What are the entry requirements?

You must be over 18 and currently enrolled on an undergraduate programme at a university outside the UK, or a UK Higher Education Institution external to the University of Birmingham. You must be of good academic standing and meet the Summer School’s English Language requirements (for details see our entry requirements).

Students will typically have completed two years (or part-time equivalent) of undergraduate study by the time the course commences. Students at other stages of their degree are encouraged to contact us to discuss whether the course would be suitable for them. 

When is the deadline?

The final deadline for applications for summer 2019 was 1 April 2019. Please contact shakespearesummerschool@contacts.bham.ac.uk to register your interest in future events.

Is this a credit-bearing course?

Yes, this is a formally accredited undergraduate-level module at the University of Birmingham, worth 20 UK credits. This is normally equivalent to 5 US credits or 10 ECTS for the purposes of credit transfer to your home institution.

How is the course assessed?

You will submit a 1,000-word essay (25%) part-way through the course, and a 3,000-word essay (75%) due two weeks after the course finishes (i.e. 2 August 2019). You will receive support and guidance with your assessment onsite during the Summer School, and via the Virtual Learning Environment during the two weeks’ ‘writing up’.

When will I receive grades and feedback on my work?

You will receive a provisional mark and written feedback on your work within 15 working days of submission. All marks have to be ratified by the Exam Board, who meet in October. You will receive your officially confirmed marks as soon as these are released by the Board.

Will I receive a transcript for the module?

Yes, the University of Birmingham Registry will prepare and send out your transcript once the Exam Board has ratified your marks.

Which visa do I need?

You need a Short Term Study Visa in order to study in the UK for courses up to six months long.

When should I apply?

You should apply in good time, but not more than 3 months before your arrival in the UK. The visa will be valid for six months from the date of issue.

How do I apply for a visa?

Once you have been offered a place and met any conditions, the University will provide you with the support you will need for your visa application.

Further details of how to apply are available on our visa information and advice page.

How much free time will I have?

Please see the sample schedule to get an approximate sense of your timetabled contact hours and activities (but please note that this is indicative only, and the final timetable will be different). You will have time outside of the scheduled sessions for your own leisure activities in Stratford and beyond. We are very happy to tell you about some of the things on offer, although we do not organise any other trips.   

NB Please note that a significant portion of your learning time on this course is self-directed study: in preparation before you arrive; after you leave, when you have two weeks to complete your final essay assignment; and, whilst onsite in Stratford, when you have the benefit of access to the Shakespeare Institute library. You should, therefore, be prepared to spend time outside of your contact hours preparing for sessions and working on assignments.

I have special requirements (medical, learning, dietary, accessibility). Will you be able to accommodate these?

Please make us aware of any such requirements when applying for the course, so that we can assess your needs and consider any reasonable adjustments that we may be able to make in order to accommodate you. We are committed to doing everything possible to make our course accessible to all suitably-qualified students.