Programme & Lecture Sessions

Q - Do I have to be at a certain academic standard to be able to attend the Oxford Summer School?

A - No, anyone is welcome to attend the Oxford Summer School, as long as they are at least 18 years old. Some of the topics covered are more academic than others, but the course is intended to be suitable for anyone who is interested in the subject material.

Q - Where will the lectures be held?

A - The lectures will be held in two main locations: (1) Queen’s College and (2) St Aldate’s Church, Oxford.

Q – How do we travel to and from the two venues?

A - The two venues (Queen’s College and St Aldate’s) are both in the city centre of Oxford and are about 700 metres apart (0.4 miles). Delegates will travel between the two venues on foot. Morning and evening lectures are held at St Aldate’s, whilst all meals and the afternoon seminars will be held in Queen’s College. This does mean delegates will have to walk to (and from) Queens College to St Aldate’s twice a day. It is about a 10 minute walk between the two. However, if you have mobility problems please let us know so that we can make arrangements.

Q - Will we be given session notes?

A - On arriving, you will receive a folder containing useful information about your stay, along with a map of Oxford, notepaper to write on and a pen. Notes will be given out at the end of each session, but everyone is encouraged to take their own notes as part of the leaning process.

Q - Is there a photo and a recording policy?

A - We will be recording the talks in order to be made available online for free to all participants. We request that you do not record the sessions yourself, whether on video or audio. There is no policy on photography, however we ask that participants are sensitive in the teaching sessions and limit their photo taking during these.

Q - Is there childcare available during the sessions?

A - Unfortunately, we are not able to provide any childcare at all during the week.

Q - Do I need to do any reading in preparation for the Summer School?

A - No, there is absolutely no need to do any research before attending the Oxford Summer School. However, if you would like to, you are more than welcome to read up on the topics before coming. Many of the speakers are published authors and their books are available at all major bookstores (they will also be available for sale during the summer school)

Q - Can I gain credit for an academic course by attending the Oxford Summer School?

A - No. While the majority of the speakers at the Oxford Summer School do regularly lecture at universities, the Summer School itself is not accredited by any academic institution.

Q - Can I plug my laptop computer into an electricity supply during the talks?

A - Probably not; most of the venues do not have easily accessible plug sockets and, therefore, if you wish to take notes with your laptop you need to charge your battery up prior to attending the lectures.

Q – Is there any free time?

A – The week is intended to be a intensive programme of apologetics teaching. However, there is an extended break after lunch, for those who wish to rest up or do some sight-seeing before the afternoon seminar streams begin, and there are also tea and coffee breaks throughout the day (between lectures). The college has a garden area, which delegates are welcome to use, as well as a chapel that is open for those who wish to pray.

Q – Is there an opportunity to talk to a speaker about a particular apologetics / pastoral question?

A – There are designated “On the Spot” sessions every night in which delegates are encouraged to ask any questions that they would like answered. In addition to this, if there is time, a number of the lectures will include a short time for questions. There is also an opportunity to talk to some of the speakers during mealtimes and coffee/tea breaks. The Summer School also has a designated chaplain, Revd Dr Tom Tarrants, President of the CS Lewis Institute in Washington, who is available during the week to talk and pray through any pastoral concerns.