Environmental Science Summer Courses in Oxford
Explore the natural world, investigate the environmental challenges facing our planet and develop your ability to think critically about possible solutions with Atlas Summer Courses. Our two-week Environmental Science summer courses in Oxford, available for students aged 13–15, 16–17 and 18–24, give you the opportunity to explore environmental science beyond your usual studies while developing your scientific reasoning, analytical and problem-solving skills.
Through small-group teaching and independent study, you'll examine environmental systems, consider scientific evidence and explore the relationships between human activity and the natural world while enjoying the wider experience of spending your summer in Oxford with Atlas Summer Courses.
What's Included?
Your residential Environmental Science 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 Environmental Science in Oxford
Our Environmental Science summer courses in Oxford give students aged 13–15, 16–17 and 18–24 the opportunity to spend two weeks investigating the natural world and contemporary environmental challenges as part of an Atlas Summer Courses summer experience.
Environmental Science draws on areas including biology, chemistry and earth science to understand environmental systems and the ways human activity can affect them. It also encourages us to consider how scientific evidence can inform our responses to issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss, resource use and pollution.
Across the course, you'll be encouraged to look at environmental questions from different perspectives. You'll consider how natural systems interact, how environmental changes can be investigated and how evidence can help us evaluate potential responses to complex challenges.
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 Environmental Science 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 environmental science, from ecosystems and biodiversity to climate, resources, pollution and sustainability.
You might consider questions such as:
- How do different parts of an ecosystem interact?
- What factors can influence biodiversity?
- How can scientists investigate environmental change?
- How does human activity affect natural systems?
- How can scientific evidence help us understand climate and environmental challenges?
- How can societies balance environmental, social and economic priorities?
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 Environmental Science Course
How you'll study Environmental Science 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 environmental science through interactive discussions, case studies and activities. You'll be encouraged to examine evidence, ask questions and apply scientific reasoning to different environmental challenges.
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 environmental question, examining data 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 environmental systems and challenges 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 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, evaluate scientific evidence and become more confident approaching complex environmental questions.
Your Summer Experience in Oxford
Your time with Atlas Summer Courses extends beyond your Environmental Science 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 Environmental Science Summer Courses in Oxford For?
Our Environmental Science summer courses in Oxford are designed for students aged 13–15, 16–17 and 18–24 who are curious about the natural world and want to understand more about the environmental challenges affecting our planet.
You don't need to have studied Environmental Science as a standalone subject before joining. The course may particularly appeal to you if you enjoy biology, chemistry, geography or other sciences, are interested in sustainability and climate issues or want to understand how scientific evidence can help us investigate environmental change.
You'll develop transferable skills including scientific reasoning, analysing evidence, critical thinking, problem-solving, independent study and communicating complex ideas clearly.
If you'd like to explore the subject more broadly, discover our Environmental Science summer courses.
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 Environmental Science summer courses in Oxford may explore different ecosystems, environmental challenges and scientific approaches.
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 Environmental Science Take You?
Environmental Science develops the ability to understand complex natural systems, analyse scientific evidence and consider how environmental challenges can be approached.
Students interested in Environmental Science may go on to study the subject itself or related areas such as ecology, biology, earth sciences, geography, climate science, conservation or sustainability.
The scientific, analytical and problem-solving skills associated with Environmental Science can also support future paths across environmental research, conservation, sustainability, renewable energy, environmental policy and other science-related fields.
An Environmental Science summer course in Oxford gives you the opportunity to explore the subject before making longer-term academic decisions and discover which environmental 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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