Increasing Employability: Summer School Opportunities

Article Written by James Tonge, Philosophy Undergraduate at The University of Manchester.

What is Summer School?

A summer school is a course that typically lasts a week or longer and offers intensive study in a variety of areas along with recreational activities. As the name implies, these courses often take place over the summer break in between academic sessions at a school or institution.

A summer school provides a particularly unique learning atmosphere that fosters students’ academic interests; you are in an academic bubble free from the pressures of a regular university and surrounded by people who are just as interested in learning a particular subject as you are. Many people find these settings to be a welcome departure from university life, and they serve as ideal supplementary education for university life. Additionally, certain summer schools provide the extraordinary chance to study in the structures and resources of top-tier universities, a chance that is otherwise not available.

What are the Benefits of a Summer School?

Summer schools offer a variety of possibilities to quench your desire for knowledge if your university does not offer a certain subject you might be interested in. Even if you aren’t sure what you want to learn, looking through a long list of summer course options could encourage you to try out some new study methods. Participation in a summer school course demonstrates your level of dedication to your own growth and your willingness to go above and beyond, just like any other extracurricular activity that can be listed on your CV. Partner this with the skills you developed while attending summer school and how they improved your performance in various circumstances. No matter what job path you decide to choose, these benefits will make a good impression, especially if the course is relevant to the job path. There are plenty of courses available in a wide variety of countries that offer law-related courses taught in English. This supplementary education is beneficial for law students as well as non-law students who are looking to start developing an understanding of the law.

Aside from developing your CV, there are numerous other non-academic reasons a summer course may be beneficial. Making a lot of new friends is one of the main social advantages of attending a summer school. Since summer schools are often residential and typically have small tuition groups, you can get to know your classmates outside of the classroom as well. Many students discover they develop strong connections with their classmates. Also, because students from all over the world frequently attend summer schools, there is a cosmopolitan atmosphere and friendships are made with people from all nations. Small-group instruction is a common feature of summer schools, allowing even the most reserved students to participate in discussions and voice their thoughts. You will gain confidence just from being away from home in a new place, possibly even a new country, as you mix with peers from all walks of life and many various countries. You will also learn to interact with individuals from other backgrounds.

How to Apply for a Summer School

There is an extensive selection of summer courses that are available to students at any level, and introductory courses are offered in certain areas of law for both law and non-law students across the globe. When applying, you should keep in mind things like budget, visa requirements, and the level of the course being offered. Luckily, there are numerous websites that detail courses offered across the world and put all the relevant information in one place. One such that I found particularly useful is https://www.summerschoolsineurope.eu/. Naturally, each course’s application process will be different, but fortunately, they are all relatively easy to apply for, especially in Europe or in countries with fewer visa and COVID requirements.