Oxford Politics Summer School

Keen to get ahead in your future in politics? Join our Politics Summer School on the Oxford University campus, or online, to develop the confidence and knowledge to put you ahead of the curve – in your university application and beyond.

A tutor giving the students a few points about the work at an Oxford Scholastica summer school.
Get excited about politics.

Get excited about politics

Imagine spending two weeks in the historic city of Oxford exploring fascinating topics – from leadership, to the role of rising world powers. Our Oxford Politics Summer School programmes let you explore politics, international relations, philosophy, and economics.

Learn from world-class politics tutors.

Learn from world-class politics tutors

You’ll feel inspired as you encounter big new ideas. And, you’ll make friends with fellow students from around the globe who have different perspectives. You’ll meet a successful professional from this field, take part in a fast-paced challenge, and learn about different political systems.

Be inspired.

Be inspired

You’ll follow in the footsteps of famous political faces past and present – from British Prime Minister Winston Churchill to campaigner and actress Emma Watson – when you speak at the historic Oxford Union during our Debating Masterclass.

Get the Scholastica experience.

Get the Scholastica experience

You’ll leave this experience with the knowledge and confidence to make the right decisions about your future. And you’ll achieve all of this while enjoying the magic that the city of Oxford has to offer.

Browse our Oxford Summer Politics Courses

Our summer politics courses are two weeks long and are held on the world famous Oxford University campus. Whether you’ve studied aspects of politics before, or are totally new to it, our Politics Summer School offers a perfect course to suit your needs.

A students speaking about his experience during an Oxford Scholastica summer school.

In Oxford | 15-18 Year Olds

Experience Debate & Public Speaking

Want to improve your public speaking and debate skills? This debating summer course will help you develop confidence, learn persuasive techniques, and practise the art of rebuttal — skills that are essential in many careers and day-to-day life. You’ll learn what made famous speeches so powerful and put your skills to the test in our international diplomacy challenge.

In Oxford | 15-18 Year Olds

Experience International Relations, Politics & Leadership

This Oxford politics summer programme helps students better understand the importance of relationships between nations and cultures. We’ll explore case-studies of politics in action — and how it’s created significant change. You’ll also put your new-found diplomacy skills to the test in our United Nations challenge.

Four Oxfrod Scholastica students having a great time at their Graduation Ceremony.

Browse our Online Politics Courses

Drawing on the Oxford Scholastica Academy’s years of experience of running world-class summer schools, our online politics courses combine the city of Oxford’s spirit of excellence with the very best in future-focused learning.

A student speaking at the Graduation Ceremony at an Oxford Scholastica summmer school.

Online Courses | 12-14 Year Olds

Politics & Debate

This course will enable you to explore politics, politics and systems of government. Along the way, you’ll practise your debating skills, writing speeches and debating with your peers about political ideas that interest you. You’ll leave the course with more confidence in your public speaking abilities and with a greater understanding of government and politics.

On this course, you’ll:

  • Practise debating and public speaking
  • Learn about key ideas in political theory
  • Understand how countries work together in international organisations
  • Be “Prime Minister for a day” and make a plan for tackling issues you care about

Online Courses | 15-18 Year Olds

International Relations, Politics & Debate

What does it take to negotiate the greatest challenges facing our world – from COVID-19 to poverty to climate change? What role do governments, international organisations and activists play? On this course, you’ll debate key issues, such as what you, your country and the global community can do to prevent and respond to catastrophes.

 

To further develop your debating and public speaking skills, you’ll discuss:

  • International Law and Organisations, such as the UN, NATO and the WHO
  • Political theory
  • Diplomacy and crisis management
  • Revolutions and political change
International Relations, Politics & Debate.
A student during<br />
Oxford Scholastica's Politics & International Relations Internships.

Online Internships | 15-18 Year Olds

Politics & International Relations Internships

If you’re interested in studying Politics or International Relations at university, an academic research Internship with the Oxford Scholastica Academy will help to give you the edge for your future.

Guided by your Mentor, an academic researcher, you’ll collaborate with interns from around the globe. You’ll co-author a research paper on a cutting edge politics or international relations topic for publication in an academic journal.

You’ll conclude the internship having gained hard-to-find work experience, as well as a Letter of Recommendation and a Certificate.

Students from up to 85 different nationalities chose to experience our politics courses last year:

9 out of 10 said our politics summer courses were one of the most memorable summers of their life

9 out of 10 said that our high school summer politics courses gave them greater certainty about their future direction

94% of students said they had a greater certainty over their future academic and career choices

Why choose one of our Oxford Politics summer school programmes?

The Best Courses

We’ve designed our high school summer politics courses to stimulate, stretch and challenge you – regardless of your existing subject knowledge.

The Best People

Your politics course will be taught by tutors that are current or former students and faculty of world-class institutions such as Oxford and Cambridge Universities.

Your Future Success

Our politics summer school is designed to help you discover, experience and prepare for a successful future personally, academically and professionally.

Get the Scholastica Experience

You’ll be taught politics on the prestigious Oxford University campus, where many world-famous figures in the field began their own career journeys.

Politics Summer School Testimonials

I had such an amazing time on my Oxford Scholastica course on Politics & Debate! This course has broadened my view on politics and allowed me to connect with other kids my age from around the world.

 

Headshot of Lauren, an online Oxford summer school Politics student

Lauren,
USA, Politics & Debate

The course was fantastic, very informative, and interactive. I was so sad it ended and I really enjoyed all parts of it. It was truly a wonderful experience. Thank you all very much!

 

Headshot of Natalia, an online Oxford summer school Politics student

Natalia,
Hong Kong, Politics

My daughter thoroughly enjoyed her Oxford Scholastica Debating course. She learnt a lot during the program and it helped her to widen her thinking. She kept saying that she wanted it to last longer!

 

Oxford Scholastica logo

Aarathi,
Parent

What You’ll Get From Our Politics Courses

Our politics summer courses are a perfect introduction to global affairs. Prepare for your future success by joining one of our fully-accredited politics courses. We will:

  • Help you decide whether a career in politics is the right choice for you, and introduce you to the wide variety of career options available in this field
  • Give you the opportunity to be taught by subject experts so you can see what it’s like to study politics at university – you’ll receive teaching from our faculty of expert staff from world-class universities
  • Give you an insider’s view of politics through our Hero sessions, where you’ll meet someone who has built a successful career in the politics field
  • Give you hands-on experiences, for example where you test your leadership skills by taking on the role of a UN Diplomat
  • Explore many topics – such as the role of global institutions, the key features of democracies, global financial crises, and many more
  • Help you choose the politics degree for you, and show you how to prepare a strong application
  • Give you the chance to build an international network of fellow students and join our community of Oxford Scholastica Academy alumni
  • Enable you to graduate when you’ve successfully completed your politics course – you’ll attend a formal Graduation Ceremony held at Oxford University’s Saïd Business School

Get an Authentic University Experience

We believe that learning should be interactive and fun, and this belief fuels our approach to teaching. As a student on one of our courses you’ll:
College-style teaching

You’ll learn in small, dynamic classes just as you would be at top UK universities. You’ll be taught by our first-class teaching faculty thereby ensuring you have the very best politics summer school experience.

University-style independence

You’ll have the opportunity to study and socialise on the Oxford University campus, and take part in legendary activities such as punting. You’ll have the opportunity to meet and make friends with ambitious students like you from all over the world.

Real-world skills

You’ll leave equipped with key skills for the future – like public speaking, how to prepare for your future career and how to bounce back from failure – thanks to our Masterclass programme.

Reserve Your Spot

Ready for a life-changing educational experience? Apply in minutes and reserve a spot for Oxford's #1 rated summer school and online programmes.