Anyone done an adult (not teen) summer school (Oxbridge or similar)?

[PlimptonInSummertown]

Not a higher education question, I’m just curious. Wondering what it would be like to spend a week or more playing student, with serious instruction and of course a beautiful setting. Ever done it?

I did a classics one as a 6th former, but was aimed at adults and there were a handful of 6th formers.

It was thoroughly delightful. Definitely worth looking at the accommodation, tutors details etc.

I’ve done a few. I had the opposite experience to ScaryM0nster - I did a week of classics as an adult, but the majority of the other students were school age and I didn’t especially enjoy that aspect. I did learn a lot as that course involved very full-on study days.

Others I’ve done have attracted more adults, included free time in the day and been residential. I prefer that format since I still work FT and need some rest and relaxation!

Do you mind if I ask the university, college etc? I understand if you don’t want to share that here of course. I’m just curious to know a bit more.

I’ve left it a bit late for this year but I’m seriously considering applying for next summer. Although I’m not convinced I really want to work that hard!

Mine was residential and had some free time in the day, so that would reinforce that those are good characteristics.

I think the minimum age might have been 16 with a reference and 18 otherwise.

I think it was this one.

www.durhamglss.org

While looking for it, I found a few others which might have included one like the other poster mentioned.

(University college accomodation without en-suite isn’t as basic as you’d first think).

So interesting! I actually think my son would benefit from something like this, although he’d probably hate me for it which would defeat the purpose. Maybe I can convince him for next year.

He does really well with people of all ages, rather than just his peers (can’t blame him really).

If you’re interested, the non-residential course I mentioned was the Summer School in Homer at UCL. The course itself was excellent - and cost under £200! This included a trip to the British Library to see papyri, something I couldn’t have done otherwise.

The residential courses have been at Cambridge on a variety of subjects.

I'm tempted by the choral ones, but not sure I can justify spending that much on what would essentially be a solo holiday. I would go if I were single and less budget-conscious.

I've done three non-residential courses through Oxford Continuing Education. They ranged from very good to excellent. I've picked out two more that I would like to do when I have time.

I also did a week-long in-person course at Cambridge. This was through an external organization that is only loosely affiliated with Cambridge, though most of the teaching staff are Cambridge dons. It was a mixed experience. The main course, which ran in the mornings, was good, and I liked my seminar group, but the rest of the schedule was overstuffed. I wanted to quietly explore the university on my own, read in cafes, etc., and it was difficult to find time to do that when I was constantly being pressured to attend plenary sessions and semi-mandatory social events. The extremely touristy atmosphere of Cambridge in August also got to me. The setting (Jesus College) was lovely.
I'm glad I did it, but I would have enjoyed it more if I had had more autonomy in the afternoons.

I used to teach on them - Shakespeare for Cambridge Cont Ed. It was a lovely experience. So many nice students. They all seemed to thoroughly enjoy it and we got lots of good feedback.

The only thing I would say is: there were generally one or two people who seemed to be doing it because they really wanted to do a Cambridge undergrad/postgrad and were convinced it'd give them the edge. It wouldn't, and it wasn't really about that, and it was awkward with them. I expect some summer schools are more academic than others - but the one I did wasn't really 'serious study'. You could write essays and get them marked. But I think most people honestly were just there for the love of Shakespeare. They were really sparky and fun.