Fulbright UK Summer Institutes

Depending on the Institute, students will have the opportunity to:

• Study alongside leading academics and professionals
• Develop knowledge in specific fields
• Experience cultural and social events
• Visit UK cultural sites and areas of scenic beauty
• Receive credit to transfer to their home institution
• Meet people from different backgrounds and cultures
• Become an ambassador for studying in the UK, for the Fulbright Commission and their host institution(s)

The Institute costs covered by the Fulbright Commission and its partner institutions include:

• Roundtrip US-UK airfare
• Tuition and fees at the host institution
• Accommodation
• In some cases, a small daily allowance for meals

Institutes offered in the Summer 2025 cycle:

• The University of Birmingham will host their program on British Cultural Heritage, exploring “the art, architecture, literature, music, design and popular culture that form the basis of Britain’s culture and heritage and continue to shape its identity.” They seek to introduce students to heritage sites in the UK and participate in the rich, dynamic hub that is Birmingham.
• The University of Bristol will host their program on Arts, Activism, and Social Justice, discussing six overlapping themes, “racial justice and slavery, colonialism and independence, global feminisms, migration and refugees, environmental sustainability, and health and well-being,” and seeks to engage proactive, progressive students in its culture.
• King’s College London will host their program on Modern Britain: Institutions, Power, & People, offering “participants an in-depth understanding of how Britain’s institutions, power, and its people have shaped a twenty-first century nation state.” At the epicenter of international and research-based learning, King’s College London seeks students who will embark on an interactive, educational journey with their cohort.
• Lancaster University will host their program on Environment and Sustainability, synthesizing understanding of our environment with modern sustainability practices to provide “an introduction to the scientific processes, concepts and issues that shape the environment within which the Earth’s biosphere must function.” Students will participate in hands-on learning to engage with the culture, lifestyle, and environment of the UK.
• Queen’s University Belfast will host their program on Understanding Northern Ireland, providing students with a comprehensive “introduction to the rich tapestry of historical, cultural, political, and socio-economic factors that combine to make Northern Ireland a unique place.” As part of exploring Northern Ireland society, students will have the opportunity to investigate a topic of their choice to further their understanding of this region. 
• The University of St Andrews will host their program on Scotland’s History: Kingdom, Nation, People., investigating the extensive history of Scotland and “draws on the physical environment, material objects and written texts to provide a sense of the events and themes which have formed Scotland’s history.” Students will be able to explore historical locations and generate interpretations of the land as part of this program.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply, you must:

• Be a US citizen and possess a US passport
• Have had little or no study/travel outside of the US or North America
  • Applicants who have spent more than four weeks outside of the US/North America in the last five years would not be eligible. Applicants who have spent up to four weeks outside the US/North America in the last five years may be at a disadvantage, but strong applications will be considered.
• Have a minimum GPA of 3.7
• Be at least 18 years old by the start of the programme
• Be able to participate in the programme in its entirety
• Have at least two years of undergraduate study remaining after the Institute finishes

Please refer to the UK Summer Institutes website for a more detailed list of the eligibility criteria.

Selection Criteria

The best applications are from well-rounded students who can demonstrate: 

• Strong academic ability
• Ambassadorial skills
• Intercultural sensitivity
• Genuine desire to learn more about the UK and to share aspects of American culture
• Extracurricular activities
• Community involvement
• Leadership potential
• Plans to further the Fulbright mission and give back to the US upon returning

• Official transcripts
• Short-answer essays (2)
• Personal Statement
• Current Affairs essay
• Recommendations (2)

• In the fall, attend an NCA Learning Series session on the Fulbright UK Summer Institutes
• Complete two NCA forms:
  • Intake form
  • Records Release Form and submit to nca@uc.edu
• Launch your online application (application opens in November)
• NCA is available to provide feedback on essays.
• We are happy to obtain official transcripts free of charge for any student who requests one from us no later than two weeks prior to the national deadline.
• Complete and submit application by National Deadline: February 3, 2025

• Start early and revise often. Though this is a direct-apply award with no campus endorsement process, NCA is happy to provide feedback on essays. The earlier you start, the more benefit you derive from the process.
• Information on this page is intended to supplement, not supplant, your own careful review of the official UK Summer Institutes website. If you find any discrepancy between the two, the UK Summer Institutes website takes precedence.
• Though you should seek out others’ advice and feedback on your application, the essays should be your original work (no one should be writing your essays for you). UC’s Student Code of Conduct applies.

• Max Kemats - Scholar, Scotland Institute on Innovation, Creativity, and Technology, 2024
• Morgan Dent - Scholar, Queen's University Belfast, 2020
• Chloe Elleman - Scholar, Queen's University Belfast, 2019