Research Programmes

We offer exceptional independent research programmes for ambitious students, guided by expert tutors from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. Our programmes are designed to strengthen academic potential, foster original thinking, and build real research skills. They provide a unique opportunity for students to explore subjects they’re passionate about in depth.

Content 

Each programme includes: 

  • Four hours of 1:1 supervision with an Oxbridge tutor 

  • A comprehensive research plan on a topic of your choice, designed in collaboration with your supervisor 

  • Tailored learning support with a focus on academic writing, communication and critical thinking skills 

  • A professionally editing written project of university standard 

  • A formal letter of recommendation from your project supervisor detailing your skills and achievements 

What is an Inquisitas Project?

An Inquisitas project is a research project designed with your supervisor on a topic of your choice. It can be on whatever you want it to be! It will culminate in a piece of written work addressing central research questions that have guided your independent study. 

Whether it be something you want to delve into from your class work, or a new area of interest you have picked up in your space time, there is no subject too niche! With years of experience teaching in the highly personalised, student-led tutorial systems of Oxford and Cambridge, our supervisors are well-equipped to work with you on whatever you want to explore. 

How it works 

While every student 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) Student receives a formal letter of recommendation from their tutor, outlining their skills, progress, and achievements throughout the programme

What Subjects Do We Offer?

While our programmes are rooted in the Humanities and Social Sciences, they are open to students of all subject backgrounds.

Whether you’re passionate about literature, history, philosophy, politics - or studying sciences or maths - the flexibility of our expert tutors means we can shape each project around individual interest. Many of our science-focused students pursue interdisciplinary questions, connecting their technical knowledge with broader ethical, social, or historical contexts.

Some projects our students are currently working on include: 

  • Dystopian literature and the evolution of societal fears in the 20th and 21st centuries

  • Is the concept of ‘Just War’ theory still relevant in modern conflict?

  • Does the EU still protect democracy?

  • Space exploration and national identity: why do nations invest in the final frontier? 

  • How did the Crusades influence the European Renaissance?

Every project is tailored to challenge and inspire, helping students take ownership of their learning while developing the confidence and intellectual independence that universities value.

Who Are Our Research Programmes For?

Our Research Programmes are ideal for: 

  • Students preparing competitive university applications, especially for research-intensive or essay-based courses 

  • Those seeking meaningful super-curricular enrichment 

  • Science or arts students looking to broaden their perspective and build transferable skills such as critical thinking, academic writing, and independent research 

Preparation for University Applications 

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

Hear from some of our students:

  • “I hope this is what university is like!”

    Zara, 17

  • “My project 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

  • “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 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 I feel more confidence in why I’ve waited to reapply for a subject I love.”

    James, 19

Research Programme Options

We understand that students have busy and varied schedules, so we offer a range of programme formats throughout the year to suit different needs. Each format provides structured, high-quality one-to-one supervision while remaining flexible and manageable - making it easy to balance your research project with school, exams, extracurriculars, and downtime.

4 Week Programme

Offered year-round, the 4-week programme is our core option, ideal for students wanting steady progress in a focused timeframe.

  • 4 weeks of supervision, usually meeting once a week 

  • Flexible scheduling to suit school or holiday timetables

6 Week Programme

Offered during the Spring and Autumn terms, our 6-week programmes are perfect for students balancing school and extracurricular commitments.

  • 4 full supervisions, plus 2 shorter check-in meetings

  • Spread over 6 weeks to allow breathing room during term time

2 Week Intensive

Offered during the Christmas & Easter holidays, our 2-week intensive programmes are perfect for students who prefer a faster pace or want to use school breaks for deep academic focus.

  • 2 supervisions per week over a concentrated 2-week period

  • Designed for maximum impact during holidays

Each programme offers the same high level of personalised guidance - just with different pacing to fit around the academic year.

Join our mailing list to stay informed about upcoming programmes and receive early access to enrolment opportunities.

Programme Cost & What’s Included

Each Inquisitas programme costs £540 per student, whether in the 2-week intensive, 4-week, or 6-week format. This all-inclusive fee covers everything needed to complete the programme successfully - with no hidden extras.

What’s included

1:1 Supervisions
Weekly personalised sessions with an experienced Oxbridge tutor — four in total, with additional check-ins for longer courses.

Tailored Project Support
Bespoke research guidance, curated reading lists, and in-depth academic feedback aligned to each student’s interests.

Course Handbook & Research Resources
Access to a structured course handbook, academic research tools, and recommended materials to support independent study.

Flexible Scheduling
Sessions are arranged around school timetables and student availability — including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Final Editing & Recommendation Letter
Professional editing support on the final written project and a personalised academic reference letter from the tutor.

Private 1:1 tuition with experienced Oxbridge tutors typically costs between £100-£400 per hour. At Inquisitas, we offer far more than traditional tutoring - providing personalised academic mentorship, expertly curated resources, and one-to-one support from Oxbridge academics. Each programme is fully personalised to each student’s interests and goals, delivering outstanding academic quality at excellent value for money.

Partnership discounts and school cohort options are also available - please visit our Schools page or contact us to learn more.

Summer 2025

All Summer 2025 programmes will offer our standard four week projects. You will work on your unique research project over the course of four weeks, meeting with your supervisor each week to plan your research, discuss your ideas and findings, and receive tailored academic support. 


Please note that Inquisitas projects in Summer 2025 will be taking the theme of History as their focus. The broad lens of History provides plenty of scope to cover any topic or interest. Students will be able to experiment with interdisciplinary thinking and exploration, setting them apart as bold and intellectually flexible candidates - qualities that are highly prized in the most competitive university environments. 

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