Research Programmes
Inquisitas offers exceptional independent research programmes for ambitious students aged 16+, guided by expert tutors from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. Our programmes are designed to strengthen academic potential, foster original thinking, and develop real research skills. They provide a unique opportunity for students to explore subjects they are passionate about in depth.
Each programme includes:
Four hours of 1:1 supervision with an Oxbridge tutor
A comprehensive research plan on a topic of your choice, co-designed with your supervisor
Tailored guidance on academic writing, communication, and critical thinking skills
A professionally edited written project, executed to university standard
A formal letter of recommendation from your supervisor, detailing your skills and achievements
What is an Inquisitas Project?
An Inquisitas project is exactly what you want it to be! Students work with their supervisor to choose a topic that inspires them, whether it comes from school work or a personal curiosity. Each project culminates in a written essay addressing key research questions, reflecting your independent study and critical thinking.
With years of experience teaching in the personalised, student-led tutorial systems of Oxford and Cambridge, our supervisors are equipped to guide you through any topic, no matter how niche or interdisciplinary.
How it Works
While every project is unique, the journey follows a structured approach:
Student or parent hears about the programme (via school or independently).
Registration via our online booking form.
Students share details about their current studies, interests, and initial ideas to help us match them with the right tutor.
Four weeks of research and writing with weekly 1:1 online supervision.
Collaborative editing of the final written project to university-level standards.
A formal letter of recommendation from your supervisor, outlining skills, progress, and achievements.
What Subjects Do We Offer?
While our programmes are rooted in the Humanities and Social Sciences, students of all subject backgrounds are welcome. Literature, History, Philosophy, Politics - or Sciences and Maths - our expert tutors can shape projects around individual interests. Many science-focused students explore interdisciplinary questions, linking technical knowledge with ethical, social, or historical contexts.
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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?
Ideal for:
Students preparing competitive university applications, particularly essay- or research-intensive courses
Learners seeking meaningful super-curricular enrichment
Students of any academic background looking to develop transferable skills like critical thinking, research, and academic writing
Why do an Inquisitas Research Programme?
Preparation for University Applications
Top universities, including Oxbridge, Russell Group institutions, and selective international programmes, value applicants who demonstrate genuine curiosity, independent thinking, and sustained academic engagement.
Inquisitas projects provide evidence of this through:
Personal statements: Highlighting original research and independent initiative
Admissions interviews: Confidently discussing ideas beyond the classroom
EPQ extensions or super-curricular profiles: Demonstrating academic initiative and depth
These experiences give students more than talking points - they build confidence, sharpen analytical thinking, and produce tangible evidence of intellectual engagement.
Skills That Go Beyond Subject Boundaries
Humanities and Social Sciences research cultivates versatile skills that are essential across disciplines and career paths. Students develop:
Critical thinking: Analyse arguments, question assumptions, and approach problems from multiple perspectives
Persuasive writing: Communicate ideas clearly and convincingly for academic audiences
Source evaluation: Assess reliability, relevance, and bias in texts and data
Structured reasoning: Organise thoughts logically and engage with complexity
These skills benefit students applying for Law, Medicine, Economics, English, Engineering – or any future path requiring analytical thinking, clear communication, and independent learning.
Hear from some of our students:
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 research projects with school, exams, extracurriculars, and downtime.
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One weekly 1:1 supervision over four weeks
Ideal for:
Students wanting steady progress in a focused timeframe
Students wanting to stay engaged in their studies and make the most of the time to develop their skills and interests during the holidays
Gap year students looking for structured engagement
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Four full 1:1 supervisions plus two shorter check-ins spread over six weeks for term-time balance
Ideal for:
Students looking to boost their applications alongside their studies
Gap year students wanting to stay engaged in their studies and evidence continued intellectual engagement alongside work, travel, or other commitments
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Two 1:1 supervisions per week over two weeks
Ideal for:
For students who want deep academic focus during school breaks
For gap year students who want to kickstart a return to studying studies’ after time away from the classroom
Summer Research 2026
Summer 2026 Programmes Are Now in Progress
Thank you for the incredible interest in this year’s Summer Research Programmes.
Our June-July have completed their projects and our July-August cohort is now underway, with students from across the UK and beyond exploring original research projects under the guidance of expert tutors from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge.
If you missed this year’s intake, our Winter Research Programmes and other upcoming enrichment opportunities will be announced soon.
This Summer's Student Projects
Every Inquisitas project is completely tailored to the individual student's interests. This year's students are exploring an exciting range of questions across the Humanities and Social Sciences, including:
Looking Ahead
Although our Summer Research Programmes are now underway, there are plenty of exciting opportunities to continue your academic journey with Inquisitas.
Our next programmes to launch are the Autumn Lecture Series - a collection of five-week online evening lecture series led by Oxford and Cambridge academics. Each series explores a subject through five thought-provoking lectures, introducing students to cutting-edge research, new perspectives, and university-level discussion.
Whether you're looking to deepen your existing interests or discover entirely new areas of study, our Lecture Series offers the perfect next step in your academic enrichment journey.
