Program Overview

Pre-University Summer School

The Pre-University Summer School is a program offered by the University of Edinburgh, designed for students who wish to attend a summer school at the university.

Courses, Dates, and Fees

The program offers various courses, including:

• Pre-University: Design
• Pre-University: Humanities
• Pre-University: Life Sciences
• Pre-University: Social Sciences
• Pre-University: English Language

Admissions Questions

The following are some frequently asked questions regarding admissions:

• What English language evidence do I require to be eligible? We do not require any supporting documentation, and you do not need to provide us with any evidence of your English language ability. If your first language is not English, we recommend that your English language ability is equivalent to IELTS 6.5 (with a minimum of 5.5 in each component) for all courses except Pre-University: English Language.
• Will an academic transcript that evidences I have been educated in English be fine to prove the language requirements, or do I still have to take the IELTS exam? You do not need to provide any supporting documentation, including academic transcript, IELTS certificate, or any other English language certificate.
• Do I need a letter from my school to confirm that I am currently a student? No, we do not require any kind of supporting documentation.
• Why have I received a 'provisional booking confirmation,' and what does this mean? After processing your application, provided that you are eligible and have paid the £750 deposit, we will send you a provisional booking confirmation of your place on the course.
• I need to book my flight and arrange my visa in advance: Can I receive a final booking confirmation now? No, we are only able to issue final booking confirmations after the course is confirmed as running.
• Can UK based students attend Summer School, or is it just for international students? Yes, students from all over the world, including UK and international students, are welcome to apply and join summer school at the University of Edinburgh.
• What happens if I am not accepted onto the programme? Will I receive a refund of the deposit? Yes, if after processing your application we deem you are not eligible to attend the course, we will refund the deposit amount in full.
• Is there the option of attending Summer School online? All of our Summer School courses are scheduled to be delivered in person and there are no online options available.
• Does the Summer School programme offer any scholarship? No, unfortunately, Summer School is unable to offer any scholarship or aid with funding.

General Questions

The following are some general questions regarding the program:

• What does the course fee include? The fee includes the delivery of the course, accommodation with breakfast and dinner, and a series of social and educational activities.
• Are students free to visit Edinburgh on their own? Yes, students will have limited allocated free time to explore Edinburgh on their own.
• When should I book my flight tickets to Edinburgh? Please refrain from booking any tickets and making travel arrangements until you receive your final booking confirmation for your chosen course.
• Could I have a packing list? We will provide a packing list prior to arrival.
• Do I need to bring cash? Students will need money for lunches, snacks, shopping and for activities during free time.
• Do I need to bring a tablet or a laptop? Course materials will be delivered via the University of Edinburgh's Virtual Learning Environment. To access these materials, you will require a suitable device, such as a laptop or tablet.
• Where should I buy my lunch? There are plenty of cafés and shops around campus where you can buy your lunch.
• What documents will I need to travel? The Summer School team cannot advise you on what documentation you need to travel, and it is students' responsibility to check they have the necessary documentation.
• How do I apply for a Visa? Students are responsible for ensuring they obtain a valid visa to study in the UK.
• How do I ask for extra support or special adjustments during the course of my study? The Centre for Open Learning is keen to ensure that all students are supported appropriately during the Summer School.
• Will I receive a certificate on completion of the Summer School Programme? Yes, students are provided with a certificate confirming their attendance on the programme.
• Are arrival and departure transfers provided? We are unable to provide arrival or departure transfers for students, or organise transfers on their behalf.

Accommodation Questions

The following are some questions regarding accommodation:

• How many bathrooms are there, and how many students have access to these? There are 8 bathrooms per floor, and these are shared among approximately 35 students.
• How often do the bathrooms get cleaned? The bathrooms are cleaned by our cleaning staff on a daily basis.
• Are toiletries provided at the accommodation? The bathrooms are provided with hand soap, shampoo, and body wash.
• I don't need accommodation as my family will be staying in Edinburgh: Can I stay with them? No, all Pre-University students must reside in University of Edinburgh accommodation for the whole duration of the programme.
• Can I book a room with an en-suite bathroom? No, unfortunately this option is not available.
• Can I check-in into my accommodation earlier? Or can I check-out later? No, we regret that check-in and check-out dates cannot be changed.
• Are Pre-University students in the same building? How many students are there in each room? All Pre-University students will be staying in the same building. Students have individual rooms and these are not shared.
• Are bedding and towels provided? Yes, bedding and towels are provided and changed after the 5th night at the accommodation.
• Is the accommodation equipped for cooking? No, this is catered accommodation, so there are limited cooking facilities.
• Is a hair dryer provided at the accommodation? A small number of hair dryers are available from Pollock Halls reception.
• Are there shops near the accommodation? There are plenty of shops within walking distance from the accommodation, as well as the on-site university's Pollock Halls Shop.
• Is there a possibility to wash and dry clothes at the accommodation? Yes, the accommodation is provided with a pay-as-you-go laundry, with washing machines and driers.