Global Summer School application

Please ensure that you read and understand the instructions below before starting your application. Please also note that Global Summer School is a fee paying programme. The cost for the 2024 programme is £6,600.

If you have read through the guidance thoroughly and still have questions, please take a look at our frequently asked questions. If at this point, your query is still not answered then please contact the Global Summer School team at globalsummerschool@imperial.ac.uk. If your enquiry is in relation to a specific application, please include the applicant's full name, application number and date of birth. This will enable us to better respond to your enquiry. 

Applications for 2024 are open

Opening date: Monday 8 January 2024

Closing date: There is no final application deadline. Applications are assessed on a first-come, first-served basis. Academic subjects will close when they have reached full capacity. We recommend applying as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

Step one: Complete an online application form

Complete an online application form via Aspire and submit information including academic grades and English language ability. We will contact your parent/guardian and teacher to ask them for references.

You will need to create an account to access the online application portal, Aspire. Once your account is verified, you will be directed to the homepage where you can start an application by selecting ‘New Application’. 

Saving your application

You can save your application at any time. You will receive an automated reminder every three days until you complete or withdraw your application. Once submitted, you can check the status of your application by logging in to the application portal. This will also show you whether your parent/guardian and teacher have submitted the required forms.

Please click on the tabs below for guidance when completing the different stages of the application form: 

Step one

School and Education

School details

Complete the fields with information about your current school or college 

Which UK Year Group are you?

If you are studying at a school outside the UK, please select Year 11 if born between September 2007 – August 2008, select Year 12 if born between September 2006 – August 2007. This will ensure the relevant fields are shown for you to enter your qualification information, it does not matter if this doesn’t not match your current grade whilst studying outside the UK.

If you are studying at a school in the UK please select your current year group. 

Qualifications 

Please view our entry requirements to ensure you are eligible to attend Global Summer School before submitting your application. View further guidance on international qualifications and the UK equivalents. 

The following qualification details are required:  

In Key Stage 4: details of all formal qualifications achieved at GCSE level or international equivalent. Please note we require at least 8 subjects in Key Stage 4. For English, Mathematics and Science Subjects please slide the bar to indicate if you are studying that specific subject. If you are then please select the qualification type from the drop down list. If your qualification is not listed then please select ‘other’ from the drop down list and enter the qualification type in the ‘Qualification Type Details’ box. Please enter the grade and result status exactly as it shows on your transcript or certificate

  • If you have not yet sat your formal exams, please provide your predicted grades and your most recent set of end of term/semester grades.
  • If you have not yet received a formal set of predicted grades, please just provide your most recent set of end of term/semester grades.

In Key stage 5: details of all subjects and qualifications you are currently studying or will study at A-Level or international equivalent.  

For Mathematics and Science Subjects please slide the bar to indicate if you are studying/will be studying that specific subject. If you are, then please select the qualification type from the drop down list. If your qualification is not listed then please select ‘Other – A Level Equivalent’ from the drop down list and enter the qualification type in the ‘Qualification Type Details’ box. Please enter the grade and result status exactly as it shows on your transcript or certificate. Please list any additional subjects not related to Science or Mathematics in the ‘other subjects’ box at the bottom of the page. 

  • Please provide predicted grades if they are available; if predicted grades are not available, please type NPG (no predicted grade)
  • Please ensure you enter subjects and qualifications one at a time. If your qualification type or subject is not listed, please select ‘Other’ and you will have the option to enter this manually. 
Teacher details 

Please ensure all information is completed and correct before you submit your application. We will be unable to complete the reference process if there are any errors in the email addresses you have provided for your referees. Once you have submitted your application, we will contact your teacher who will need to check your application and submit a supporting reference. 

Teachers are required to:  

  • verify the application information provided by you and to amend if needed;  
  • provide information about your current and predicted grades;  
  • provide details about your English language ability. They will indicate whether English is your native language, whether all/the majority of lessons at school are taught in English, or details of any English language qualification held by you.  
  • include information about how they feel you would benefit from the Summer School, how you stand out at school, and details of any other relevant achievements, extra-curricular activities or interests.   

To access the reference form, teachers will be emailed a unique link which will direct them to Aspire. If you are a teacher please click here for full details of how to submit a reference and support students completing the application form.

Your parent or guardian's details

Please ensure all information is completed and correct before you submit your application. We will be unable to complete the reference process if there are any errors in the email addresses you have provided for your referees. 

Once you have submitted your application, we will contact your parent/guardian who are required to:  

  • indicate support of your application;  
  • provide details of any additional circumstantial information or special requirements that you may have (e.g. accessibility or severe dietary requirements).  

Please note: We will use the information provided for clarification purposes only and it will not form part of the assessment process. In most cases, we are expecting no more than 30 words for a parent/guardian reference. If you are a parent/guardian of a student applying for Global Summer School please see here for further details about the programme.

Programme Information

  • In the programme drop down select ‘Global Summer School’ 
  • Select the date of the programme you are applying for 
  • Select the subject area you are applying for 

Personal Statement

Personal Statement 

Your personal statement should demonstrate:  

  • your motivation for applying to Global Summer School  
  • why you are a suitable candidate for a place on the programme  

You will already have listed your grades elsewhere on the application form, so the personal statement is your opportunity to discuss other relevant achievements and the skills you’ve gained from educational and/or extra-curricular experiences.  

Please also state whether English is your native language and whether all/the majority of your lessons are taught in English. If neither applies, you will need to give details of your English language qualification in the section provided. 

The word limit for the personal statement is 150 words. Any additional words included will not be assessed as part of the application.  

Global Summer School 

  • Select a second subject area you would like to be considered for. You may be offered a place on this programme if your first choice is unavailable 
  • Please tick the box if you can attend either session 

Visa 

  • Please provide the details requested. This information will not be used to assess your application 

English Language Qualification 

When asked to give details of your English language qualification please provide the information requested. Please view our entry requirements to ensure you are eligible to attend Global Summer School before submitting your application 

Is English the language of instruction at your school? Select an option from the dropdown box 

  • If you are taught in English for at least 50% of your lessons at school, you do not need an additional English language qualification. Your teacher will need to confirm this in their reference for you. 
  • If your lessons are not taught in English you need to enter an achieved English language qualification. 

Do you hold an English language qualification? Select Yes or No from the dropdown box 

  • If yes, give details of the qualification. Your teacher will need to confirm this in their reference for you. 
  • If English is your native language you do not need to enter an English language qualification. Please select ‘No’ and state ‘English is my native language’ in your personal statement. Your teacher will need to confirm this in their reference for you.  

Data Policy and Marketing

Please provide the information requested and consent to your information being processed as described.

Review and submit

Carefully review and submit the application, ensuring all information provided is accurate and complete. 

Step two: Your application will be reviewed by the Global Summer School Team.

Your application will be reviewed by the Global Summer School team within 10 working days of receiving both references.

Please note, there is no need to contact us regarding the outcome of your application before this time, as this may result in unnecessary delays. The 10 days will commence from the first working day (UK time) after your application has been submitted.

If your application is successful, you will receive a conditional offer.  

Step three: You will upload your supporting documents within five days

To proceed, you will be required to upload your supporting documents to the application portal within five days. You will receive instructions on how to do this.  

Upload supporting documents

Passport

Please scan and upload the front cover and personal details page as a single document. You must ensure that all text is legible, otherwise it will be rejected. 

We use this information to verify your age and nationality against the information on your application. For our verification process it does not matter if the passport is due to expire before the start of Global Summer School, but we will need you to email us a copy of any new passports before you attend the programme. 

Academic records

You are required to submit official documents to verify the grades and subjects you have listed on your application. All the official documents need to be in English, or an English translation signed and stamped by your school. Please ensure you read the following information carefully and submit the correct documents:  

  • Achieved grades: If you listed achieved grades achieved (e.g. GCSEs) on your application, you should upload exam certificates for all the subjects you submitted.  
  • Class grades: If you indicated class grades on your application, please upload your class transcripts for the previous two years, for all the subjects you submitted.  
  • Predicted grades: If you have listed predicted grades on your application form, these have been verified or updated by your teacher as part of their reference. If you were asked to submit further information on your academic achievements or you volunteered further information after you submitted your application, you must upload and official document from your school with all predicted grades listed so these can be verified.  

Please note: The application system only supports a maximum of five academic documents. Therefore, please ensure you combine documents into one file if you are submitting more than five.  

English language qualification

If you indicated that you need to submit an English language qualification, you should upload a scan of the official certificate which should include your name, candidate reference, exam board and grade achieved.  

The certificate must match that stated on your application form. Screen shots from online portals or mobile phones showing a list of grades will not be accepted. 

Step four: Document checking

The Global Summer School team will check your uploaded documents within five working days. 

Step five: Payment and confirmation

If you meet all necessary criteria, you will be awarded an unconditional offer. To confirm your place, you are required to make the full fee payment of £6,600 within 14 days. Please note, the payment deadline will reduce to seven days later in the application process.

The unconditional offer letter and payment request will come directly from Docusign, requesting students and parents to both complete a form to accept the formal offer and provide some further details. Once the forms have been completed and payment made, the Global Summer School Team will send an official confirmation of your place on the programme.