Experience International Relations, Politics & Leadership Academy

(for ages 15 to 18)

On this course, you’ll examine the impact of rising world powers, and how global leaders tackle challenges. You’ll master public speaking and gain an authentic taste of what university study is like – all while studying with other ambitious students on the historic Oxford University campus.
Student at International Relations and Politics summer school with Oxford Scholastica

Key Facts

Location: University of Oxford campus
Ages: 15–18
Class size: Maximum 15 students
Fees: £6,995
Length: 2 weeks
Dates: 30th June-13th July, 14th-27th July, 28th July-10th August 2024
Receive: Graduation Certificate & Letter of Recommendation


Learn

Our courses combine tutorial-style teaching with practical challenges and debates. Small class sizes and expert tutors help you dive deep into your chosen subject area.

By joining our Experience International Relations, Politics and Leadership Academy, you’ll get to:

  • Master key topics including theories of political change, the influence of global institutions like the UN and the rise of new world powers – all guided by your expert tutor from a leading university such as Oxford and Cambridge.
  • Work in a team in our Model United Nations Challenge, where you’ll find yourself in the role of a diplomat in a simulation UN Security Council.
  • Meet a successful young professional from a field related to your subject and learn how their leadership skills have been crucial to their success.
  • Develop skills in high demand by universities and employers, such as public speaking, critical thinking and teamwork, via our Masterclasses.
  • Build your global professional network by meeting students from all over the world and joining our alumni community.
  • Attend our Graduation Ceremony at Oxford University’s Saïd Business School, and get a Graduation Certificate and personalised Letter of Recommendation from your tutor.
Student speaking at the Oxford Summer School Experience International Relations, Politics & Leadership Academy

See

What better way to learn about a career than to talk to someone who’s living it? Our Heroes programme invites you to meet a successful young professional who has built a career related to international relations, politics or leadership. Discover what steps they took to realise their potential, and how you can too. You’ll be able to:

  • Learn more about what a day in their life looks like
  • Understand more about the cutting edge aspects of the sector that they work in, and hear their top career tips
  • Ask them your burning questions about their university experience and career path

Do

Challenges are one of the most exciting parts of our programme! Halfway through our Experience International Relations, Politics and Leadership Academy, you’ll be given the chance to put your skills to the test during our Model United Nations Challenge. It’s certainly not the only practical activity you’ll do on your course – the course is full of opportunities to apply your skills – but for many of our students, it’s their highlight. Demonstrate your newly refined skills and knowledge as you feel the adrenaline rush of trying to get a favourable resolution for your country against the clock! You’ll get to:

  • Put your critical thinking, communication and teamwork skills to the test.
  • Work with the Experience Debate and Public Speaking Academy students in a simulation UN Security Council.
  • Present and debate critical worldwide issues with other diplomats who have conflicting interests, and develop solutions that gain consensus despite an unexpected crisis situation.
Student speaking during a Debate masterclass in the Oxford Union for the Experience International Relations, Politics & Leadership Academy

Hear from parents

Entrusting your child to a summer school can be a big decision.

Hear from parents about why they chose Oxford Scholastica, and how they found the experience. 

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Course programme

Course Outline

During our Experience International Relations, Politics and Leadership programme, you’ll cover a range of challenging topics across nine classroom sessions.

Class 1: Theories of Leadership

What do Steve Jobs, Obama, and the Dalai Lama have in common? We’ll learn about different theories of leadership and debate what makes a good leader, looking at examples of leaders from different fields.

Class 2: Political Change

Why do people act in the cause of political change? We’ll look at examples of political change over time from around the world, and debate what we think makes political change most effective.

Class 3: Democracy

Are democracies the best type of political system? We’ll explore the key features of a democracy, and look at how democracy has developed in different historical contexts around the world.

Class 4: Politics and the Economy

What do you do in the face of global financial crises? We’ll discover the importance of economics in society, and explore the relationship between politics and the economy, using real examples of political decisions from different countries.

Class 5: International Relations

What core principles should guide international relations? In this class you’ll find out about international law, human rights and the causes of war, and the processes involved in international relations.

Class 6: Global Institutions

What are the roles of Global Institutions? We’ll discover what a whole range of important global institutions do, and explore their influence in International Relations (using real-life examples).

Class 7: New World Powers

What countries do we mean by “new world powers”? Grapple with the changing world of new powers, including the BRICs (Brazil, Russia, India, China) and the Middle East.

Class 8: Leadership Style

What’s my leadership style? We’ll work together to identify different styles of leadership. You’ll learn how to identify and hone your own leadership style, and the importance of working in teams.

Class X
Your final class is based on your tutor’s personal expertise in the field, focusing on cutting-edge research that they’re passionate about.

Please note this course outline may be subject to change.

More information

Want to know more about attending our Experience International Relations, Politics & Leadership Academy? Learn about what your schedule will look like, where you’ll stay, our entry requirements and some of the fun activities that will round out your academic experience.

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