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    Social Science and Humanities Summer Academic Experience Course
    In-person Program

    Social Science and Humanities Summer Academic Experience Course

    by University of St Andrews Summer Academic Experience

    Explore humanities and social sciences through university lectures, seminars and independent study, while developing academic writing and testing possible degree interests.

    Last verified: 9 Oct 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy

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    Social Science and Humanities Summer Academic Experience at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Upcoming

    Eligibility

    High school students; academic requirements apply

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 16-18

    Location / Region

    St Andrews, Scotland, United Kingdom

    Cost

    £6,950

    Duration

    3 weeks

    Format

    In-person

    Next session

    24 July-14 August 2027

    Save program
    HumanitiesSocial SciencesInternational RelationsPhilosophyHistoryLiterature
    Language: English
    Accommodation: Own room, Andrew Melville Hall
    Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner daily
    Certificate / Outcome: Official University of St Andrews certificate
    Campus experience: Student ID, library and sports access
    Tutors / faculty: University staff and experienced graduate students
    Pastoral support: Staff on duty day and night

    Social Science and Humanities Summer Academic Experience summary

    This University of St Andrews course explores International Relations, Philosophy, History and Literature rather than asking students to commit immediately to one discipline.

    Lectures, seminars, group work and independent study combine subject exploration with academic writing and an introduction to social science research methods.

    It suits students who want to test their interest in arts subjects and experience university learning alongside a social and cultural program.

    What is Social Science and Humanities Summer Academic Experience Course?

    The Social Science and Humanities Summer Academic Experience Course is a University of St Andrews course for students exploring possible arts degree interests. It introduces International Relations, Philosophy, History and Literature through key concepts and theories from the Faculty of Arts.

    Students learn through lectures, seminars, group work and independent study, with lectures delivered by university staff and experienced graduate students. Academic writing and social science research methods accompany subject study. Residential life, cultural excursions and evening activities add a practical introduction to the wider university experience.

    Why Succeed highlights Social Science and Humanities Summer Academic Experience

    • Named subjects across the arts make the course useful for comparing degree interests before specializing.

    • Lectures, seminars and independent study let students test different aspects of university learning.

    • Academic writing and argument construction give the experience a practical focus beyond subject exposure.

    • University staff and experienced graduate students connect teaching to the institution's academic community.

    • An official completion certificate provides a documented record of participation.

    Who is Social Science and Humanities Summer Academic Experience for?

    Best for

    Students interested in arts degrees who want to compare disciplines while practicing academic writing and independent study.

    Not ideal if

    You want intensive specialization in one subject or a residential experience with constant individual supervision.

    Is Social Science and Humanities Summer Academic Experience worth it?

    The course offers a useful way to test whether arts study suits you before choosing a degree subject. Its strongest value lies in combining several disciplines with academic writing, seminars and independent study, giving students concrete experiences to reflect on afterward.

    Families should weigh that breadth against the substantial residential fee and the student's readiness for shared responsibilities. The completion certificate is a record of successful participation; the decision makes most sense when the learning experience itself justifies the expense.

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    A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.

    Cost and what is included

    £6,950; includes Tuition and instruction., Reading materials and lab and sports equipment., Accommodation., Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily., Airport transportation on specified arrival and departure dates., Extracurricular program and guest presentations., Field trips and organized cultural and social activities., Saints Sports membership., Official certificate after successful completion..

    Accommodation

    Own room, Andrew Melville Hall

    Meals

    Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner daily

    Supervision or safety information

    Staff accompany excursion journeys, but students may explore destinations without direct supervision in groups of at least two. They must follow meeting times and carry a charged phone and the Residential Assistant team's emergency number.

    Provider details

    Review the University of St Andrews Summer Academic Experience provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    Dates and logistics

    3 weeks; St Andrews, Scotland, United Kingdom.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.

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    How much preparation does Social Science and Humanities Summer Academic Experience need?

    Effort level

    Moderate to high.

    Best started

    Begin several months before the July start to gather documents and plan travel, insurance and any visa.

    Main challenge

    Moving between disciplines while shaping clear academic arguments.

    Typical preparation

    • Request your transcript and academic reference before preparing the application.

    • Draft a focused personal statement within the 100-word limit.

    • Practice summarizing an argument from a humanities or social science text.

    • Discuss dietary, medical or disability support needs early and plan travel with your parent or guardian.

    Useful if

    You want to explore arts degree interests through university learning.

    What do students do on Social Science and Humanities Summer Academic Experience?

    You explore arts subjects through university teaching and develop writing across disciplines. Seminars, group work and independent study complement lectures, while residential activities create opportunities to meet students from other backgrounds.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Attend lectures introducing concepts and theories from the Faculty of Arts.

    2. 2

      Explore subjects including International Relations, Philosophy, History and Literature.

    3. 3

      Participate in seminars and group work alongside independent study.

    4. 4

      Practice academic writing, argument construction and subject-specific vocabulary.

    5. 5

      Investigate research methods used by social scientists and complete required assignments.

    6. 6

      Take part in cultural excursions, social activities and residential life.

    Social Science and Humanities Summer Academic Experience dates and deadlines

    Programme dates

    24 July-14 August 2027

    Upcoming

    Fee balance due

    1 April 2027

    Payment is required within seven days of the unconditional offer or by this date at the latest.

    Upcoming

    Health form due

    5 July 2027

    Provide arrival, departure, medical and dietary information.

    Upcoming

    Eligibility and requirements

    • High school students aged 16-18 on arrival.

    • Strong GCSE grades, A grades, minimum 3.2 GPA or equivalent.

    • Academic transcript required.

    • Academic reference on headed paper required.

    • Personal statement of no more than 100 words.

    • Good English proficiency; B2 expected for non-native English speakers.

    How much does Social Science and Humanities Summer Academic Experience cost?

    Program fee

    £6,950 — All-inclusive course fee.

    Funding or discounts

    • Deposit: £500 — Part of the total fee, payable within 48 hours of the unconditional offer.

    What's included

    Tuition and instruction., Reading materials and lab and sports equipment., Accommodation., Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily., Airport transportation on specified arrival and departure dates., Extracurricular program and guest presentations., Field trips and organized cultural and social activities., Saints Sports membership., Official certificate after successful completion.

    How to apply to Social Science and Humanities Summer Academic Experience

    1. 1

      Use the Social Science and Humanities application portal and create an account or log in.

    2. 2

      Submit your academic transcript, academic reference and personal statement of no more than 100 words.

    3. 3

      Monitor email for the University's academic review and offer instructions.

    4. 4

      Follow your offer instructions to accept, pay the deposit and upload the signed agreement and photographic release.

    5. 5

      Arrange the remaining fee payment and any required visa after the relevant offer confirmation.

    6. 6

      Activate your University account, request your student ID and complete the health information and transport form.

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    What does Social Science and Humanities Summer Academic Experience cover?

    The program covers the following focus areas.

    International Relations

    Previous topics include critical security, terrorism and human rights dynamics.

    Literature

    Previous study examples include Old English heroic literature.

    Film analysis

    Previous topics examine film language, authors, themes and reflexivity.

    Academic writing and research

    Practice shaping arguments, developing academic style and investigating social science research methods.

    Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.

    What is a typical day on Social Science and Humanities Summer Academic Experience?

    A typical day during the program.

    Mornings

    Breakfast is followed by lectures or tutorials.

    Afternoons

    Lunch is followed by lectures or tutorials.

    Evenings

    Dinner is followed by evening activities.

    Night

    Check-in and roll call precede lights out.

    Who teaches on Social Science and Humanities Summer Academic Experience?

    University of St Andrews staff and experienced graduate students deliver the course lectures. Students also learn through seminars, group work and independent study.

    Where do students stay on Social Science and Humanities Summer Academic Experience?

    Residential plan

    • Andrew Melville Hall: Guaranteed accommodation includes an individual room near Saints Sport and West Sands beach.
    • Daily meals: Breakfast and dinner are served in the hall, with a packed lunch daily and vegetarian options at each meal.
    • Pastoral care: Dedicated staff are on duty day and night for pastoral support, wellbeing and emergency first aid.
    • Campus and activities: Students receive library and sports access alongside cultural excursions and evening or weekend activities.

    Students follow a 10:30 p.m. hall curfew and an 11 p.m. bedroom curfew.

    What happens after Social Science and Humanities Summer Academic Experience?

    After completing this program, participants often pursue:

    Compare interests across International Relations, Philosophy, History and Literature.

    Develop academic writing and argument construction across disciplines.

    Build subject-specific vocabulary and explore social science research methods.

    Receive an official University of St Andrews certificate after successful completion.

    Where does Social Science and Humanities Summer Academic Experience take place?

    The course takes place at the University of St Andrews on Scotland's east coast, with accommodation at Andrew Melville Hall about a 15-minute walk from the town center. Leuchars is the nearest train station, and designated arrival and departure transfers serve Edinburgh and Glasgow international airports or Leuchars station.

    Included transfers operate only on official arrival and departure dates; students are not accompanied by SAEC staff during these journeys.

    Social Science and Humanities Summer Academic Experience FAQs

    The course introduces International Relations, Philosophy, History and Literature. Previous examples also include film analysis, security and human rights; individual topics can change each year.

    University staff and experienced University of St Andrews graduate students deliver lectures. Students also participate in seminars, group work and independent study.

    Students have their own room at Andrew Melville Hall, near the sports center and West Sands beach. Dedicated staff provide pastoral care and emergency first aid support day and night.

    Vegetarian options are provided at each meal, and most food allergies can be accommodated. Uncommon or severe allergies are assessed individually, so families should communicate requirements in advance.

    Students who successfully complete the course receive an official University of St Andrews certificate.

    Applicants need an academic transcript, an academic reference on headed paper and a personal statement of no more than 100 words. Accepted students also complete the required agreement and photographic release form.

    Staff accompany excursion journeys, but students may explore destinations without direct supervision in groups of at least two. They must follow meeting times and carry a charged phone and the Residential Assistant team's emergency number.

    Students and their parent or guardian must arrange travel insurance covering matters such as medical expenses, repatriation, cancellation and personal liability. Adequate medical insurance is also required.

    Alternatives to Social Science and Humanities Summer Academic Experience

    Compare these options if you want a different balance of humanities breadth, politics and focused subject study.

    Alternatives to Social Science and Humanities Summer Academic Experience

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    Ben Stacy

    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.

    View author page

    Sources & verification

    Source types reviewed

    • Apply to study Social Science and Humanities | University of St Andrews
    • Summer Academic Experience Courses - Study at St Andrews - University of St Andrews
    • After application - Study at St Andrews - University of St Andrews
    • Summer Academic Experience Courses 2027: Mutual Responsibilities Agreement
    • Social Science and Humanities - Study at St Andrews - University of St Andrews

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 9 Oct 2026)

    • Official course page checked

    • Course application portal verified

    • Entry requirements reviewed

    • Session dates verified

    • All-inclusive fee reviewed

    • Residential responsibilities reviewed

    How Succeed uses this information

    We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.