During the summer break, many universities and other educational institutions run summer schools.
These summer schools usually take place outside of the school year and are open to students of all ages. You can find summer school courses available in a huge number of disciplines and practices.
But what are the benefits of attending summer school? Are they for everyone? And how do you know which to attend when there are so many on offer?
We are going to take a look at some of the best summer schools in Europe and show you why you should attend summer school this summer.
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Should I go to summer school?
Summer school is a great opportunity for students of all ages and life stages to experience new cultures, make new friends, and study subjects they feel truly passionate about. Whether you are looking for an educational programme for your child during the holidays, preparing yourself for a university course, or you just want to learn a new skill in an exciting environment, there will undoubtedly be the right summer school course out there for you.
Summer schools can add credits to your university degree or equip you with skills and certifications that make you highly employable in the job market. Summer school fees also range widely, so you can find good schools in certain countries for a more competitive price.
So let’s jump in and take a look at some of the benefits of going to a summer school.
What are the benefits of going to summer school?
You may be unsure if attending a summer school is necessary for you and what you want to do. So here we will take a look at some of the benefits of going to a summer school and how they can be great for students of all backgrounds.
Prepare yourself for university
Many students who attend summer school are reaching the end of their school studies and looking forward to their university years. If you are still unsure about what you want to study at university or whether you want to go to university at all, there are plenty of pre-university summer schools that should be able to help you make a decision. A summer school will also allow you to practice and develop academic skills that you will need to be successful at university.
Alternatively, if you are already at university, a summer school can add to your overall degree credits.
Learn new skills
Some summer schools run programmes in subjects that equip you with skills you will value for life. For example, plenty of summer schools now offer courses in coding, which is one of the most employable skills anyone can have in the modern world.
Learn from experts
Most reputable summer school programmes are taught and led by academics, researchers, or experts in the discipline. Attending summer school can be a great way to learn from the best without having to commit to a full-time university course.
Some of the best universities in the world run summer school programmes (as we shall see), and taking them is a great opportunity to learn at a top institution.
Practice your language skills and experience new cultures
While at summer school abroad you can use your time there outside of classes to brush up on the local language. Although a certain degree of proficiency is required to attend the schools in the first place, practising with local speakers is always a sure-fire way to improve. Knowing a second language can even increase your future employability, so the chance to improve your language skills is not one to be missed.
You can also use your free time to explore a location you have never been to before. Some summer school programmes even include cultural visits as a part of their package.
Boost your applications
While attending summer school will in no way guarantee success in either university or job applications, it can be a great addition to your CV or cover letter that demonstrates your commitment.
Attending summer school proves your interest in a subject area or city and many admissions tutors will undoubtedly take it into consideration when reading an application.
An experience of a lifetime
During the course of summer school, fellow pupils forge relationships with people from all over the world, learn new and exciting things from leading experts in the field, and see parts of the world they never would have otherwise seen. All of which comes together to make your summer school experience unforgettable.
Where can I go to summer school?
There are summer schools all over the world that specialise in every subject you can think of. So choosing a summer school can be overwhelming as you are faced with so many choices.
An important factor in choosing a summer school is the language of instruction. Many students want to immerse themselves in a foreign language as part of their experience at summer school, but their grasp of that language may not be good enough to learn about their subject of choice. So it is important to clarify whether the school teaches their subjects in the language of the country it is in, or in another language.
Here we will take a look at just a few of some of the best summer schools that offer a range of courses in English for international students of all different ages.
European Summer School – Prague
Known for its beautiful Gothic architecture, rich cultural history, and lively nightlife, Prague is becoming one of the top destinations for travellers and holidaymakers in Europe. And with so much on offer for young people, it is a great place to spend time as a student.
The European Summer School in Prague offers courses in a wide range of subjects, from psychology to political campaigning, graphic design to creative writing. All the courses are two weeks long with weekends off. Completion of the courses can result in credits that contribute to other university courses.
Courses are led by expert practitioners in the given field. The course fee (€750) pays for the course itself, a two week travel pass, study materials, the graduation party, and out of class activities. Food and accommodation are separate, though both can be organised by the school.
So if you are looking for an affordable summer programme this year, why not try the European Summer School in Prague?
Oxford Royale – Oxford, Cambridge, Connecticut (Yale)
Oxford Royale runs summer courses at three of the best universities in the world: the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, and Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. Students have the opportunity to live and learn in the institutions that have moulded some of the greatest minds humanity has ever known.
Oxford Royale’s summer school programmes are two weeks long and cover many subjects including engineering, medicine, philosophy, and law, amongst others. All courses are taught by academics and leading researchers in the field.
Courses start for primary school students aged eight all the way up to adult learners. All courses are residential and include meals. Also, on the weekends and evenings, students are taken out to explore the cultural highlights of the surrounding areas. The cohort is from all over the globe, making Oxford Royale a truly international summer school course.
So, if you want to experience the life of a student at one of the best universities in the world, check out Oxford Royale’s summer school programmes this summer.
Utrecht University Summer School – Utrecht
Often overlooked in favour of its neighbour Amsterdam, Utrecht is a breathtakingly gorgeous city that sits on a canal and is filled with Medieval and Christian architecture.
Utrecht University runs a summer school that offers over 180 courses in 10 different academic departments. Some of their courses are available to take online, but most are held in person. Courses are for pre-university students up to PhD research level. Courses range from free one-day masterclasses to weeks-long residential studies. Students have the option of staying in the Utrecht University student halls or finding their own accommodation.
All classes are taught by academics at the university who are experts in their field. Utrecht University is frequently ranked as one of the best universities in Holland and Europe, and in the top 50 universities in the world.
So if you want to learn challenging subject material at a world-class university, try the Utrecht University summer school.
Technical University of Berlin Summer School – Berlin
Berlin has long been the cool capital of Europe, making it a popular destination for both tourists and expats. And with so much history, culture, partying, and arts to sink your teeth into, it is little wonder that the German capital has accrued the status it has today.
The Technical University of Berlin runs summer programmes, both online and in-person, in a wide range of fields that all fall under the umbrella term ‘tech’. While they run classes in everything from economics to biomechanics, they have a preponderance of courses in fields such as coding and machine learning.
Students must speak proficient English and must have completed at least one year of university to be eligible. The courses are between two and four weeks long and have different fees for students and working professionals. Students are able to stay on campus or arrange their own accommodation.
So if you want to study a tech subject in one of the hippest cities on the planet right now, then The Technical University of Berlin’s summer school may be the place for you.
