Summer & short-term programmes
Use your summer to gain international experience
1. Introduction
What is a summer school/programme?
Summer schools or summer programmes are short programmes during the summer break, which provide students with the opportunity to broaden or deepen their knowledge in an interesting and dynamic environment abroad. Most students who consider partaking in summer school or short-term summer programmes are proactive students who wish to expand their learning experience by studying broadening or very specialised topics in a different environment over the summer. Studying abroad in summer is not only for the few very keen students, it is actually a great opportunity for students who simply can't study abroad for an entire semester due to time, financial or other constraints. Below we explain several of the options.
Credit-bearing or extracurricular?
AUC students may take a maximum of 42 off-campus credits to be counted toward the 180 ECTS degree requirements and are encouraged to take advantage of this policy (study abroad courses also count toward this 42 credit maximum). Permission from the Board of Examiners (BoE) is required when taking any off-campus course (including summer courses/ programmes) that contributes to the AUC degree. The BoE determines which AUC degree requirement(s) the off-campus course(s) or summer programme may fulfil. All information about off-campus courses is contained in the AUC Academic Standards and Procedures (AS&P; see AS&P article 2.12 for full details) and in the Board of Examiners Rules and Guidelines.
AUC students wishing to have summer school course credits transferred to AUC will have to request this with the BoE well in advance.
Who can apply?
In principle, all AUC students may apply for a summer school. Universities that offer a summer school may, however, have additional credit or GPA requirements.
Students wishing for the summer course credits to be counted towards their AUC degree should note that off-campus courses (including summer courses) can only be taken by students in their second year and beyond (AS&P 2.12.2).
2. Summer programmes 2026
-
2.1 Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) International Summer School (ISS)
Are you looking for an in person summer programme that combines excitement, academic enrichment, where you can make lifelong friends from across the globe, learn in an open and stimulating environment, and spend a fun-filled summer exploring a cosmopolitan city? The CUHK ISS is ready to welcome you in person on the scenic CUHK campus for a stimulating and enriching academic and cultural experience.
Location
Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)
Period
CUHK offers two ISS sessions, one in July (21 June-29 July 2026) and one in August (3-26 August 2026).
Programme
- The 5-week July Session offers 20 courses in four academic streams (Environment, Science and Technology; Exploring Hong Kong; Global Business and Management; Society and Human Interaction; Understanding China), as well as Chinese language courses in Putonghua and Cantonese.
More information: https://www.summer.cuhk.edu.hk/issjuly/
- August session: The 3-week August Session exclusively offers intensive Chinese language courses in Putonghua at beginner, beginner upper, intermediate and advanced levels.
More information: https://www.summer.cuhk.edu.hk/issaugust/
Language of instruction
English
Eligibility
Applications are open to undergraduate students.
Registration/Application
July session:
Application instructions: https://www.summer.cuhk.edu.hk/issjulyapplication/August session
Application instructions: https://www.summer.cuhk.edu.hk/issaugustapplication/Application deadline
Early-Bird
31 March 2026 (July Session)
30 April 2026 (August Session)
Regular Deadline
30 Apr 2025 (July Session)
31 May 2025 (August Session)
August session
FeesJuly session: https://www.summer.cuhk.edu.hk/issjulyfees/
August session: https://www.summer.cuhk.edu.hk/issaugustfees/
Please note that it is not possible for AUC to nominate you for this summer school. You will have to register as a non-local fee-paying student.
Credits
Varies per course/programme.
If you wish to count the credits you obtain during this programme towards your degree at AUC, please make sure to request permission with the BoE well in advance.
Accommodation
Available accommodation for the July session: https://www.summer.cuhk.edu.hk/issjulyaccommodation/
Available accommodation for the August session: https://www.summer.cuhk.edu.hk/issaugustaccommodation/
-
2.2 NICE (UvA programme, hybrid)
Are you ready to tackle global challenges, build entrepreneurial skills, and connect with students from around the world? Join NICE (‘Network for Intercultural Competence to facilitate Entrepreneurship’) and embark on a transformative journey where innovation meets collaboration!
This unique two-part programme combines virtual teamwork where you get the chance to meet your online friends during an optional summer school in stunning Dublin, Ireland. It’s your chance to grow, learn, and make a real-world impact, all while earning a certificate to showcase your achievements.
Location
Online/hybrid (online and optional in-person component in Dublin, Ireland)Period
Virtual component: 2 March – end of June
Summer School: 28 June – 2 July (optional, in-person, in Dublin, Ireland)Programme
NICE offers a 12-week programme with online modules on working across cultures and developing entrepreneurial skills. In small international teams, you’ll work on a real-world challenge connected to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and create an innovative solution. This will take you roughly 8 hours per week. Peer mentors will guide you throughout the process, and at the end, teams present their projects in a video showcase.
Each year, the NICE programme hosts a summer school, where 10 UvA students get the chance to meet in person some of the peers they collaborated with virtually. The academic programme varies and will be announced at a later date.
After completing NICE, you have the optional opportunity to further develop your skills by mentoring the next round of NICE students, earning an additional certificate to display on your LinkedIn. The time investment for peer mentoring is 12-15 hours in total.
Language of instruction
EnglishEligibility
Open to all students; especially interesting to students passionate about global issues, sustainability, and social impact, as well as those who may not have access to in-person international educational opportunities.Applicants are required to be enrolled as a full-time fee paying student at the University of Amsterdam from the moment of application until the end of the programme.
Registration/Application
Please visit https://student.uva.nl/en/topics/virtual-journey-and-summer-school-nice for the application instructions and information about the selection criteria.Capacity:
- 50 spots are available for the virtual component.
- 5 spots are available for the summer school.
If the number of applicants exceeds capacity, a lottery system will be used to allocate places with priority categories.
Application deadline
15 February 2026Fees
Partaking in the virtual programme is free.
Summer school participants will receive a scholarship (amount TBA) to partially cover travel and accommodation expenses.
Credits
No academic credits are awarded. Participants will receive a certificate of completion of the programme.
More information
https://student.uva.nl/en/topics/virtual-journey-and-summer-school-nice
3. Summer and short term opportunities (UvA Network)
Apart from the semester exchange programme, the UvA also offers summer and short term programmes.
For an overview of all summer and short-term programmes offered by UvA partners, please visit the UvA World Map (summer schools & short programmes).
-
3.1 U21 Network
Want to study abroad without the stress? U21 Summer School Scholarships are your ticket to global learning experiences, with destinations ranging from China to Chile! Whether you're into languages, architecture, or tackling global challenges, U21 lets you choose your adventure. UvA offers 12 scholarships.
Location
Visit the UvA World Map (summer schools & short programmes > filter ‘type’ U21)
Period
Students select their preferred summer school dates
Programme
Students have the flexibility to choose from a variety of academic programmes
Eligibility
Varies per programme.
Open to students passionate about global issues, sustainability, and social impact, as well as those who may not have access to in-person international educational opportunities.
Registration/Application
Varies per programme. Visit UvA World Map for more information.
Application deadline
Varies per programme
Selection
Lottery system
Credits
Yes, number of ECTS vary per programme. Pass/fail grade conversion.
If you wish to count the credits you obtain during this programme towards your degree at AUC, please make sure to request permission with the BoE before the start of the summer programme.
More information
-
3.2 AIESEC
AIESEC offers volunteer programmes and internships abroad.
4. Summer and short term opportunities (VU Network)
The VU offers various summer programmes that AUC students may apply for. For more information, visit their website.
5. Other summer and short-term options
A range of other universities offer summer schools, for inspiration see: