What We’ll Explore

Each year, we focus the Summer School around a theme and every year covers different ground. We may explore similar topics, but often with perspectives from different members of the team and guests.

Over the course of the year, we’ll be gathering and praying, looking to discern where God may want us to concentrate, so check back here for updates as this year’s theme comes together.

In previous years, we’ve covered:

• 2026: Costly Conversations: Speaking of Jesus in a Divided Age
• 2025: Stories & Ideas that Shape Us 
  • Watch Sara Stevenson’s talk Who Defines You?
• 2024: Clarity in the Chaos
  • Watch Alanzo Paul’s talk How Can you Know What’s True?
  • John Lennox’s talk What Happened to Truth?

Tickets and Accommodations

The ticket price this year is: £640 (price freeze from last year).

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.

Bursary Application

We want this conference to be available to anyone. If the cost is a barrier for you, you can apply for a bursary. Want to help others be able to attend the week? Support OCCA and raising up the next generation of apologist-evangelists.

Location:

The OCCA 2027 Summer School will be held near the City Centre; location to be announced soon!

• Map link: Oxford, OX1
• What3Words location link: ///spices.tides.snack

Travelling to Oxford:

Train:

• Oxford Train Station (15-min walk from the Summer School venue)
• Oxford Parkway (you would need to take a bus or taxi; many are available)

Internationally / From airports:

• We recommend flying to one of the London airports and using public transport. Keep in mind that the London airports are spread out around the city and travel times between them and Oxford can vary substantially. London Heathrow (LHR) is the closest (~1.5 hours) but may be more expensive.
• Oxford The Airline is a bus/coach service that runs 24/7/365 directly between London Heathrow (LHR) and Gatwick (LGW) airports and Oxford city centre, usually up to every hour. Tickets can be bought in advance or on the bus using a card.
• Heathrow (LHR), Gatwick (LGW), Stansted (STN), Luton (LTN), and other airports are also accessible by national rail links, but these journeys can often be longer, indirect involving transfers through London, and more expensive than the direct bus to Oxford.

Visas:

• If travelling from overseas, you may need to get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) or visa before coming to the UK.
  • Check if you need a visa or ETA (Use only this official UK Government service)

By bus:

• Oxford’s central bus station is Gloucester Green. It is an 8-min walk to the Summer School venue and is a regular stop for National Express buses, Megabus, etc.

Driving and parking:

There is no on-site parking at the venue. In the City Centre is the Westgate Shopping Centre, which does have paid parking. However, it can be expensive and accessing it also involves travelling through Oxford’s congestion zone, which comes with an extra £5 per day charge that must be paid separately on top of parking fare. Oxford does have other central car parks, but they are also quite expensive and can involve the congestion zone.

We would strongly recommend using one of Oxford’s five Park and Rides around the city. Parking for cars is available for a low fee and includes free bus fare to and from the city centre.

• Pear Tree Park and Ride: North of Oxford, accessible from the A40 (from Witney and Cheltenham), A4260 (from Kidlington), A34 (from Banbury, Bicester and Northampton) and the M40
• Oxford Parkway Park and Ride: North of Oxford, accessible from the A40 (from Witney and Cheltenham), A4260 (from Kidlington), A34 (from Banbury, Bicester and Northampton) and the M40
• Thornhill Park and Ride: East of Oxford, located off the A40 from Thame, Aylesbury, High Wycombe, London and the M40 to the east of the city, just before the ring road
• Redbridge Park and Ride: South of Oxford, located off the A34 from Abingdon, Didcot and Newbury
• Seacourt Park and Ride:*** West of Oxford, located off the A420 from Swindon and Bath, on the Botley Road (note that due to ongoing works to replace the rail bridge at Oxford station, Park and Ride buses from Seacourt only will drop you off at the Oxford Rail Station and you will have to walk further to the Summer School venue – The four other Park and Ride buses are not affected by this and will drop you closer to the city centre)

Accommodation:

• Oxford is full of good options ranging from hotels, AirBnB’s, B&B’s, to guest houses, and more. We’ve put together a list of resources where you can start looking.

Oxford costs, budget, and things to do:

• The University Rooms booking website has a very helpful guide for:
  • Common costs in Oxford (food, pubs, daily budget, activities)
  • Transport and other common questions

Mobile phone data and internet access:

• While WiFi is available at the venue and on most buses and trains, you might find it useful to get a local Sim card or mobile data plan.
  • You can use a mobile app like Saily (plans start at £3.49 for the week) or Holafly (plans start at £4.00) to buy and activate an eSim card plan ahead of traveling.
  • Or, you can purchase a physical Sim card for as little as £5-£10 at most shops or at the airport.