University of St Andrews

This Summer Institute is a three-week cultural and academic programme focusing on the theme Scotland's History: Kingdom, Nation, People.

For a small country Scotland has a large historical footprint. From the making of the kingdom and the development of its identity as one of the nations of Europe, Scotland has retained a strong and changing sense of its past both as an independent state and as part of the United Kingdom. This course examines Scotland’s rich history via the close study of some of the key aspects of the country’s past. It draws on the physical environment, material objects and written texts to provide a sense of the events and themes which have formed Scotland’s history.

This course is ideal if you are seeking a deeper understanding of Scotland’s history within the real-life historical locations across St Andrews and Scotland.

Highlights

St Andrews Summer Institute offers students the opportunity to spend 3 weeks studying for credit at the University of St Andrews. This undergraduate-level course allows participants to fully experience the academic rigour and quintessential feel of St Andrews, and Scotland, first-hand.

Participants will get to meet and be taught by world-leading lecturers and professors. Learning will take place both inside and outside of the classroom as this programme integrates fieldtrips and environmental learning into the curriculum. This course is credit-bearing and may allow participants to transfer their work over the summer back to their home institution.

The Summer Institute programme includes excursions, cultural and social activities that will allow you to experience Scotland’s culture, famous cities and stunning landscapes. You will also have opportunities to explore St Andrews and beyond outside of the classroom.

The course content will be split into 4 main sections.

Scotland’s emerging national identity
Scotland and Her neighbours in the Middle Ages
Renaissance Scotland: power, propaganda and print
The Scottish soldier: image and identity

More Information

Programme dates

The three-week Summer Institute will begin on 7th June 2025 and will end on 28th June 2025. The participants will travel to Edinburgh from the US and arrangements will be made by the University of St Andrews to escort them from the airport to their accommodation.

Accommodation and meals

Participants will be housed in one of the student residences, David Russell Apartments (DRA). They are located on the western edge of town, about a 20-minute walk to the centre of town and local amenities, and a ten-minute walk from the Sports Centre. There are regular bus routes between DRA and the town centre.

Participants will have a private bedroom, individual climate control and an en-suite shower room. There are five bedrooms per apartment, which includes a kitchen with a soft seating area, breakfast bar, oven, microwave, fridge freezer, tv and a dishwasher. There is basic cooking equipment and kitchenware, and an iron and ironing board. Wifi is free and available throughout the residence.

Breakfast is provided daily (Mon-Sun) while lunch and dinner are provided on weekdays (Mon-Fri).

Academics and credits

The University of St Andrews is fully accredited by the Scottish Qualifications Authority and recognised in the United States as a Title IV institution. Summer Institute students earn credit under the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF). This programme grants 12 credits on completion.

12 SCQF credits is equivalent to 3 credits at most US institutions, or 6 European ECTS credits.