Application deadline
1 May 2026
Annual UK terms identify this deadline for the verified cycle.
In-person Programme
IB Extended Essay Summer Programme
by ISSOS
A residential course helping IB Diploma students make substantial progress on their Extended Essay through workshops, supervised research and expert teaching.
Last verified: 19 Aug 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy
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Extended Essay Programme at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility
Current status
Recently closed
Eligibility
IB Diploma; approved topic
Age range / Year group
Ages 13-18
Location / Region
St Andrews, Scotland
Cost
£7,900
Duration
3 weeks
Format
Residential, in-person
Research MethodsWriting
Accommodation: St Salvator's Hall
Meals: Full board
Certificate / Outcome: Report and completion certificate
Campus experience: Elective, activities and cultural trips
Tutors / Faculty: Experienced IB essay teachers
Extended Essay Programme summary
This residential course gives IB Diploma students focused time and structured support to advance their Extended Essay.
Students attend planning, research, structure, writing and referencing workshops, alongside supervised work in the University of St Andrews' Main Library.
It suits students who already have school approval for their topic and want to leave with a confident completion plan or a substantial draft.
What is IB Extended Essay Summer Programme?
The IB Extended Essay Summer Programme is a focused residential course from ISSOS for students working on the independent research essay within the IB Diploma. It combines expert-led skills workshops with protected writing and research time.
Students develop their research question, essay structure, source use, referencing and academic writing. Supervised sessions in the University of St Andrews' Main Library support practical progress towards a clear completion plan or a developed draft.
Why Succeed highlights Extended Essay Programme
It provides dedicated Extended Essay time alongside teachers who understand the IB Diploma.
Supervised sessions in the University of St Andrews' Main Library turn research guidance into practical work.
Workshops address research questions, essay structure, source evaluation, referencing and academic integrity.
Students work towards a useful next-stage output: either a completion plan or a developed draft.
The academic course sits within a broader residential programme of electives, activities and cultural trips.
Who is Extended Essay Programme for?
Best for
IB Diploma students with an approved English-language Extended Essay topic who want structured research and writing support.
Not ideal if
You have not yet secured school approval for your topic, are not enrolled in the IB Diploma or want a non-residential course.
Is Extended Essay Programme worth it?
It can be worthwhile for a student who needs focused time, expert structure and access to a strong research library to move a demanding independent project forward. Leaving with a credible plan or substantial draft gives the course a concrete academic purpose.
The limitation is that the programme cannot guarantee a finished essay, and its value depends heavily on a student's preparation before arrival. Families should also weigh the all-inclusive residential fee against lower-cost support available through school or independent tutoring.
A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.
Cost and what is included
£7,900; includes Academic and elective tuition, St Salvator's Hall accommodation, Breakfast, lunch and dinner, Course materials and equipment, Cultural trips and excursions, Evening activities and Sunday workshops, Travel and medical insurance during the programme, Scheduled airport transfers, Academic report and completion certificate.
Accommodation
St Salvator's Hall
Meals
Full board
Provider details
Review the ISSOS provider page and official sources before making a final decision.
Dates and logistics
3 weeks; St Andrews, Scotland.
What to check before committing
Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.
Compare this programme with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.
Compare with similar programmesHow much preparation does Extended Essay Programme need?
Effort level
High academic commitment.
Best started
Begin six to eight weeks before applying, allowing extra time for school topic approval, travel and visa planning.
Main challenge
Turning a broad interest into a focused, well-supported academic argument.
Typical preparation
Secure school approval for the topic before applying.
Gather core sources and record full citation details.
Bring a laptop or internet-enabled device for academic work.
List the sections or research problems you most need help resolving.
Useful if
You already have sources, preliminary notes or an early outline.
What do students do on Extended Essay Programme?
Students combine skills workshops with supervised research and writing time, applying each technique directly to their own Extended Essay project.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Review the approved topic and refine a workable research question.
- 2
Plan an essay structure and identify the evidence each section requires.
- 3
Research under supervision in the University of St Andrews' Main Library.
- 4
Assess sources and incorporate quotations with accurate referencing.
- 5
Draft or strengthen sections of the essay using teacher guidance.
- 6
Leave with a completion plan or a developed draft for further independent work.
Extended Essay Programme dates and deadlines
Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.
Reference date
St Andrews Session 1
28 June-19 July 2026
Three-week residential session.
St Andrews Session 2
22 July-12 August 2026
Three-week residential session.
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Application deadline | 1 May 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
St Andrews Session 1 | 28 June-19 July 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
St Andrews Session 2 | 22 July-12 August 2026 | Local | Reference date |
Eligibility and requirements
Aged 13-18
Enrolled in the IB Diploma
Writing the Extended Essay in English
Topic already approved by the student's school
Returning to high school after summer
Open to students of all nationalities
How much does Extended Essay Programme cost?
Programme fee
£7,900 — All-inclusive St Andrews total.
Funding or discounts
- Registration fee: £500 — Included in the total and generally non-refundable after an offer.
- Tuition balance: £7,400 — Due within 21 days of acceptance.
- Scholarships: None offered
What's included
Academic and elective tuition, St Salvator's Hall accommodation, Breakfast, lunch and dinner, Course materials and equipment, Cultural trips and excursions, Evening activities and Sunday workshops, Travel and medical insurance during the programme, Scheduled airport transfers, Academic report and completion certificate
How to apply to Extended Essay Programme
- 1
Read the UK terms and student rules.
- 2
Complete the online form with session, academic and elective choices.
- 3
Provide the student's photo, school, teacher and family details.
- 4
Submit the form for review by the ISSOS Head Office team.
- 5
Pay the £500 registration fee when requested to secure an offered place.
- 6
Pay the tuition balance within 21 days after acceptance.
What does Extended Essay Programme cover?
The programme covers the following focus areas.
Research question
Refine an approved topic into a focused and workable research question.
Essay planning
Build a logical structure for a sustained academic argument.
Source evaluation
Assess evidence and use research sources effectively.
Referencing and integrity
Reference ideas and quotations accurately while avoiding plagiarism.
Academic writing
Develop clear, well-structured writing suitable for an Extended Essay.
Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.
What is a typical day on Extended Essay Programme?
A typical day during the programme.
Academic class
Three hours of Extended Essay classes each weekday.
Elective class
Students pursue a selected creative, sporting or enrichment elective.
Activities
The residential programme includes activities and cultural trips.
Who teaches on Extended Essay Programme?
ISSOS recruits qualified, experienced teachers for the Extended Essay course. Featured examples include Elena, who has taught the programme for three years and completed a PhD, and Sarah, an internationally experienced teacher with a master's degree from Oxford.
The teachers featured by ISSOS illustrate its recruitment standard but may not lead a student's particular class.
Where do students stay on Extended Essay Programme?
Residential plan
- St Salvator's Hall: ISSOS has exclusive use of this university residence near central St Andrews.
- Bedrooms: Students receive a single or twin room with a desk, wardrobe and shelving.
- Shared bathrooms: Bathrooms serve around six to eight students and contain private cubicles.
- Full board: Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in St Salvator's dining hall.
- Residential programme: Evening activities, clan events and cultural trips are part of the experience.
Rooms are allocated after applications close; ISSOS cannot guarantee a single room.
What happens after Extended Essay Programme?
After completing this programme, participants often pursue:
Continue independently with a clear Extended Essay completion plan.
Develop a strong first or second draft for further school supervision.
Apply stronger research and referencing skills to future academic work.
Use the academic report to reflect on progress after the programme.
Receive a completion certificate after meeting participation requirements.
The programme supports progress but does not guarantee a completed Extended Essay.
Where does Extended Essay Programme take place?
The programme is based at the University of St Andrews in the Scottish coastal town of St Andrews. Students live in St Salvator's Hall, a few minutes' walk from the town centre, and conduct supervised research in the university's Main Library.
Edinburgh Airport is the designated airport, approximately one hour and 15 minutes from campus.
Extended Essay Programme FAQs
Students must be enrolled in the IB Diploma, write their Extended Essay in English and arrive with a topic approved by their school. The wider ISSOS programme is for students aged 13-18.
Not necessarily. Students should leave with either a confident completion plan or a developed first or second draft, depending on their progress before arrival.
Extended Essay classes run for three hours every weekday morning across the three-week programme. Workshops and supervised research sessions support practical progress.
Students undertake supervised research in the University of St Andrews' Main Library, alongside workshops on questions, structure, sources, writing and referencing.
Yes. Students stay at St Salvator's Hall and take part in academic classes, an elective, evening activities and cultural trips.
Yes. The all-inclusive fee covers accommodation and full board, including breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as tuition, activities and specified transfers.
Every student must bring a laptop or another device that can connect to the internet and support academic work.
The university can cater for nearly all requirements, including vegetarian, vegan and halal diets and food allergies or intolerances. Families must provide details before arrival.
Alternatives to Extended Essay Programme
Compare these options if you want a different subject, delivery format or style of research support.
Alternatives to Extended Essay Programme
One-to-one online research mentorship
Research Methods
Deadline: Not announced
From $3900
14-18
Online
Online
Best for
Students wanting personalised research guidance from home.
Residential literature study with research-methods relevance
Literature
Deadline: Not announced
From £5995
16-18
Cambridge
In-person
Best for
Students considering a literature-centred academic summer course.
Online mathematics research programme
Mathematics
Deadline: Not announced
From £2995
13-18
Online
Online
Best for
Students wanting mathematics-led research experience online.
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Content reviewed by
Ben Stacy
Co-founder, Succeed | Former secondary teacher and educational leader
Ben works at the intersection of education, technology and school adoption, with expertise in how secondary schools evaluate data-driven tools and how education technology is used in practice.
Sources and verification
Source types reviewed
- ISSOS - Summer School Application
- Travel and Visas for Summer School - ISSOS
- All-Inclusive Catering | St Andrews Summer School | ISSOS
- Summer School Accommodation at St Andrews - ISSOS
- St Andrews Summer School - ISSOS
- Summer School Application Process - ISSOS
- Summer School Fees - ISSOS
- IB Extended Essay Teachers - ISSOS
- What Is the International Baccalaureate (IB)? - ISSOS
- UK T&Cs 2023
- IB Extended Essay Summer School - ISSOS
Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.
What we verified (on 19 Aug 2026)
Course details checked
Eligibility reviewed
Dates cross-checked
Fees verified
Accommodation reviewed
Application steps checked
Travel guidance reviewed
Terms and policies checked
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