Seize the opportunity to experience university life with UCD’s Summer School for secondary school students entering 6th Year or (Year 13 A-Level) in September 2026.

PLEASE READ OUR SUMMER SCHOOL GROUND RULES BEFORE BOOKING ANY COURSES

Politics & International Relations, Education, Geography, Social Justice, Philosophy

Tuesday June 2nd, 9.00pm-4.00pm

Introduction to Social Sciences subjects of Politics & International Relations, Philosophy, Social Justice, Geography and Education at UCD.

What happens on the day?

In studying politics and international relations, we try to understand what happens, to figure out what should happen, and to determine how this might be realised. The session on Politics and International Relations will introduce students to some of the areas that you can study in UCD. These range from political theory, elections and parliaments to globalisation, development, conflict, and international relations, to mention but some. The session will also highlight the skills that you will develop during your studies and the sorts of options that are open to students who graduate with a politics degree.

Geography is fundamental for understanding the world and is increasingly being used in virtually every field of human endeavour, providing a universal language for understanding, communicating ideas, and providing insights. It’s at the heart of solving global issues such as climate change, inequality, urbanisation, and natural hazards. Geography asks the big questions and gives you the perspective to answer them with advanced technology and a solid knowledge of the world in which we all live. Students will have the opportunity to explore some of these technologies first-hand by touring and thinking about key locations for human research and learning about those places through text, photography, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

Philosophy: Many of you have already ‘done’ philosophy without knowing it! How do you know when (if ever) it is acceptable to lie? How do you decide whether something (or someone) is beautiful? Why do we have the system of government that we do? Are there other, better ways to govern? What are they and how do we judge them? What does it mean to be a human being? We offer you the tools to hone your thinking about big questions like these, from the nature of goodness to authenticity, from the nature of justice to an understanding of personal identity. In our interactive session, we share our passion for philosophical thinking and give you the opportunity to think through some of these themes yourselves.

Social justice draws on a range of academic disciplines to advance understanding of issues such as inequality, discrimination and human rights abuses. Students on the programme acquire the advanced critical thinking, research and analytical skills to engage with the key social issues of the 21st century. Topics studied on the programme include global justice; racism and anti-racism; gender and sexual inequality, human rights and social justice; and environmental justice. At the summer school participants will take part in a workshop on social justice, giving you a flavour of what it is like to study social justice in UCD.

Education: Teaching is one of the most intellectually, physically and emotionally challenging and rewarding professions. It is dynamic, underpinned by an air of anticipation about what is to come and excitement about the limitless possibilities for teachers and their pupils/students. We invite students to consider teaching as a career, in which you get the opportunity to enhance the lives of young people. This course places particular emphasis on preparing teachers who can respond to the educational needs of students in an increasingly diverse and dynamic education system using creative and innovative approaches.

Who can register?

The Summer School is for students who are going into 6th year or Year 13 (A Level) in September 2026.

What does it cost?

The Politics & International Relations, Education, Geography, Social Justice, Philosophy Summer School costs €35 and includes a sandwich lunch and tea/coffee. A reduced rate of €15 is available for applicants whose families are in receipt of job-seekers or disability payments. If you wish to avail of this discount rate please email summerschool@ucd.ie for a discount code before booking your course.

Enquiries?

Enquiries in relation to the Politics & International Relations, Education, Geography, Social Justice, Philosophy Summer School can be made to Emma Donovan (emma.donovan@ucd.ie)

Where will the UCD Politics & International Relations, Education, Geography, Social Justice, Philosophy Summer School take place?

The UCD Politics & International Relations, Education, Geography, Social Justice, Philosophy Summer School will take place in the UCD Newman building. The building is number 41 on the UCD Map