Architecture Summer Courses in Oxford
Explore how buildings and spaces are conceived, investigate the relationship between design, people and place, and develop your creative and analytical thinking with Atlas Summer Courses. Our two-week Architecture summer courses in Oxford, available for students aged 13–15, 16–17 and 18–24, give you the opportunity to explore architecture beyond your usual studies while developing your design thinking, problem-solving and communication skills.
Through small-group teaching and independent study, you'll investigate architectural ideas, consider different approaches to design and become more confident developing and communicating your own responses to creative challenges while enjoying the wider experience of spending your summer in Oxford with Atlas Summer Courses.
What's Included?
Your residential Architecture summer course in Oxford includes academic teaching, accommodation, meals, a certificate on completion, airport transfer from Heathrow and insurance.
Choose from Plus, Superior and Premier packages, with accommodation and additional benefits varying by package.
Study Architecture in Oxford
Our Architecture summer courses in Oxford give students aged 13–15, 16–17 and 18–24 the opportunity to spend two weeks exploring architectural ideas, design and the built environment as part of an Atlas Summer Courses summer experience.
Architecture brings together creativity, technical understanding and an awareness of how people interact with the spaces around them. Architects consider not only what a building might look like, but how it will function, who will use it, how it responds to its surroundings and the practical constraints that influence its design.
Across the course, you'll be encouraged to think about architecture as both a creative and problem-solving discipline. You'll consider how different priorities can shape a design and how architectural ideas can be developed, evaluated and communicated.
Outside your academic sessions, you'll experience the wider programme alongside other students, with time to enjoy Oxford and take part in the social and cultural elements of your summer.
What Will You Study on an Architecture Summer Course in Oxford?
There is no prescribed syllabus that every student follows. Atlas Summer Courses tutors create their own syllabi, drawing on their expertise while taking the interests, abilities and learning needs of their students into account.
Depending on your tutor, group and age range, you could explore different aspects of architectural design, the built environment, structures, materials, sustainability or the relationship between buildings and the people who use them.
You might consider questions such as:
- How do architects turn an initial idea into a developed design?
- How can the needs of different users influence a building?
- How do form and function interact in architecture?
- What role do materials and structures play in architectural design?
- How can buildings respond to their physical and social surroundings?
- How can sustainability influence architectural decisions?
- How can drawings, models and other methods help communicate a design idea?
The depth and approach will reflect the age group you're studying with, as well as your tutor's expertise and the interests of the group. Any syllabus shown on our website is an example from a previous course rather than a guarantee of the exact projects, techniques or topics you'll study.
How You'll Learn on Your Architecture Course
How you'll study Architecture depends on your age group, with each course with Atlas Summer Courses designed to provide an appropriate level of academic challenge and independence.
Ages 13–15
24 hours of small-group seminars
You'll take part in eight seminars where you'll explore architectural ideas through interactive discussions, design challenges, case studies and activities. You'll be encouraged to experiment with ideas, consider different solutions and explain the thinking behind your design decisions.
12 hours of private study
You'll complete a small amount of work for each seminar. Depending on the course, this might involve researching an architectural question, developing a design idea, responding to a creative brief or preparing work to discuss with your group. There will be opportunities to work independently as well as collaboratively with your peers.
Ages 16–17 and 18–24
18 hours of small-group seminars
You'll take part in six three-hour seminars, exploring architecture and design through discussion, case studies, creative challenges and activities.
2 hours of tutorials
You'll have one tutorial each week, usually with your tutor and one other student. Tutorials provide a focused opportunity to discuss the work you've been developing, explain and defend your design decisions and receive detailed feedback.
Around 20 hours of private study
You'll complete preparation for seminars and work independently on design, research or other academic tasks for each tutorial.
Across all age groups, you'll be encouraged to participate actively, experiment with different approaches and become more confident developing and communicating architectural ideas.
Your Summer Experience in Oxford
Your time with Atlas Summer Courses extends beyond your Architecture course.
You'll spend two weeks living and learning alongside other students, combining your academic programme with the wider social and cultural elements of the summer experience.
Outside your academic sessions, you'll have opportunities to spend time with other students, enjoy Oxford and take part in the activities and experiences included within your programme.
Accommodation and additional programme benefits vary according to the package you choose, so you can compare the available options before applying.
Explore the summer experience in Oxford.
Who Are Our Architecture Summer Courses in Oxford For?
Our Architecture summer courses in Oxford are designed for students aged 13–15, 16–17 and 18–24 who are curious about buildings, design and the spaces in which we live, work and interact.
You don't need to have studied Architecture before joining. The course may particularly appeal to you if you enjoy design, drawing, problem-solving, art, mathematics or engineering, are interested in the built environment or want to explore whether architecture could be a subject you'd like to pursue further.
You also don't need to have decided what kind of architect or designer you might want to become. The course gives you an opportunity to explore different aspects of the discipline and develop a broader understanding of architectural thinking.
You'll develop transferable skills including design thinking, creative problem-solving, critical analysis, evaluating different approaches, independent study and communicating ideas clearly.
Learn from Expert Tutors
Atlas Summer Courses tutors are experienced educators and subject specialists active across academia, industry and education.
They bring their own expertise and interests into their teaching and have the freedom to shape their syllabus around both their specialism and the students in their group. This means different Architecture summer courses in Oxford may explore different architectural ideas, design challenges and approaches to the built environment.
Tutors are confirmed closer to the summer, so profiles on our website are examples of tutors who have previously taught with us rather than confirmation of who will teach your course.
Where Can Architecture Take You?
Architecture develops the ability to combine creative thinking with analysis, technical understanding and practical problem-solving.
Students interested in Architecture may go on to study the subject itself or related areas such as architectural engineering, urban design, planning, interior architecture, landscape architecture, engineering or other creative and technical disciplines.
The design, analytical and communication skills associated with Architecture can also support future paths across architecture, urban planning, construction, property, design, sustainability and other built-environment fields.
An Architecture summer course in Oxford gives you the opportunity to explore the subject before making longer-term academic decisions and discover which aspects of architecture and design interest you most.
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FAQs about Atlas Summer Courses
Atlas Summer Courses offers a wide range of summer courses in Oxford across subjects including sciences, humanities, social sciences, business, medicine, law, engineering and creative disciplines. Courses are available for different age groups, with the exact subjects available depending on the student's age and course dates.
Our summer courses in Oxford are available for students across several age groups, including 13–15, 16–17 and 18–24. Teaching and independent study are designed around each age group, giving students an appropriate level of academic challenge and independence.
Our residential summer courses in Oxford combine academic teaching with accommodation, meals and a wider programme of social and cultural experiences. Inclusions and accommodation vary by package, so students and families can compare the available options when choosing their course.
No. Atlas Summer Courses is an independent summer course provider and is not part of, affiliated with or endorsed by the University of Oxford. Our summer courses in Oxford are organised and delivered by Atlas Programmes, with the focus on our academic courses and the wider Atlas Programmes summer experience.
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