Politics & International Relations and Philosophy

Study two subjects at Edinburgh and pick one to specialise in for an exciting project day!

Politics & International Relations: Home to the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh has strong foundations in politics and political study. As Scotland's top university and a top 10 UK university for politics teaching (QS 2024), Edinburgh offers a wide variety of topics and expertise.
Throughout the summer school, you will explore the contexts of domestic and international conflicts about power and resources, the morality of political action, the limits of freedom and justice, and the processes of governance at various levels. You will work with our renowned team of academic staff and students to deepen your understanding of the subject through lectures, tutorial discussions, and fascinating group projects.
Previous summer school topics include modern US politics, Brexit & British politics, the Ukraine conflict, democracy & public participation, UK devolution, climate justice, Russian foreign policy, and writing constitutions/party manifestos.

Philosophy: Philosophy has been taught at Edinburgh since its foundation in 1583 and offers a stimulating and flexible learning experience. Currently ranked top 20 in the WORLD for philosophy (QS 2024), Edinburgh's programme introduces you to the thinking of some of the great philosophers of the past and present, and illuminates the connections between diverse areas of human experience. It also makes you more aware of the assumptions that form the basis of your beliefs.
Throughout the summer school, you will work with our fantastic team of academics and students to consider some of the great philosophical questions through a mixture of lectures, tutorial discussions, and fascinating group project work. Previous summer school topics include time travel, ethics, metaphysics/philosophy of science, cosmological arguments, morality, life & death, friendships, and mind, brains & computers.

Spend your daytimes exploring fascinating subject work and receiving expert guidance, before joining exciting social activities across the city.

Join us this summer for a "once in a lifetime" experience that is "inspiring, enriching & unforgettable" (2024 Summer School Graduate feedback).