Programme overview

Each year applicants attend our Summer School as part of their conditional offer of entry and to help prepare for the transition to university life.                  

The Summer School in 2024 will take place from Monday 17th June until Friday 12th July.

Summer School is open to applicants who are required to attend as part of their conditional offer of entry.

Some students study two academic subjects, plus a compulsory online academic skills course, others may be required to complete only the online academic skills course.

Academic subject classes run from Monday – Friday and although timetables vary, you can expect to have around 20 hours of contact time each week. If you are participating in courses on the university campus you can also use the student unions, sports facilities, library and some student support services.

Summer School will prepare you for making the transition to university study and our research indicates that you should perform to a higher standard in your first year and be more likely to complete your degree at Glasgow than comparable students who do not take part. Other Scottish universities may also value your success in Summer School.

Academic Skills Module

This is an online module hosted on the University of Glasgow's Virtual Learning Environment, Moodle. You are free to complete the online academic skills module in your own time, within the specified dates, remotely. Support will be available throughout the programme.  The academic skills module will take around 4-5 hours per section to complete and there are 4 sections.

Academic Subjects

If your conditional offer is for the full Summer School you will complete the online academic skills module and two academic subjects from the list below:

• Archaeology (*new for 2024)
• Biology
• Business and Management
• Chemistry
• Computing Science
• Economic & Social History
• Education
• Engineering
• English Literature
• Film and TV Studies
• French
• Geography and Earth Science
• German
• History
• Mathematics
• Philosophy
• Physics
• Politics
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Spanish

You will be assigned to subject classes which are most closely related to the undergraduate degree you hold a conditional offer for.  Some academic classes can be in demand and therefore it is possible that classes will fill up.

You will be required to attend live classes as well as work in your own time.  This will vary across the academic subjects.

If you live at a significant travel distance to the university, you will participate in online classes and will not be required to attend the campus in person.  You will however have online live classes and will need to attend these.

Eligibility

• Live in an SIMD decile 1-4 (SIMD 20/40)
• Are care experienced
• Are estranged from family and living without family support
• Are a carer (provide unpaid care)
• Are seeking asylum in the UK
• Have refugee status
• College leavers who are applying to the University for September entry

If you are a school leaver and meet one of the criteria above then it is likely that the University will make you a conditional offer dependent upon completion of Summer School. These offers are adjusted from the standard entry requirements.  If you are unable to attend the Summer School, it may be possible for your offer to be altered to the standard entry requirements.  Please email the Summer School office for more information.  You can see the standard entry requirements on the relevant subject webpages.

If you are applying to the university from college with a HNC/HND qualification then you will be required to complete the Summer School as part of your conditional offer of entry to support your transition to university study.

How to apply

Registration is now open. Please have the Application Guidance Notes 2024 open as you go through the form.  If Summer School forms a part of your offer you will be required to register. 

If you have any questions, please contact us on wpsummerschool@glasgow.ac.uk

 Register Now

Why take part

By taking part, participants will get first-hand experience of what it is like to study at Higher Education.  Learn the key academic skills that will allow them to be successful once they enter Higher Education these skills include critical thinking, critical reading, debate skills, note making and note taking skills.

The Summer School is accredited on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF), and by completing the Academic Skills module students receive 15 credits at SCQF level 7, while those who complete the full Summer School will receive 55 credits. 

Contact us

To find out more, please email: wpsummerschool@glasgow.ac.uk

Testimonials

Please see our testimonials page.

Frequently asked questions

I do not meet any of the eligibility criteria but have had adverse circumstances impact on my exam results/education. Can I take part?

If you are currently at school, speak to your pastoral care teacher in the first instance. Alternatively, you may wish to consult our Extenuating Circumstances policy.

I am taking part in the Reach Programme. Should I take part in the Summer School as well?

Successful completion of the Reach Programme will lead to an adjusted offer of entry to one of the four Reach professional degrees. If you apply to any other degree areas you will need to complete either the Top-Up programme or our Summer School programme.

I am taking part in the Top-Up Programme. Should I take part in the Summer School as well?

Successful completion of the Top-Up programme can form part of your adjusted offer of entry from the university. If you have or are currently taking part in the Top-Up programme but have been asked to take part in the Summer School as part of your offer from the University of Glasgow, please contact the Summer School on the details above. It may be that you have been asked to complete both programmes but we will be able to confirm this.

For clarification of any terminology please consult our Glossary of Terms.