History Summer Courses in Oxford
Explore the people, events and ideas that have shaped societies, examine evidence from the past and develop your ability to construct well-reasoned historical arguments with Atlas Summer Courses. Our two-week History summer courses in Oxford, available for students aged 13–15, 16–17 and 18–24, give you the opportunity to explore history beyond your usual studies while developing your critical thinking, analytical and communication skills.
Through small-group teaching and independent study, you'll investigate historical questions, consider different interpretations and develop greater confidence using evidence to support your own arguments while enjoying the wider experience of spending your summer in Oxford with Atlas Summer Courses.
What's Included?
Your residential History 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 History in Oxford
Our History summer courses in Oxford give students aged 13–15, 16–17 and 18–24 the opportunity to spend two weeks investigating the past and developing their historical thinking as part of an Atlas Summer Courses summer experience.
History involves more than learning dates, events and the actions of important individuals. Historians examine evidence, compare interpretations and ask why societies change, why particular events happen and how our understanding of the past develops.
Across the course, you'll be encouraged to think critically about historical evidence and interpretation. You'll consider how historians construct arguments, why accounts of the same period or event can differ and how political, social, economic and cultural factors can interact to shape historical change.
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 History 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 historical periods, societies, events or themes while developing the methods historians use to investigate and interpret the past.
You might consider questions such as:
- How do historians use evidence to understand the past?
- Why can historians interpret the same event differently?
- What causes societies and political systems to change?
- How can the experiences of individuals help us understand wider historical developments?
- How do political, economic, social and cultural forces interact?
- How should we evaluate the reliability and limitations of historical sources?
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 History Course
How you'll study History 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 historical questions through interactive discussions, sources, case studies and activities. You'll be encouraged to examine evidence, consider different interpretations and explain the reasoning behind your own conclusions.
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 a historical question, analysing sources 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 historical questions, evidence and interpretations through discussion, sources 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 work you've been completing, 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 or other academic work for each tutorial.
Across all age groups, you'll be encouraged to participate actively, question interpretations and become more confident using evidence to construct historical arguments.
Your Summer Experience in Oxford
Your time with Atlas Summer Courses extends beyond your History 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 OXFORD SUMMER EXPERIENCE]
Who Are Our History Summer Courses in Oxford For?
Our History summer courses in Oxford are designed for students aged 13–15, 16–17 and 18–24 who are curious about the past and want to understand more about the people, events and forces that have shaped societies.
You don't need to specialise in a particular historical period before joining. The course may particularly appeal to you if you enjoy examining evidence, questioning why events happened, comparing different interpretations or debating how the past should be understood.
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, 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 History summer courses in Oxford may explore different periods, societies, themes and historical questions.
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 History Take You?
History develops the ability to investigate complex questions, evaluate evidence, understand different perspectives and construct clear, well-supported arguments.
Students interested in History may go on to study the subject itself or related areas such as politics, international relations, archaeology, classics, law, philosophy or other humanities and social sciences.
The research, analytical and communication skills associated with History can also support future paths across law, journalism, public policy, government, education, research, heritage, publishing and many other fields.
A History summer course in Oxford gives you the opportunity to explore the subject before making longer-term academic decisions and discover which periods, themes and historical questions interest you most.
Don’t see the course you’re looking for?
Explore our full range of courses by subject, age, and location using our course finder. With over 40 subjects available across top locations, there’s something for everyone.
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.
Explore Our
Summer Courses
Choose from over 40 subjects taught through flexible, age-appropriate programmes. Our tutors adapt their teaching methodologies to different age groups and shape course content around students’ interests, rather than following a fixed curriculum.
View all courses
