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Study abroad through a summer school

You can apply to spend a summer abroad at a summer school after the first or second year of your course.

About overseas summer schools

Taking part in a summer school is a great opportunity to add an international dimension to your degree at Sussex. We offer summer school opportunities in Asia, Europe, and North America, as well as online study programmes, so you can enrich your studies and experience a new culture while learning. Summer school programmes are three to six weeks long and include academic, cultural and language courses.

This is a great opportunity to study with a prestigious global university and meet students (virtually or in-person) from around the world. You'll develop skills by working with students from a range of different countries and cultures, and you can enhance your studies at Sussex by studying something completely different. The programmes do not count towards your degree, but are a fantastic opportunity for you to experience life at an international university.

At the end of the course, you’ll receive a certificate or transcript. You can list this certificate on your CV to show employers your experience abroad.

Some of our opportunities at summer schools include a bursary towards the cost.

Summer school opportunities

Explore our range of summer school options.

Business summer schools

We offer Business summer school opportunities in several countries in Europe, giving you the chance to study Business modules from a different perspective. You can study abroad for one to four weeks and most partners will also offer social activities in their programme. Modules are taught in English.

If your application is successful, the Business School will offer you a bursary to cover the tuition fees and some of the costs of travel and accommodation. This opportunity is not fully funded, so you will also need to use some of your own funds.

Destinations

Explore our range of Business summer school opportunities. We will let you know the available options for you at the time of application. See where and when you can take selected modules at the following universities:

How to apply

To apply, contact outbound.sussexabroad@sussex.ac.uk. We will send you a link to the application form.

The deadline for applications is 19 February 2025.

If selected, you will receive funding to help with some of the costs of your summer school (on the condition that you apply on time to secure a place at the partner university). More guidance will be given nearer the time.

You will also be responsible for booking accommodation, travel and organising your visa (for non-EU students) and travel cover.

Join us on Wednesday 5 February 2025 at 1pm in Jubilee 118 for a presentation to find out more about the Business summer school opportunities. 

Global Excellence Summer Programme (GESP)

Important: applications now open for 2025.

This programme enables you to study at one of our prestigious partner universities.

Eligibility and funding

The summer school opportunities are open to foundation, first, second and final year undergraduate students from the groups below, although a small number of summer schools are not open to final year students.

The tuition fees for each programme are covered by Sussex’s Global Excellence Summer Programme (GESP) bursary. The UK government’s Turing Scheme grant will contribute partly towards travel and/or accommodation costs. This opportunity is not fully funded. You will also be required to contribute your own funds.

Only students from the groups below are eligible to apply:

  • someone with an annual household income of £25,000 or less (as per the Student Finance loan assessment for 2024/25)
  • someone who receives Universal Credit or income-related benefits because they are financially supporting themselves or themselves and someone who is dependent on them, such as a child or partner
  • someone with experience of being in care or who is a care leaver – including anyone who is or has been in care, or from a looked after background, at any stage of their life
  • a carer, meaning anyone who both looks after a family member, partner or friend who needs help because of their illness, frailty, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction, and cannot cope without their support, and is not paid for this care
  • someone who is estranged – including anyone who has had no contact with their biological or adoptive parents for 12 months or more, or the relationship with their parents has broken down within the last 12 months
  • a refugee or an asylum seeker
  • someone whose home address is in an Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) quintile 1 (Q1) postcode in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland
  • someone registered with the Disability Advice team as having a special educational need or disability.

How to apply

Application deadline: Friday 28 February 2025

Contact Lucy at outbound.sussexabroad@sussex.ac.uk (including the summer school you’re interested in from the list below) to request an application form. 

This is a competitive process and there are limited spaces at each institution.

GESP destinations

Learn more about where you can go.

  • Ghana to the world summer programme – University of Ghana

    30 May to 28 June

    This programme includes study modules and a volunteering project.

    You will take two modules, choosing either:

    • Africa and the Diaspora and African Art, its Philosophy and Criticism, or
    • Appropriate Technology for Development in AfricsandGender and Culture in Africa.

    There will also be opportunities for students to engage in experiential study and cultural tours of some regions in Ghana.

    Find out more about Ghana to the World.

  • Sawasdee Thailand summer programme – Mahidol University

    17 June to 15 July 2025 (Batch A and B combined)

    Not available to final year students.

    This is a study programme. The first two weeks focus on heritage and multiculturalism and sustainable life and society. The second two weeks focuses on sustainable economics and corporate responsibility. The four-week programme includes two field trips to Chiang Mai and Chonburi.

    Find out more about the Sawasdee Thailand summer programme.

  • Mexican culture and Spanish language – Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico

    2025 dates to be confirmed

    Not available to final year students.

    This summer school focuses on Mexican culture and Spanish language.

    Although there is no specific language requirement, ideally students will have a background of Spanish language learning or have a strong interest in learning Spanish.

  • Zhejiang Gongshang University, China

    2025 dates to be confirmed

    Zheijiang Gongshang university is located in the city of Hangzhou. Hangzhou is a historical and cultural city. It is famous for the beautiful West Lake which was put on the World Heritage List in 2011.

    During the summer school you will be able to take lessons in different aspects of Chinese culture, including Chinese language, Business, Kung Fu, Art, Opera, Philosophy and Architecture. There will also be opportunities to visit the local scenic areas.

     

  • Aarhus University, Denmark

    Not available to final year students.

    1 July to 28 July 2025 (Term 1) or 15 July to 15 August 2025 (Term 2)

    Attend a summer school in the beautiful city of Aarhus, Denmark’s 2nd oldest city. The summer school takes place at Aarhus University, and you can choose from Business and Management, Humanities and STEM courses.

    You can choose either a Term 1 Undergraduate course or a Term 2 Undergraduate course. The summer school will take place over four weeks. There will be three weeks of lectures and then an exam at the end of the fourth week. You’ll be required to stay the full four weeks. 

  • Chinese University of Hong Kong

    22 June to 30 July 2025

    Apply to attend the five-week Chinese University of Hong Kong summer programme. You can choose one course from the following areas:

    • Environment
    • Science and Technology
    • Global Business and Management
    • Society and Human Interaction
    • Understanding China
    • Cantonese language
    • Chinese language courses.
  • British University Vietnam – Cultural Immersion programm

    2025 dates to be confirmed

    Attend a summer school at the British University of Vietnam in Hanoi, Vietnam. 

    The four week Cultural Immersion Programme allows students a deep dive into Vietnam's rich history and vibrant culture through activities curated by BUV and local students including engaging projects, talks, and activities with Vietnamese corporations and communities.

For information about the summer schools please contact outbound.sussexabroad@sussex.ac.uk.

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