Fictions of Oxford, Oxford as Fiction
Session two : 24 August to 6 September 2025
Fictions of Oxford, Oxford as Fiction
As an Academic City dominated by the presence of the University, Oxford has long exercised a unique fascination on authors of literary fiction. The course will examine how Oxford has been represented and imagined through the ages, from its medieval beginnings to the present day, in order to understand a wide range of cultural and socio-economic changes that have deeply transformed our understanding of the meaning of University education through the ages. We will begin by looking at representations of Oxford and its students in the work of the medieval poet Chaucer and in poetry from the English Renaissance. We will then move on to examine the deep changes that affected the ‘fiction’ of Oxford in successive periods, from the Enlightenment to the Romantic Age, the great age of Reform during the Victorian period, to the great authors of the ‘golden age’ of Oxford fiction in the twentieth century such as Evelyn Waugh, all the way to present-day fiction that brings a non-western perspective to bear on the city and University. The tone of the works examined ranges from the humorous to the celebratory, from bitterness and satire to idealistic celebration and triumphalism or indeed disillusion and social critique. The range of responses illustrates the complexity of the ‘idea’ of Oxford in the popular imagination, and will allow students to appreciate the broad range of the cultural resonances of the University that epitomises all that is best – and worst – about higher education as it is defined and redefined through the ages.
Who should apply:
The course is open to students from any discipline, but will be particularly relevant to students in the humanities, and those with experience in reading literary texts from a historical perspective.
For English requirement information, please see the Apply page.
Location: Lincoln College, University of Oxford
For Ages: 18+ (at time of attendance)
Duration: 2 weeks (13 nights and 14days)
Price: £4599
Date: Session one: 10th August to 23th August 2025
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FAQ
How can I book my place on the programme?
To book your place on the Lincoln College Summer Academy Programme, please complete our online application form. Once we have received your application, you will be sent an email to confirm your booking, with details about how to pay the course fees and the date this payment is due.
If you have any questions about the application form, then please contact us and one of our advisors will be happy to help.
What are the English Language requirements?
The Lincoln College Summer Academy Programme is a unique course. This is because it is run by Oxford University academics and is based on a truly stimulating academic programme. For students to be able to make the most of the course, they will be required to have an IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent.
If you have any questions or concerns about this English language requirement, please don’t hesitate to contact us and we will be able to advise you.
Can I organise my own accommodation?
Part of the Lincoln College experience is the opportunity to live, dine and study like an Oxford University student. This is why all students on the programme must stay onsite at Lincoln College.
Can I study more than one course?
There are 9 courses on offer for 2025 and students can choose one to study for the full two weeks.
If students are equally interested and qualified to take two different courses, you are welcome to join us for the whole month. You will choose one subject to study for the first two weeks of the programme and a different subject to study for the final two weeks of the programme.
For example, a student may decide to study history for session 1 of the programme and history of art for session 2.
Will I have to take exams?
There will be no official exams on this course. Students will be assessed based on essays, assignments and projects marked by the course tutor.
What kind of feedback will I receive?
Students will receive personalised feedback from their tutors both as verbal feedback during tutorial or seminar discussions and written feedback on any work they hand in. The nature of this feedback will depend on the course students are studying.
At the end of the programme, students will receive a certificate of attainment provided they have carried out the work to the best of their ability and actively participated in lessons and certifying the level they achieved.
Will I receive credit points?
The Lincoln College Summer Academy Programme is equivalent to 10 hours of credits in both the US and ECTS system. Your current university may choose to accept these credits towards your current degree. To be sure, please ask your university to get in touch with us and our Programme Director will be able to speak to the appropriate person at your university.
Will I be awarded with a certificate?
Yes, all students will receive either a certificate of attainment or a certificate of attendance at a specially organised graduation ceremony. This certificate will prove that you have carried out work of a challenging academic nature and may even be used towards credit at your current university (see above question on credits).
Will my tutor be able to provide me with a reference?
Yes, your tutor will be able to provide you with an academic reference should you require this for any future applications. If this is something you think you may need, it would be a good idea to discuss with your tutor during the programme.
Is it hard to get into Oxford Summer Courses?
The Lincoln College Summer Academy Programme, part of Oxford University’s academic summer courses, is open to adults aged 18 and over, including international students. To ensure participants can fully engage with the course material, a minimum English language proficiency is required. Acceptable qualifications include:
IELTS: 6.5
TOEFL: 90
PTE (Pearson Test of English): 61
Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): 176
Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE): 176
LanguageCert International ESOL B2: High Pass
LanguageCert International ESOL C1: Pass
Duolingo English Test: 120
These requirements ensure that all participants can effectively engage with the academic content and discussions throughout the programme.
