English Literature Summer School (In-Person)
If you love literature, you’ll know the joy of discovering a new favorite—or seeing an old one in a whole new light. The English Literature Summer School introduces you to remarkable works you may not have encountered, while equipping you with essential tools of literary criticism – from historicism to psychoanalysis.
Topics for 2025 will include:
Anglo-Saxon English * Middle English * Renaissance Literature * Metaphysical Poetry * The Romantic Movement * The Rise of the Novel * Modernism * Literature in Translation * Adaptation and Intertextuality
See a more detailed outline for the course here.
This journey is even more rewarding when shared. Through seminars, close reading, and lively debates, you’ll engage with your fellow students in a supportive and stimulating environment—challenging ideas, refining interpretations, and deepening your understanding.
Our tutors are chosen for their exceptional communication skills, academic excellence, and passion for literature. You can explore their profiles on our tutors page. Throughout this course, your tutor will be your guide, facilitator, and mentor—helping you navigate complex ideas and sharpen your analytical skills.
This course effectively bridges the gap between school and university level study of literature, and is an excellent preparation for more advanced study.
Scroll down for full booking details and practical information.
If you love literature, you’ll know the joy of discovering a new favorite—or seeing an old one in a whole new light. The English Literature Summer School introduces you to remarkable works you may not have encountered, while equipping you with essential tools of literary criticism – from historicism to psychoanalysis.
Topics for 2025 will include:
Anglo-Saxon English * Middle English * Renaissance Literature * Metaphysical Poetry * The Romantic Movement * The Rise of the Novel * Modernism * Literature in Translation * Adaptation and Intertextuality
See a more detailed outline for the course here.
This journey is even more rewarding when shared. Through seminars, close reading, and lively debates, you’ll engage with your fellow students in a supportive and stimulating environment—challenging ideas, refining interpretations, and deepening your understanding.
Our tutors are chosen for their exceptional communication skills, academic excellence, and passion for literature. You can explore their profiles on our tutors page. Throughout this course, your tutor will be your guide, facilitator, and mentor — helping you navigate complex ideas and sharpen your analytical skills.
This course effectively bridges the gap between school and university level study of literature, and is an excellent preparation for more advanced study.
Scroll down for full booking details and practical information.
Felt Like Finding Home
Aside from reading as much good literature and as many literary critics as you can, this will be the single most important week in your pathway to being a...Friendly and Enjoyable
I found this course really stimulating. It encapsulated a lot; from close reading to explanations and questions formed on literary criticism and movements. We also explored how literature fit ...Lovely Atmosphere
A really great overview of literature. I really enjoyed the expression of form/ content and its importance. I feel way more prepared to write my personal statement and uni interviews ...Uplifted and Educated
I would absolutely recommend this course to anyone doing A-Level English or considering studying English at University. The week left me feeling inspired and wanting to learn more about the...Highly Recommended
I enjoyed a fantastic week at the Debate Chamber, covering the Romantics right up to contemporary prose and poetry. Remarkably, no detail was skimped on – we covered a...Completely Inspiring
I absolutely adored the summer school - it was completely inspiring and I enjoyed every second of it! I would have done the week over and over! I would recommend ...Excellent Tutors
My week at the English Literature Summer School has been an invaluable experience and has aided my existing knowledge of English Literature greatly. For an aspiring English student at University, ...Brilliant Students
As a budding English Literature student, in the process of starting my personal statement, I was eager to broaden my knowledge and experience of what degree level literature looked like...Group Discussions
The course runs through the history of English literature, from old / middle English to postmodernism. It was interesting to understand the way it has developed and all the different...Completely Worthwhile
I would fully recommend this course to any English student thinking of carrying on this subject to university level as it provides a fantastic grounding in a wide spectrum of literature....New Concepts
This was a super engaging course that both expanded my previous knowledge of the subject and got me thinking about new concepts and ideas. I would definitely recommend it to ...Amazing Experience!
It was incredible to meet such a wonderful variety of people my age all united by a passion for literature. Everyone was so engaged and we were able to have ...Don't Hesitate!
Before attending the English Literature Summer School, I was not sure if I wanted to study this subject at higher level, but participating in such an academically driven environment,...Amazing!
The English Literature Summer School was amazing! Not only was the tutor engaging and enthusiastic, but the content itself was highly informative and stretched across a range of texts and across...Fantastic Conversations
The course has been hugely informative and stimulating for me; it was particularly useful and very interesting to be able to discuss and explore the new information we were receiving as a...Thoroughly Enjoyable
My week at Debate Chamber was the best of my whole summer holiday. The teachers were intelligent and focused and we moved at the perfect pace. I felt so informed...Expert Tutors
Debate Chamber’s English Summer School was an amazingly inspiring experience. Informative and enjoyable, its the perfect way to really enrich your personal statement and reach Oxbridge worthy knowledge in your...New Interests
A thorough overview of the key literary movements within England. This course is great for any prospective English literature university students. It introduced me to writers and texts that I ...A Fantastic Week
I found this Summer School exceptionally useful in broadening my knowledge of literature. It was an enjoyable way of learning more about my chosen subject in a relaxed and ...English Literature Summer School – Practical Details
Please note: This is the in-person version of the course. For the online event, click here.
The in-person English Literature Summer School is open to students aged 15–18 and will run from 4th – 8th August 2025 (Monday to Friday). Teaching hours are 10:30 am – 4:30 pm, with a lunch break.
📍 Location: Woburn House, Bloomsbury, Central London (nearest tube: Russell Square) [See more location details]. Please note: This is a non-residential course, so accommodation must be arranged independently if needed.
💰 Course Fee: £795
🔒 Booking: Secure your place with a 25% non-refundable deposit. The remaining balance is due eight weeks before the course starts. [See full booking terms and conditions here.]
📞 Questions? Call us on 0800 810 1058 or email [email protected].
Debate Chamber offers a limited number of full and partial bursaries to students who could not otherwise afford to attend. If you would like to apply for a bursary then please complete your bursary application here.