Business Summer School

We pride ourselves on our status as the world’s most international summer school, having welcomed students from over 175 countries since our foundation in 2005. This represents an invaluable opportunity for aspiring businesspeople and entrepreneurs: through early access to a global network of like-minded peers, students are not only exposed to global perspectives, but also have a chance to identify potential future collaborators. Who knows where a classroom discussion or a casual conversation at dinner may take you?

Students aged 16-18 will benefit from a rigorous and thoroughly contemporary course, encompassing a well-considered balance of theoretical and practical learning. They will develop a profound understanding of business and entrepreneurship by:

– Gaining a comprehensive overview of how market trends, emerging technologies, and socio-cultural influences affect businesses

– Exploring the concept of investment and its impact on global economics across different sectors

– Analysing real-world case studies to glean deep insights into the mechanisms of commercial success and failure

– Collaborating on hands-on projects to map out actionable strategies

– Drawing inspiration from a dynamic range of workshops, seminars, and talks from business leaders and experts

A holistic education nurtures an individual’s ability to coexist and cooperate effectively with other people, regardless of the situation or professional context they might find themselves in. Our programmes help students develop crucial ‘soft’ skills to thrive across the board through:

– A wide range of extracurricular activities, giving them the opportunity to network with peers and implement problem-solving in real word scenarios

– A debating and public speaking society, to improve their confidence in addressing an audience

– Helping students master time management and embrace accountability through the introduction of independent study

– Workshops and masterclasses targeting career pathways and the competitive university application process

Our courses go beyond the classroom, helping students to develop essential work and life skills so as to be able to hit the ground running upon starting their careers. Attendees will cultivate the adaptability to secure future success by:

– Partaking in opportunities to hone presentation skills, such as seminars and the end-of-course challenge and exhibition days

– Developing crucial interpersonal skills such as active listening and negotiation through classroom collaboration

– Building up their professional portfolios by working on industry-grade projects, such as developing a business plan and marketing strategy

– Networking with fellow students, tutors, and leading minds across diverse industries

For older teenagers, the pressure is on as they face formative examinations and the university applications process. We recognise the need for restorative down-time, and have crafted our courses to offer a harmonious life-work balance, with plenty of time to rest and relax outside of the classroom. Students can:

– Enjoy cultural excursions, including walking tours of their university town and daytrips to nearby cities such as London and New York

– Partake in a wide range of sporting activities, designed to suit everyone, from the beginner to the seasoned athlete

– Relax on our beautiful campus grounds, in aesthetic and comfortable gardens, common rooms, and dining halls

– Explore local culture, trying out new cuisine, going to the cinema, or exploring bustling commercial centres nearby

Personality drives business. This module will provide students with an overview of different leadership styles, as well as the space to introspect on which elements of their own character they might draw upon in order to grow as highly effective leaders. They will examine real-world case studies of the impact of these different strokes upon organisations, as well as the crucial role of cultural differences in international business and decision-making processes.

It is impossible to understate how the lay of the land has changed over the past few decades. Students will explore the impact of burgeoning technologies such as AI upon the future of enterprise, influencer marketing in the digital age, and the changes wrought upon investment – and, as a consequence, the global economy – by the vicissitudes of Covid-19 and the advent of Fintech.

Our practical challenges represent an opportunity for students to put into practice all they have learned over the course of the two weeks, working as a team to present an industry-standard project to an audience of peers and professionals. Attendees will develop an accurate, sophisticated business plan and marketing strategy for a start-up in an industry of their choosing. This is a valuable addition to students’ professional portfolio, to be drawn upon in applications and interview scenarios.

Students will enjoy stepping back from their studies after a day’s hard work and going on culturally enriching excursions around their campus and its surrounding city, including walking tours, cinema trips, and outdoor pursuits. Over the mid-programme weekend, students will go to a nearby city, such as London, Bath, or New York, to imbibe quintessential British or North American culture. In previous years, this has involved trips to the West End, and urban landmarks such as the London Eye and the Natural History Museum.

Students at the world’s leading universities know how to balance hard work and play. Attendees of our Business Summer Programme will be able to let their hair down and celebrate their hard work at two show-stopping events over the course of the summer school: a mid-programme celebration, and a final formal graduation followed by a party at an illustrious venue.

As the world’s most international summer school, we design courses that have helped students of over 175 nationalities form networks of lifelong friends from all over the world. Students will have the opportunity to learn from a diverse range of perspectives, cultivating essential interpersonal skills and cultural understanding from an early age.

Our Business Summer Schools take young teenagers above and beyond the school curricula, instilling in them an independence of mind that will give them the edge in their academic endeavours. Attendees will: 

– Gain a sound understanding of the role of enterprise, entrepreneurship and innovation

– Study principles of marketing and human resource management

– Examine how the micro- and macro-environment impacts upon various sectors in the business world

– Benefit from a series of talks and workshops from academic experts and business leaders

– Implement the rubric to develop their own business plan or marketing strategy

A holistic approach to education goes beyond the classroom, nurturing young people’s ability to cooperate with others and navigate conflict across a range of settings. Our programmes are tailored to help young people:

– Develop better interpersonal skills through socialising with diverse peers

– Grow confidence in public speaking and presentation skills through debating opportunities

– Begin to take responsibility for their schedules and set personal goals by undertaking independent study

– Collaborate in a team environment to practise a fair division of tasks 

– Hone active listening skills through attending seminars and talks

Our Business Summer School for 13-15-year-olds offers not only a flavour of what it would be like to study business at university, but also hands-on experience of the world of work. As develop a solid foundation in business studies, they will:

– Begin to develop a portfolio by working on strategic projects representative of real-world business planning

– Learn essential business skills such as pitching, presenting effectively, and campaign planning

– Learn from the experience of others through analysing case studies and hearing from inspirational tutors and guest speakers

Although the academic component of an Oxford Royale Summer School is built to be intellectually challenging, students will enjoy plenty of time to relax and get to know their newfound friends. Our action-packed extracurricular calendar includes:

– A range of sporting activities designed to suit everyone, from the budding athlete to the complete beginner

– Thrilling cultural excursions both to local landmarks and bustling nearby cities

– Engagement with arts and culture, from film and theatre to galleries and museums

– Immersive team building activities like Capture the Flag

– Opportunities to showcase musical skill and hobbies, such as karaoke nights and talent shows

Guided by expert tutors, students will master the basic principles of business studies. They’ll go from examining theoretical overviews of the role of business in society, to gaining the practical knowledge that will allow them to effectively execute stakeholder analyses, set clear aims and objectives for a real or hypothetical company, and produce an accurate business plan for a start-up in an industry of their choosing.

Students will learn about the impact of external factors on a business’s functioning, be these widespread socio-economic trends or more localised issues. In keeping with the contemporary landscape, students will study the changes brought about by processes such as globalisation and ecological crises, learning about which factors it is necessary to consider in order to ensure that one’s business is sustainable in the long run.

Students will have the opportunity to showcase their hobbies and personal projects in an informal talent show. Whether you sing, play an instrument, write poetry, or are a budding stand-up comedian, this is a fantastic opportunity to unleash your creativity alongside your new friends.

Students will enjoy stepping back from their studies after a day’s hard work and going on culturally enriching excursions around their campus and its surrounding city, including walking tours, cinema trips, and outdoor pursuits. Over the weekend, students will go to a nearby metropolitan hub, such as London or New York, to imbibe quintessential British and American culture. In previous years, this has involved trips to the West End, and urban landmarks such as the London Eye and the Natural History Museum.