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.
- Global Excellence Summer Programme (GESP)
- Global International Learning Summer School
- Chinese language and culture online course (Zhejiang Gongshang University).
Global Excellence Summer Programme (GESP)
Important: applications have now closed. They will open again in early 2024.
This programme enables you to study at one of our prestigious partner universities (see list below).
Eligibility and funding
The summer school opportunities are open to first and second year students only (not final year students).
The tuition fees for each programme are covered by the GESP bursary and a Turing bursary will contribute partly towards travel and accommodation costs. This opportunity is not fully funded, so you will also be required to use some of your own funds.
All first and second year students can apply for this funding for Thailand and China. For Ghana, India and Mexico, you can only apply for funding if you are in one or more of the following groups:
- students with an annual household income of £25,000 or less
- care leavers and students who are care experienced
- students with caring responsibilities
- estranged students
- refugees and asylum seekers.
How to apply
Application deadline: applications have now closed and will reopen in early 2024. Contact outbound.sussexabroad@sussex.ac.uk for further information.
GESP destinations
Learn more about where you can go.
- Ghana to the world summer programme – University of Ghana
2 June-1 July 2023
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
27 June-26 July 2023
This is a study programme. The first two weeks focus on Thai culture and Sustainable life and society. The second two weeks is a bespoke programme for University of Sussex students and focuses on ASEAN studies. The 4 week programme includes two study trips, one to Phuket and one to Petchburi Province.
Find out more about the Sawasdee Thailand summer programme (note the dates for our programme are 27 June to 26 July 2023).
- Mexican culture and Spanish language – Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico
9 July-5 August 2023
This summer school focuses on Mexican culture and Spanish language.
You will ideally have an intermediate level of Spanish language.
- Amity University, India
16 July-12 August 2023
The summer school includes sessions on Indian History, Hindi language, yoga and holistic healthcare, industry visits, Indian Law and Business.
- Zhejiang Gongshang University, China
Further details of this summer programme to be confirmed.
Global International Learning Summer School
Important: applications are closed and will open again in early 2024.
This summer school opportunity is open to Foundation and first year students only. The following underrepresented groups will be prioritised:
- Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic students
- disabled students
- students who are residents in certain postcodes
- mature students (students who have started an undergraduate degree aged 21 or over)
- students who are care experienced or estranged
- students from military families
- students from refugee or forced migrant families
- students from Gypsy, Romany or Traveller families
- students in receipt of the Sussex Bursary (Foundation, and Year 1).
You can apply to take part in an International Summer School either in person or online, and add an international dimension to your Sussex degree.
You can choose modules related to your degree to further your knowledge in the subject or study something completely different to expand your academic interests.
For Summer 2023, you will have the opportunity to study at the following universities:
You will have the opportunity to experience international teaching and meet students from around the world. The credits received will not count towards your degree, but you will receive a certificate or transcript at the end of the course. This global opportunity will enhance your CV and further your international experience as you progress through your Sussex degree.
A bursary will be offered to cover the tuition fees for the summer school, accommodation and the insurance costs. The bursary will also contributes towards the flight and living costs while there. Please be aware that this opportunity is not fully funded and you will also be required to use some of your own funds.
Applications for this opportunity are made via the University of Sussex Career Hub. Do not apply directly through the summer school website of either Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin or Korea University.
This is a competitive process and there are a limited number of places available. Successful students will be informed after the deadline.
Deadline for applications: applications are closed and will open again in early 2024.
Fully funded Chinese language and Culture online course – Zhejiang Gongshang University
Important: Applications for this scheme are now closed.
Take part in a fully funded short online Chinese language and Culture course run by our prestigious partner institution in China, Zhejiang Gongshang University.
We have a limited number of places available to Sussex students, staff and others beyond the Sussex community who are interested in learning more about Chinese language and culture. The programme includes poetry, martial arts, history and business etiquette.
No prior knowledge of Chinese language is required. For those already studying the language, this short programme will enhance your studies through invaluable insights into the culture and language.
As well as learning more about Chinese culture, you can gain global experience for your CV and future job prospects. A certificate will be awarded on full completion of the course. Sussex students will additionally be able to earn 5 Spirit of Sussex Award points for participating, receiving recognition in the Creativity and Culture category.
For information about the summer schools please contact outbound.sussexabroad@sussex.ac.uk.