Summer University
APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN FOR BOTH SUMMER UNIVERSITY COURSES.
THE APPLICATION DEADLINE IS MIDDAY TUESDAY 6TH MAY.
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.
For 2025 The Courtauld will run two Summer University programmes, one in-person (Discover Art History) and one online (Art and Identity). You can find more information about these Summer University programmes below.
‘Simply brilliant.'Summer University attendee.
Summer University – Art and Identity (online)
Dates: Monday 30th June – Friday 4th July 2025
Times:
Morning session, 10:00 – 10:30am.
Lunchtime lecture, 1:00pm – 2:00pm.
Live Discussion Classes 5:00pm – 5:50pm OR 6:00pm – 6:50pm.
We request that students attend as many sessions as possible, but most importantly the Live Discussion Classes.
Theme: Art and Identity
Location: Online, via MSTeams
The theme for Summer University 2025 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, The Courtauld Gallery 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/EPQ.
‘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)
Dates: Tuesday 8th – Thursday 10th July 2025
Times: 10:00am – 3:30pm.
Location: In-person, at The Courtauld Gallery (Somerset House). This programme is 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.
Who can apply?
To be eligible students must:
– Live in the UK
– Be in Year 12 (or equivalent) as of September 2024
– 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 W/B 10th March and will initially close at midday on Tuesday 6th May.
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 12th May 2025.
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
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)