English Literature & Philosophy

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

English Literature: Edinburgh is proud to house the oldest English Literature department in the world – people have been studying English at Edinburgh longer than the USA has existed as a nation! As one of the top 10 universities in the WORLD for English Literature (QS 2024), Edinburgh has degree modules for everyone including Fairy Tales, Science Fiction, LGBT+ Fiction, and Shakespearean Tragedy. In recognition of its incredible literary history, Edinburgh was named the first ever World City of Literature by UNESCO in 2004.
Throughout the summer school, you will work on a variety of texts and approaches to reading, and explore cultural contexts with our renowned team of academic staff and students. You will develop your analytic, research and creative skills by taking part in lectures, tutorial discussions, and fascinating group project work. Previous summer school topics include spy fiction, reimagining Arthurian literature, short stories, dramatic monologues, Shakespeare, contemporary poetry, fiction, and the historical context of literature.

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).