AHSS Summer Schools 2026

Group of students walking past the front of the Lanyon

QUEEN'S 26 AHSS INTERNATIONAL SUMMER SCHOOL

MONDAY 15 JUNE - FRIDAY 3 JULY 2026

Our 2026 Summer School offers international students a three-week introduction to the rich tapestry of historical, cultural, political, environmental, and socio-economic factors that combine to make Northern Ireland a unique place. This experiential programme will situate Queen��s, Belfast, and the north of Ireland within the key conversations that shape our wider world.

Not simply academic in scope, Queen��s 26 provides insights into the histories, locations, and future visions of Belfast by engaging with local people and visiting a range of political, historical and cultural sites. You will learn about our city and explore this country alongside peers from other international universities, drawn from across the world.

In Week 1 all students take the introductory module 'Belfast: Culture, Identity, History & Politics' which comprises core content, and includes field trips around Belfast and Derry-Londonderry.

In Weeks 2 & 3 participants can tailor their Summer School experience by choosing from a range of exciting programmes:

Identity & Intergroup Relations in Divided Societies
Irish Studies
Story - Creative Writing
International Relations & Diplomacy

PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS FOR 2026 ARE NOW CLOSED

WEEK 1

Monday 15th - Friday 19th June 2026

Belfast: Culture, Identity, History, and Politics

Academic Lead: Professor Dominic Bryan

Week 1 will explore the entwined social, political, and historical realities of the city today, discovering multiple community perspectives on modern Ireland/Northern Ireland. By the end of this week students will understand the multiple ways we can use and interpret the past and differentiate between various discipline-centered conceptions of the past.

We will provide students with a new or enhanced understanding of Queen’s University Belfast and the history of the institution within the Belfast city region. Students will be guided through a campus orientation and meet with the key members of staff and students delivering the summer 2026 programme. Students will be oriented to the city of Belfast and visit Derry-Londonderry.

View the 2026 programme

WEEKS 2 & 3

Monday 22nd June- Friday 3rd July 2026

Students sitting on steps in University Square

In weeks two and three, participants will have the opportunity to dig deeper into the theme of their choice, both within and beyond the classroom. Through projects, in-class sessions, and engagement with local communities, political decision makers, and non-Governmental organisations, participants will explore multiple perspectives on conflict, peace and extremism, contemporary Irish studies, global peace and security architecture, or take the opportunity to explore their own creative and storytelling abilities.

AVAILABLE PROGRAMMES

Identity & Intergroup Relations in Divided Societies

Discover inter-disciplinary perspectives on the causes and consequences of division, and the processes that can be used to promote social cohesion

Irish Studies

Understand identities in Ireland and their relationship with the wider world, through explorations of the country’s history, culture and language

International Relations

Gain an insight into the key drivers of foreign policy decisions across the globe, and gain practical experience in diplomacy skills

Creative Writing: Story

Discover the skills required to read and write short stories, and practice elements of craft including the writer’s voice, character development and structure

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Fees & Discounts

2026 Summer School Fee: ?3,150

Includes:

Tuition fees
Ensuite accommodation
Welcome and farewell meals
Field trips

£300 deposit is required within 2 weeks of receiving an offer (does not apply to group bookings)

OFFERS

Early-bird rate: Secure your place by 30 January 2026 to receive a 10% discount (individual direct applicants only)

Group rate: Contact us at summerschools@qub.ac.uk to discuss our 10% discount for groups of 10+ participants

TIMELINE FOR APPLICATIONS & PAYMENT

Applications open: Monday 13 October 2025

Applications close: Tuesday 31 March 2026

Payment deadline: Friday 17 April 2026

Summer School Entry Requirements

Entry Requirements for 2026

To be eligible for the Summer School, students must:

have completed a minimum of 1 year of University/College study prior to Summer School
be at least 18 years old by the start of the programme
have a minimum GPA of 2.7
have a referee or referral contact from global education/study abroad office or professor
be competent in written and spoken English

Rewarding Achievement

Fulbright UK Summer Institute Scholarship

We are delighted to work in partnership with the US-UK Fulbright Commission to offer a small number of scholarships for US students to attend our International Summer School at Queen’s University Belfast. The is aimed at US undergraduate students who have no or very little travel experience outside North America.

The Scholarship costs covered by the Fulbright Commission and �Ǹ�Թ� Belfast include:

Return US-UK airfare
Tuition fees
Accommodation
All field trips
Daily allowance for meals

To be eligible, students must:

Be a US citizen and possess a US passport
Have had no or very little study/travel experience outside of North America
Have a minimum GPA of 3.6
Be at least 18 years old by the start of the programme
Be able to participate in the programme in its entirety
Have at least two years of undergraduate study remaining after the Institute finishes
Not participate in any other study abroad programmes during the Summer of 2026

More information about the award can be found .

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Visa Information

Find out more about visa requirements

Please read our Study Abroad guidance pages for visa information and requirements.

Students should begin to prepare as early as possible before they are required to begin their studies. This should allow them sufficient time to have everything in order for their arrival at Queen’s.

If you are an international student, you will receive a Visa support letter from the International Summer School on payment of fee in full.

If you have any further queries, please contact the International Summer School coordinator at summerschools@qub.ac.uk.

Accommodation

Take a look at our accommodation

Summer School accommodation will be provided for 21 nights in Elms BT9, a purpose-built student village offering a range of modern, comfortable and secure accommodation just 15 minutes' walk from Queen’s campus.

The village includes the Treehouse, which is the main social space for all students living with us and includes the coffee bar, snooker & pool tables, table tennis, TV lounge with 2 x 85 inch TV screens with BT Sports, games & karaoke room, 2 bookable kitchen spaces, outdoor BBQ area, computers and high-speed internet.

You will have your own ensuite bedroom, and share a kitchen and communal living area with 9 or 10 other summer school participants. There is also a self-service laundry facility located within the accommodation (equipped with washing machines, dryers, irons and ironing boards).

Your booking will include:

- 21 nights at Queen’s student accommodation (Check in: Sat 13 June; Check out: Sat 4 July)
- Private room
- Private ensuite bathroom
- Utility bills
- WiFi Internet
- Bed linen and towels
- Communal kitchen and common room with a TV and kitchen equipment
- 24-hour safety staff
- Reception (8am - 8pm, 7 days a week)