Engineering & Robotics
For Ambitious Scholars Aged 14–18
2-15 August
2026
£6,499 OSP Experience Fee
100 Exceptional Global Scholars
Skills Gained
Analytical Thinking
Technological Literacy
Creative Thinking
Resource Management and Operations
Quality Control
Join OSP's Engineering Summer School in Oxford
The drone in front of you doesn’t fly yet. Over two weeks you’ll assemble it, wire it, calibrate it, and program it into the air, then pitch the real-world problem your design was built to solve.
Build a strong understanding of core engineering disciplines and modern drone technology.
Assemble, calibrate, program, and fly a working drone through hands-on build projects.
Develop practical problem-solving, design, and technical skills while exploring careers in engineering and robotics.
Prepare through introductory readings and guided study skills.
Explore engineering principles in tutor-led sessions, then apply them in hands-on workshops.
Build and fly a real drone while designing an original solution to a real-world need.
Study in an academically rigorous summer programme alongside ambitious students from around the world.
Learn from expert tutors while solving real engineering problems through design, assembly, and flight.
Strengthen your university profile, experience campus life, and build an international network of future leaders.
From learning theory, to building drones
Study in an academically rigorous summer programme alongside ambitious students from around the world. Learn from expert tutors, build and fly a working drone of your own, and leave with a stronger university profile and an international network of future leaders.
Cover the whole field
Work across the core engineering disciplines, aerospace, mechanical, electrical, software, civil, materials, and manufacturing.
Build a drone that flies
Assemble the components, wire the electronics, calibrate the flight controller, program the system, and put it in the air.
Engineer a real solution
Design an original drone application for a genuine real-world need, then pitch it and defend your engineering choices.
Fourteen days in Oxford.
Nine in the seminar room.
Mornings pair a core engineering discipline with the drone systems that put it to use; afternoons are hands-on workshops where you assemble, calibrate, and fly the machine you’re building.
Aerospace & Drone Technology
Aerospace foundations and how drones work, then choose your team's use-case.
Mechanical Engineering & Drone Anatomy
The mechanics of flight and a drone's anatomy, then start the build.
Jet Engines & Drone Sensors
Propulsion and the sensors that let a drone know where it is.
Materials Science & Communication
Materials under stress and how drones transmit data, then wire the flight controller.
Software Engineering & Programming
The fundamentals of code, and programming your drone's behaviour.
Electrical Engineering & Control
Power and control systems, plus flight safety and Flyer ID.
Civil Engineering & Risk
Structures and risk assessment, then plan and log a real flight.
Structures & Flight Simulation
Bridge building and structural design, with flight simulation and control.
Manufacturing & Final Flight
Manufacturing engineering, the final flight, and the team competition.
“The whole programme builds to one morning. Everything you practised gets tested in front of an audience.”
Theory into practice
Collaborate with peers to engineer something real. Think practically, design carefully, and apply everything the course gives you.
The Drone Build
Across the programme you assemble a drone from its components, wiring the electronics, calibrating the flight controller, programming its behaviour, and flying it for real.
Use-Case Innovation Challenge
In a team of five, you design an original drone-based solution to a real-world need, weighing feasibility, safety, and impact, then pitch it at the final competition and write it up.
Top Up With Career Exploration
At OSP, we transform ambition into action and potential into purpose. We bridge academic excellence with personal growth, cultivating ethical leaders who go on to shape the world tomorrow with clarity, confidence, and integrity
A first step toward
a serious path
Aerospace & Drone Technology
Designing the aircraft, drones, and flight systems of the future.
Robotics & Automation
Building the machines and autonomous systems reshaping industry.
Mechanical & Electrical Engineering
Engineering the physical and electronic systems the world depends on.
Design, Manufacturing & R&D
Turning ideas into tested, buildable, real-world products.
Taught by academics & practitioners
Our Scholars are mentored by an outstanding team of accomplished professionals who bring real-world expertise, insight, and a passion for teaching. Their mentorship inspires curiosity, critical thinking, and confidence, creating a truly transformative Pre-College Summer Program experience. Meet some of the distinguished educators leading this journey below.
Dr. Cristiana Tisca
AI & Programming
Post-Doctoral Researcher in Neuroimaging at the Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford
Dr. Waqas Kamal
Engineering
Research Fellow at University of Oxford
DPhil in Engineering Science
Dr. Nick Dickinson
Politics
Bingham Fellow in Constitutional Studies, University of Oxford
Juliana Choi
Medicine
DPhil Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics
University of Oxford
Dr. Daryna Dvornichenko
Law
British Academy Researcher At Risk and Visiting Research Fellow at Department of Politics and International Relations, University of Oxford
Abbey Palmer
English
MSc in Applied Linguistics and Second Language Acquisition, University of Oxford
Oxford is the stage, not the point
Each summer a select group from around the world comes together in Oxford to learn, grow, and find out who they could become.
Walking ToursWalking Tours
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Walking Tours
Walking ToursStudy in an academically rigorous summer programme alongside ambitious students from around the world.
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Take the seat at the table
Places in the 2026 Oxford cohort are limited to 100 scholars. Apply now, or request the full brochure with dates, fees, and the day-by-day plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Oxford Engineering & Robotics Summer School at OSP?
The Oxford Engineering & Robotics Summer School at OSP is a two-week immersive course designed for high school students aged 14–18 interested in engineering and drone technology. Scholars learn across core engineering disciplines through lectures and workshops, then build, program, and fly a real drone while designing an original solution to a real-world problem.
Can high school students study Engineering & Robotics at Oxford?
Yes. The pre-university engineering and robotics course at OSP gives high school students the chance to learn engineering principles and build real hardware in a university setting. The summer school offers an introduction to the field, hands-on build projects, and a real understanding of how engineers solve practical problems.
Do I need prior engineering experience to attend?
No prior experience is required. The course introduces each engineering discipline from the ground up and supports every Scholar through the hands-on build, so complete beginners and students with some background can both take part and progress. The curriculum equips all Scholars with the tools they need to build and fly a working drone.
What is the final project?
Scholars work in teams of five to develop an original drone-based solution to a real-world need. They research and design the application, weigh feasibility, safety, and impact, then pitch it at a final competition and submit an individual report — mirroring how engineering projects are developed and presented.
Who can attend the Oxford Engineering & Robotics Summer School at OSP?
It is open to students aged 14–18 who are curious about engineering, robotics, and how things are built. Whether you are considering aerospace, mechanical, electrical, software, or another engineering path, this programme provides a comprehensive, hands-on introduction to the field.
How can the Oxford Engineering & Robotics Summer School at OSP help with university applications?
The course strengthens applications by demonstrating genuine commitment to studying engineering. It provides practical experience in design, build, and technical problem-solving, showcasing intellectual curiosity and readiness for university-level study. Scholars also receive letters of recommendation from Oxford tutors, adding academic credibility to their applications.
How can the Oxford Engineering & Robotics Summer School at OSP benefit my future career?
The course builds skills in problem-solving, design, technical analysis, and teamwork — all highly valued across engineering, robotics, and technology. By building real hardware and presenting an engineering solution, Scholars gain practical experience that supports a wide range of future career paths.
How do I apply for the Oxford Engineering & Robotics Summer School at OSP?
To apply, visit the application page and complete the online application form. Submit all required documents, including academic transcripts and a personal statement. After reviewing applications, successful candidates will be notified with further details about their acceptance.
What is the cost of attending the Oxford Engineering & Robotics Summer School at OSP?
The total cost includes tuition, accommodation, meals, and all excursions and activities. Scholarships and financial aid options are available to support students from diverse financial backgrounds. Please check our fee page for detailed pricing information and funding options.
