Understanding how the world works often starts with understanding the rules that govern it. From how decisions are made, to how disagreements are resolved, law touches almost every part of society. That’s why we created the Law course at Ivy Summer School — to give teenagers an early opportunity to explore legal thinking in a way that’s grounded, practical, and genuinely interesting.
The course is open to students aged 13–18, and it takes place over three weeks in Oxford, where students live and learn in a supportive, structured environment.
What the Course Covers
This isn’t a dry overview of legal theory or a mock trial bootcamp. Instead, students are introduced to the kind of thinking that underpins legal reasoning — clarity, structure, and the ability to see multiple sides of a problem.
Throughout the course, students will:
- Take part in mock trials, learning how courtroom roles work and how to build and defend a legal argument
- Debate current issues from a legal and ethical perspective
- Explore topics like human rights, justice, and contracts through real case studies
- Practise legal writing and public speaking, with support and feedback from experienced tutors
It’s a chance to develop confidence in speaking, listening, and thinking more critically — all in a relaxed but academically focused setting.
Who It’s For
Some of our students are already considering a career in law or politics. Others aren’t sure yet, but are curious about how legal systems work and want to try something different from their usual school subjects.
We’ve designed the course for both types of students. No prior knowledge is needed — just an open mind and a willingness to take part in discussions and group work.
It’s also a good fit for teenagers who enjoy debate, current affairs, or exploring big questions about fairness, rights, and responsibility.
A Day in the Course
Each day starts with a seminar-style lesson focused on a specific theme, like the structure of a courtroom or the basics of legal argument. Students then take part in small-group activities, case studies, and discussions. There’s time built in for questions, reflection, and practising what they’ve learned in mock scenarios.
Outside of class, students join the wider Ivy programme — enjoying electives, cultural trips, and social time with others from around the world.
What Students Gain
We want students to leave with more than just knowledge of how the legal system works. By the end of the course, they’ll usually have:
- Improved confidence in public speaking
- A better understanding of how to build and challenge an argument
- Experience discussing ethical issues in a structured way
- A stronger sense of how their own thinking works — and how to express it clearly
They’ll also receive a graduation certificate and a personal academic report, which can be helpful for future school or university applications.
Why We Teach Law at Ivy
We don’t expect every student to become a lawyer — and that’s not the goal. But we do believe that learning to think carefully, speak clearly, and consider the perspectives of others is valuable in any future path.
Our Law course gives students the tools to explore that — in a thoughtful, supportive environment, alongside others who are curious and ready to challenge themselves.
📍 Oxford, UK
🛏 Fully Residential | Ages 13–18
🗓 Summer 2026