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Oxbridge in New York
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Oxbridge Academic Programs

Oxbridge in New York

Join the Oxbridge in New York summer program for students in grades 9-12, held at Barnard College, Columbia University, in Manhattan. Choose a Major and a Workshop from 18+ course options that include Fashion, Musical Theater, Business, Medicine, Psychology, and Urban Planning. Study in the world's most vibrant city with access to Broadway, Wall Street, museums, and the United Nations while earning grade reports for college applications.

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Make New York Your Classroom This Summer

Oxbridge in New York offers students currently in grades 9-12 a transformative, month-long immersion into life at Barnard College, an independent liberal arts college established in 1889 and affiliated with Columbia University since 1900. Columbia University is the oldest university in New York, established in 1754 by  Royal Charter. Students live in the rooms that undergraduates occupy during the year and work with leading academics, business practitioners, and creative professionals. Students choose a Major and a Workshop for the month while exploring New York—courses take full advantage of the museums, advertising firms, hedge funds, and shows that make the city so famous. In their free time, they can go to a Major League baseball game, a Broadway show, Coney Island, or take part in a program of college visits and a college fair. When not studying or discovering world-famous sites, they can grab a bite in the Diana Center café, enjoy the Columbia University gym, or relax with friends in the common rooms and on the lawns. The surrounding neighborhood features many shops, restaurants, cafés, and parks, including of course Central Park—all while building the confidence and skills needed for university success. 

Grades:
9-12
Duration:
28 Days
Format:
Residential
Starting Price:
$11,995.00
Locations, program content, and speakers are subject to change.

Oxbridge Academic Programs:

Oxbridge Academic Programs has operated for over 40 years as a premier summer academic provider for students aged 13-18, offering immersive educational experiences at prestigious university campuses and schools in Oxford, Cambridge, Paris, Barcelona, and New York City. The programs offer over 150 course options ranging from traditional subjects like English, History, and Business to unique courses such as International Espionage, Criminology, and Marine Biology, with specialized language immersion options available in Barcelona and Paris. Students live in university colleges and schools while engaging in imaginative teaching, experiential learning activities, and cultural enrichment, with comprehensive tuition covering accommodation, meals, instruction, materials, and field trips to create a transformative academic experience in some of the world's most fascinating cultural centers.

Why Students Choose Oxbridge in New York

Major and Workshop Academic Structure

Choose a Major and a Workshop from 18+ courses that include Advertising and Media, Fashion, Musical Theater, Business and Finance, Medicine, Psychology Sports Business, and Urban Planning. Taught by leading academics, business practitioners, and creative professionals, courses take full advantage of New York's museums, advertising firms, Wall Street, Broadway theaters, and the United Nations. Study in small groups while experiencing the resources of the world's most dynamic city.

Life at Barnard College, Columbia University

Reside at Barnard College on Columbia University’s historic campus. Live in rooms used by undergraduates during the academic year, enjoy the Diana Center café and Columbia University gym, and relax on campus lawns. Located on the Upper West Side with Central Park, Riverside Park, and countless shops, restaurants, and cafés minutes away.

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Immersive New York Cultural Activities

Beyond the classroom: attend Broadway and off-Broadway shows, visit world-class museums and universities, watch Major League baseball games at Yankee Stadium, explore Greenwich Village, SoHo, Little Italy, and Chinatown, visit the Empire State Building and Rockefeller Center, jog along the Hudson River, enjoy Coney Island, participate in college visits and fairs, and taste diverse cuisines at Smorgasburg. Experience everything the city that never sleeps has to offer.

New York City as Your Classroom

Study experientially using New York as your teaching tool. Fashion students visit design houses and museums, Business students tour Wall Street, Advertising students explore Madison Avenue and Times Square, Criminology students meet NYPD officers and visit courthouses, Musical Theater students attend Broadway shows, and International Relations students visit the United Nations. Learning happens through New York’s iconic sites and institutions.

Full Course List

Advertising and Media

Overview

In the home of Mad Men and Times Square's billboards, SoHo and NoHo's cool side, students discover the power of creativity, big ideas, and product placement. Scouting the city for case studies and creative examples, they explore how different types of traditional advertising, social media, viral marketing, pop-ups and experiential events are transforming the game. Using their creative skills, they will design logos and slogans. The program will culminate with the participants creating an experiential pop-up event, ad creative for a zine, and more. Students will meet influencers, editors, designers, and advertising gurus. Different industries will be explored such as beauty, fashion, food, consumer packaged goods, gaming, music, and travel. This class is for the urban nomad that wants NYC to be their classroom via exploring museums, galleries, stores and more. 

Materials fee of $50 for the Major. 
Business and Finance

Overview

Exploiting the resources of the world's financial capital, students discover the instruments and institutions that make up modern finance and are vital to budding entrepreneurs. They address the main business principles of strategic planning, marketing, economics, finance, and accounting. Concepts covered include SWOT analysis, developing a marketing strategy, as well as working through how to create a product centered company and draft a business plan. For their final project, they create a mock company that they present in a "Shark Tank", mirroring the high pressure, quick tempo presentations used at colleges, business schools, and startup incubators around the world.
Civil Engineering

Overview

Using some of the world's most famous civil engineering projects as examples – from Brooklyn Bridge to the Freedom Tower via New York's subway system and Central Park - students are introduced to the discipline that keeps us safe in our homes, schools, and workplaces, not to mention on the roads and rails that link them. They learn about the range of skills civil engineers need to master and the tasks and projects they can expect to undertake, not least by meeting with working professionals to better understand the industry. They complete the course by working in teams to create model projects.

 

Materials fee of $100 US for Major and $50 US for Workshop.

Creative Writing

Overview

Working with a published author, students compose fiction and poetry, exploring their own potential as they experiment with new forms and styles of writing. Students attend specialized workshops run by professional poets and writers to discuss both the creative process and the practicalities of publication. Students develop a portfolio of their best writing and collaborate to design, edit, and publish a literary magazine.
Criminology

Overview

Drawing on aspects of criminology, law, psychology, and forensics, students seek to understand what makes a criminal and what society's response to criminal behavior reveals about the community itself. They spend time with NYPD officers, lawyers, visit courthouses, and learn how the authorities are adapting to challenges such as cybercrime and terrorism while examining all aspects of the criminal justice system.
Economics

Overview

The city that over the past two centuries has contributed more than any other to making the world rich, while bankrupting it on several occasions, becomes a classroom as students are introduced to the theories that govern economic thought as well as economic modeling. Guided by experts, and making full use of visits to Wall Street and experts drawn from corporate New York, students go on to test their knowledge against contemporary economic problems in order to understand how the world economy might evolve.
Fashion

Overview

This immersive program takes students beyond the classroom and into the heart of New York City's fashion world. From industry trips, museum visits, and thrifting adventures to hands-on sewing and product development, students experience fashion from every angle. Along the way, they learn how to analyze and critique runway shows, explore brand strategy, and sharpen their ability to reflect, create, and think critically about style. Over the course of the month, students gain real-world experience and leave with a stronger creative voice and practical knowledge—tools that provide a powerful foundation for those considering applying to fashion school.

 

Materials fee of $100 US for Major and $50 US for Workshop.

Flavors of New York

Overview

The city of immigrants is also, of course, a city of cuisines. Students discover New York, its neighborhoods, their people, and their histories, through the cuisines and gastronomies successive waves of New Yorkers have brought with them and the dishes and institutions that have emerged as they came together. From chowder and chop houses to vegan bakeries via Delis, bagels and lox, Reubens, and pastrami, Bodegas, Chinatown, Street food, Chino-Latino cuisine, the Waldorf Salad, and even the humble hot-dog, students discover how the world came together in New York's tenements and kitchens and how they went on to take over the world. Led by experts, students learn how to use food and gastronomy as instruments of research as they create their own guides to NYC.

 

Materials fee of $100 US for Major and $50 US for Workshop.

International Relations

Overview

In the city that is home to the United Nations, students delve into the theories and mechanisms that govern relations between states and blocs. They supplement their exposure to the international context by examining a variety of current issues. They learn how and why policy decisions are made, how they are enforced, and how their repercussions affect us. At the end of the course, students select a country to represent in a model UN project or simulation exercise.
Medicine

Overview

This hands-on course introduces students to key aspects of medical science and modern medical practice. Combining specialist lectures with experiments and class discussions, students learn the principles of human anatomy and physiology, the pathology and significance of certain diseases, the main challenges that medical science faces today, and are introduced to the wide and growing range of possible careers in medicine.
Musical Theater

Overview

Students interested in life on or behind the stage participate in workshops and masterclasses ranging from improvisation and vocal technique to script analysis and mime. The course takes students from auditions and casting through to rehearsals and the final curtain call. Students also get a chance to see the professionals in action by attending a selection of Broadway and off Broadway shows. Major students will plan, rehearse, and put on a full show performance by the end of the session.

Production fee of $300 for the Major; $150 for the Workshop.
Photography (Workshop Only)

Overview

An introduction to photography in which students learn to use their camera's manual shutter speed, aperture, and ISO settings to control exposure and effects. They learn the fundamentals of composition and lighting, and experiment with angle, framing, lens choice, and exposure. They present their work and learn how to give and receive criticism. Finally, each student curates a selection of photographs to exhibit in a final show. Students need to bring their own DSLR camera with USB cable, charger, manual, and at least one 16GB memory card. 

Materials fee of $75. 
Politics and Human Rights

Overview

This course focuses on the history of political thought and the evolution of the conception of Human Rights. Students tackle contemporary issues such as economic disparity, migration, new technology, policy making, political power, and terrorism. They also explore how different governments, NGOs, and agencies such as the European Union address human rights issues in practice.
Psychology

Overview

Led by cutting-edge researchers in the field of experimental psychology, students address a different topic in each class. These topics include introductions to mental processes and problem solving, evolutionary psychology, clinical psychology, behaviorism, and psychoanalysis. In addition to surveying various fields, students learn how research projects are developed and design their own experiments.
Speech and Debate (Workshop Only)

Overview

From elocution to forming a convincing argument, this course provides students with a practical and diverse range of public speaking skills. Classwork focuses on preparing and presenting regular debates on a variety of topics related to New York and the United States. The course culminates in a formal debate judged by a panel of professionals.
Sports Business

Overview

This course reveals the inner workings of the $65 billion-dollar global sports business. Sessions cover a wide range of topics, including marketing and ticket sales, fan loyalty, corporate sponsorships, brand management, ownership, and legal and financial structures. The primary focus is on American sports including the NFL, NBA, and NHL, but the course also examines global models such as the Premiership, the Olympics, and the FIFA World Cup. Students visit world-renowned sports venues such as Yankee Stadium and Madison Square Garden.
Urban Planning

Overview

Learn about the cities of the past and imagine the cities of tomorrow. Explore how the world's most famous skyline came into being and how successfully, or unsuccessfully, planners, architects, and engineers, responded to the evolving challenges of urbanization. Moving on, discover how cities like New York are now seeking to grow smarter, greener, and more equitable, from sustainable design and green infrastructure to housing, transportation, and community engagement. Through real-world case studies and site visits, students will learn how planners shaped cities in the past and how they are seeking to do so now, not least by promoting social, racial, and climate justice.

Advertising and Media

In the home of Mad Men and Times Square's billboards, SoHo and NoHo's cool side, students discover the power of creativity, big ideas, and product placement. Scouting the city for case studies and creative examples, they explore how different types of traditional advertising, social media, viral marketing, pop-ups and experiential events are transforming the game. Using their creative skills, they will design logos and slogans. The program will culminate with the participants creating an experiential pop-up event, ad creative for a zine, and more. Students will meet influencers, editors, designers, and advertising gurus. Different industries will be explored such as beauty, fashion, food, consumer packaged goods, gaming, music, and travel. This class is for the urban nomad that wants NYC to be their classroom via exploring museums, galleries, stores and more. 

Materials fee of $50 for the Major. 

Business and Finance

Exploiting the resources of the world's financial capital, students discover the instruments and institutions that make up modern finance and are vital to budding entrepreneurs. They address the main business principles of strategic planning, marketing, economics, finance, and accounting. Concepts covered include SWOT analysis, developing a marketing strategy, as well as working through how to create a product centered company and draft a business plan. For their final project, they create a mock company that they present in a "Shark Tank", mirroring the high pressure, quick tempo presentations used at colleges, business schools, and startup incubators around the world.

Civil Engineering

Using some of the world's most famous civil engineering projects as examples – from Brooklyn Bridge to the Freedom Tower via New York's subway system and Central Park - students are introduced to the discipline that keeps us safe in our homes, schools, and workplaces, not to mention on the roads and rails that link them. They learn about the range of skills civil engineers need to master and the tasks and projects they can expect to undertake, not least by meeting with working professionals to better understand the industry. They complete the course by working in teams to create model projects.

 

Materials fee of $100 US for Major and $50 US for Workshop.

Creative Writing

Working with a published author, students compose fiction and poetry, exploring their own potential as they experiment with new forms and styles of writing. Students attend specialized workshops run by professional poets and writers to discuss both the creative process and the practicalities of publication. Students develop a portfolio of their best writing and collaborate to design, edit, and publish a literary magazine.

Criminology

Drawing on aspects of criminology, law, psychology, and forensics, students seek to understand what makes a criminal and what society's response to criminal behavior reveals about the community itself. They spend time with NYPD officers, lawyers, visit courthouses, and learn how the authorities are adapting to challenges such as cybercrime and terrorism while examining all aspects of the criminal justice system.

Economics

The city that over the past two centuries has contributed more than any other to making the world rich, while bankrupting it on several occasions, becomes a classroom as students are introduced to the theories that govern economic thought as well as economic modeling. Guided by experts, and making full use of visits to Wall Street and experts drawn from corporate New York, students go on to test their knowledge against contemporary economic problems in order to understand how the world economy might evolve.

Fashion

This immersive program takes students beyond the classroom and into the heart of New York City's fashion world. From industry trips, museum visits, and thrifting adventures to hands-on sewing and product development, students experience fashion from every angle. Along the way, they learn how to analyze and critique runway shows, explore brand strategy, and sharpen their ability to reflect, create, and think critically about style. Over the course of the month, students gain real-world experience and leave with a stronger creative voice and practical knowledge—tools that provide a powerful foundation for those considering applying to fashion school.

 

Materials fee of $100 US for Major and $50 US for Workshop.

Flavors of New York

The city of immigrants is also, of course, a city of cuisines. Students discover New York, its neighborhoods, their people, and their histories, through the cuisines and gastronomies successive waves of New Yorkers have brought with them and the dishes and institutions that have emerged as they came together. From chowder and chop houses to vegan bakeries via Delis, bagels and lox, Reubens, and pastrami, Bodegas, Chinatown, Street food, Chino-Latino cuisine, the Waldorf Salad, and even the humble hot-dog, students discover how the world came together in New York's tenements and kitchens and how they went on to take over the world. Led by experts, students learn how to use food and gastronomy as instruments of research as they create their own guides to NYC.

 

Materials fee of $100 US for Major and $50 US for Workshop.

International Relations

In the city that is home to the United Nations, students delve into the theories and mechanisms that govern relations between states and blocs. They supplement their exposure to the international context by examining a variety of current issues. They learn how and why policy decisions are made, how they are enforced, and how their repercussions affect us. At the end of the course, students select a country to represent in a model UN project or simulation exercise.

Medicine

This hands-on course introduces students to key aspects of medical science and modern medical practice. Combining specialist lectures with experiments and class discussions, students learn the principles of human anatomy and physiology, the pathology and significance of certain diseases, the main challenges that medical science faces today, and are introduced to the wide and growing range of possible careers in medicine.

Musical Theater

Students interested in life on or behind the stage participate in workshops and masterclasses ranging from improvisation and vocal technique to script analysis and mime. The course takes students from auditions and casting through to rehearsals and the final curtain call. Students also get a chance to see the professionals in action by attending a selection of Broadway and off Broadway shows. Major students will plan, rehearse, and put on a full show performance by the end of the session.

Production fee of $300 for the Major; $150 for the Workshop.

Photography (Workshop Only)

An introduction to photography in which students learn to use their camera's manual shutter speed, aperture, and ISO settings to control exposure and effects. They learn the fundamentals of composition and lighting, and experiment with angle, framing, lens choice, and exposure. They present their work and learn how to give and receive criticism. Finally, each student curates a selection of photographs to exhibit in a final show. Students need to bring their own DSLR camera with USB cable, charger, manual, and at least one 16GB memory card. 

Materials fee of $75. 

Politics and Human Rights

This course focuses on the history of political thought and the evolution of the conception of Human Rights. Students tackle contemporary issues such as economic disparity, migration, new technology, policy making, political power, and terrorism. They also explore how different governments, NGOs, and agencies such as the European Union address human rights issues in practice.

Psychology

Led by cutting-edge researchers in the field of experimental psychology, students address a different topic in each class. These topics include introductions to mental processes and problem solving, evolutionary psychology, clinical psychology, behaviorism, and psychoanalysis. In addition to surveying various fields, students learn how research projects are developed and design their own experiments.

Speech and Debate (Workshop Only)

From elocution to forming a convincing argument, this course provides students with a practical and diverse range of public speaking skills. Classwork focuses on preparing and presenting regular debates on a variety of topics related to New York and the United States. The course culminates in a formal debate judged by a panel of professionals.

Sports Business

This course reveals the inner workings of the $65 billion-dollar global sports business. Sessions cover a wide range of topics, including marketing and ticket sales, fan loyalty, corporate sponsorships, brand management, ownership, and legal and financial structures. The primary focus is on American sports including the NFL, NBA, and NHL, but the course also examines global models such as the Premiership, the Olympics, and the FIFA World Cup. Students visit world-renowned sports venues such as Yankee Stadium and Madison Square Garden.

Urban Planning

Learn about the cities of the past and imagine the cities of tomorrow. Explore how the world's most famous skyline came into being and how successfully, or unsuccessfully, planners, architects, and engineers, responded to the evolving challenges of urbanization. Moving on, discover how cities like New York are now seeking to grow smarter, greener, and more equitable, from sustainable design and green infrastructure to housing, transportation, and community engagement. Through real-world case studies and site visits, students will learn how planners shaped cities in the past and how they are seeking to do so now, not least by promoting social, racial, and climate justice.

Session Listing

What does the price include?

What does the price include?

Fees include accommodation, classroom instruction, workshops, field trips, two daily meals, and all program-organized activities.

Columbia University

New York, New York, United States
$11,995.00Residential
Dates: June 28 - July 25
Duration: 28 Days
Enroll Now

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Payment Options

We offer scholarships, fundraising support, payment plans, and other options to help make your program affordable.

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Oxbridge Academic Programs Frequently Asked Questions

What is included in the Oxford Summer Program for 2026?

Our summer programs provide university-level academic instruction, with courses spanning from Aerospace Engineering to Zoology, taught by faculty drawn from prestigious global institutions. Students engage in practical, experiential learning, which include field trips, workshops and guest lectures. 

Beyond the classroom, the program fee covers transportation to and from the airport, the residential experience within secure Oxford college residences, where students are housed in comfortable single or double rooms. We provide breakfast and dinner in the college dining halls, with a commitment to accommodating all special dietary requirements. Student life is enriched by a full, though optional calendar of social and cultural activities, including activities like punting, organized sports, Shakespeare plays, concerts, and full-day cultural excursions to historic sites such as Blenheim Palace. 

Daily lunch, personal expenditure, and airfare are not included. 

What distinguishes Oxbridge Academic Programs from other study abroad programs?
Many factors distinguish Oxbridge from other programs, but the principal ones are the strength of our faculty, the students we attract, and the nature of the educational experience we provide. For 40 years, we have recruited teachers from Oxford and Cambridge Universities, as well as educators from the best universities in France, Spain, and America. Our roster of faculty usually includes Rhodes, Gates, Marshall, and Fulbright scholars. Our students, meanwhile, stand out both in terms of caliber and ability. What really sets Oxbridge apart, however, is the fact that we are not a boot-camp or an extension to school. On our programs, our students are able to engage with subjects that they are passionate about –  we offer about 150 across the programs – in small groups, through discussions, debates, project work, and research, in much the same way as they would engage with them in a good university, without the pressure of tests or exams. Alongside, we encourage our faculty to use the stimulating and inspiring settings of our programs to fire their imaginations. 

This carefully supervised and structured learning environment extends into the students' free time. We ensure that our activities are not only educational, but cultural and social as well. Day trips, field trips, and guest speakers are planned to complement each student's educational experience for a truly experiential learning opportunity. 
Are all the programs the same?
The structure of each of our programs is similar, but beyond that, our programs differ according to size, location, and courses offered. 

A major difference to consider when choosing a program is the variety of courses offered in each location. Each program offers a selection of core subjects as well as relatively specialized courses for students with particular interests and passions. Our programs in continental Europe also offer language classes at all levels as well as immersion classes in either French or Spanish. 
Can I do more than one program?
Yes! In addition to our two- and four-week programs, students in grades 10-12 may opt to attend the Oxford Summer Seminar. Depending on the program you attend, you may also participate in the Paris Connection immediately after the conclusion of your program. 

And you are, of course, welcome to come back for multiple summers. Some of our students have attended as many as four of our programs! 
Are parents allowed to visit during the program?
Yes, parents may visit if they wish. Keep in mind, however, that between classes, extracurricular activities, and exploring their new surroundings, students will be very busy during their time with us! We suggest that any family holidays be scheduled either before the start or after the conclusion of the program so that students can spend as much time with us as possible.
Once I've applied, how long does it take for me to be accepted?
Typically it takes our admissions team around 3 - 5 days to review applications, though it can take a little longer at peak times.
If I apply, but am not accepted, will I get my deposit back?
Yes. This is a rare occurrence, but any student who is not accepted will receive their deposit back in full. A student will not be accepted if their academic or behavioral record suggests that they will not meet the standards we uphold.
Should I write about my summer school abroad in my personal statement or college essay?
It’s a great idea for students to write about their summer school abroad in their personal statement or college essay. The experience showcases the high-value qualities that admissions officers are seeking. An essay can powerfully convey how our program took the student out of their comfort zone, sparked a profound intellectual curiosity, and forced them to tackle complex ideas. 

Our curriculum's focus on experiential learning and culminating projects provides unique and compelling material. Instead of writing about a single grade, a student can detail the process of an innovative final project, the challenges of conducting advanced research, or a moment of intellectual debate with a world-class professor. An essay that details the passion and depth of engagement with a subject in this university-like setting is one of the best ways to demonstrate maturity and academic readiness.
Are classes for Oxbridge Summer Programs taught by university professors?
Yes, the instruction at our Oxbridge Summer Programs is a key point of pride and is delivered by university professors and eminent professionals. We carefully recruit our faculty from a roster of the world's most prestigious universities, including Oxford and Cambridge. Our academic team is highly distinguished, with a typical year's faculty including many scholars who have received prestigious awards such as Rhodes, Gates, Marshall, and Fulbright scholarships. 

For creative subjects, we are fortunate to augment our faculty with industry professionals, such as authors, award-winning photographers, and artists. We believe this blend of academic rigor and professional insight ensures that students benefit from direct instruction in small groups, receiving a university-level academic immersion.
Do I get a certificate or university credit after completing the program?
While we do not award a transferable university credit, we provide valuable documentation of a student's academic performance. Shortly after the program concludes, all students and their parents receive a comprehensive set of grade reports. These reports include the course syllabus and highlight the student's specific contributions and achievements over the duration of the course, as noted by their instructor. Many of our alumni submit copies of their grade reports along with their college applications, and many request additional copies for this purpose. 
Can I get a recommendation letter from a Summer Program?
While we do not provide a formal college recommendation letter from a summer program instructor, we do furnish documentation that serves as a powerful supplement for applications. Shortly after the program concludes, all students and their parents receive a comprehensive set of grade reports. 

These reports are critical because we ensure they include highlights of the student's contributions and achievements over the course duration as specifically noted by their instructor. Many of our alumni submit copies of these grade reports with their college applications, as this documentation is a significant and credible testimonial to a student's performance.
Are there scholarships or financial aid available?
Yes, we are pleased to confirm that scholarships are available to prospective students. We understand that this is a significant investment, and our goal is to ensure that a diverse group of highly qualified students can attend our programs. 

Full details regarding the types of assistance, eligibility criteria, and the application process are provided in the "Tuition and Payments" section of our website. We encourage all families to review this information to determine the options available for making Oxbridge a reality.
What is included in the program fees and what are the extra costs?
Our program fees are comprehensive, covering the essential components of the summer experience. This includes the full academic program: university-level instruction in small groups, access to all related learning activities, field trips, and guest speakers. The fee also covers the residential experience, including accommodation in secure university-style rooms, and the provision of both breakfast and dinner in the college dining halls, with special dietary requirements accommodated. Finally, it covers fully supervised logistics, as our staff meet students at the airport upon arrival and oversee their check-in as well as their departure. 

The primary extra cost for which students are responsible is lunch, which is not provided in the program fees. Students typically purchase their midday meal from college snack bars or local eateries. Other optional costs include a fee for students in Oxford and Cambridge who request a private bathroom, which we offer on a first-come, first-served basis.
Are scholarships available?
We do have a number of full and partial scholarships available for students, based on both demonstrated financial need and academic excellence. For more information on the specific scholarships and the application process, please see our Scholarship Page. 
What is Oxbridge's cancellation policy?
For our UK, France, and Spain programs, you can cancel your registration up to 75 days in advance of the program start date and receive a refund, less a $500 fee and any non-refundable fees such as deposits and insurances purchased at the time of the application. 

More detailed information can be found on our Terms and Conditions provided at the time of registration or you can see the full policy on the Tuition and Fees page.
Can I go to any of these programs if English is my second language?
If English is your second language, please provide your TOEFL score or a short letter from your English teacher confirming your fluency in English. Our programs are conducted primarily in English, and our programs in Oxford and Cambridge are taught exclusively in English. We want to ensure that our students can integrate fully and feel comfortable with the program community. 

We are happy to have a short conversation with prospective students to make sure they will be able to follow the courses in English.
How large are the class sizes?
The class sizes at Oxbridge are a foundational element of our educational philosophy and are intentionally small—capped at 15, though often smaller. We believe that immersing students in their passionate subjects is best achieved through learning and working in small groups. 

This small-group setting is essential for fostering the highly interactive learning environment we provide, allowing students to fully engage with the material through discussions, debates, project work, and research, replicating the dynamic style of a good university seminar. By working in small groups, students benefit from the direct, individualized attention of our esteemed faculty. 
I've never studied some of these subjects before. Can I still take them?
Of course! We've designed our curriculum to include a large number of courses that are rarely offered at the high school level, such as International Aerospace Engineering, Engineering, Espionage, Criminology, Psychology, or Zoology, and we don't expect our students to have much, if any, background in these subjects. Even subjects such as English Literature or History, which are taught at all high schools, will cover material you are unlikely to find at home. You can study an entirely new subject or new material in a traditional subject. Whichever you choose, you'll experience creative teaching in a stimulating, refreshing learning environment.
How much homework is there? Will I have time to do anything else?
You should expect at most one hour of homework per night for your Major classes - often less, and the homework is not like the homework you are used to. It is much more likely to be project work or research, often conducted in teams. Your Minor/Workshop course may include some homework (often set at the students' own request!) but it will not be quite as time consuming. Workshop classes, which also conclude with a final production or project, also demand extra time. 

No matter what course you take, your work will culminate in an exciting final project that will test your grasp of the course material. 

Your academic work, however, is not the only thing you do - we have a full (but optional) curriculum of social and cultural activities, including films, lectures, dances, plays, sports events, and tours. 
Will students receive grade reports at the end of the program?
Shortly after the conclusion of your program, all students and parents will receive a comprehensive set of grade reports. These reports include the course syllabus and highlights of your contributions and achievements over the duration of your course as noted by your instructor. 

You can also expect to receive a letter from the executive director of Oxbridge to congratulate you on completing the program, which details the academic philosophy and structure of cultural enrichment at Oxbridge. 

The majority of our students submit copies of their grade reports along with their college applications. 
What kinds of activities and sports are available?
Beyond the classroom, our r students have the opportunity to pursue a wide variety of activities and interests. In addition to program-wide field trips -- past excursions have included Stonehenge, Versailles, and Montserrat -- students are offered the chance, daily, to participate in a range of local activities. These could include panel discussions with guest speakers, concerts, visits of local sites, tours, plays, dances, talent shows, poetry readings, or coffee socials. 

We also offer a wide variety of sports: some favorites include basketball, softball, soccer, cricket, pétanque, swimming, punting, and Ultimate Frisbee. Classes in activities such as yoga, salsa dancing, and juggling are sometimes offered. 

We make every effort to ensure that our activities complement the cultural and intellectual enrichment at the heart of our academic programs.
What is the security like?
Our programs take place in secure, supervised premises. Oxford and Cambridge colleges were originally designed to keep the townsfolk out. Today, their "castle-like" walls keep our students completely safe. All our program residences are also extremely secure, as they are designed to house students year-round. Entrances to residences are supervised round-the-clock by College Porters, Campus Security, and our own staff. The venues also have CCTV cameras. 

Student safety, welfare, and discipline are overseen by teams of professional educators drawn from reputable schools around the world. Students on our Experience programs in the UK must check in once at dinner and again in the evening between 9:00 pm and 10:00 pm. Lights out is at 11:00 pm. 

Once students check in with their Deans, they are not permitted to leave the campus. All students are expected to adhere to curfew and check-in expectations. 

After curfew, the gates are locked but our office remains open for a short while staff and security patrol the grounds. Some of our staff live inside the residences alongside the students, so our presence remains throughout the night.
Are genders housed separately?
Students are housed in gender-separated hallways or floors. Some of our faculty and staff live in the dorms with the students, so there are adults available to monitor and counsel 24 hours a day. All students must be quiet and in their own rooms by curfew.
Will students be covered under parents' medical insurance while abroad?
Please consult your family's medical insurance policy well in advance of the start of the programs to learn more about your coverage. 

If students are traveling outside their home country to attend one of our programs, we strongly urge taking out full medical insurance. England, France, and Spain all provide excellent emergency medical care, irrespective of citizenship. Be prepared, however, to pay up front for their services - and keep your receipts, as many insurers will only reimburse you after the fact. American hospitals also offer excellent emergency care, but the costs can be extremely high, so it is particularly crucial that students coming from outside the United States are covered by an insurance policy. 
What happens if a student gets sick during the summer?
Every venue has a qualified Medical Officer. For minor illnesses, such as a common cold, you will be given permission to miss class and spend the day quietly recuperating in your room. The Medical Officer and Deans will oversee your recovery and cater to your particular needs. In the event of a serious medical emergency, you would immediately be escorted to a surgery or hospital for professional treatment.
Are there laundry facilities?
Yes, all our programs have laundry facilities either in or very close to the residences. Laundry is often coin- or card-operated, and program Deans are available to assist students in learning where and how to use the machines to launder their clothes. 
What is the food like and are specific dietary requirements catered for?
We provide a collegiate dining experience, with students receiving both breakfast and dinner in their residence's dining halls. Breakfast is a varied continental spread, and dinner features several options, consistently including a vegetarian dish and a salad bar. We also enhance the experience with regularly held special dinners, and a formal banquet concludes each program. 

We are committed to ensuring every student is well-cared for, and both Oxbridge and the venues we use do our utmost to cater to all special dietary requirements. This ensures students with allergies or specific diets can be properly accommodated during the provided meals. Students are responsible for purchasing their own lunch, which is a great chance to explore local sandwich shops or utilize the college snack bar during the midday break. 
Do you provide Kosher or Halal food in the dining halls?
We welcome students of all faiths and orientations, and we pride ourselves on accommodating all dietary needs. We are happy to provide Kosher and Halal meals in dining halls, and we cater to all manner of dietary requirements. We warmly encourage you to be in touch with our Admissions Team to let them know about your needs. 
How can I get in touch with the staff at the program?
Each of our programs has a designated program office which is staffed by our Deans from 8 am to 12:00 am each day. They can be contacted by email or telephone and are happy to assist with any questions you may have.
How much spending money will I need?
This depends on your spending habits in general. We provide breakfast and dinner each day, so students need only to provide their own lunch. The evening meal, in particular, is considered an integral part of the collegial atmosphere we create as a program and we expect all of our students to partake in communal meals. 

Our experience has indicated that students tend to spend the equivalent of $15-30 USD a day, on meals, incidentals, and souvenirs. You may bring more, if you wish. It is up to you and your family. 
Do you offer airport pickup and drop-off services?
Certainly! Our staff will be there to greet you upon your arrival at the airport, and when the program concludes, we'll ensure you return safely as well. Best of all, this service is provided at no extra cost.
What is the admissions process?
Please refer to this page for complete details about our admissions process.

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