ISSOS, Summer Schools at St Andrews and Cambridge Universities:
ISSOS offers all-inclusive three-week summer school programs for international students aged between 13 - 18 years of age. The summer school programs are held in July and August in the world-famous St. Andrews and Cambridge Universities and take full advantage of the facilities, culture and history they have to offer.
Summer School Courses:
ISSOS offers a range of summer courses in our St. Andrews and Cambridge summer schools. Each student combines an academic option with one of our exciting electives; Golf, Theatre, Tennis, Film, Art, Fencing, Photography or Outdoor Leadership making this unique program a balanced and exciting summer experience.
Choice of Academic Programs:
English Language Courses (St. Andrews & Cambridge)
Over a three-week period students will receive daily instruction from experienced TEFL qualified teachers. The syllabus provides a successful blend of input with opportunities to activate the language studied- and ensures that all core skills (speaking, reading, writing, and listening) are practised. These courses are suitable for beginner to advanced students.
Debating (St. Andrews & Cambridge)
This three week summer debates course, designed to meet the needs of all debaters, will combine interactive workshops with professional coaching and a variety of informal and formal debating opportunities to create an exhilarating and stimulating experience second to none. Through the development of skills including oral communication, effective argumentation and critical thinking this debating course will enable students to acquire and enhance valuable abilities. Debaters of all ability levels from beginners to seasoned debate veterans will benefit from interactive workshops ranging from the most basic of introductions and public speaking techniques to advanced argument theory and the intricacies of formal competitive debate. A leading university debates coach will guide students through all aspects of debate.
International Baccalaureate (IB) Programs:
- Pre-International Baccalaureate Program (Cambridge & St Andrews)
The Pre-International Baccalaureate program is designed to prepare students about to enter the IB Diploma. Focusing on improving work habits and general academic performance, students work on a range of academic skills related specifically to IB; Critical thinking, writing and internet research, all of which are invaluable for success.
- Extended Essay Program (St Andrews only)
The Extended Essay Program is designed to offer all students currently working towards their IB diploma Extended Essay a combination of study skills seminars, supervised individual research and study periods and personal attention from highly-qualified teachers and mentors. This three-week program is guaranteed to help every student maximise their academic achievement and experience.
Creative Writing (St. Andrews)
Designed for students of all levels and interests who have a desire to explore their potential and challenge themselves creatively. For students who want to learn and harness the forces of creative language to produce original poems, scenes from a play or short stories. Introductory and advanced workshops will introduce students to all phases of the writing process, including generating ideas, writing and revising drafts and editing. All students will work together to produce ISSOS's creative writing magazine which will include a selection of their creative work.
Youth Leadership (St. Andrews)
Over three weeks, our youth leadership training will give students the unique opportunity to partake in a series of interactive workshops, energetic activities and fun-filled challenges designed to inspire and enable each and every one of them to uncover their unique abilities, develop greater confidence and master strategies for success in the classroom and beyond. We want to help students ease school stress, raise their grades and increase their test scores while at the same time showing them ways to express themselves, pursue goals, solve problems, resolve conflicts and bring about positive change.
Advanced English with IELTS Preparation (Cambridge)
The IELTS Preparation for Advanced Students program is designed to give students an overview of the IELTS Academic exam (International English Language Testing System), which is aimed for those who want to study or train in an English-speaking university or Institutions of Higher and Further Education. Students will be taught effective exam techniques that will not only enhance their prospects in the IELTS exam but also their day-to-day schoolwork.
Business Studies & Entrepreneurship (Cambridge)
Through a series of interactive workshops, practical tasks and case studies, this unique program will teach students about some of the most successful businesses in the world and understand what makes them work. Students will learn about what it takes to be an entrepreneur and the fundamentals of starting a business and marketing a product. In small groups, they will generate ideas for businesses or products and will present these ideas to a panel, in addition the students will research how to market their product and generate interest. As well as learning to write a business plan, students will investigate the inner workings of a successful company: how to build a successful team, how a business operates, and the leadership qualities of effective leaders and managers.
Journalism (Cambridge)
Students at ISSOS who choose our journalism summer course will be taught to sharpen their research and writing skills and debate social, political and ethical issues. These skills have wide-ranging applications and will stand students in good stead during their education and beyond. The course combines inspirational seminars and practical workshops with individual and group exercises. Students will return home with a stronger foundation of journalistic skills and values, and will be equipped with the techniques for writing and editing copy.
Elective Programs Offered:
Theatre (St. Andrews & Cambridge)
Over the three-week period this elective course will combine a series of skill-based master classes and ensemble workshops in which students will work as a team under the guidance of a professional director to create an exciting piece of original theatre, to be performed in the final week. This course has been especially designed by theatrical professionals to enthuse all students with a keen interest in the performing arts regardless of previous experience.
Tennis (St. Andrews & Cambridge)
Designed to meet the needs of beginners to advanced. Working with professional coaches to achieve personal goals and a love of the game. All players have the opportunity to play full-length games and learn the rules and etiquette of the game.
Golf (St. Andrews)
Set in St Andrews, the internationally renowned home of golf, we offer a truly unique and incomparable golfing experience. Students who choose our golf elective will be offered the unrivalled opportunity to play and learn the game of golf under PGA qualified instructors on some of the most famous and beautiful golf courses in the world. This three-week course is designed for students of all abilities, from beginners through to experienced players.
Outdoor Leadership (Cambridge)
This unique summer school course will develop student’s confidence and personal leadership abilities through varied and exciting outdoor activities. This three-week summer school course is designed for all students, whatever their previous experience of outdoor pursuits and regardless of fitness level, all activities will be lead by a professional and all students abilities catered for.
Art (St. Andrews)
Providing group teaching in an array of styles to ensure that every student finds an area in which to shine. Whether students already have a passion for a particular artistic technique or are beginners hoping to awaken their creativity, this program offers something for everyone. Students will study a wide range of methods, from line drawing and oil painting to more contemporary practices such as still photography and cartoon illustration.
Film (St. Andrews)
Over three weeks our film elective will give students a practical introduction to all aspects of film craft through a combination of interactive seminars, technical training and hands-on experience behind the camera. Armed with this knowledge, students will then create their very own short films to be screened in front of the entire Summer School. Throughout this course, students of all ability levels will benefit from expert tuition on script writing, directing, production management, cinematography and editing right through to location scouting and set design.
Fencing (Cambridge)
The unique fencing elective course allows you to combine learning, fitness and fun and develop your co-ordination skills. Designed to suit all abilities and levels of physical fitness, students who choose our fencing program will learn from British Fencing Association coaches and experience the fun and skilled art of fencing. Professional coaching and group exercises will assist students to develop quickly in what is one of the most elite and exciting sports around.
Photography (Cambridge)
The digital photography summer school course teaches the fundamentals in a fun, informative and inspirational way. Summer students work with a professional tutor and learn the skills needed to capture, edit and produce quality photographs. Use the inspiring city of Cambridge as a playground of visual stimulation and learn to photograph landscape, portraits of friends, nature and life in action. Use the art of photography to communicate, tell a story or advertise a product.
We also offer a full program of trips, cultural enrichment and the ISSOS Highland Games. For further information on our summer school courses including dates and fees, please email us via our Contact Page.
