Activities

"ORA was my door to opportunities, lifelong friends and I learned more than a classroom could ever teach, and for that, I am forever grateful."

Being at a summer school isn’t all about the academic study. It’s also about the opportunity to travel to a new city, meet new people from all around the world, try out new experiences and above all, have an exciting holiday. At Oxford Royale Academy, we pride ourselves on providing our students with great experiences both inside and outside the classroom. Every one of our summer school courses includes a packed extra-curricular schedule of activities, workshops and parties, as well as academically and culturally enriching trips and lectures.

As part of our summer school experience, Oxford Royale Academy provide a number of exciting after lesson activities, excursions and evening events, that everyone can enjoy. Our summer programme locations also allow students to explore the beautiful and inspiring surroundings in their free time; including the renowned cities of Oxford, Cambridge, London and St Andrews.

Afternoon Activities and Evening Entertainment

A wide range of afternoon and evening activities occur all through the summer school. It’s impossible to say how many, as our ever-active counsellors and other pastoral staff sometimes arrange to lead activities spontaneously. Here are a few examples of the kind of activities you might have the opportunity to enjoy this summer.

Museum Visits
All of our summer school locations are in cities of academic and historical significance, and boast an impressive selection of museums within walking distance from most of our centres. Oxford has a variety of great museums, which students will have the opportunity to visit during their time with ORA. Possible museum trips include the Ashmolean, the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, the Pitt Rivers and the Story Museum. Students joining us in Cambridge will be able to enjoy trips to the Fitzwilliam Museum, Scott Polar Research Institute and Sedgewick Museum of Earth Sciences. London based summer school students will have the opportunity to visit such amazing London museums as the Natural History Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, Saatchi Gallery and Tate Modern.

City and University Tours
One of the best ways to see a city is on a walking tour, led by one of our talented counsellors, with local knowledge and experience. Students joining our summer schools will have the opportunity to learn about the city they are living and studying in through an organised tour. Students joining us in Oxford will have the opportunity to take in the sights with an in-depth guide to the history of the city and the university, sprinkled with amusing anecdotes about Oxford life. Aside from the colleges that the majority of students will live and work in, students in Oxford and Cambridge will also have the chance to visit the other beautiful and historic colleges. For students considering applying to Oxford or Cambridge in the future, this is a good opportunity to see more of the university and consider which college they might like to apply to; for others, it is simply a chance to see some stunning architecture and soak up the history of some of the best universities in the world.

Sports & Games
There are constant opportunities for games and sport on an Oxford Royale Academy summer course. Fencing, zumba, archery, real tennis, ultimate frisbee, rounders, 5-a-side football, basketball, softball and salsa have all been enjoyed by our students at various times on our courses.

Beyond the organised activities, there are always opportunities to get an impromptu game of cricket, ping-pong or croquet going on during free time.

Campus Activities
In the evenings, our dedicated team of Counsellors organise plenty of fun and games to ensure our students are always entertained. Students will be able to end each action-packed day of their summer course with campus activities including quizzes, film nights, karaoke and a talent show!

Parties
Students will enjoy two parties during their course, one to mark the mid-way point and one to celebrate graduation. We spare no expense on our lavish parties, in locations such as Kingston Bagpuize House and the Oxford Union within Oxford. Or luxury resorts and hotels, such as the Park Hotel and Radisson Blu in London, or the Hilton located in Cambridge. Every party has a theme, with the decoration of the venue and the activities on offer tailored to match.

Past themes have included: Narnia, Circus, Around the World, Alice in Wonderland, James Bond and much more.