience. Find out more and apply for a rewarding summer in Oxford, Cambridge, or London.
