young people stood outside the Courtauld Institute of Art, waving hands and smiling

Summer University

Thank you to everyone who attended our Summer University programme in 2024.
We hope to run the programme again in 2025 with applications opening in the Spring term.

Why not check out our Insights into Art History programme for workshops and talks throughout the academic year.

 

Summer University at The Courtauld provides the perfect opportunity for Year 12, state school, home educated, or college students to explore the exciting and dynamic subject, History of Art.

Whether you’ve never engaged with the subject before, or have always been curious about art history, Summer University enables attendees to learn from leading academics, explore current discourse in art history, and delve into collections of art.

In 2024, The Courtauld will run two Summer Universities, one in-person (Discover Art History) and one online (Art and Identity). You can find more information about these Summer University programmes below. 

Summer University – Art and Identity (online)

Theme: Art and Identity
Location: Online, via MSTeams

The theme for Summer University 2024 online is Art and Identity, exploring how identity can be examined, interpreted and explained through art. 

Supported by online resources, each day, you will explore a different Art History theme, from portraiture, to architecture, and public art. Live lunchtime lectures will be led by members of The Courtauld community from departments including Curating, Conservation, and Prints & Drawings, while current PhD students at The Courtauld will support daily live discussion classes between Summer University attendees.

This programme is designed for both students who are new to History of Art and students who are currently studying History of Art A-Level. 

Two screen shots from Summer University. One of the introduction slide to the course, the other showing a welcome video from the PhD tutors who lead the evening seminars.
‘I really enjoyed the programme. It was an enriching opportunity, which has ignited my quest of studying Art History at university.’
Summer University attendee.

Summer University – Discover Art History (in-person)

Theme: Cities
Location: In-person, at The Courtauld Gallery (Somerset House). Non-residential.

Join us for Summer University in-person to take your first steps into the discipline of art history. From paintings and graffiti, to statues and architecture, visual culture is all around us. Art history gives us the skills to engage critically with our visual surroundings.

Over the three days of Summer University, you will join us at Somerset House where we will explore The Courtauld collection, artworks local to the area, and the architecture of the surrounding buildings.  You will develop your skills in visual analysis, critical thinking, and knowledge of the foundations of art history. The programme will provide you with an insight into what it is like to be an undergraduate student at The Courtauld studying History of Art.  

This programme is reserved for students who are not studying History of Art A-Level. 

A summer university attendee, looking at a printed image of and artwork, whilst in a workshop.

Who can apply?

To be eligible students must:
– Live in the UK
– Be in Year 12 (or equivalent) as of September 2023
– Currently attending a state school or college, or home educated
– Have an interest and desire to explore History of Art 

We welcome all applications from students who meet the above criteria. We are particularly keen to welcome applications from students who meet our widening participation criteria. This includes, but is not limited to: 

  • Students who receive free school meals 
  • Students with care experience 
  • Students currently in, or who have been in care 
  • Students who are disabled 
  • Students who identify as Gypsy, Roma and Traveller 
  • Students who would be the first in their family to go to university 
  • Students who come from an area where it is unusual for people to go to university (this is defined by the government’s classification called Polar 4, within Q1 or Q2).
  • Students who come from an area within Q1 or Q2 in the government’s IMD database.

Applications

Applications will open on Wednesday 20th March and will close on Monday 6th May 2024. 

You are welcome to apply to one or both summer universities. Please note that our introductory ‘Discover Art History’ in-person summer university is reserved for students who are not studying History of Art A-Level. Students who currently study Art History can apply to Summer University – Art and Identity (online).

If you apply by the deadline , you will hear back W/B Monday 6th May 2024. 

Why attend?

This course is designed to give you: 

  • A better understanding of Art History as a discipline 
  • The opportunity to meet university lecturers, museum professionals, and current students 
  • The opportunity to find out about The Courtauld from current students and alumni, and what it’s like to study in London 
  • Space to think about whether this might be the right option for you 
  • The confidence and support to apply to The Courtauld for your BA should you wish to do so 

Need more information?

For more information, please contact Jonathan, Widening Access Schools Officer. 

E-mail: education@courtauld.ac.uk

Summer University 2023. A college of notes on architecture from attending students.
Summer University 2023. Public Art session.
Summer University 2023. Prints and Drawings department session.

100% of attendees rated Summer University as Excellent or Very Good

90% of attendees said their visual analysis skills were hugely or greatly improved

80% of attendees said the Summer University significantly/quite a lot, increased their confidence in applying to university

(Summer University evaluation)

Citations