Parents & Guardians

At Inquisitas, we understand how important it is for bright, motivated students to be both challenged and supported - especially as they start thinking about university and future careers. Our online research programmes offer students aged 16+ the opportunity to explore their academic interests in real depth, guided by expert tutors from Oxford and Cambridge.

Designed to work seamlessly alongside school and holiday schedules, the programmes offer flexibility and personalised support throughout. They help students build intellectual confidence, independent thinking, and advanced research skills - while also providing impressive material for personal statements, university interviews, and wider extra-curricular development.

Supporting Students in the Humanities and Social Sciences

Students with an interest in the humanities and social sciences often lack access to the kind of enrichment that’s easily available in STEM. Our programmes provide that academic stretch, helping students explore their interests in depth, gain real insight into university-level study, and build the skills that make them stand out.

Providing Opportunities in The Subjects 

Opportunities in these subjects can be limited - but they matter. While STEM students often access Olympiads, competitions, or placements, students passionate about History, Philosophy, Literature, or Politics can struggle to find structured enrichment that offers genuine academic challenge and professional insight.

Inquisitias fills that gap by offering rigorous research programmes where students: 

  • Explore complex, university-level ideas

  • Develop their own independent research questions

  • Work one-on-one with leading academics in their field

Preparation for University Applications

For students applying to competitive universities - including Oxbridge, Russell Group universities, or selective international programmes - it’s not enough to have strong grades. Admissions tutors look for evidence of genuine academic curiosity, engagement and independent thinking.

Inquisitas projects provide exactly that. Students leave the programme with a piece of original research they can confidently reference in:

  • Personal statements - where they can reflect on what they explored and learned under their own initiative

  • Admissions interviews - where they’re able to speak with authority about an academic topic that showcases their engagement with their subject beyond the textbooks 

  • EPQ extensions or super-curricular profiles - where they need to demonstrate academic initiative beyond the classroom

These experiences offer students more than just talking points - they give them the confidence to express their ideas, the ability to think critically under pressure, and a tangible example of their engagement with their subject.

Skills that go Beyond Subject Boundaries 

Research in the humanities and social sciences cultivates some of the most versatile and sought-after academic skills. These aren’t just valuable for essay-based subjects - they’re essential across disciplines and career paths. Students on our programmes build:

  • Critical thinking - the ability to analyse arguments, question assumptions, and approach problems from multiple perspectives

  • Persuasive writing - expressing ideas clearly and convincingly, structuring arguments, and adapting tone for academic audiences

  • Source evaluation - assessing the reliability, relevance, and bias of texts and data - a key skill in both academic and real-world contexts

  • Structured reasoning - organising thoughts logically, building coherent arguments, and engaging with complexity without oversimplification

That’s why our programmes are open to students of all interests! Whether a student is applying for law, medicine, economics, English, or engineering, these are the kinds of skills that set them apart - not only in university applications, but in interviews, internships, and beyond.

How Do Students Benefit From Our Programmes?

Our programmes help students grow into confident, independent thinkers - ready for the challenges of further education and beyond. With expert guidance, they develop advanced research and critical thinking skills, while exploring topics they genuinely care about. It’s a valuable experience that not only supports academic growth but also strengthens university applications in a meaningful, authentic way.

Independent Thinking and Research Skills 

Students are encouraged to shape their own learning by developing a research topic based on their personal interests, allowing them to take meaningful ownership of their academic journey. With expert guidance, they’re introduced to the tools of academic research and critical analysis, gaining the confidence to explore challenging topics, form their own arguments, and think with independence and depth - skills that serve them well far beyond the classroom.

Academic Writing & Communication Confidence

Each student produces a final written essay - typically 2,000-3,000 words - with feedback and guidance throughout. Along the way, they gain experience in forming arguments, structuring academic work, and expressing ideas clearly and persuasively. 

Strong University Applications 

Whether applying to Oxbridge, Russell Group universities, or international institutions, our programmes provide a strong foundation for competitive applications. Student research projects serve as standout elements in personal statements, interview conversations, or EPQ extensions, allowing them to speak confidently and convincingly about their academic interests.

Experience of University-Level Learning 

Working with tutors from Oxford and Cambridge, students get a real insight into university-style teaching. Supervisions mirror the academic culture of these elite institutions, preparing students not just for the kind of learning format, but the expectations and independence of university study.

  • "I hope this is what university is like!"

    Zara, 17

  • “My research has changed how I think about new medical tech innovations, and the questions I ask about their application, and I’ve had some really interesting conversations with friends and teachers.” - Giles, 18

    Giles, 18

  • “My project started in modern history and ended up being medieval. I’ve got lots of new areas of interest to read more about on my own.”

    Eleanor, 16

  • “I’m really proud of how much my writing has developed in the last four weeks. I feel like my ideas are clearer and much more professional on paper.”

    Zainab, 17

  • “My tutor was much less scary than what I thought an Oxford lecturer would be. They really challenged me, but in a fun way”

    Yin, 16

  • “My supervisions felt like a real intellectual conversation, not just a lesson. My tutor was so passionate about their subject and excited to hear about what I had found in my research each week, it was super contagious!”

    Maya, 18

  • “I’ve been working on my gap year, so doing my research in the evenings was a nice wind-down from work. My project helped me reconnect with academic learning and feel more confidence in why I’ve waited to reapply for a subject I love.”

    James, 19

How It Works

While every student and project is unique, the journey follows a consistent structure:

1) Student or Parent hears about the programme (via school or independently) 

2) Student or Parent registers interest via our website booking form 

3) Once their place on a programme is confirmed, students share details about their current studies, areas of personal interest, and any initial ideas for their project so we can match them with a tutor. They also let us know what academic resources they have access to

4) Students conduct four weeks of research and writing, supported by weekly one-on-one online sessions with their tutor. These supervisions help them develop their ideas, plan and conduct their research, and build key academic skills along the way 

5) Students produce a final written project essay to a university-level standard, developed through collaborative editing and feedback from their tutor

6) Receives a formal letter of recommendation from their tutor, outlining their skills, progress, and achievements throughout the programme

Teaching and Support

With Inquisitas, students are in expert, trusted hands - learning from some of the brightest minds in UK academia, in an environment designed to challenge and support in equal measure. We combine academic excellence with a strong commitment to student wellbeing, ensuring that every student receives meaningful guidance in a safe, supportive setting throughout their research journey.

Our programmes are led by expert tutors, who bring both deep subject knowledge and a genuine passion for mentoring ambitious students. Every tutor is carefully selected not just for academic excellence, but for their ability to guide, support, and inspire.

Students work one-to-one with their tutor throughout the programme, receiving personalised feedback, academic encouragement, and structured guidance as they build their research project. This creates a university-style learning environment - with the support needed to thrive in it.

Meet some of our tutors

  • Alice

    MSt, DPhil (Oxon)

    Alice has a DPhil (PhD) in History from Oxford. She has taught at Oxford for 6 years, and has worked extensively in admissions. Her specialisms include medieval world history, gender and religious history, and literary history. She is also passionate about improving learning support, and was on the directing team for the establishment of Oxford’s Astrophoria Foundation Year.

  • Vassily

    Master of Laws (LL.M), DPhil (Oxon)

    Vassily has a DPhil (PhD) in Law from Oxford, specialising in European Digital Law. He has taught EU Law at Oxford across several colleges, as well as working in the EU and UN. He has extensive experience in university admissions, learning support, and LNAT preparation

  • Henry

    MPhil, DPhil (Oxon)

    Henry has a Research Masters in Philosophy from Oxford, and is currently doing his DPhil (PhD). He teaches undergraduate Philosophy at Oxford and holds a Lectureship at the University of Reading. He specialises in the philosophy of religion and semantics, as well as enjoying exploring the intersections of Maths and Philosophy.

  • Zia

    DPhil (Cantab)

    Zia has a DPhil (PhD) in English and Comparative Literature from Cambridge. She specialises in American literature, which she teaches at Cambridge and Cardiff. Her interests lie in early-20th century literature of the US South, particularly the Harlem Renaissance.

Your child’s wellbeing is as important to us as their academic development, and we are committed to creating a safe, supportive learning environment for every student.

  • Experienced, Vetted Tutors 

    All tutors are specialists from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. Each undergoes a thorough selection process. All are DBS-checked and have completed safeguarding training

  • Structured Oversight

    Each student is supported through a carefully designed framework that includes regular tutor supervision, project milestones, and individual progress tracking to ensure high standards of academic support 

  • Safe, Secure Environment 

    We follow best practices in online learning and child protection. All sessions are held on secure platforms, with policies in place to protect student privacy and wellbeing

  • Quality Monitoring 

    We continuously review tutor performance and student feedback to ensure consistently excellent learning experiences. Our academic leads oversee every project to maintain intellectual challenge and fairness

  • Ongoing Support

    Our dedicated team are always on hand to check in on progress and respond to any questions or concerns

    IF YOU OR YOUR CHILD WOULD LIKE TO REPORT A CONCERN, PLEASE CONTACT US HERE

Next Steps

Think an Inquisitas programme is right for your child? Enrolment for our summer programmes is now open — but places are limited and filling fast. Don’t miss out — book now to secure their spot.

For any further questions, see our FAQs or contact us directly and we’ll be happy to help