Classical Civilisation Summer Courses in Oxford
Explore the societies, ideas and cultures of the ancient world, examine how we interpret evidence from the past and develop your ability to construct thoughtful, well-supported arguments with Atlas Summer Courses. Our two-week Classical Civilisation summer courses in Oxford, available for students aged 16–17 and 18–24, give you the opportunity to explore the ancient world beyond your usual studies while developing your critical thinking, analytical and communication skills.
Through small-group seminars, tutorials and independent study, you'll investigate ancient societies, engage with different forms of evidence and consider competing interpretations while enjoying the wider experience of spending your summer in Oxford with Atlas Summer Courses.
What's Included?
Your residential Classical Civilisation 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 Classical Civilisation in Oxford
Our Classical Civilisation summer courses in Oxford give students aged 16–17 and 18–24 the opportunity to spend two weeks exploring the societies, cultures and ideas of the ancient world as part of an Atlas Summer Courses summer experience.
Classical Civilisation offers a broad way to investigate ancient Greece and Rome through areas such as history, literature, mythology, philosophy, politics, art and society. It asks not only what happened in the ancient world, but how we know about it and how different forms of evidence can shape our interpretations.
Across the course, you'll be encouraged to look beyond individual events, texts or historical figures and consider broader questions about ancient societies. You'll examine evidence, compare interpretations and explore how the ideas and cultures of the classical world can be understood from different perspectives.
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 a Classical Civilisation 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 and group, you could explore different aspects of ancient Greek and Roman history, literature, mythology, philosophy, politics, art or society.
You might consider questions such as:
- How can ancient texts and material evidence help us understand past societies?
- How were power and political authority understood in Greece and Rome?
- What can mythology reveal about the values and concerns of ancient cultures?
- How did ancient writers represent individuals, societies and historical events?
- What can art, architecture and archaeology tell us about everyday life in the ancient world?
- Why can scholars interpret the same ancient evidence differently?
- How have ideas from the classical world been interpreted by later societies?
The precise content will reflect your tutor's academic expertise and the interests of the students in your group. Any syllabus shown on our website is an example from a previous course rather than a guarantee of the exact periods, texts, societies or topics you'll study.
How You'll Learn on Your Classical Civilisation Course
Atlas Summer Courses' Classical Civilisation summer courses combine small-group seminars, tutorials and private study, giving you opportunities to examine evidence, discuss interpretations and develop arguments of your own.
Ages 16–17 and 18–24
18 hours of small-group seminars
You'll take part in six three-hour seminars, exploring the classical world through discussion, texts, sources, case studies and other activities. You'll be encouraged to examine evidence critically, compare interpretations and contribute your own perspectives.
2 hours of tutorials
You'll have one tutorial each week, usually with your tutor and one other student. These focused sessions give you the opportunity to discuss the essay you've been working on, explain and defend your interpretation and receive detailed feedback.
Around 20 hours of private study
You'll complete reading in preparation for seminars and work independently on an essay for each tutorial.
Together, these different forms of teaching encourage you to participate actively, engage critically with evidence and take greater responsibility for developing your own academic arguments.
Your Summer Experience in Oxford
Your time with Atlas Summer Courses extends beyond your Classical Civilisation 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 Classical Civilisation Summer Courses in Oxford For?
Our Classical Civilisation summer courses in Oxford are designed for students aged 16–17 and 18–24 who are curious about the ancient world and want to explore the societies, cultures and ideas of Greece and Rome in greater depth.
You don't need to have studied Latin or Ancient Greek before joining. The course may particularly appeal to you if you enjoy history, literature, philosophy, mythology, archaeology or politics, or if you're interested in understanding how evidence can be used to reconstruct and interpret past societies.
You'll develop transferable skills including critical thinking, source analysis, evaluating evidence, constructing arguments, independent research and communicating complex ideas clearly.
Learn from Expert Tutors
Atlas Summer Courses tutors are experienced educators and subject specialists active across academia, research and education.
They bring their own academic 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 Classical Civilisation summer courses in Oxford may explore different periods, texts, societies and aspects of the ancient world.
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 Classical Civilisation Take You?
Classical Civilisation develops the ability to examine evidence critically, understand different perspectives and construct clear, well-supported arguments.
Students interested in Classical Civilisation may go on to study classics or related areas such as ancient history, archaeology, history, literature, philosophy, art history or politics.
The analytical, research and communication skills associated with Classical Civilisation can also support future paths across education, research, museums and heritage, publishing, journalism, law, public policy and many other fields.
A Classical Civilisation summer course in Oxford gives you the opportunity to explore the ancient world before making longer-term academic decisions and discover which periods, cultures and questions 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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