Each year, the OCCA Summer School combines some timely content to respond to the issues of the day, with some of the topics that come up time and again.

This year the main talks will be considering some of the dominant beliefs and narratives that shape our time. These talks are currently in preparation and details will be published in due time.

To give a guide, previous Summer Schools have included talks on topics like:

• The Evidence for God
• Suffering and Pain
• God and Science
• The Reliability of the Bible
• Artificial Intelligence
• Sexuality and Identity
• Historical Evidence for Jesus
• Gender, Sex and Christianity
• The Mistakes of the Church

We’ve also previously held interactive sessions on:

• Leading Someone to Christ
• Answering Difficult Questions
• Reaching the Next Generation
• Being an Online Christian

Tuesday 14th July

2pm Meet and Greet at OCCA Offices, Tour of Oxford ‘The History of Faith in Oxford’
6pm Formal Dinner

Wednesday 15th July

8.30am Registration and Refreshments at St Ebbes Church,
9.00am Opening Worship and Devotions
9.30am Lecture
10.15am Interactive Session
11am Break
11.30am Lecture
12.15pm Q & A Panel
1pm Lunch
2pm Seminars and Workshops
3pm Break
3.15pm Seminars and Workshops
4.15-4.30pm Closing Worship

6pm Socials:
Evensong at Christ Church
Punting at Magdalen Bridge Boathouse

Thursday 16th July

8.30am Registration and Refreshments at St Ebbes Church,
9.00am Opening Worship and Devotions
9.30am Lecture
10.15am Interactive Session
11am Break
11.30am Lecture
12.15pm Q & A Panel
1pm Lunch
2pm Seminars and Workshops
3pm Break
3.15pm Seminars and Workshops
4.15-4.30pm Closing Worship

7pm Social: Pub Quiz

Friday 17th July

8.30am Registration and Refreshments at St Ebbes Church,
9.00am Opening Worship and Devotions
9.30am Lecture
10.15am Interactive Session
11am Break
11.30am Lecture
12.15pm Q & A Panel
1pm Lunch
2pm Seminars and Workshops
3pm Break
3.15pm Seminars and Workshops
4.15-4.30pm Closing Worship

Saturday 18th July

8.30am Registration and Refreshments at St Ebbes Church,
9.00am Opening Worship and Devotions
9.30am Lecture
10.15am Interactive Session
11am Break
11.30am Lecture
12.15pm Q & A Panel
1pm Lunch
2pm Seminars and Workshops
3pm Break
3.15pm Seminars and Workshops
4.15-4.30pm Closing Worship

In previous years, the Saturday has been a day conference open to others but we are excited to be launching a different day in the year for thinking together about faith; stay tuned for updates! For the Summer School, the Saturday will include extended teaching, Q&A, and breakout sessions.

The ticket price this year is: £640 (price freeze from last year). Early-bird tickets are available and you can book today! After the OCCA Welcome Dinner on Tuesday, the event will cover four full days, including Saturday, July 18th. In previous years, the Saturday has been a day conference open to others but we are excited to be launching a different day in the year for thinking together about faith; stay tuned for updates! For the Summer School, the Saturday will include extended teaching, Q&A, and breakout sessions.

We’re aware that it can be expensive to spend a week in Oxford and so we work hard to keep the cost down. The OCCA Dinner, lunches and refreshments are included, but delegates will need to find their own accommodation and evening meals. 

We want this conference to be available to anyone. If the cost is barrier for you, we encourage you to apply for a bursary. Want to help others be able to attend the week? Find out ways you can support OCCA and help raise up the next generation of evangelist-apologists. 

I’ve come to Summer School before, will it be different this time?

Each year the plenary talks are different from the years before.  Sometimes the topics are similar, but with a different speaker giving their own perspective.

The afternoons consist of multiple options, so there’s always something new to discover in the seminars and workshops.  Many people return each year, and always find something new to engage with.

Is it better to come as a group or alone?

Each year our guests come from all over the world.  There are regularly a few groups, but many people come alone.  The dinner on the first evening is a great chance to get to know others and the interactive sessions and social calendar helps build community.

Some people come to Oxford with their spouse, who spends the week exploring the city whilst they study with us.  Other family members are welcome at the evening social events on Wednesday and Thursday.  (Unfortunately spaces at the Tuesday dinner are very limited.)

What about accommodation?

Summer School attendees will need to  source their own accommodation. Here is a list of Accommodation Options.

What if I can’t afford it?

We are aware how expensive it is to spend a week in Oxford, so we do our best to make it as affordable as possible, delivering the whole event at cost. If the cost is barrier for you, we encourage you to apply for a bursary.