Experience Edinburgh as a real student: living, studying and socialising in the heart of Scotland’s vibrant capital city. Explore subjects you’re interested in, take part in exciting social activities, receive expert support on your journey to university, and stay in halls of residence. Applications for the 2026 Sutton Trust Summer School open on 12 January 2026. What's involved? Join us from 13 to 18 July 2026 for the ‘best week ever’ that is ‘enthralling, immersive and literally life-changing' (2023 participant feedback). You can:try out fascinating academic subjectsreceive expert guidanceget sorted into your clanmake friends from all across the UKexplore the citylive like a real first year in student halls With something for everyone, there will never be a dull moment! Spend five nights in Edinburgh and explore all the University and city have to offer. By the end of the week, you will have gained a better insight into university life and have had lots of fun along the way. Academic programme At Edinburgh’s Sutton Trust Summer School you have the opportunity to try out multiple subjects – perfect if you are unsure what to study or want to try something new. Our expert team of academic staff will lead you in insightful lectures, tutorials, laboratory experiments and group work – just like a real first-year student. Subjects open for application include: Art and DesignBiological SciencesChemistryComputer Science (Informatics)EngineeringEnglish LiteratureHistoryLanguages, Literature and CultureLawMathematicsMedicinePhilosophyPhysicsPolitics and International RelationsSociologyVeterinary MedicineYou can find set subject combinations you can apply for on the Sutton Trust website. Sutton Trust UK Summer Schools website University application guidance Summer school staff and current students will also guide you in key aspects of the university experience, including: UCAS application and personal statementsstudent financeaccommodationstudent lifeadmissionsstudying in Scotland Social programme Get to know your fellow students and the city through an exciting variety of social activities including city tours, escape rooms, an epic final night party, and much more! You’ll also get plenty of free time. And there are even chilled activities if you would rather take things slower. Sutton Trust UK Summer Schools website Hear previous students share their experiences Previous students are sharing their Sutton Trust Summer School experiences. How do I join? You can apply to join the University of Edinburgh’s Sutton Trust Summer School if you are in S5 (Scotland), Year 12 (England and Wales), or Year 13 (Northern Ireland), and have always attended a state-funded school or college. You are more likely to secure a place if: you have achieved at least five GCSEs at grades 9 to 6 (A* to B), or five A or B grades at National 5. Where applicable, you have taken subjects relevant to the subject stream applied for.your parents have not been to universityyou have received free school meals or EMA whilst at secondary schoolyou attend a school or college with a below-average A-level or Higher point score and/or a low rate of progression to higher educationyou live in a neighbourhood with a low rate of progression to higher education and/or a high level of socio-economic deprivation Applicants who are care-experienced and refugees/asylum seekers will get priority. The more criteria you meet, the more likely you are to secure a place. If you do not meet all of the criteria, you might still be able to get a place. Application deadlineApplications for the 2026 Sutton Trust Summer School 2025 will close at 12pm on 5 March 2026. Sutton Trust UK Summer Schools website Contact us Susan Forrest Widening Participation Officer (Summer Schools) Contact details Work: +44 (0)7760 163155 Email: st-summer-school@ed.ac.uk Follow us on Instagram You can follow the University of Edinburgh Sutton Summer School on social media and preview what's involved in the programme. Instagram: University of Edinburgh Sutton Trust Summer School Contact us through an online sign language interpreter British Sign Language (BSL) users can contact the University of Edinburgh via Contact Scotland BSL, the online British Sign Language video relay interpreting service. Find out more on the Contact Scotland BSL website This article was published on 2025-03-03
