4 min read
Summer School is designed to give you an academic experience that expands your horizons from day one.
That means practical learning that will probably be very different to what you’re used to, combining theory with relevant, real-world examples. All with the added bonus of access to the world-class collection of resources found in the LSE library.
You’ll dive into a whole new style of learning, one that pushes you out of your usual comfort zone and invites you to truly dissect subjects beyond just numbers and statistics. Through classes, curriculum and open discussion, you’ll expand your outlook on how your chosen subject is shaped, and more excitingly, where it’s heading in the future.
And these debates certainly don’t end inside the classroom walls! At Summer School, you get a great balance of academic and social freedom. So, you can pick up the conversation where you left off as you relax and explore London with new found friends.
Practical learning
There’s so much more to a great education than facts and figures. Summer School curriculum lets you tackle subjects from a real-life perspective, packed with case studies and examples. "My favourite thing about my course is that it's very close to reality. Many of the other courses I've done previously have been very theoretical, whereas this course has a lot of real-life examples, which is perfect for me."
We want you to gain a practical education that not only brings theory to life, but one that’s forward-thinking, examining how subjects are changing and, best of all, including you in that discussion. “Everything we were learning was so relevant to today, and to current topics and events. I was very excited to engage in new conversations and learn a new approach."
Everything we were learning was so relevant to today, and to current topics and events.
There’s always more that you can do to gain a new perspective on a topic - always another side to the story! That’s why the LSE library is packed full of classic and contemporary resources that are relevant across our entire subject range. “The LSE library is vast! I've spent hours there. It’s one of the best places I’ve visited in London.”
Expanding your horizons
If you’re choosing a summer at LSE, we know you’re ready to be pushed out of your comfort zone. This is your chance to really surprise yourself by choosing subjects that you wouldn’t usually study back home. Take a look through our course offerings. You might find yourself leaning towards something new and challenging, something that casts a whole new light on your university experience so far. “I would recommend looking into different subjects and courses, maybe ones that aren't already in your major. Summer School is a great way to do that. I would also recommend talking to other students and seeing what courses they loved.” We know it takes a bold step to try out a whole new subject. But remember, many of your fellow students will be in the same boat! Best of all, Summer School classes are designed to really make the most of your diverse experiences.
I would say, pick a course that you can't study at your home institution. For example, I was interested in Law so I chose to take a particular Law course here which is not offered in American universities. The class work is pretty challenging because I've never studied Law before and some of the other students have. But the teachers are a lot of help.
Study-life balance
What truly makes the Summer School experience unique is the chance to travel and soak up a whole new city while still focussing and challenging yourself academically. “I think I most enjoyed immersing myself in something completely new, completely foreign for six weeks. It pushed me so far out of my comfort zone. I've grown so much within this span of time!” The best advice we’ve heard so far is to go for it! “Yes, you should definitely go - and pick a course that sounds interesting. You'll be taught by some of the best people in that field and you will be exposed to the best city in the world.”
You might kick-start some eye-opening debates in class but who knows where these conversations will take you as you relax, travel and explore London with new friends from around the world. It’s not just about studying together, it’s about writing a whole new rulebook for your summer. “I've met people from all around the United States, and from Japan, Kenya, Germany and France. It's fascinating to hear their perspectives and see how their universities and cultures have shaped their thoughts. It's really interesting to be able to talk to them about economics, as well as just relaxing and being a normal student!”
One of the things that attracted me to studying at LSE this summer was the opportunity to not only explore London but also to build on some of the courses that interest me. I'm quite passionate about marketing and so the opportunity to take consumer behaviour really allowed me to expand my knowledge. I absolutely loved getting to explore London, see the city, and balance both studying and travelling in one trip.