Session one: 10th August to 23th August 2025
Oxford Architecture : A Social and Cultural History of the University through its Buildings
Session one: 10th August to 23th August 2025
Oxford Architecture:
A Social and Cultural History of the University through its Buildings
The University of Oxford has changed and evolved dramatically since its foundation in the Middle Ages, reflecting the transformation of broader cultural attitudes to the University and the related ideas and definitions of learning and its place in society. In doing so, the University has evolved from an institution serving broadly religious purposes, to a playground for the wealthy and the privileged English ruling classes, to a career accelerator for students from a much more diverse and international background in recent years. Fortunately, the marks and traces of the history and evolution of the University and the ideas that underpinned it at any given time are still available to us in the form of architectural heritage. The buildings of the University, therefore, are much more than inert structures of stone, glass, and metal, and tell powerful, complex stories about the changing meaning of the ‘idea’ of Oxford throughout its history.
The course will examine a number of salient buildings that mark key stages in the history of the growth and transformation of the University, through a combination of cultural and historical contextualisation, site visits, and in-depth analysis of the cultural, intellectual, religious, and socio-economic pressures and priorities that have shaped the production of iconic buildings in the city. From the original ‘dreaming spires that adorn the city, we will move to examine Cardinal Wolsey’s foundation of Cardinal College (now Christ Church), the foundation of the Bodleian Library by Thomas Bodley, the edification of the Sheldonian Theatre by Christopher Wren. We will also consider more recent developments with the advent of ‘University Brutalism in the mid twentieth century, all the way into the present. We will examine the drive to promote sustainable architecture, the development of ‘liberated architecture’ with iconic buildings by international superstars like Zaha Hadid (Investcorp building), and projects such as the mathematically inspired Andrew Wiles building. We will also examine how Oxford’s built-up landscape is changing due to the interventions by wealthy and powerful donors, funding monumental projects such as the Blavatnik School of Government, the recently inaugurated Rueben College , or the Schwartzman Centre for the Humanities (to be inaugurated in 2025).
Who should apply:
This course is open to students in any discipline, but is particularly suitable for students in the Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, and the History of Education, as well as students of Architecture or Civil Engineering with an interest in the social and cultural history of the University.
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
Subject Tutors
Dr Juliana Dresivina
Dr Juliana (Julie) Dresvina has been a lecturer in the Oxford academic community since 2002 and the Stipendiary Lecturer in Medieval History at Regent’s Park College. Educated at Moscow, Oxford, Cambridge, and London, she is a widely-published historian and an award-winning tutor who teaches various aspects of History, English, and Study Skills at a range of Oxford Colleges and Departments. She is a full Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
Programme Features
Academy
Programme
Features
Course Photos
FAQ
How can I book my place on the programme?
To book your place on the Oxford Summer Academy Programme at Lincoln College, 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 Oxford 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 experience is the opportunity to live, dine and study like an Oxford University student.
This is why all students on the programme must stay on-site at Lincoln College.
Can I study more than one course?
There are 4 courses on offer for 2025, and students can only choose one to study for the full two weeks.
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 Oxford 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?
Students will have the opportunity to request references from their academic tutors on the programme. However, students should note that Academic References in the UK are extremely precise, and Referees are expected to comment on the length of time they have known a student for, on the precise nature and format of the teaching delivered, as well as on their academic performance in assessment and in class. Two weeks is a very short time to prove to your tutors that you are an excellent and high-achieving student, and even considering the intensive small-group format adopted by the Oxford Summer Academy Programme, it may be difficult for tutors to provide adequate and compelling reference unless you are truly determined to excel. If you anticipate that you will be requesting a Reference from your tutors, we recommend that you do your very best to demonstrate your engagement, commitment, and motivation to your tutors, preparing your work with care and contributing to in-class discussion regularly as well as investing significant amounts of energy in your personal project.
Please note that it is common practice in the UK for References to be provided by your course Tutor, rather than the Programme Director, although it is possible for us to produce a Reference that is jointly signed by the Tutor and the Oxford Summer Academy Programme.
Is it hard to get into Oxford Summer Courses?
The Oxford 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.
