Choosing which university to study at, which subject to pursue, and a career path are huge decisions faced by young people that set the course for the rest of their lives. No one wants to feel as if they have made the wrong decision or to be left wondering what could have been if only they’d made a different choice.
Universities often run open days and taster sessions to give a small window into campus life and what it’s like to study a certain subject at that university. But if you really want your child to know what an area is like to live in or what it’s like to study a certain subject at undergraduate or postgraduate level, there is no better way to do so than to have them attend a summer school.
Education institutions all over the world run summer school programmes for both domestic and international students. They offer a chance to live the life of a student in a famous university town or city and to see if a particular place or subject is the right fit for them. They are also a great place for young students to meet peers from across the world and to improve their English language skills.
We are going to take a look at some of the summer schools on offer in a handful of the best university cities in the world.
What is an international summer school?
An international summer school is an academic summer camp, which serves as an opportunity for students to live and study at the university of their dreams, whilst also getting an introductory course that outlines what it is like to pursue a chosen subject at university level. Students live together for a few days or even a few weeks and make lasting friendships with peers from many other countries, just as they would at university.
Summer schools are often for students who are at the point of deciding where and what they want to study at university, but some are also open to younger students and more mature students as well. During the Covid 19 pandemic, many universities offered their summer schools online. However, campus-based summer schools are set to be open again and students from across the world will have the opportunity to live and breathe the life of a scholar at some of the most famous universities in the world.
So let’s jump in and take a look at the international summer schools on offer.
University of Amsterdam
Amsterdam is well known for its arts scene, beautiful canal system, narrow buildings, and cycling culture.
It is one of the smallest capital cities in Europe with a population of under one million. This makes it a desirable location for people looking for a place with all the benefits of a capital whilst also somewhere not as busy and bustling as a city like London or Paris.
The University of Amsterdam (UvA) is amongst the best universities in the world and is the top-ranked university in the Netherlands. UvA offers summer schools for pre-university studies at undergraduate, masters, and PhD levels.
Their programmes typically last for two weeks and they offer both residential and virtual courses in a wide variety of subjects. From Music to Architecture, and Media to Mental Health, there are programmes at UvA to entice all students who want to develop new skills and make new friends whilst having a taste of what it is like to live in one of the most picturesque capitals in the world.
EU Business School Barcelona
Barcelona is the capital of the Catalan region of Spain and is well known for its art and architecture. In addition to a thriving party and music scene, there are also the visual splendours of Roman ruins, shiny piazzas, and of course, the yet to be completed La Sagrada Familia by Gaudi.
The EU Business School runs an academic summer school programme in Barcelona. The programme is a residential course and takes place between July and August, with options for the programme to last between three and six weeks. Courses cover areas such as Entrepreneurship, Public Speaking, and Social Media Marketing, amongst many others. The courses on the programme aim to provide the students with a solid understanding of global business and the corporate world.
All the courses are taught in English and classes are located at the EU Business School Barcelona campus in the central business district, which is also where students stay.
The EU Business Summer School is for students aged 18 and above and is designed for current university students from any academic discipline who are interested in business and would like to complement their studies whilst visiting the beautiful city of Barcelona. The programme is also available for graduates and young professionals with less than two years of work experience.
Prague European Summer School
Known as the ‘City of a Hundred Spires’, Prague is famed for its Gothic architecture, city squares, and cheap, delicious beer.
Although expensive in comparison to the rest of the Czech Republic, Prague is relatively cheap by European standards. Many international students and tourists feel able to do more with their money whilst also exploring the many gems of this wonderous, old city.
The European Summer School runs an international summer programme in the heart of Prague. Their courses are in English but they attract a diverse student body from all corners of the globe. The subjects on offer cover a range of disciplines including Creative Writing, Psychology, Politics, and Graphic Design.
Programmes are typically eleven days and are run by a mix of academics and experts in their field. Students stay in residential accommodation and there is plenty of time to take in the sights and get a feel for the city as a potential future home.
Oxford Royale Academy
Like Prague, Oxford is also known for its dreaming spires and distinctive architecture. The small city has now become almost synonymous with the university, but the narrow cobbled streets, cosy pubs, and beautiful parks, also contribute to the magic of Oxford.
Less than two hours from London, many people see Oxford as a quieter but still well connected alternative to some of the busier cities in the UK.
Oxford Royale Academy runs some of the best UK summer schools, including one at the University of Oxford that gives students a unique insight into what it is like to live and study at one of the most famous education institutions in the world.
The programmes are divided by age groups and are offered from age 12 up to adult learners. Students live in the colleges of the university for two-week stints and can study subjects including Medicine, Engineering, English Language, Architecture, and Film. Class sizes are kept deliberately small so that students get the most from their time there.
When they are not being taught their academic subjects of choice by leading academics, students take part in fun activities or they are taken on day trips to visit some of the most popular destinations in the country, including Central London.
Oxford is a notoriously difficult university to secure an offer from, and a summer school with Oxford Royale not only gives students a chance to experience life as an Oxford scholar, but it also serves as a great addition to a personal statement that shows commitment to their subject and life in Oxford.
Yale Summer Sessions
Yale University is an Ivy League institution that ranks amongst the best universities in the world.
Located in the coastal city of New Haven, Connecticut, Yale University sits amidst one of the first planned cities in America and is surrounded by a wealth of US history. The university plays its own part in that history, with alumni including former US Presidents George H Bush, George W Bush and Bill Clinton.
The Yale University summer sessions offer courses run for two weeks and students spend their learning and leisure time on the campus of the university.
With dozens of courses, covering a range of topics including The Humanities, Law, Engineering, and Business, all of which are led and taught by expert tutors who are at the cutting edge of their field, students will get a true Yale experience in whatever topic they are interested in. When they are not learning, students may be expected to undertake group or solo project work, or they may go on city excursions or take part in afternoon activities.
Students join an international cohort from hundreds of countries across the globe, who socialise and study together at a truly iconic educational institution.