Psychology
For Ambitious Scholars Aged 14–18
2-15 August
2026
£6,499 OSP Experience Fee
100 Exceptional Global Scholars
Skills Gained
Analytical Thinking
Curiosity and Lifelong Learning
Empathy and Active Listening
Technological Literacy
Resilience, Flexibility and Agility
Join OSP's Psychology Summer School in Oxford
The room goes quiet. On the screen behind you is a result you didn’t expect: your own data, from a study you designed and ran this week. You have three minutes to explain what it means, and a room full of questions waiting.
Explore the core areas of psychology, including cognitive, social, biological, and experimental psychology.
Learn how to design experiments, collect data, and analyse psychological research.
Apply psychological concepts to real-world topics such as behaviour, relationships, education, and mental health.
Prepare for class through pre-course materials and guided discussions on key psychological concepts.
Apply learning through case studies, practical activities, and collaborative projects.
Demonstrate understanding through presentations, group work, and written reports.
Experience Oxford-style learning with expert tutors in psychology and neuroscience.
Develop academic and research skills valued by universities and future employers.
Explore psychology-related careers while joining a global community of ambitious learners.
Fourteen days. Thinking Like a Scientist. Understanding People.
Study in an academically rigorous summer programme alongside ambitious students from around the world. Learn from expert tutors, work through real global challenges by research and debate, and leave with a stronger university profile and an international network of future leaders.
Think like a scientist
Learn how psychologists actually work: research methods, ethics, evidence, and how to tell scientific findings from popular myth.
Run your own study
Form a team, choose a research question, design the method, collect the data, and analyse what it really shows.
Make sense of behaviour
Read human behaviour with nuance across memory, attention, emotion, social influence, and the psychology of AI.
Your two weeks,
day by day.
Mornings build the theory. Afternoons put it straight to work on your research project. Every day moves your study closer to the final project.
Introduction to Psychology
How psychologists think, and how to tell science from myth.
Attention & Decision-Making
How we focus, how we choose, and why multitasking quietly fails.
Memory & Misinformation
Why feeling confident is not the same as being accurate.
Social Influence & Conformity
How the people around us shape what we do.
Emotion, Stress & Wellbeing
How mind and body actually perform under pressure.
Personality & Measurement
What psychological tests really measure, and how well.
The Psychology of AI
Bias, trust, and how algorithms learn our patterns.
Critical Thinking
Reading your results honestly, limitations and all.
Presenting Psychology
Poster, three-minute talk, and a live Q&A.
“The whole programme builds to one morning. Everything you practised gets tested in front of an audience.”
Theory into practice
Collaborate with peers to investigate a real question about human behaviour. Think critically, work methodically, and apply everything the course gives you.
Collaborative Research
You form a team, choose one research question, and build a real study around it. For nine days the design, the data, and the findings are yours to defend. Work as a research group investigating how people think, feel, or behave.
Independent Analysis
Write up your investigation as a structured research report, then present it as a poster and a three-minute talk with live Q&A. Build the academic research and writing skills you will reuse at university.
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
Clinical & Counselling Psychology
Understanding, assessing, and supporting mental health and human wellbeing.
Neuroscience & Cognitive Science
How the brain produces attention, memory, emotion, and decision-making.
Medicine & Psychiatry
The behavioural science behind diagnosis, treatment, and patient care.
Behavioural Science, UX & Research
Applying psychology in product design, marketing, policy, and academia.
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
Walking Tours
Walking Tours
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 Psychology Summer School at OSP?
The Oxford Psychology Summer School at OSP is a two-week immersive course designed for high school students aged 14–18 interested in human behaviour, the mind, and how psychological science works. Scholars take part in interactive lectures, classic case studies, and a hands-on research project, exploring cognition, social influence, emotion, and decision-making.
Can high school students study Psychology at Oxford?
Yes. The pre-university psychology course at OSP gives high school students the chance to explore psychological science in a university setting. The summer school offers an introduction to the subject, practical research experience, and a real understanding of how psychologists investigate behaviour.
What is the research project?
Scholars work in small teams to design and run their own psychological study. They choose a research question, build a method, collect and analyse data, and present their findings as a written report, a poster, and a short talk — mirroring how real research is carried out and shared.
Who can attend the Oxford Psychology Summer School at OSP?
It is open to students aged 14–18 who are curious about the mind and human behaviour. Whether you are considering psychology, neuroscience, medicine, or any people-focused field, this programme provides a comprehensive introduction to psychological science and research.
How can the Oxford Psychology Summer School at OSP help with university applications?
The course strengthens university applications by demonstrating genuine commitment to studying psychology. It provides practical experience in research design, data analysis, and academic writing, showcasing intellectual curiosity and readiness for university-level study. Scholars also receive letters of recommendation from Oxford tutors, adding academic credibility to their applications.
Do I need prior knowledge of psychology to attend?
No prior knowledge is required. The summer school is designed for Scholars with varying levels of experience, from complete beginners to those with a strong interest in the field. The curriculum builds foundational knowledge and equips all Scholars with the tools they need to succeed.
How can the Oxford Psychology Summer School at OSP benefit my future career?
The course builds skills in research, critical thinking, data analysis, and communication — all highly valued across psychology, healthcare, education, research, and behavioural science. By designing a study and presenting real findings, Scholars gain practical experience that supports a wide range of future career paths.
How do I apply for the Oxford Psychology 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 Psychology 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.
