Applications
Rolling admissions
Places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
In-person Program
Headington Future Scientists (STEM)
by Summer Boarding Courses (SBC)
An Oxford science summer program combining biology, chemistry and physics themes with English-language learning, collaborative projects and campus activities.
Last verified: 18 Sept 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy
Get the full picture before you decide
See Succeed's assessment of the programme, who it may suit, the estimated total cost, what applying involves and what is still to confirm.
or let us know if .
What Succeed checks
We review public program details such as eligibility, age range, cost, duration, location, format, accommodation, meals and application timing.
What Last verified means
Last verified is the latest date Succeed checked the public details shown on this page. Program dates, prices and availability can still change.
How official sources are used
Succeed uses official provider information where available, then rewrites it into a student-facing summary for comparison and planning.
Why some dates are reference dates
If the current cycle is not available, Succeed may show the latest verified cycle dates so you can understand typical timing.
Succeed is independent from this provider unless a partnership is clearly stated.
Headington Future Scientists at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility
Current status
Applications open
Eligibility
Science interest; B1+ English
Age range / Year group
Ages 12-16
Location / Region
Headington School, Oxford, United Kingdom
Cost
£3,495; £4,795
Duration
2 or 4 weeks
Format
In-person
BiologyScienceSpace & physics
Class size: 15 maximum
Meals: Full board or two day meals
Outcome: Certificate and personalized report
Academic hours: 15 hours weekly
Accreditation: British Council accredited
Headington Future Scientists summary
Future Scientists combines English-language development with accessible biology, chemistry and physics themes through discussion, investigation and problem-solving.
Students work toward a collaborative science project and Time to Shine presentation while joining a broader schedule of sports, activities and excursions.
It best suits curious students who want broad scientific exploration rather than specialist laboratory training.
What is Headington Future Scientists (STEM)?
Headington Future Scientists (STEM) is an English-through-science summer program delivered by Summer Boarding Courses at Headington School in Oxford. It explores biology, chemistry and physics through accessible classroom investigations, discussion, evidence and collaborative problem-solving.
Students practice explaining scientific ideas in English and develop a shared project for the Time to Shine presentation. The wider experience combines lessons with campus activities, evening events and excursions.
Why Succeed highlights Headington Future Scientists
The curriculum connects English development to named themes from biology, chemistry and physics.
A maximum class size of 15 supports discussion, feedback and individual attention.
The Time to Shine project gives students a concrete reason to organize and present their scientific thinking.
Residential and non-residential options make the same academic program available to different family arrangements.
British Council accreditation and published safeguarding measures provide useful quality and welfare signals.
Who is Headington Future Scientists for?
Best for
Curious students who want to explore several sciences, develop B1+ English and learn through discussion, teamwork and presentation.
Not ideal if
You want advanced subject specialization, intensive laboratory research or a narrowly focused physics, chemistry or biology course.
Is Headington Future Scientists worth it?
This program can be worthwhile for a student who wants a structured Oxford campus experience combining broad science with practical English development. Small classes, a team project, excursions and a personalized report create a fuller experience than classroom tuition alone.
The limitation is depth: the curriculum deliberately emphasizes accessible ideas and communication rather than specialist laboratory work. Families should weigh the substantial fee against how strongly the student values the residential setting, activities and English-language immersion.
Sean
Founder, Succeed
Talk it through with Sean
Want to talk it through?
“I can help you compare the programmes you're considering, think through the practicalities and work out what makes sense for you.”
20 minutes · No obligation to enrol
A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.
Cost and what is included
£3,495; £4,795; includes Tuition and academic materials, Residential accommodation and all meals, Non-residential lunch and evening meals, Activities, evening events and standard excursions, Student insurance, Certificate and personalized report, 24/7 pastoral care for residential students.
Meals
Full board or two day meals
Supervision or safety information
Essential materials, lab equipment and safety gear are provided. A notebook and stationery may be useful for personal notes.
Provider details
Review the Summer Boarding Courses (SBC) provider page and official sources before making a final decision.
Dates and logistics
2 or 4 weeks; Headington School, Oxford, United Kingdom.
What to check before committing
Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.
Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.
Compare with similar programsHow much preparation does Headington Future Scientists need?
Effort level
Moderate, with daily lessons, projects and a full activity schedule.
Best started
Begin planning two to three months before the preferred session, allowing longer for international travel or a visa.
Main challenge
Communicating scientific reasoning clearly in English during group work and presentations.
Typical preparation
Review core science vocabulary in English across biology, chemistry and physics.
Practice explaining an observation, process or simple data set aloud.
Prepare questions about the residential or non-residential routine before booking.
International families should check passport and UK entry requirements early.
Useful if
You enjoy asking scientific questions and contributing to collaborative projects.
What do students do on Headington Future Scientists?
Students explore scientific ideas through English, work collaboratively on investigations and build a team project for presentation. Academic sessions sit within a wider program of sports, social activities and excursions.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Develop scientific vocabulary for observations, processes and explanations.
- 2
Interpret information, consider simple data and discuss evidence.
- 3
Complete classroom-based investigations and problem-solving tasks.
- 4
Develop a collaborative science-themed project across the program.
- 5
Rehearse and present the project through Time to Shine.
- 6
Join afternoon activities, evening events and scheduled excursions.
Headington Future Scientists dates and deadlines
Date not confirmed
Application deadline
6 July 2026
12 July 2027 session
12 July 2027
26 July 2027 session
26 July 2027
Early bird offer
31 October 2026
New families must book and pay the deposit by this date for the residential discount.
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Applications | Rolling admissions | Local | Date not confirmed | |
Application deadline | 6 July 2026 | Local | Past | |
12 July 2027 session | 12 July 2027 | Local | Upcoming | |
26 July 2027 session | 26 July 2027 | Local | Upcoming | |
Early bird offer | 31 October 2026 | Local | Upcoming |
Eligibility and requirements
Ages 12-16
B1+ English level
Interest in science and curiosity to learn
No strong science background required
How much does Headington Future Scientists cost?
Non-residential fee
£3,495 — Includes the academic program, activities, excursions, lunch and dinner.
Funding or discounts
- Residential fee: £4,795 — Includes full board, activities, excursions and pastoral care.
- Deposit: £700 — Paid to secure a confirmed residential place.
- Early bird discount: 15% off — For eligible new families booking a 2027 residential course during the offer period.
What's included
Tuition and academic materials, Residential accommodation and all meals, Non-residential lunch and evening meals, Activities, evening events and standard excursions, Student insurance, Certificate and personalized report, 24/7 pastoral care for residential students
How to apply to Headington Future Scientists
- 1
An adult completes the official booking form with contact details.
- 2
Add the student's information and preferred program option.
- 3
Provide the order details and accept the booking agreement.
- 4
Wait for an Admissions Manager to confirm any outstanding information.
- 5
Review the booking confirmation and pay the required deposit.
Next step with Succeed
Interested in this programme?
or let us know if .
Succeed replies first, usually within a working day
What does Headington Future Scientists cover?
The program covers the following focus areas.
Scientific Language and Communication
Practice describing observations, explaining processes, comparing ideas and communicating scientific information.
Investigation and Evidence
Use questions, observations, information and simple data to develop and compare explanations.
Science, Ethics and Society
Discuss wider questions arising from health, technology, environmental and discovery themes.
Time to Shine Project
Develop and present a collaborative science-themed project for an audience.
Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.
What is a typical day on Headington Future Scientists?
A typical day during the program.
Academic study
Subject lessons explore biology, chemistry and physics through theory and practical learning.
Time to Shine
Teams research, plan, develop and rehearse their science project.
Activities
Students choose sports, creative activities or scheduled excursions.
Campus events
Dinner is followed by whole-school games, performances or social events.
Who teaches on Headington Future Scientists?
SBC selects teachers for subject knowledge, teaching ability and experience with international students. Tutors guide investigations, discussions and presentations, while activity and pastoral staff support students beyond lessons.
Classes have a published maximum of 15 students.
Where do students stay on Headington Future Scientists?
Residential plan
- Boarding houses: Five campus boarding houses provide separate accommodation for boys and girls.
- Full board: The residential fee includes accommodation and all meals.
- Pastoral care: Trained, DBS-checked staff provide on-site support around the clock.
Non-residential plan
- Day option: Students follow the same academic and activity program before returning home each evening.
Residential rooms are mostly single or twin, with shared bathrooms among the listed campus facilities.
What happens after Headington Future Scientists?
After completing this program, participants often pursue:
Receive a Certificate of Achievement for program completion.
Use the personalized report to reflect on participation and progress.
Build confidence explaining scientific ideas in English.
Develop a completed team project and presentation experience.
Use broad subject exposure to identify future science interests.
The course offers broad exploration rather than formal academic credit or advanced specialization.
Where does Headington Future Scientists take place?
The program uses Headington School's campus in Oxford, with teaching, boarding houses, dining and activity facilities on one site. Scheduled excursions may include Oxford, London and Thorpe Park.
Summer Boarding Courses independently designs and delivers the program; Headington School does not teach or endorse it.
Headington Future Scientists FAQs
No. The program is designed for students with different levels of experience. Curiosity and an interest in science are the main academic requirements.
Students need B1+ English. Teachers can adapt lessons for mixed-ability classes where appropriate.
The program draws on biology, chemistry and physics while emphasizing scientific vocabulary, evidence, discussion and clear communication in English.
No. It emphasizes accessible classroom learning, investigations and problem-solving rather than specialist laboratory work.
Essential materials, lab equipment and safety gear are provided. A notebook and stationery may be useful for personal notes.
Tutors provide guidance and feedback during investigations, discussions and presentations. Students also receive a personalized end-of-course report.
The residential option includes accommodation, all meals, activities, excursions and 24/7 pastoral care, alongside tuition and academic materials.
Summer Boarding Courses designs and delivers the program. Headington School provides the setting and facilities but does not deliver, partner in or endorse the course.
Alternatives to Headington Future Scientists
Compare these in-person science programs if you want a different subject emphasis, age profile or city experience.
Alternatives to Headington Future Scientists
Natural sciences study in a Cambridge summer setting.
Science
Deadline: Not announced
From £5495
13-17
Cambridge
In-person
Best for
Students wanting a Cambridge-based natural sciences course.
Medical and biological sciences taught in Cambridge.
Biology
Deadline: Not announced
From £6550
14-15
Cambridge
In-person
Best for
Students interested in biology's connection to medicine.
Forensic science study in Los Angeles.
Science
Deadline: Not announced
From $2498
14-18
Los Angeles
In-person
Best for
Students drawn to evidence, investigation and applied biology.
Marine biology summer study in San Francisco.
Biology
Deadline: Not announced
From $4495
14-18
San Francisco
In-person
Best for
Students ready to specialize in marine biology.
Save this program in Succeed to compare it with similar programs, dates, costs and formats in one place.
Compare with other programsContent reviewed by
Ben Stacy
Co-founder, Succeed | Former secondary teacher and educational leader
Ben works at the intersection of education, technology and school adoption, with expertise in how secondary schools evaluate data-driven tools and how education technology is used in practice.
Sources and verification
Source types reviewed
- Future Scientists | Summer Boarding Courses
- TERMS & CONDITIONS - Early Bird Offer | Summer Boarding Courses
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) | Summer Boarding Courses
- Sample Timetable(opens in a new window) Programme Overview (Coming Soon)(opens in a new window) https://www.summerboardingcourses.com/courses/science-summer-school/future-scientist
- Transfers | Summer Boarding Courses
- Terms & Conditions | Summer Boarding Courses
- Headington Summer School | Campuses | Summer Boarding Courses
- Dates & Prices | Summer Boarding Courses
- Schedule a Call with Our Student Experience Teams
- Book Your Place – Summer Boarding Courses
- Future Scientist Academic Overview
- Future Scientists (STEM) at Headington | SBC
Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.
What we verified (on 18 Sept 2026)
Official course page checked
Fees and inclusions verified
Session starts reviewed
Eligibility requirements checked
Sample timetable reviewed
Safeguarding details checked
How Succeed uses this information
We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.
Headington Future Scientists (STEM)
by Summer Boarding Courses (SBC)
Applications open
May qualify for the £300 Succeed Programme Award.
Get the full picture before you decide
Succeed's assessment, estimated total cost and what applying involves.
No account needed for the Guide or Compare.
Not ready to decide yet? Keep it for later.
Save this program
Keep dates visible
Compare similar programs
Keep recommendations organised