Biology

Suitable Students:16 years old and above, interested in biology, biomedicine, bioengineering, life science and relative subjects

  Introduction 

Oxford Biology Summer School Introduction

 

The Oxford Biology Summer School is dedicated to providing opportunities for students aspiring to careers in biological sciences and related fields. The summer school will be held at the University of Oxford, and students will be taught by Oxford tutors or scientists. Students who complete the programme will receive an official certificate of completion from the University of Oxford.
In the summer of 2025, Oxford Biology Summer School will open for high school students from China. Students will explore cutting-edge knowledge in biology, delve into research methodologies, and engage with disruptive technologies and globally impactful research. Students will also have the opportunity to work in biology laboratories affiliated with the University of Oxford, conducting experiments under the supervision of professional lab technicians, which will help them embody the principle of integrating knowledge and practice. Through the programme, students will enhance their interdisciplinary and cross-cultural competencies and strengthen their qualifications and competitiveness for admission to prestigious universities.

  Project Result 

Students will consolidate the knowledge acquired during the course and the exploration process in groups or as individuals. Through academic research, they will produce academic outputs and present them in groups or as individuals. This will be followed by feedback and guidance from tutors. Upon completion of the programme, students will receive an official completion certificate from the University of Oxford, serving as a strong testament to their academic and research capabilities.

 Why Us 

1Experience the Teaching Model of Oxford University

Students will study in Oxford University, guided by official academic research teams, to experience the university's teaching model and immerse themselves in the university's learning environment.

Oxford's Expert Tutors Instruct Various Biology Branches2

The teaching team is composed of Oxford University professors, researchers, and PhD students. Guided by Oxford experts, students explore biology through lectures, discussions, lab visits, and experiments

3Gain Experience in Cutting-edge Biological Research

Throughout the programme, students work collaboratively under Oxford University mentors, engaging in the entire research process. Additionally, they will visit Oxford's collaborative labs to conduct experiments under professional guidance, and gain real laboratory experience.

Visit Oxford University Laboratories and Cutting-edge Biotech Companies4

Students can visit Biological lab in Oxford University and biotech company. They'll engage with experts, experience actual research settings, and explore biology's diverse applications

5Receive an Official Completion Certificate

During the programme, students study advanced biology research topics in groups or as individuals, conduct research under PhD‘s supervision, produce academic outputs, and present their findings. Students who complete the programme will receive an official certificate of completion from the University of Oxford.

  Teaching Faculty Sample  

  Programme Structure 

Oxford Tutor Lecture
Guided by the Oxford University mentor team, students will explore cutting-edge topics, enhancing their expertise and expanding their horizons in biology.
PhD Student Guidance
PhD students offer deep academic guidance, helping students enhance their knowledge through practical science and complete individual and collaborative research tasks.
Laboratory Visits
Students will visit Oxford University's biology research facility and biotech company, gaining exposure to cuttingedge biotechnology and taking part in guided experiments.
Group / Individual Academic Work
Students will conduct research based on an academic topic, then explore it with guidance from Oxford PhD, and give a final presentation in English to showcase their research output.
Exploration
Students will have the opportunity to visit iconic places on the Oxford University campus, and explore cities like London and Cambridge.

—  Course Content —

History and Frontiers of Biotechnology

Biotechnology, as an interdisciplinary subject, has undergone a gradual development from basic to applied research. Students will cover the period from the formulation of Mendelian genetics and Darwinian evolution, to the breakthrough innovations of recombination and PCR technologies, to the rapid expansion of biotechnology in the 21st century, including frontiers such as precision medicine, gene editing (e.g., CRISPR technology), biosynthesis, and synthetic biology, and the advancement of biotechnology towards individualised treatment, disease prevention, and environmental protection.

Life Sciences and Microbiological Sciences

Microbiology plays a crucial role in ecosystems, including the nitrogen cycle and carbon cycle, in which microorganisms play a role. Students will learn how the applications of microorganisms have driven the rapid development of biotechnology, for instance, the use of microorganisms in environmental pollution control; the application of fermentation technology in food and pharmaceuticals; and the cutting-edge advancements in microbiological research.

Computer Science in Biology

With the rapid growth of genomics and biological data, the application of computer science in biomedicine is becoming more and more widespread. Students will learn methods for processing and analyzing biological data (e.g., genomic data analysis, machine learning); applications of data analysis in precision medicine; integration of drug discovery and genomics; and cutting-edge applications of artificial intelligence in bioinformatics.

Animal-Origin Infectious Diseases

Since the 1970s, zoonotic diseases have accounted for more than 60% of new and re-emerging infectious diseases faced by humans, making the fight against diseases of animal origin an everlasting issue in public health. In this course, students will learn about the causes, types, and epidemiological characteristics of diseases of animal origin; their impact on human health; such as highly pathogenic avian influenza and rabies; and will explore in-depth diagnostic methods and preventive measures for diseases of animal origin.

Rapid Virus Testing Devices with Array Function

Since the inception of Sanger sequencing, DNA sequencing technology has undergone many innovations, from protein and RNA sequencing to the Human Genome Project, to massively parallel sequencing (NGS) and real-time singlemolecule sequencing technologies. Through the course, students will learn about next-generation sequencing technologies and their practical applications in genomics, the use of high-throughput sequencing technologies in virus detection, the commercialization of rapid virus detection devices and examples of their use, and the potential of NGS technologies for personalized diagnostics.

Biomedical, Corporate and Industrial Applications

The combination of medicine and engineering has revolutionized the healthcare industry. Innovations such as biosensors, image processing, and AI have unlocked the potential for the convergence of technology and medicine. In this course, students will learn about the working principles and applications of biosensors, the integration of smart medical devices and AI in healthcare, the frontiers of 3D printing and tissue engineering, entrepreneurial opportunities in the biomedical field, and industrialization.

Engineering Research on Plant Enzyme Catalytic Properties

Plant enzymes have become a core tool in the study of plant physiology and molecular biology due to their high efficiency, specificity and mildness. In this course, students will gain an in-depth understanding of the diversity of plant enzymes and the mechanisms of activity regulation, the engineering modification and application of plant enzymes, the application of plant enzymes in green chemistry, and the cutting-edge research of plant enzymes in environmental protection.

  Schedule Sample 

Oxford Tutor Lecture: The Oxford University mentors will select topics based on current trends and cuttingedge research in the field of biology for academic knowledge teaching and sharing. The topics include:

  • History and Frontier of Biotech
  • Life Science
  • Microbiology
  • Computer Science in Biology
  • Animal-Origin Infectious Diseases
  • Rapid Virus Testing Device with Array Function
  • Biomedical, Corporate, and Industrial Applications
  • Engineering Research on Plant Enzyme Catalytic Properties

Furthermore, an Oxford University Chair Professor will present captivating interdisciplinary research in cutting-edge biology to the students.


* The schedule is subject to change. Please refer to the official arrangement of the Oxford Biology Summer School.

— Curriculum Modules —

Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Oxford (IBME)

Established in 2008, The Institute of Biomedical Engineering (IBME) is an interdisciplinary technology-focused research institute located at the heart of the University of Oxford’s Medical Sciences campus, adjacent to the Churchill Hospital. The main field of IBME is to address early diagnosis and treatment of major diseases and conditions. The research areas include biomaterials, biomedicals,image analysis, neurotechnology and etc..

Oxford MEStar

Located in the Oxford Science Park, Oxford MEStar Limited is a young spin-out company from the Institute of Biomedical Engineering of Oxford University. With their core technical expertise in bioprocessing, bioengineering and bio-manufacture, they have developed enabling technologies for tissue engineering and stem cell therapy. In December 2013, they received £1M investment and another £1.1M in July 2015 from the private sector. Now, this company mainly provides bioengineering products and solutions to serve translational and regenerative medicine.

— Past Highlights —

— Outcomes —

 Application Information 

【Date】

August 3 - August 16, 2025(14 days)

【Suitable Students】

16 years and above, interested in Bioscience, Biomedicine, Biology and related subjects

【Requirements】:Meet any of the requirements is sufficient for enrollment

  • Obtain grade B in ASEEDER EPQ biological research
  • Achieve gold awards in ASEEDER international biology challenges.
  • English language level equivalent to IELTS level 6.5 or TOEFL 90, and grade A in biology, or a score of 7 in (I)GCSE Biology.
  • If the above requirements are not met, an English interview with an ASEEDER teacher is required.

【Price】

Include:tuition, course materials, accommodation, breakfast, formal dinner fee, excursions fees, ASEEDER group leader service fee, local transportation fees; international insurance

Excludes:international transportation costs to and from (departure and arrival from Beijing/Shanghai/Shenzhen/Hong Kong, you can use a third-party service or ASEEDER's unified service); meals; visa and visa service fee (optional) (2400RMB, ASEEDER's VIP visa service promises that if the visa is refused for reasons other than the client's own, the visa service fee will be fully refunded or the client will have the right to a second visa application free of service fee, and the programme fee will also be fully refunded.)

 FAQ 

Do students need to have biology knowledge?

Students in this programme will learn the cutting-edge knowledge of biology and current hot research directions, and will be guided by professional researchers to complete the biological experimental operations, which require a certain degree of discipline foundation, otherwise they will not be able to complete the corresponding difficulty and depth of the scientific research tasks.

Can students apply for this programme if their age is below 16?

According to the University of Oxford's laboratory system, students under the age of 16 are not permitted to enter the laboratory to complete experiments. This programme involves biology experiments and is therefore recommended for students 16 years of age and older. students 15 years of age are permitted to enroll but will not be allowed to enter the labs and can only observe and learn outside the labs.

What about the accommodation?Where will the students live?
Students will live in the dormitory of the University of Oxford.

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