International Relations and Politics Summer Courses in Oxford
Explore how countries interact, how political decisions are made and how global challenges are understood with Atlas Summer Courses. Our two-week International Relations and Politics summer course in Oxford, designed for students aged 13–15, gives you the opportunity to explore political and global issues beyond your usual studies while developing your critical thinking, reasoning and communication skills.
Through small-group seminars and independent study, you'll consider different perspectives, examine political and international questions and develop greater confidence forming and communicating your own arguments while enjoying the wider experience of spending your summer in Oxford with Atlas Summer Courses.
What's Included?
Your residential International Relations and Politics 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 International Relations and Politics in Oxford
Our International Relations and Politics summer course in Oxford gives students aged 13–15 the opportunity to spend two weeks exploring political ideas and international affairs as part of an Atlas Summer Courses summer experience.
Politics examines how societies are governed, how power is exercised and how decisions affecting individuals and communities are made. International Relations considers how countries and other global actors interact, cooperate and respond to shared challenges.
Studying the subjects together gives you the opportunity to consider how decisions made within countries can have international consequences and how global events can influence domestic politics.
Across the course, you'll be encouraged to question assumptions, consider competing perspectives and think critically about political and international issues.
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 International Relations and Politics 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 political systems, international relationships, global institutions, political ideas or contemporary issues.
You might consider questions such as:
- Why do countries cooperate or come into conflict?
- How is political power gained and exercised?
- What role do international organisations play in global affairs?
- How do governments respond to international challenges?
- How can political decisions in one country affect others?
- Why can the same political or global issue be understood from different perspectives?
The precise content will reflect your tutor's academic expertise and the interests and learning needs 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 topics you'll study.
How You'll Learn on Your International Relations and Politics Course
Atlas Summer Courses' International Relations and Politics summer course combines interactive small-group seminars with private study, giving you opportunities to explore ideas, discuss different perspectives and develop reasoned arguments.
Ages 13–15
24 hours of small-group seminars
You'll take part in eight seminars where you'll explore political and international questions through interactive discussions, case studies and activities. You'll be encouraged to consider different perspectives, analyse arguments 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 political or international question or preparing a presentation. There will be opportunities to work independently as well as collaboratively with your peers.
Across the course, you'll be encouraged to participate actively, question assumptions and become more confident discussing complex political and international issues.
Your Summer Experience in Oxford
Your time with Atlas Summer Courses extends beyond your International Relations and Politics 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 Is Our International Relations and Politics Summer Course in Oxford For?
Our International Relations and Politics summer course in Oxford is designed for students aged 13–15 who are curious about politics, international affairs and how decisions shape societies and relationships between countries.
You don't need to have studied International Relations or Politics before joining. The course may particularly appeal to you if you enjoy following world events, debating ideas, considering different perspectives or understanding why countries and governments make the decisions they do.
You'll develop transferable skills including critical thinking, evaluating evidence, analysing different perspectives, constructing arguments, independent study and communicating complex ideas clearly.
If you'd like to explore these subjects more broadly, discover our International Relations summer courses and Politics 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 International Relations and Politics summer courses in Oxford may explore different political ideas, international questions and global challenges.
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 International Relations and Politics Take You?
International Relations and Politics develop the ability to analyse complex issues, evaluate competing perspectives and construct reasoned arguments about political and global questions.
Students interested in these subjects may go on to study international relations, politics or related areas such as history, law, economics, philosophy, international development or public policy.
The analytical, research and communication skills associated with International Relations and Politics can also support future paths across government, international organisations, public policy, law, journalism, research, business and other internationally focused fields.
An International Relations and Politics summer course in Oxford gives you the opportunity to explore both subjects before making longer-term academic decisions and discover which political and international 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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