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Brookes Summer Schools 2024
Find out what it’s really like to be a university student and explore a subject that interests you.
The Oxford Brookes Summer School will give you the opportunity to discover what being a university student is all about, and delve into a subject area of your choice. Don’t worry if you’re not sure whether university is for you - Summer Schools provide the perfect opportunity to help you decide.
The cost of the Summer School is absolutely free with all travel, meals and accommodation provided, free of charge.
Why take part?
- Experience student life and live in a student flat at the university.
- Engage in lots of subject content designed by university academics.
- Explore Oxford and take part in lots of social activities every day.
- Get plenty of information, advice, and guidance about applying for university and your future career.
- Hear all about university from current Brookes students.
If you have any questions about the Summer School, please get in touch with us at brookes.summerschools@brookes.ac.uk.
When will the Summer Schools take place?
All Summer Schools take place mid-week in July 2024. Each faculty will run Summer Schools on a variety of subjects.
- Faculty of Technology, Design and Environment - 2 - 5 July 2024
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Science - 9 - 12 July 2024
- Oxford Brookes Business School - 16 - 19 July 2024
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences - 23 - 26 July 2024
Information for teachers
If you would like to schedule a virtual or in person assembly at your school, please contact the team by emailing brookes.summerschools@brookes.ac.uk and we can arrange a talk at a time that works best for you.
Gatsby benchmarks
This activity support Gatsby benchmarks 2, 4 and 7.
See how we have broken down which Gatsby Benchmarks our offerings can support with.
Accessibility and additional needs
If you have any additional needs or requirements that we can help you with, please outline these in the application form, and we will do our best to accommodate everyone who applies to Summer School. For example, where possible we can provide:
- Special dietary meals and/or details of what the provided meals will be
- Accessible accommodation
- Printouts of slides or handouts, on coloured paper when needed
- Enable you to sit in your preferred location in a classroom/lecture hall
This list is not exhaustive and we can always have a conversation about other requirements prior to the Summer School starting.
Engineering, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Maths
Dates: Tuesday 2 July - Friday 5 July
Our Engineering, Computer Science and AI Summer School will give you a wealth of new knowledge and hands-on practical experience. You will explore practical activities on Robotics, programming and engineering, gaining an insight into the courses.
Built Environment and Architecture
Dates: Tuesday 2 July - Friday 5 July
Ever wanted to experience what it is like to work in the Built Environment industry or as an Architect? Look no further, our Built Environment and Architecture summer school gives you the practical, hands-on experience of how we plan, design and construct our buildings and cities. You will follow the Built Environment life cycle, applying new knowledge to real life case studies and visiting recent developments within Oxford.
Over the four days, you will also work with some of our academics and industry experts which will give you a great networking opportunity.
Art and Design
Dates: Tuesday 2 July - Friday 5 July
Are you considering a degree in the arts? Our Arts Summer School will give you practical experience of a range of different courses. You can experience sessions on fine art, graphic design, digital media, film and photography. You will work with a range of academics and students to expand your understanding and develop ideas and work for your portfolio.
Humanities and Social Sciences: Can Humanities and Social Sciences save the planet?
Dates: Tuesday 9 July - Friday 12 July
Climate change, war and conflict, pollution, human rights, poverty; just some of the challenges facing the world today. Understanding the political, social and cultural forces that have got us to where we are helps us think about different ways of being and behaving. Critical thinking, creativity, and empathy enable us to challenge and change the narrative; History shows us what can be achieved when we work together.
Join us for the Humanities and Social Sciences Summer School to find out how subjects as diverse as Education, History, Philosophy, Sociology, Geography and English Literature can make a real difference to the world we live in.
Oxford Brookes Business School: Old Meets New - Creating a festival for you at a historic venue
Dates: Tuesday 16 July - Friday 19 July
Usually targeted at families or requiring under 18s to be accompanied by an adult, music festivals present a gap in the market. But how can we effectively plan and market a festival for under 18s in 2024? The OBBS residential Summer School will provide you with a range of experiences, skills and knowledge to consider the aspects of business management and event planning; from the challenges surrounding safety, to advertising, marketing and financing a high profile event.
The OBBS Summer School is designed in mind for students who are interested in the following subjects: Business and Management, Business and Enterprise, Business Innovation, Business Operations, Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Events Planning and Management, Hospitality and Events Management.
Nursing with Midwifery
Dates: Tuesday 23 July - Friday 26 July
In this Summer School, you'll be discovering support across the life course through the lens of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work. Explore competence in meeting the physical and psychological needs of patients at key stages across their lifespan, with a focus on neonatal care, paediatric care, geriatric care and creative interventions to engage people who may be resistant to change.
Biomedical Science
Dates: Tuesday 23 July - Friday 26 July
The Biomedical Science Summer School will be structured to provide you with an overview of biomedicine specifically relating to diseases and you will learn what indicators are used to assess frailty. The knowledge you’ll acquire during the Summer School will provide you with an insight into what it is like to study Biomedical Science at Oxford Brookes.
Biomedical Science is a great route for students interested in Medicine and Dentistry.
Healthcare
Dates: Tuesday 23 July - Friday 26 July
Our Healthcare Summer School will provide you with a fantastic experience of studying different areas of health-related degrees at university. It can be hard to decide which course you would like to choose, so we will introduce you to many options and help you to decide which area you would be most interested in - including Paramedic Science, Sport and Nutrition.
You will explore lifelong care with a particular focus on the subjects mentioned and examine the benefits of leading a healthy lifestyle.
You must meet criteria 1 to 4 and at least 1 other criterion from 5 to 14
Students in England who are:
- In the first year (or repeating the first year) of a two-year Level 3 qualification (e.g. A Levels, BTEC, or equivalent)
- Aged 16 or 17.
- Studying at a non-selective state school or college in England or be on a 100% fee waiver scholarship at at non-selective independent school
- Have 5 GCSEs A*-C/ 4-9, including English and Maths (or expect to have 5 GCSEs including English and Maths by July 2024)
- You live in local authority care, or have lived in care
- You live in an area of higher socio-economic disadvantage (IMD decile 1 2, 3 or 4)*
- You live in an area where progression to university is low (POLAR4 quintile 1/2)*
- You are of Black, Mixed Black, Asian, Mixed Asian or of minority ethnic origin
- You are a young carer (are under 18 and help to look after a relative with a disability, illness, mental health condition, or drug or alcohol problem).
- You have a disability or specific learning difficulty or mental health condition.
- You are currently eligible for free school meals, or 16-19 bursary fund
- You are irreconcilably estranged from both of your birth parents
- You are the first in your family to go to university
- Have official refugee status in the UK, or are an asylum seeker
You’ll have the opportunity to take part in a range of sessions including subject tasters and work on an individual or group project. Where relevant you will also use university facilities such as labs and technical equipment.
Personal statement sessions will enable you to get a head start and individualised support and guidance around applying to university, and if you wish you can also get 1:1 support and feedback from our team on your draft statement.
Social activities will help you get to know each other and experience student life in Oxford. This will include activities such as a games night, going for an evening meal together, and the opportunity to experience the historic city or do some shopping if you just want a bit of retail therapy!
“Beforehand, I was extremely hesitant about if university was the right pathway to undertake after sixth form, but what I can say is that I come out of this programme feeling a sense of confidence. The work that I have been able to do, the social activities I have taken part of, the support from everyone has really allowed me to gain that bigger understanding of university.”
Summer School participant, 2020
You will be staying in Brookes undergraduate student accommodation.
- All flats include a kitchen/social area that will be stocked with free snacks (crisps, chocolate bars, cereal bars, fruit, squash and fizzy drinks etc).
- Everyone is allocated their own en-suite room, and there are accessible rooms available where this is required.
- You will select which single-gendered flat you should be assigned to when you complete the application form.
- Each flat is also supervised overnight by a member of staff who is available at any time, should a problem arise.
- You will be provided with a full list of what we provide and what you will need to bring, prior to summer school.
Please do get in touch via our email address if you have any questions or concerns about accommodation.
“Overall, the summer school has not only met but exceeded my expectations of Brookes.”
Summer School participant, 2020
We will review applications on a rolling basis. Should you be eligible for an offer you will hear from us within 2 weeks of submitting your application.
If you are eligible for an offer, we will require a:
- signed confirmation form by 6 May
- signed parent / carer consent form by 20 May.
All applicants will receive a final outcome email the week commencing 27 May.
Additionally, you may get an email from the Summer School team should we have questions about your application or require additional information from you.