Psychology Summer Courses in Oxford
Explore how people think, feel and behave and develop a deeper understanding of the ideas used to investigate the human mind with Atlas Summer Courses. Our two-week Psychology summer courses in Oxford, available for students aged 13–15, 16–17 and 18–24, give you the opportunity to explore psychological ideas beyond your usual studies while developing your critical and analytical thinking.
Through small-group teaching and independent study, you'll consider different explanations for human behaviour, examine evidence and develop your own thinking while enjoying the wider experience of spending your summer in Oxford with Atlas Summer Courses.
What's Included?
Your residential Psychology 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 Psychology in Oxford
Our Psychology summer courses in Oxford give students aged 13–15, 16–17 and 18–24 the opportunity to spend two weeks exploring the study of the mind and behaviour as part of an Atlas Summer Courses summer experience.
Psychology investigates how and why people think, feel and behave in different ways. It draws on scientific research and different theoretical perspectives to explore questions surrounding areas such as memory, emotion, development, decision-making and social behaviour.
Across the course, you'll be encouraged to look critically at psychological ideas, consider how evidence can support or challenge an explanation and explore why human behaviour 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 Psychology 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 psychology and the approaches psychologists use to investigate human thought and behaviour.
You might consider questions such as:
- How do psychologists investigate human behaviour?
- What influences the decisions people make?
- How do memory and learning shape our experiences?
- How can other people influence the way we think and behave?
- How does human behaviour change throughout our lives?
- How can different psychological explanations help us understand the same behaviour?
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 Psychology Course
How you'll study Psychology 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 psychological ideas through interactive discussions, case studies and activities. You'll be challenged to develop your responses, consider different explanations and communicate your thinking clearly.
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 question 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 psychological ideas 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, question assumptions and become more confident analysing psychological ideas and evidence.
Your Summer Experience in Oxford
Your time with Atlas Summer Courses extends beyond your Psychology 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 Psychology Summer Courses in Oxford For?
Our Psychology summer courses in Oxford are designed for students aged 13–15, 16–17 and 18–24 who are curious about the human mind and want to understand more about why people think and behave in the ways they do.
You don't need to have studied Psychology before joining. The course may particularly appeal to you if you're interested in human behaviour, enjoy examining different explanations or want to understand how evidence and research can be used to investigate psychological questions.
You'll develop transferable skills including critical thinking, evaluating evidence, analysing different perspectives, constructing arguments, independent study 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 Psychology summer courses in Oxford may explore different areas, questions and psychological perspectives.
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 Psychology Take You?
Psychology provides a way of investigating human thought and behaviour while developing analytical, research and communication skills.
Students interested in Psychology may go on to study the subject itself or related areas such as neuroscience, cognitive science, behavioural science, education or other social and life sciences.
The skills associated with Psychology can also support future paths across research, education, business, marketing, human resources and many other fields involving people, behaviour and decision-making.
A Psychology summer course in Oxford gives you the opportunity to explore the subject before making longer-term academic decisions and discover which areas of psychology 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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