Saïd Business School, University of Oxford Future Entrepreneurs Summer School

Oxford Saïd hasn't named the teaching team, but it describes a mix of University of Oxford entrepreneurship specialists and outside practitioners. Its list of who you could learn from includes Oxford entrepreneurship experts, venture builders and innovation strategists, Forbes-recognized founders, entrepreneurs in FinTech, HealthTech, AI and ClimateTech, investors and venture advisors, and Oxford leadership and innovation coaches.

Oxford Saïd says only that you could learn from these people, so no particular speaker is guaranteed. In week one your team starts its venture with support from Oxford entrepreneurship specialists and experienced founders, and week two includes founder feedback and mentoring. Oxford Saïd says its programs are taught in small groups.

You leave with a University of Oxford certificate of attendance, which Oxford Saïd withholds from anyone who doesn't meet the attendance requirements. It isn't academic credit.

The more concrete takeaway is the venture itself: a business model, a prototype and a pitch your team presents at the closing showcase to entrepreneurs and innovation experts, who give feedback on it. Week two also covers Oxford admissions and career insights. Oxford Saïd says its summer schools strengthen university applications, but that's the school's own claim rather than a statement from any admissions office, Oxford's included.

The fee is £8,995, and Oxford Saïd says it covers tuition, your room, three meals a day, excursions, field trips and course materials for the two weeks. Flights, a visa if you need one, and spending money are on top. The visa fee itself is set by the UK government, so check it there. The application form also asks whether you'd like to be considered for a full or partial fee scholarship, although Oxford Saïd publishes no amounts or criteria.

Getting to Oxford can be free if you time it right. Complimentary transfers run from Heathrow and Gatwick at 10:00, 14:00 and 18:00, and from Oxford rail station to the accommodation. Outside those times or from other airports, Oxford Saïd charges for a private transfer, and it also charges for arriving early or leaving late.

You pay in pounds sterling, with a deposit due when you accept your offer, and your place is only confirmed once the full fee is paid. Cancel within 14 days of accepting and you get everything back. After that, there's no refund unless Oxford Saïd chooses to make one, and it may charge an administration fee if it does, so settle your summer plans before you accept. Instead of canceling, you can move once to a later run of the program if there's space, as long as you tell Oxford Saïd before your original session starts. The move is free with six or more weeks' notice, but costs 25% of the original fee with three to six weeks' notice and 50% with less than three weeks, on top of the full fee for the new run. Oxford Saïd strongly recommends insurance that covers cancellation.

• Private airport transfer

  £200 each way from Heathrow, £250 each way from Gatwick, Stansted or London City, with a meet-and-greet escort for under-18s.

• Accompanied train travel

  £120 each way from London Paddington or London Marylebone.

• Early arrival

  £300 for the night before, including dinner, breakfast, lunch and supervision.

• Late checkout

  £150 for leaving after 10:00, including supervision and an excursion.

• Visa support

  £350 for help with the application, not including the visa fee itself.

You sleep in your own single bedroom in University of Oxford accommodation that's separated by sex and age, with 24/7 on-site security and a dedicated night team. Oxford Saïd says trained support staff look after students around the clock.

Before arrival, Oxford Saïd needs to know about any medical conditions, allergies, medication or behavioral needs, and prescription medicine is handed to staff on arrival with written instructions in English. The rules are strict, with zero tolerance for alcohol at any age, smoking, drugs, bullying and leaving the premises without permission. Serious or repeated breaches can end in expulsion with no refund and travel home at the family's expense.

Parents can drop students off, but visits during the course aren't encouraged. Students can call or email home over Wi-Fi in their free time.

You need to be between 15 and 18 on 31 August 2027, and Oxford Saïd counts you as 18 up to 18 years and 11 months. You also need English at B2 (upper intermediate) level or above on the Common European Framework of Reference, which the recruitment team checks during the process. Students of any nationality can apply, and no business experience is needed.

The recruitment team reads your written answers alongside your video interview to judge your suitability. Oxford Saïd says its programs in general are usually over-subscribed well in advance, and since places are offered on a rolling basis, that's a reason to apply early.

Applications go through Oxford Saïd's youth programs application, and they're reviewed on a rolling basis, with early submission encouraged.

1. 1

   Written application

   Fill in the online form with three answers of about 300 words each, on why you want to attend, which skills you want to develop and what you'd bring, plus your school details and a teacher who'll give you a reference.

2. 2

   Video interview

   Once you submit, you're invited to record answers to set questions on Kira Talent, with no live interviewer.

3. 3

   Decision

   If you haven't heard back within two weeks of completing your application, Oxford Saïd asks you to get in touch.

4. 4

   Securing your place

   If you get an offer, accept it and pay the deposit, and your place is confirmed once the fee is paid in full.