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AHSS Summer Schools 2025

Our 2025 Summer School offers international students a three-week introduction to the rich tapestry of historical, cultural, political, environmental, and socio-economic factors that combine to make Northern Ireland a unique place. This experiential programme will situate Queen’s, Belfast, and the north of Ireland within the key conversations that shape our wider world.

Not simply academic in scope, Queen’s 25 provides insights into the histories, locations, and future visions of Belfast by engaging with local people and visiting a range of political, historical and cultural sites. You will learn about our city and explore this country alongside peers from other international universities, drawn from across the world.

2025 applications are now open
Apply Now

In Week 1 all students take the introductory module 'Belfast: Culture, Identity, History & Politics' which comprises core content, and includes field trips around Belfast and Derry-Londonderry.

In Weeks 2 & 3 participants can tailor their Summer School experience by choosing from a range of exciting programmes

  • Identity & Intergroup Relations in Divided Societies
  • Irish Studies
  • Leadership
  • Sustainability
  • Creative Writing
  • Creative Media (Immersive Audio Production / Video & Podcasting / Interactive Visuals)
WEEK 1

Monday 16th - Friday 20th June 2025

City Hall and skyline
Belfast: Culture, Identity, History, and Politics
Academic Lead: Professor Dominic Bryan

Week 1 will explore the entwined social, political, and historical realities of the city today, discovering multiple community perspectives on modern Ireland/Northern Ireland. By the end of this week students will understand the multiple ways we can use and interpret the past and differentiate between various discipline-centered conceptions of the past.

We will provide students with a new or enhanced understanding of Queen’s University Belfast and the history of the institution within the Belfast city region. Students will be guided through a campus orientation and meet with the key members of staff and students delivering the summer 2025 programme. Students will be oriented to the city of Belfast and visit Derry-Londonderry. 

View the programme schedule

WEEKS 2 & 3

Monday 23rd June- Friday 4th July 2025

Students sitting on steps in University Square

In weeks two and three, participants will have the opportunity to dig deeper into the theme of their choice, both within and beyond the classroom. Through projects, in-class sessions and engagement with local communities, political decision makers, businesses and non-Governmental organisations, participants will explore multiple perspectives on conflict, peace and extremism, contemporary Irish studies, Northern Irish leadership initiatives, strategies for sustaining our shared existence, or take the opportunity to explore their own creative and storytelling abilities.

AVAILABLE PROGRAMMES
graffiti on a wall in Belfast
Identity & Intergroup Relations
Divided Societies

Discover inter-disciplinary perspectives on the causes and consequences of division, and the processes that can be used to promote social cohesion

Find out more about the programme
Irish sign
History, Language & Culture
Irish Studies

Understand identities in Ireland and their relationship with the wider world, through explorations of the country’s history, culture and language

Find out more about the programme
What is Planetary Health
Sustaining Our Shared Existence
Sustainability

Engage with leading academics on topics spanning the smallest atom to the largest universe and how these impact human culture and our future

Find out more about the programme
emerging-leaders
Leading in a Divided Society
Leadership

Explore the importance of leadership in addressing divisions, challenging narratives, and building stronger and more resilient communities

Find out more about the programme
Student in the Seamus Heaney Centre
Story
Creative Writing

Discover the skills required to read and write short stories, and practice elements of craft including the writer’s voice, character development and structure

Find out more about the programme
SARC THUMB
Creative Media
Immersive Audio Production

Develop the skills to record, edit and mix soundscapes and music for immersive audio presentation and create your own immersive audio work

Find out more about the programme
Broadcast
Creative Media
Video & Podcasting

Gain practical experience of the tools and techniques used in recording and editing videos and podcasts, and develop your own creative media project

Student using computer in Computer Science Building
Creative Media
Interactive Visuals

Delivered by Queen’s MediaLab, this strand combines creative and engineering expertise in the development of digital, virtual, and immersive technologies

Find out more about the programme
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Students walking towards main campus
Fees & Discounts
2025 Summer School Fee: £2,995

Includes:

  • Tuition fees 
  • Ensuite accommodation 
  • Welcome and farewell meals 
  • Field trips 

£300 deposit is required within 2 weeks of receiving an offer (does not apply to group bookings)

OFFERS

Early-bird rate: Secure your place by 31 January 2025 to receive a 10% discount (applies to individual direct applicants only)

Group rate: Get in touch with our team at summerschools@qub.ac.uk to discuss our offer of 10% discount for groups of 10 or more participants

TIMELINE FOR APPLICATIONS & PAYMENT

Applications open: Monday 14 October 2024

Early-bird rate ends: Friday 31 January 2025

Applications close: Monday 31 March 2025

Payment deadline: Wednesday 30 April 2025

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The path leading to the McClay Library
Summer School Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements for 2025

To be eligible for the Summer School, students must:

  • have completed a minimum of 1 year of University/College study prior to summer school
  • be at least 18 years old by the start of the programme
  • have a minimum GPA of 2.7 
  • have a referee or referral contact from global education/study abroad office or professor 
  • be competent in written and spoken English
How to Apply
Applications for 2025 are now open!

To apply, simply complete our online application form before the closing date of 31 March 2025

When completing the application form, please ensure you:

  • upload a copy of your academic transcript
  • upload a copy of the photo page of your passport
  • provide contact details for your academic referee (N.B. full written reference is not required)

Programmes can fill up quickly and therefore we request you submit a first and second preference choice. Our team will do their best to allocate all students to their first choice programme.

Once you have been accepted onto the programme, we will send you further details on how to pay your deposit.

Rewarding Achievement
Fulbright UK Summer Institute Scholarship
We are delighted to work in partnership with the US-UK Fulbright Commission to offer a small number of scholarships for US students to attend our International Summer School at Queen’s University Belfast. 
The Fulbright UK Summer Institutes programme is aimed at US undergraduate students who have no or very little travel experience outside North America.
 
The Scholarship costs covered by the Fulbright Commission and Queen's University Belfast include:
  • Return US-UK airfare
  • Tuition fees 
  • Accommodation
  • All field trips 
  • Daily allowance for meals

To be eligible, students must:

  • Be a US citizen and possess a US passport
  • Have had no or very little study/travel experience outside of North America
  • Have a minimum GPA of 3.6
  • Be at least 18 years old by the start of the programme
  • Be able to participate in the programme in its entirety
  • Have at least two years of undergraduate study remaining after the Institute finishes
  • Not participate in any other study abroad programmes during the Summer of 2025

Applications open on 12 November 2024 and close on 3 February 2025. More information about the award can be found here.

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Visa Information
Find out more about visa requirements

Please read our Study Abroad guidance pages for visa information and requirements.

Students should begin to prepare as early as possible before they are required to begin their studies. This should allow them sufficient time to have everything in order for their arrival at Queen’s.

If you are an international student, you will receive a Visa support letter from the International Summer School on payment of fee in full. 

If you have any further queries, please contact the International Summer School coordinator at summerschools@qub.ac.uk

Student room
Accommodation
Take a look at our accommodation

Summer School accommodation will be provided for 21 nights in Elms BT9, a purpose-built student village offering a range of modern, comfortable and secure accommodation just 15 minutes' walk from Queen’s campus

The village includes the Treehouse, which is the main social space for all students living with us and includes the coffee bar, snooker & pool tables, table tennis, TV lounge with 2 x 85 inch TV screens with BT Sports, games & karaoke room, 2 bookable kitchen spaces, outdoor BBQ area, computers and high-speed internet.

You will have your own ensuite bedroom, and share a kitchen and communal living area with 9 or 10 other summer school participants. There is also a self-service laundry facility located within the accommodation (equipped with washing machines, dryers, irons and ironing boards).

Your booking will include:

- 21 nights at Queen’s student accommodation (Check in: Sat 14 June; Check out: Sat 5 July)
- Private room
- Private ensuite bathroom
- Utility bills
- WiFi Internet
- Bed linen and towels
- Communal kitchen and common room with a TV and kitchen equipment
- 24-hour safety staff
- Reception (8am - 8pm, 7 days a week)

 

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support
Support Services
Accessible Learning Support

Queen's is committed to equality of opportunity for all students and will strive to facilitate students with disabilities as an integral part of the Queen's community.

Support is provided to students with a wide range of needs. Support available varies and will be tailored to meet your individual requirements.

More information can be found on our Accessible Learning Support page, or if you would like to talk to us regarding any additional support please email summerschools@qub.ac.uk

Students Free Derry Wall Summer School 2017
Individual Applications
TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Please ensure you read our Terms & Conditions prior to application. 

The Terms & Conditions contain important information relating to:

  • Cancellations and Refunds
  • Data Protection
  • Student Conduct
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