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 2025
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2.1 Netherlands-Asia Honours Summer School [Hong Kong/Vietnam]
Each year, the Netherlands-Asia Honours Summer School (NAHSS) grants a group of ambitious students of all disciplines and Dutch universities the opportunity to participate in their programme. By conducting a consultancy project for one of the NAHSS partners, following lectures by Southeast Asia and China experts, participating in a summer school, and a trip to Southeast Asia; students are prepared for the Asian academic world, business life and culture.
For 2025, AUC may select 1 AUC students to partake in the NAHSS. The selected students will visit Hong Kong and Ho Chi Minh City. The NAHSS theme for 2025 will be 'Sustaining Supply & Innovation’.
Location
The Netherlands, China and VietnamPeriod
March-June 2025 – Preparatory work in the Netherlands
July-August 2025 – Programme in Southeast Asia
August-September 2025 – Completing consultation project in the NetherlandsProgramme
Visit https://www.nahss.nl/en/programme/ for the full programme- Second- or third year students
- Fluent in English in speaking and writing
- Affinity with Southeast Asia and China
- Ambitious, social, active, open-minded and entrepreneurial
- Excellent student (the student meets at least one of the following criteria):
- Honours student*
- Extracurriculair activities
- Above average GPA (7.5 out of 10)
* All AUC students are honours students
Registration/Application
Please refer to the NAHSS factsheet for detailed application criteria. Students should apply for this programme through the NAHSS website.Application deadline
1 December 2024 – 9 January 2025Selection
Selection for the NAHSS consists of two rounds. The first round of selection is conducted by the AUC International Office. AUC will make a shortlist. The selected students are nominated for the second round of selection. This selection is conducted by a team of delegates from NAHSS partners. This second selection round results in the final group of students who will participate in NAHSS.Fees
The NAHSS is largely funded by its partners: Dutch universities, ministries and a large number of companies. In addition, participants of the NAHSS 2025 are expected to make their own contribution of €1275. For this price, the NAHSS provides its participants with the flight to Asia, accommodation during the entire summer program (in the Netherlands and Asia), events, company visits, training, guidance during the projects and access to the exclusive NAHSS network. Expenses for food, drinks and activities on your own initiative in Asia are at your own expense.Credits
You will not receive credits for this programme.More information
For more information check this factsheet, this magazine, www.nahss.nl and learn about experiences from other students.
3. Summer and short term opportunities (UvA Network)
Apart from the semester exchange programme, the UvA also offers summer and short term programmes.
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3.1 U21 Network
U21 is a global university network that includes 29 universities that offer students summer and winter schools. The University of Amsterdam, as member, offers 17 scholarships in order to facilitate students going abroad who may not be able to go on a regular exchange.
Where can you go?
The U21 universities are dispersed throughout the globe! Visit China, South Africa, Australia, Scotland, Malaysia, South Korea, the US, and more!Who can apply?
All full-time UvA students.When is it?
You can choose courses in the summer of 2024 or winter 2024-2025. Exact dates of courses differ per course and university.Funding
The UvA offers UvA students 6 summer scholarships and 11 winter scholarships of €2000.Application period
5 February - 4 MarchMore information
Visit their website. -
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: