Critical Thinking in Oxford

Critical Thinking in Oxford summer course in Oxford, by Oxbridge Academic Programs.

Oxford Summer Courses Guide » Courses » Oxbridge Academic Programs » Critical Thinking (The Oxford Tradition)

Key Details

Available from: July - August 2025
Provider: Oxbridge Academic Programs
Ages: 16 -18
Fees: $12,225
Duration: 4 weeks

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Course Summary

To what extent do people subconsciously take on ideas from the society in which they were raised? Are we all unwitting products of forces we did not choose? This course combines philosophy with critical theory to examine why the world is the way it is. Students call on a range of thinkers to analyze the political and societal trends that define the 21st century. They learn to interrogate information, discuss controversial topics sensitively, and construct persuasive arguments.

The Oxford Tradition is housed in Pembroke College, which was founded by King James I, in 1624. Pembroke boasts Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger, American Senator J. William Fulbright, Samuel Johnson, author of The Dictionary of the English Language, and Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg among its alums.

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Course Highlights

Breakfast in Hall
Major classes on topics as diverse as Studio Art or Business and Finance meet in classrooms, labs, studios, or out and about in Oxford
Students can choose to have lunch at any local restaurants or sandwich shops in town
three afternoons a week, Minor classes meet in classrooms, workshops, labs, or studios. When there is no class, they are free to join in organized activities or trips and tours in and around Oxford
dinner in Hall
evening activities, events, or shows

What's Included?

Access to cultural sites and local events
accommodation
extracurricular activities, workshops, and event offerings
continuous support
on-site staff of experienced professionals
local meals

Accommodation

In Oxford, students live in rooms that are occupied by undergraduates during the year. Students are housed in singles or doubles. Students can request a private bathroom (for a fee), on a first-come, first-served basis.

Tuition

The Oxford Tradition offers students in grades 10 to 12 the chance to have a pre-university experience. They immerse themselves in subjects about which they are passionate, or that they are planning to study, under the guidance of a university teacher or a professional. Alongside, participants unlock the rich history and culture of Oxford from their base at Pembroke College.

Extracurricular Activities

Every class is designed to use Oxford as a teaching tool. When not in class, students have access to a full range of optional activities designed to help them discover Oxford and immerse themselves in English life. They can go on tours of sights like the Bodleian Library and Christ Church, take part in a variety of sports, attend local Shakespeare productions, or go on field trips to London.

Key Details

Available from: July - August 2025
Provider: Oxbridge Academic Programs
Ages: 16 -18
Fees: $12,225
Duration: 4 weeks

REQUEST DETAILS

Campuses

Pembroke College

Oxford

Oxford University Colleges

Oxford

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Oxbridge Academic Programs FAQs

A pre-college summer experience in two of Oxford's finest colleges, Pembroke and Corpus Christi

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Yes! We can meet students at the following airports:

UK programs: Heathrow or Gatwick
New York: La Guardia, JFK, or Newark
Barcelona: Barcelona El Prat
Paris: Charles de Gaulle or Orly

We will bring students back to these airports at the end of the program as well and make sure they are checked in at the correct airline desk, help them check their bags, and bring them as far as security. A staff member will also remain at the airport until the last student’s flight departs.

We hire a team to work at the programs and look after the students. This team consists of a program director, 3-4 deans, 3 program assistants, and 3-4 activities directors. The program director and deans are professional educators who come from reputable schools across the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. They are experts in working with students in these age groups. The onsite team sets up a program office in the week leading up to the program. Parents will be able to call and email the program office if they have any questions or concerns while their child is at the program. Each evening, students must check in with one of our Deans in the program office between 9 and 10 pm on the Experience programs and between 10 and 11 pm on each of the other programs. This is a great time for students to let the program staff know if they have any questions, or if they need something. Students typically spend their mornings in class and on each program except for the one week seminars, students will have afternoon classes three days a week. We plan a wide range of optional chaperoned activities for students to take part in when they are not in classes. The activities directors and program assistants are typically university students who know the city well. The program assistants help out with administrative duties in the program office and the activities directors plan the afternoon and evening activities - they, along with the program director and deans, reside at the residence where the program is taking place, so there is always an adult nearby if a student needs something.

Our programs take place in university residences or, in the case of our Paris program, at a centrally located boarding school. Each program has single and double rooms available and we are happy to take requests for single rooms or roommates via email. In the UK, students can purchase a private bathroom for an additional fee. In Barcelona, each room is equipped with an en-suite bathroom. In Paris and New York, there are shared facilities on each floor.

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. In France or Spain, immersion courses are taught exclusively in French or Spanish, but program information, materials, and literature are all available in English. We are happy to have a short conversation with prospective students to make sure they will be able to follow the courses in English, so please feel free to contact our Admissions office if you’d like to speak with us, or if you have any questions.

Critical Thinking in Oxford

Key Details

Course Summary

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Course Highlights

What's Included?

Accommodation

Tuition

Extracurricular Activities

Key Details

Campuses

Pembroke College

Oxford University Colleges

Start Application

Oxbridge Academic Programs FAQs

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Oxbridge Academic Programs