UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD · UNITED KINGDOM
The Architecture of Fear: Exploring the Gothic Imagination
Certificate · Taught in en · UCAS O25I510IOR
At a glance
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Duration
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IELTS
€2k
Tuition / yr
en
Language
Certificate
Level
- Explore Gothic literature from 19th century to present dayComprehensive Coverage
- Examine Gothic in art, architecture, and filmInterdisciplinary Approach
- Held at historic Brasenose College, OxfordPrestigious Location
- Includes field trip to Strawberry Hill HouseExperiential Learning
- Certificate of Attendance awardedOfficial Recognition
This course explores the evolution of Gothic literature and its cultural impact from the 19th century to the present day. You will examine how the Gothic genre has continuously adapted to reflect societal fears and anxieties, transitioning from traditional haunted castles to contemporary forms of horror in various media. The program will delve into the historical roots of the Gothic, tracing its revival and reimagination by 19th-century writers who explored themes of terror, horror, and the Romantic imagination. It will also cover the Victorian era, where industrialization and new technologies influenced ghost stories and created new anxieties. Later, you'll investigate how Darwinian theories and evolutionary uncertainties infused late Victorian Gothic with monstrous possibilities, and how postmodern and contemporary authors have adapted these conventions for modern audiences, encompassing psychological thrillers and folk horror. While the primary focus is on literature, the course also considers the Gothic's presence in visual art, architecture, and film, demonstrating how these forms intertwine to create a uniquely enduring and unsettling cultural style. This course is part of the Inspiring Oxford summer school program, held at Brasenose College.
Curriculum
The course runs for one week, with seminars held on weekday mornings. Most afternoons are free for exploration or optional social events. The program begins with a welcome meeting and dinner on Sunday, and concludes with a closing reception and gala dinner on Friday.
- Week Schedule
- Introducing the Gothic
- Victorian Gothic and the Machine Age
- The Fin de Siècle: Degeneration and Evolution
- Field Trip: Strawberry Hill House
- Postmodern Gothic and Folk Horror
Frequently asked questions
- What are the tuition fees for this certificate programme?
- Tuition fees start from £1923.00 for non-residential attendees and include lunch and dinner. Options with accommodation and meals range from £2343.00 to £2693.00.
- What is the duration of this programme?
- This certificate programme runs for one week, from Sunday, August 2, 2026, to Saturday, August 8, 2026.
- How do I apply for the 'Architecture of Fear' certificate?
- You can apply by checking application status on the university's lifelong learning website, then selecting your preferred fee option and booking online. Full payment is required at the time of booking.
- What are the application and course start dates?
- The application deadline is June 26, 2026, at 2 pm BST, and the course begins on Sunday, August 2, 2026.
- Are there any specific academic entry requirements for this course?
- There are no specific academic entry requirements listed for this short course. Participants are encouraged to read the recommended texts before the course starts.
- What does the course fee include?
- The course fee includes any included excursions, the optional social programme, breakfasts (for residential guests), five weekday lunches, dinners Sunday-Friday, morning refreshments, and welcome/closing receptions.
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Fees
Tuition (international)From £1923.00 (non-residential, includes lunch and dinner). Other options include single en suite accommodation and meals (£2693.00), single standard accommodation and meals (£2343.00), or twin en suite accommodation and meals (£2503.00).
Tuition (home)From £1923.00 (non-residential, includes lunch and dinner). Other options include single en suite accommodation and meals (£2693.00), single standard accommodation and meals (£2343.00), or twin en suite accommodation and meals (£2503.00).
LivingEstimated living costs for a single student in Oxford for 12 months range from £17,100 to £24,420. This includes food (£3,960-£6,180), accommodation (£9,480-£11,460), personal items (£2,400-£4,020), social activities (£540-£1,200), study costs (£480-£1,080), and other miscellaneous costs (£240-£480).
All fees are charged on a per week, per person basis. Included in the course fee are any included excursions, the full optional social programme, breakfasts (residential guests only), five weekday lunches, and dinners Sunday-Friday, morning refreshments, and welcome/closing drinks receptions. Payments for non-UK cards/accounts are subject to daily exchange rates. A £50 administration fee may apply for course transfers.
How to apply
1. Check Application StatusVerify that applications are still being accepted for the course on the university's lifelong learning website.
2. Choose Fee Option and Book OnlineSelect your preferred fee option (with or without accommodation) and book your place directly online using the 'Book now' button on the course page. Full payment by credit/debit card is required at the time of booking for online enrolments. If submitting an enrolment form, full payment is due within 30 days of the invoice date via card or bank transfer.
3. Await ConfirmationAfter booking and payment, you should receive a confirmation of your enrolment.
4. Prepare for the CourseRead the recommended texts (Charles Dickens’s The Signalman, Andrew Michael Hurley’s Starve Acre, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, and Bram Stoker’s Dracula) and bring copies with you to Oxford.
Frequently asked questions
What are the tuition fees for this certificate programme?
+
Tuition fees start from £1923.00 for non-residential attendees and include lunch and dinner. Options with accommodation and meals range from £2343.00 to £2693.00.
What is the duration of this programme?
+
This certificate programme runs for one week, from Sunday, August 2, 2026, to Saturday, August 8, 2026.
How do I apply for the 'Architecture of Fear' certificate?
+
You can apply by checking application status on the university's lifelong learning website, then selecting your preferred fee option and booking online. Full payment is required at the time of booking.
What are the application and course start dates?
+
The application deadline is June 26, 2026, at 2 pm BST, and the course begins on Sunday, August 2, 2026.
Are there any specific academic entry requirements for this course?
+
There are no specific academic entry requirements listed for this short course. Participants are encouraged to read the recommended texts before the course starts.
What does the course fee include?
+
The course fee includes any included excursions, the optional social programme, breakfasts (for residential guests), five weekday lunches, dinners Sunday-Friday, morning refreshments, and welcome/closing receptions.