Economics Summer Courses in Oxford
Explore how individuals, businesses and governments make choices, investigate the forces shaping markets and economies, and develop your analytical thinking with Atlas Summer Courses. Our two-week Economics summer courses in Oxford, available for students aged 13–15, 16–17 and 18–24, give you the opportunity to explore economics beyond your usual studies while developing your critical thinking, problem-solving and reasoning skills.
Through small-group teaching and independent study, you'll examine economic questions, consider different perspectives and develop greater confidence using evidence and economic reasoning to form your own conclusions while enjoying the wider experience of spending your summer in Oxford with Atlas Summer Courses.
What's Included?
Your residential Economics 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 Economics in Oxford
Our Economics summer courses in Oxford give students aged 13–15, 16–17 and 18–24 the opportunity to spend two weeks exploring economic ideas and decision-making as part of an Atlas Summer Courses summer experience.
Economics examines how individuals, businesses and governments make choices when resources are limited. It provides ways of understanding markets, incentives, trade, growth and the decisions that influence economies and societies.
Across the course, you'll be encouraged to look beyond economic headlines and consider the ideas and evidence behind them. You'll explore how economists approach questions, why different decisions involve trade-offs and how economic models can help us understand complex real-world situations.
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 Economics 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 areas of microeconomics, macroeconomics and economic decision-making.
You might consider questions such as:
- Why do prices rise and fall?
- How do consumers and businesses respond to incentives?
- Why do markets sometimes produce unexpected or inefficient outcomes?
- What causes economies to grow?
- How do governments influence economic activity?
- Why do countries trade with one another?
- How can economists use evidence and models to understand real-world problems?
The depth and approach will reflect the age group you're studying with, as well as your tutor's academic 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 topics you'll study.
How You'll Learn on Your Economics Course
How you'll study Economics 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 economic ideas through interactive discussions, case studies, problems and activities. You'll be encouraged to consider different perspectives, examine evidence and apply economic reasoning to questions and real-world situations.
12 hours of private study
You'll complete a small amount of work for each seminar. Depending on the course, this might involve reading, researching an economic question, interpreting information or preparing a presentation. 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 economic ideas and questions through discussion, case studies 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 essay or problem sheet you've been working on, explain and defend your reasoning and receive detailed feedback.
Around 20 hours of private study
You'll complete reading in preparation for seminars and work independently on an essay or problem sheet for each tutorial.
Across all age groups, you'll be encouraged to participate actively, question assumptions and become more confident using economic reasoning to analyse complex questions.
Your Summer Experience in Oxford
Your time with Atlas Summer Courses extends beyond your Economics 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 Economics Summer Courses in Oxford For?
Our Economics summer courses in Oxford are designed for students aged 13–15, 16–17 and 18–24 who are curious about how economies work and want to understand more about the choices made by individuals, businesses and governments.
You don't need to have studied Economics before joining. The course may particularly appeal to you if you're interested in markets, business, current affairs or public policy, enjoy working with evidence and ideas, or want to understand the economic forces behind decisions that affect everyday life.
You'll develop transferable skills including analytical thinking, evaluating evidence, problem-solving, interpreting information, constructing arguments and independent study.
Learn from Expert Tutors
Atlas Summer Courses tutors are experienced educators and subject specialists active across academia, industry 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 Economics summer courses in Oxford may explore different economic theories, questions and real-world applications.
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 Economics Take You?
Economics develops the ability to analyse decisions, interpret evidence and understand how incentives, resources and institutions can influence outcomes.
Students interested in Economics may go on to study the subject itself or related areas such as finance, business, politics, international relations, mathematics or public policy.
The quantitative, analytical and communication skills associated with Economics can also support future paths across finance, banking, consulting, government, public policy, business, research and many other fields.
An Economics summer course in Oxford gives you the opportunity to explore the subject before making longer-term academic decisions and discover which areas of economics 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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