Non award bearing

Learning outcomes:

This course has been designed to enable you to:

• Understand the true economic nature and ultimate political effect of social media
• Have gained a sense of the full political, cultural and historical context of social media's effect on society
• Have gained a sense of perspective on the significance of social media as an evolution in human communication technology, relative to its comparables throughout history

Course sessions:

1. The 21st Century & The Nature of Social Media
Lecture 1a provides an overview of our current moment, as liberal democracy faces increasingly political polarity, a polarity that is being exacerbated by social media. 
Lecture 1b argues that the divisive role of social media is hardly surprising once one gains an insight on its surprising origins, and startling business model. 

2. Social Media's Challenge to Liberalism & Modernity
Lecture 2a outlines the emphatic challenge social media poses to several decades of liberalism, which has been the basis of the international order since the middle of the 20th century. 
Lecture 2b then explores the challenge social media poses to several centuries of modernity, emphasising the symmetrical but counterveiling relationship its invention has with that of the printing press. 

3. Social Media's Challenge to the Nature of Complex Society
Lecture 3a outlines the challenge social media poses to several millennia of temporality. Does it mark the 'end of history’? 
Lecture 3b then considers the true comparables for social media, in terms of previous evolutions in our communications technology. They are not what we think. 

4. Social Media as a Vector for Ideological Contagion
Lecture 4a examines the relationship between neoliberalism and social media, and sheds light on some hidden and counter-intuitive consequences of this infernal pairing. 
Lecture 4b explores the consequences of seeing social media as a vector for ideological contagion. If we seek a cure, we first need to know the nature of the disease. 

5. The Future of a Digitally Mediated Society
Lecture 5a considers how we may inoculate our minds against the ideological bewitchments that have been intensified through social media. The solutions don't lie where we typically think. 
Lecture 5b concludes this course by considering our current moment as a liminal stage in human history. But what is liminality, and what tends to happen? How will the story of social media end? 

Non-credit bearing

Please note that our Virtual Summer Festival of Learning courses are non-credit bearing.

Certificate of Participation

A certificate of participation will be sent to you electronically within a week of your Summer Festival course(s) finishing.

Welcome week: Before the course starts

Courses are delivered online via our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). A week before your course starts you will receive an email from our Teaching & Learning (TEL) team confirming your VLE login details. Once you have logged into the VLE, you should:

• Access the ‘Course Information’ and ‘Welcome to the course’ areas.
• Carry out any technical checks, including video checks.
• View the VLE ’Online course tour’ and familiarise yourself with your learning environment.
• Watch the Course Director’s welcome video.
• Introduce yourself to the Course Director and other students using the general forum.
• Access and carry out any pre-reading or activities for the course provided in the ‘Welcome to the course’ area.

Study week: Course delivery, video content and study time

• You will be taught largely through a series of pre-recorded course videos.
• Course videos will be released on a daily basis, Monday to Friday.
• We suggest that you set aside around 1.5 hours each day to watch the course videos, view course materials and resources and complete any related reading, activities and discussions in the daily forums. This does not need to be done in one sitting, you have the flexibility to access content when and where you want, and to go back and review it as often as you wish.

At the end of the course

• Content for each course will remain available on the VLE for 5 weeks after the course has finished
• Course forums will close for postings on the Monday after the course, but existing messages will still be visible for 5 weeks after the course has finished
• You will receive a certificate of participation via email within a week of your course finishing

Pre-recorded course videos

Courses include one or two videos per day, these are designed by the Course Director to help you address different aspects of the main topic. All of our course videos are subtitled.

Course discussion forums

There will also be the opportunity to engage in written form with other course participants and discuss questions set by the Course Director on the discussion forums. Your Course Director will launch a number of discussions on the daily forums and will generally respond to a selection of key questions and comments on a daily basis. You are encouraged to actively take part in these discussions to get the most out of the course and to add to your overall enjoyment.

Resources, reading lists and activities

During the course and up until 5 weeks after the course has finished you will have access to a number of learning resources which may include links to websites, readings and research papers. These are provided by the Course Director to support the teaching and will be available on the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

Who can book?

Our Virtual Summer Festival of Learning is open to students aged 18-80+. Courses are taught at approximately first-year undergraduate level. Unless otherwise stated, you don’t need any previous knowledge or experience of the subject. Unfortunately we cannot accept bookings from anyone under the age of 18. However we are also running a Virtual Pre-University Programme for 16-18 years olds in July. 

English Language requirements:

To ensure that all participants are able to enjoy studying with us, you will need to be confident understanding and following arguments presented in written and spoken English at University level. 

If English is not your native language, you will need to satisfy yourself that you have an appropriate level of English language proficiency in line with the following recommended tests (achieved in the same sitting and no more than 2 years before the date of booking): 

• IELTS Academic or IELTS Academic for UKVI: Overall band score of 6.5 or above (with no less than 6.5 in each of the four individual components) 
• CPE (Cambridge English: Proficiency): Grade C or above or 200 points overall on the Cambridge English Scale 
• CAE (Cambridge English Advanced): Grade A or B or 193 points overall on the Cambridge English Scale 

Alternatively, you may have undertaken all, or part, of your education in English and/or may have extensive experience using English on a regular basis in your professional life. On this basis, you could reasonably expect to fully participate in our Virtual Summer Festival of Learning. 

Technical requirements:

All of our courses will be delivered via our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). You will receive access to the VLE a week before your course starts (see the Course schedule and delivery tab). Here you can study and learn online, access resources and activities, and interact with your Course Director and fellow students via the forums. 

You will need to have access to: 

• the internet via a computer, laptop, tablet or other smart device  
• speakers or headphones in order to hear pre-recorded course videos provided by the Course Director 
• a webcam and microphone for any interactive Zoom sessions which may be available  

 When you first log into the VLE we recommend that you view the Online course tour. This will help you to familiarise yourself with the learning environment.  

Full instructions and support on how to use the VLE is available on request.  

Test Video

By playing the video below you can test your home set up to ensure you are able to access our pre-recorded course videos. 

Accessibility and additional support for students 

We make every effort to meet the requirements of those students with additional needs. Please let us know about any additional requirements as soon as possible so that we can offer you the support and advice you require before and during the Festival. Please note that all of our courses are subtitled.

You may wish to consider these additional related courses on offer in the Festival:

If you are able to study more than one course or for more than one week, you may wish to consider streams of related course subjects.  There will be many other options – this is just an illustration of possible course combinations:

And don’t forget to watch the series of talks included in your course booking (usually charged at £50). Further details and a link to access the talks will be sent to you a week before the Festival starts.

Booking a course

To book a Festival course please click the Book Now button at the top of the course page. You will be taken to our secure bookings portal where you can set up an account using your email address, and pay for your course by credit or debit card.

All of our courses are limited to 50 places, in order to allow students and Course Directors the opportunity for interaction via the discussion forums on the VLE.

Bookings will remain open until midnight the day before the course starts. If your preferred course is full at the time of booking you can add yourself to a waiting list. You will be notified, by email, if a place becomes available. We recommend that you book early to avoid missing out.

Please note that if you book a place the weekend before a course starts, it may take up to 48 hours to process your application and notify you of your VLE log in details. You may therefore not have access until the end of the second day of the course, but can go back and review sessions which have already been released.

‘How to book a course’ video

Our short video below talks you through the necessary steps to register and create an account before booking on to your chosen course(s) via our secure payment portal.

Before booking, please ensure that you have read and understood our Booking terms and conditions

Talks

As part of our Summer Festival we will also be offering a series of talks showcasing the variety of subjects on offer here at the University, as well as research, global current affairs and a range of other topics.

By booking a Summer Festival course, you automatically qualify for free access to these talks (usually charged at £50). Further details and a link to access the talks will be sent to you a week before the Festival starts.

Learning outcomes:

This course has been designed to enable you to:

• Be able to discuss the different trajectories of adolescent brain development and what implications this has on thinking and behaviour, such as risk taking
• Be able to discuss the process of emotion regulation
• Be able to discuss why mental health problems often emerge during adolescence

Course sessions:

1. Adolescent brain development and risk taking
This session covers brain development during adolescence and discusses why adolescents take risks and in which contexts.

2. Social influence and social cognition 
This session discusses social influence in adolescence and the behavioural and neural basis of social cognitive processes such as theory of mind/perspective taking.

3. Emotion regulation 
This session describes the process of emotion regulation and discusses behavioural and neural evidence on the emotion regulation abilities of adolescents and adolescents with mental health problems.

4. Mental health   
This session explores why mental health problems are so common during adolescence, the role social media is playing in depression and conduct disorder.

5. Recap, legal implications and COVID-19
The final session discusses the potential impact that the evidence for adolescent brain and sociocognitive development has on the law. The third talk covers new research on the impact of COVID-19 on adolescents.

Non-credit bearing

Please note that our Virtual Summer Festival of Learning courses are non-credit bearing.

Certificate of Participation

A certificate of participation will be sent to you electronically within a week of your Summer Festival course(s) finishing.

Welcome week: Before the course starts

Courses are delivered online via our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). A week before your course starts you will receive an email from our Teaching & Learning (TEL) team confirming your VLE login details. Once you have logged into the VLE, you should:

• Access the ‘Course Information’ and ‘Welcome to the course’ areas.
• Carry out any technical checks, including video checks.
• View the VLE ’Online course tour’ and familiarise yourself with your learning environment.
• Watch the Course Director’s welcome video.
• Introduce yourself to the Course Director and other students using the general forum.
• Access and carry out any pre-reading or activities for the course provided in the ‘Welcome to the course’ area.

Study week: Course delivery, video content and study time

• You will be taught largely through a series of pre-recorded course videos.
• Course videos will be released on a daily basis, Monday to Friday.
• We suggest that you set aside around 1.5 hours each day to watch the course videos, view course materials and resources and complete any related reading, activities and discussions in the daily forums. This does not need to be done in one sitting, you have the flexibility to access content when and where you want, and to go back and review it as often as you wish.

At the end of the course

• Content for each course will remain available on the VLE for 5 weeks after the course has finished
• Course forums will close for postings on the Monday after the course, but existing messages will still be visible for 5 weeks after the course has finished
• You will receive a certificate of participation via email within a week of your course finishing

Pre-recorded course videos

Courses include one or two videos per day, these are designed by the Course Director to help you address different aspects of the main topic. All of our course videos are subtitled.

Course discussion forums

There will also be the opportunity to engage in written form with other course participants and discuss questions set by the Course Director on the discussion forums. Your Course Director will launch a number of discussions on the daily forums and will generally respond to a selection of key questions and comments on a daily basis. You are encouraged to actively take part in these discussions to get the most out of the course and to add to your overall enjoyment.

Resources, reading lists and activities

During the course and up until 5 weeks after the course has finished you will have access to a number of learning resources which may include links to websites, readings and research papers. These are provided by the Course Director to support the teaching and will be available on the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

Who can book?

Our Virtual Summer Festival of Learning is open to students aged 18-80+. Courses are taught at approximately first-year undergraduate level. Unless otherwise stated, you don’t need any previous knowledge or experience of the subject. Unfortunately we cannot accept bookings from anyone under the age of 18. However we are also running a Virtual Pre-University Programme for 16-18 years olds in July. 

English Language requirements:

To ensure that all participants are able to enjoy studying with us, you will need to be confident understanding and following arguments presented in written and spoken English at University level. 

If English is not your native language, you will need to satisfy yourself that you have an appropriate level of English language proficiency in line with the following recommended tests (achieved in the same sitting and no more than 2 years before the date of booking): 

• IELTS Academic or IELTS Academic for UKVI: Overall band score of 6.5 or above (with no less than 6.5 in each of the four individual components) 
• CPE (Cambridge English: Proficiency): Grade C or above or 200 points overall on the Cambridge English Scale 
• CAE (Cambridge English Advanced): Grade A or B or 193 points overall on the Cambridge English Scale 

Alternatively, you may have undertaken all, or part, of your education in English and/or may have extensive experience using English on a regular basis in your professional life. On this basis, you could reasonably expect to fully participate in our Virtual Summer Festival of Learning. 

Technical requirements:

All of our courses will be delivered via our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). You will receive access to the VLE a week before your course starts (see the Course schedule and delivery tab). Here you can study and learn online, access resources and activities, and interact with your Course Director and fellow students via the forums. 

You will need to have access to: 

• the internet via a computer, laptop, tablet or other smart device  
• speakers or headphones in order to hear pre-recorded course videos provided by the Course Director 
• a webcam and microphone for any interactive Zoom sessions which may be available  

 When you first log into the VLE we recommend that you view the Online course tour. This will help you to familiarise yourself with the learning environment.  

Full instructions and support on how to use the VLE is available on request.  

Test Video

By playing the video below you can test your home set up to ensure you are able to access our pre-recorded course videos. 

Accessibility and additional support for students 

We make every effort to meet the requirements of those students with additional needs. Please let us know about any additional requirements as soon as possible so that we can offer you the support and advice you require before and during the Festival. Please note that all of our courses are subtitled.

You may wish to consider these additional related courses on offer in the Festival:

If you are able to study more than one course or for more than one week, you may wish to consider streams of related course subjects.  There will be many other options – this is just an illustration of possible course combinations:

And don’t forget to watch the series of talks included in your course booking (usually charged at £50). Further details and a link to access the talks will be sent to you a week before the Festival starts.

Booking a course

To book a Festival course please click the Book Now button at the top of the course page. You will be taken to our secure bookings portal where you can set up an account using your email address, and pay for your course by credit or debit card.

All of our courses are limited to 50 places, in order to allow students and Course Directors the opportunity for interaction via the discussion forums on the VLE.

Bookings will remain open until midnight the day before the course starts. If your preferred course is full at the time of booking you can add yourself to a waiting list. You will be notified, by email, if a place becomes available. We recommend that you book early to avoid missing out.

Please note that if you book a place the weekend before a course starts, it may take up to 48 hours to process your application and notify you of your VLE log in details. You may therefore not have access until the end of the second day of the course, but can go back and review sessions which have already been released.

‘How to book a course’ video

Our short video below talks you through the necessary steps to register and create an account before booking on to your chosen course(s) via our secure payment portal.

Before booking, please ensure that you have read and understood our Booking terms and conditions

Talks

As part of our Summer Festival we will also be offering a series of talks showcasing the variety of subjects on offer here at the University, as well as research, global current affairs and a range of other topics.

By booking a Summer Festival course, you automatically qualify for free access to these talks (usually charged at £50). Further details and a link to access the talks will be sent to you a week before the Festival starts.

Learning outcomes:

This course has been designed to enable you to:

• Become acquainted with different metrical forms in Shelley’s poetry
• Become aware of aspects of his poetic language
• Be aware of some elements of literary and political history that inform his poetry

Course sessions:

1. Shelley 1816
1816 is the first year that Shelley, at the age of twenty three, publishes a collection under his own name. He has previously published novels and tracts as well as poetry and his interests are now firmly established. The ‘Hymn to Intellectual Beauty’ and ‘Mont Blanc’ will form the core of this lecture and we will look at aspects of his style and how and what it communicates.

2. Shelley 1819
Shelley is now living in Italy, but his despair over England is as piercing as ever. The Sonnet, ‘England in 1819’, and, of course, ‘The Mask of Anarchy’ show the radicalism that created the rupture with his father, but ‘Ode to the West Wind’ shows the complex lyricism which shaped his posthumous reputation in Britain.

3. Shelley 1820
Shelley’s ‘Ode to Liberty’ shows the full richness of his style, its hyper-vivid images, its syntactic denseness, its rapid shifting of description, its complex rhyme forms and metrical changes, its refusal to create fixed meanings. Also, again, its ostensible subject matter, ‘Liberty’, shows how Shelley’s interest in philosophy and politics reflects the revolutionary and reactionary times he lived in.

4. Shelley 1821
In 1821 Keats, who along with Byron and Shelley is seen as one of the great writers of this second generation of the Romantic movement, dies in Rome and Shelley writes ‘Adonais’ as a memorial to his fellow poet. It has become a key cultural artefact, which ironically speaks for that whole generation of poets – Shelley was to die the following year and Byron dies two years after that. We will look at what has created this longevity.

5. Shelley 1822
The mysteriousness and beauty of ‘To __’ and ‘The Triumph of Life’ Shelley’s last work, left unfinished at his death, will be the subject of our final lecture. What is it about his writing that still brings readers to it? Is he more honoured than studied or read? We will end the course at the year of his death at the age of twenty nine having covered many aspects of his challenging and rewarding poetry.

Non-credit bearing

Please note that our Virtual Summer Festival of Learning courses are non-credit bearing.

Certificate of Participation

A certificate of participation will be sent to you electronically within a week of your Summer Festival course(s) finishing.

Welcome week: Before the course starts

Courses are delivered online via our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). A week before your course starts you will receive an email from our Teaching & Learning (TEL) team confirming your VLE login details. Once you have logged into the VLE, you should:

• Access the ‘Course Information’ and ‘Welcome to the course’ areas.
• Carry out any technical checks, including video checks.
• View the VLE ’Online course tour’ and familiarise yourself with your learning environment.
• Watch the Course Director’s welcome video.
• Introduce yourself to the Course Director and other students using the general forum.
• Access and carry out any pre-reading or activities for the course provided in the ‘Welcome to the course’ area.

Study week: Course delivery, video content and study time

• You will be taught largely through a series of pre-recorded course videos.
• Course videos will be released on a daily basis, Monday to Friday.
• We suggest that you set aside around 1.5 hours each day to watch the course videos, view course materials and resources and complete any related reading, activities and discussions in the daily forums. This does not need to be done in one sitting, you have the flexibility to access content when and where you want, and to go back and review it as often as you wish.

At the end of the course

• Content for each course will remain available on the VLE for 5 weeks after the course has finished
• Course forums will close for postings on the Monday after the course, but existing messages will still be visible for 5 weeks after the course has finished
• You will receive a certificate of participation via email within a week of your course finishing

Pre-recorded course videos

Courses include one or two videos per day, these are designed by the Course Director to help you address different aspects of the main topic. All of our course videos are subtitled.

Course discussion forums

There will also be the opportunity to engage in written form with other course participants and discuss questions set by the Course Director on the discussion forums. Your Course Director will launch a number of discussions on the daily forums and will generally respond to a selection of key questions and comments on a daily basis. You are encouraged to actively take part in these discussions to get the most out of the course and to add to your overall enjoyment.

Resources, reading lists and activities

During the course and up until 5 weeks after the course has finished you will have access to a number of learning resources which may include links to websites, readings and research papers. These are provided by the Course Director to support the teaching and will be available on the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

Who can book?

Our Virtual Summer Festival of Learning is open to students aged 18-80+. Courses are taught at approximately first-year undergraduate level. Unless otherwise stated, you don’t need any previous knowledge or experience of the subject. Unfortunately we cannot accept bookings from anyone under the age of 18. However we are also running a Virtual Pre-University Programme for 16-18 years olds in July. 

English Language requirements:

To ensure that all participants are able to enjoy studying with us, you will need to be confident understanding and following arguments presented in written and spoken English at University level. 

If English is not your native language, you will need to satisfy yourself that you have an appropriate level of English language proficiency in line with the following recommended tests (achieved in the same sitting and no more than 2 years before the date of booking): 

• IELTS Academic or IELTS Academic for UKVI: Overall band score of 6.5 or above (with no less than 6.5 in each of the four individual components) 
• CPE (Cambridge English: Proficiency): Grade C or above or 200 points overall on the Cambridge English Scale 
• CAE (Cambridge English Advanced): Grade A or B or 193 points overall on the Cambridge English Scale 

Alternatively, you may have undertaken all, or part, of your education in English and/or may have extensive experience using English on a regular basis in your professional life. On this basis, you could reasonably expect to fully participate in our Virtual Summer Festival of Learning. 

Technical requirements:

All of our courses will be delivered via our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). You will receive access to the VLE a week before your course starts (see the Course schedule and delivery tab). Here you can study and learn online, access resources and activities, and interact with your Course Director and fellow students via the forums. 

You will need to have access to: 

• the internet via a computer, laptop, tablet or other smart device  
• speakers or headphones in order to hear pre-recorded course videos provided by the Course Director 
• a webcam and microphone for any interactive Zoom sessions which may be available  

 When you first log into the VLE we recommend that you view the Online course tour. This will help you to familiarise yourself with the learning environment.  

Full instructions and support on how to use the VLE is available on request.  

Test Video

By playing the video below you can test your home set up to ensure you are able to access our pre-recorded course videos. 

Accessibility and additional support for students 

We make every effort to meet the requirements of those students with additional needs. Please let us know about any additional requirements as soon as possible so that we can offer you the support and advice you require before and during the Festival. Please note that all of our courses are subtitled.

You may wish to consider these additional related courses on offer in the Festival:

If you are able to study more than one course or for more than one week, you may wish to consider streams of related course subjects.  There will be many other options – this is just an illustration of possible course combinations:

And don’t forget to watch the series of talks included in your course booking (usually charged at £50). Further details and a link to access the talks will be sent to you a week before the Festival starts.

Booking a course

To book a Festival course please click the Book Now button at the top of the course page. You will be taken to our secure bookings portal where you can set up an account using your email address, and pay for your course by credit or debit card.

All of our courses are limited to 50 places, in order to allow students and Course Directors the opportunity for interaction via the discussion forums on the VLE.

Bookings will remain open until midnight the day before the course starts. If your preferred course is full at the time of booking you can add yourself to a waiting list. You will be notified, by email, if a place becomes available. We recommend that you book early to avoid missing out.

Please note that if you book a place the weekend before a course starts, it may take up to 48 hours to process your application and notify you of your VLE log in details. You may therefore not have access until the end of the second day of the course, but can go back and review sessions which have already been released.

‘How to book a course’ video

Our short video below talks you through the necessary steps to register and create an account before booking on to your chosen course(s) via our secure payment portal.

Before booking, please ensure that you have read and understood our Booking terms and conditions

Talks

As part of our Summer Festival we will also be offering a series of talks showcasing the variety of subjects on offer here at the University, as well as research, global current affairs and a range of other topics.

By booking a Summer Festival course, you automatically qualify for free access to these talks (usually charged at £50). Further details and a link to access the talks will be sent to you a week before the Festival starts.

Learning outcomes:

This course has been designed to enable you to:

• Develop confidence in your own critical ability through taking part in discussions of texts you have read and reflected on independently
• Express your responses to these texts, making use of other readers’ interpretations where appropriate

Course sessions:

1. Imitation or parody? Northanger Abbey
Gothic fiction and the novel of sensibility were the most popular genres of Austen’s day. Northanger Abbey engages with the extravagant themes and overwrought conventions of fashionable reading matter and transforms them into her own distinctive, nuanced representation of everyday life. In the process she shows that in a more mundane social context, “ordinary” heroines can still experience horrors of ill-treatment from which they need to be rescued.

2. From landed estate to naval mobility: social change in Persuasion
It has often been remarked that Persuasion represents a new direction in Austen’s oeuvre in that she explores two classes in her society in interaction in a way she has not done before. Sir Walter Elliot, who embodies the landed gentry, is shown to be no responsible guardian of his estate, and the seafarers, having served their country in the Napoleonic wars and shaped by their lives of duty, energy and steadfastness, are portrayed as alternatives to the establishment.

3. An independent, older heroine: why Persuasion is not an “autumnal” novel
While responding to contemporary Romantic poetry with some irony, Austen also uses nature imagery to explore her heroine’s inner life and development. In doing so, she presents Anne’s disconnection from her family and from the insularity of landed life. She emerges as an autonomous woman who is able to cut loose from the conventional social arrangements that have constrained her.

4. Austen’s style: analysis of selected passages from Northanger Abbey and Persuasion
Austen’s specific concerns in these two works unsurprisingly manifest themselves in her style as well. Among the passages chosen for detailed analysis will be her famous defence of the novel in chapter 5 of Northanger Abbey, and Anne’s conversation with Captain Harville, overheard by Wentworth, in the revised chapter 11 of volume II of Persuasion.

5. Austen’s afterlife: adaptations and sequels
Both Northanger Abbey and Persuasion have been adapted for the screen several times, most recently in 2007 by Andrew Davies (NA) and Simon Burke (P) in the same year. There is also a 1995 version of Persuasion by Nick Dear which will be included in the discussion. Finally, we’ll address the question of Austen’s enduring popularity.

Non-credit bearing

Please note that our Virtual Summer Festival of Learning courses are non-credit bearing.

Certificate of Participation

A certificate of participation will be sent to you electronically within a week of your Summer Festival course(s) finishing.

Welcome week: Before the course starts

Courses are delivered online via our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). A week before your course starts you will receive an email from our Teaching & Learning (TEL) team confirming your VLE login details. Once you have logged into the VLE, you should:

• Access the ‘Course Information’ and ‘Welcome to the course’ areas.
• Carry out any technical checks, including video checks.
• View the VLE ’Online course tour’ and familiarise yourself with your learning environment.
• Watch the Course Director’s welcome video.
• Introduce yourself to the Course Director and other students using the general forum.
• Access and carry out any pre-reading or activities for the course provided in the ‘Welcome to the course’ area.

Study week: Course delivery, video content and study time

• You will be taught largely through a series of pre-recorded course videos.
• Course videos will be released on a daily basis, Monday to Friday.
• We suggest that you set aside around 1.5 hours each day to watch the course videos, view course materials and resources and complete any related reading, activities and discussions in the daily forums. This does not need to be done in one sitting, you have the flexibility to access content when and where you want, and to go back and review it as often as you wish.

At the end of the course

• Content for each course will remain available on the VLE for 5 weeks after the course has finished
• Course forums will close for postings on the Monday after the course, but existing messages will still be visible for 5 weeks after the course has finished
• You will receive a certificate of participation via email within a week of your course finishing

Pre-recorded course videos

Courses include one or two videos per day, these are designed by the Course Director to help you address different aspects of the main topic. All of our course videos are subtitled.

Course discussion forums

There will also be the opportunity to engage in written form with other course participants and discuss questions set by the Course Director on the discussion forums. Your Course Director will launch a number of discussions on the daily forums and will generally respond to a selection of key questions and comments on a daily basis. You are encouraged to actively take part in these discussions to get the most out of the course and to add to your overall enjoyment.

Resources, reading lists and activities

During the course and up until 5 weeks after the course has finished you will have access to a number of learning resources which may include links to websites, readings and research papers. These are provided by the Course Director to support the teaching and will be available on the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

Who can book?

Our Virtual Summer Festival of Learning is open to students aged 18-80+. Courses are taught at approximately first-year undergraduate level. Unless otherwise stated, you don’t need any previous knowledge or experience of the subject. Unfortunately we cannot accept bookings from anyone under the age of 18. However we are also running a Virtual Pre-University Programme for 16-18 years olds in July. 

English Language requirements:

To ensure that all participants are able to enjoy studying with us, you will need to be confident understanding and following arguments presented in written and spoken English at University level. 

If English is not your native language, you will need to satisfy yourself that you have an appropriate level of English language proficiency in line with the following recommended tests (achieved in the same sitting and no more than 2 years before the date of booking): 

• IELTS Academic or IELTS Academic for UKVI: Overall band score of 6.5 or above (with no less than 6.5 in each of the four individual components) 
• CPE (Cambridge English: Proficiency): Grade C or above or 200 points overall on the Cambridge English Scale 
• CAE (Cambridge English Advanced): Grade A or B or 193 points overall on the Cambridge English Scale 

Alternatively, you may have undertaken all, or part, of your education in English and/or may have extensive experience using English on a regular basis in your professional life. On this basis, you could reasonably expect to fully participate in our Virtual Summer Festival of Learning. 

Technical requirements:

All of our courses will be delivered via our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). You will receive access to the VLE a week before your course starts (see the Course schedule and delivery tab). Here you can study and learn online, access resources and activities, and interact with your Course Director and fellow students via the forums. 

You will need to have access to: 

• the internet via a computer, laptop, tablet or other smart device  
• speakers or headphones in order to hear pre-recorded course videos provided by the Course Director 
• a webcam and microphone for any interactive Zoom sessions which may be available  

 When you first log into the VLE we recommend that you view the Online course tour. This will help you to familiarise yourself with the learning environment.  

Full instructions and support on how to use the VLE is available on request.  

Test Video

By playing the video below you can test your home set up to ensure you are able to access our pre-recorded course videos. 

Accessibility and additional support for students 

We make every effort to meet the requirements of those students with additional needs. Please let us know about any additional requirements as soon as possible so that we can offer you the support and advice you require before and during the Festival. Please note that all of our courses are subtitled.

You may wish to consider these additional related courses on offer in the Festival:

If you are able to study more than one course or for more than one week, you may wish to consider streams of related course subjects.  There will be many other options – this is just an illustration of possible course combinations:

And don’t forget to watch the series of talks included in your course booking (usually charged at £50). Further details and a link to access the talks will be sent to you a week before the Festival starts.

Booking a course

To book a Festival course please click the Book Now button at the top of the course page. You will be taken to our secure bookings portal where you can set up an account using your email address, and pay for your course by credit or debit card.

All of our courses are limited to 50 places, in order to allow students and Course Directors the opportunity for interaction via the discussion forums on the VLE.

Bookings will remain open until midnight the day before the course starts. If your preferred course is full at the time of booking you can add yourself to a waiting list. You will be notified, by email, if a place becomes available. We recommend that you book early to avoid missing out.

Please note that if you book a place the weekend before a course starts, it may take up to 48 hours to process your application and notify you of your VLE log in details. You may therefore not have access until the end of the second day of the course, but can go back and review sessions which have already been released.

‘How to book a course’ video

Our short video below talks you through the necessary steps to register and create an account before booking on to your chosen course(s) via our secure payment portal.

Before booking, please ensure that you have read and understood our Booking terms and conditions

Talks

As part of our Summer Festival we will also be offering a series of talks showcasing the variety of subjects on offer here at the University, as well as research, global current affairs and a range of other topics.

By booking a Summer Festival course, you automatically qualify for free access to these talks (usually charged at £50). Further details and a link to access the talks will be sent to you a week before the Festival starts.

Learning outcomes:

This course has been designed to enable you to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of general trends in British postwar politics
• Identify key controversies and major developments in recent British political history
• Situate specific issues in British politics within their appropriate political and historical contexts

Course sessions:

1. Introduction to British Politics  
Today’s session will introduce you to some key concepts in politics, and to British politics in particular. You’ll learn about the UK as a polity and some of its key characteristics; you’ll be introduced to different institutions and interest groups, and the increasing role that identity plays in politics as well as ideology, and you’ll embark on a whistle-stop tour of British political history since 1945.

2. Voting
This second day will see you explore some of the practicalities and the quirks of the British electoral system. You’ll learn about voting systems, and the strengths and weaknesses of First Past the Post; you’ll explore how turnout changes and what affects it; and you’ll explore the voting behaviour of the British electorate and what’s happened to party loyalty over the last few decades.

3. Political parties 
This third session will explore the current state and recent history of the three major political parties in the UK. It will look at each party’s ideological roots and guiding principles, but also at their internal divisions, the current state of the parties and their leadership, and we’ll speculate as to what they might need to do to enhance their chances of future success.

4. Constitutional change, devolution and the nations 
Today you’ll explore the strength of nationalism as a force in British politics, and the possibility that British politics might not exist as a phenomenon in the future. First we’ll examine nationalism as an idea, and how it manifests in modern liberal democracies; before focusing specifically on Scottish nationalism and the battle for independence, as well as English nationalism and its consequences for the British state.

5. The Future of British Politics
During this final session, you’ll examine the destablising factors within British politics. We’ll return to ideas around identity and its expression, and we’ll look at how these divisions were demonstrated during the Brexit referendum campaign. Finally, we’ll wrap up by looking at the future of British politics whether we – or anyone – can predict what comes next.

Non-credit bearing

Please note that our Virtual Summer Festival of Learning courses are non-credit bearing.

Certificate of Participation

A certificate of participation will be sent to you electronically within a week of your Summer Festival course(s) finishing.

Welcome week: Before the course starts

Courses are delivered online via our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). A week before your course starts you will receive an email from our Teaching & Learning (TEL) team confirming your VLE login details. Once you have logged into the VLE, you should:

• Access the ‘Course Information’ and ‘Welcome to the course’ areas.
• Carry out any technical checks, including video checks.
• View the VLE ’Online course tour’ and familiarise yourself with your learning environment.
• Watch the Course Director’s welcome video.
• Introduce yourself to the Course Director and other students using the general forum.
• Access and carry out any pre-reading or activities for the course provided in the ‘Welcome to the course’ area.

Study week: Course delivery, video content and study time

• You will be taught largely through a series of pre-recorded course videos.
• Course videos will be released on a daily basis, Monday to Friday.
• We suggest that you set aside around 1.5 hours each day to watch the course videos, view course materials and resources and complete any related reading, activities and discussions in the daily forums. This does not need to be done in one sitting, you have the flexibility to access content when and where you want, and to go back and review it as often as you wish.

At the end of the course

• Content for each course will remain available on the VLE for 5 weeks after the course has finished
• Course forums will close for postings on the Monday after the course, but existing messages will still be visible for 5 weeks after the course has finished
• You will receive a certificate of participation via email within a week of your course finishing

Pre-recorded course videos

Courses include one or two videos per day, these are designed by the Course Director to help you address different aspects of the main topic. All of our course videos are subtitled.

Course discussion forums

There will also be the opportunity to engage in written form with other course participants and discuss questions set by the Course Director on the discussion forums. Your Course Director will launch a number of discussions on the daily forums and will generally respond to a selection of key questions and comments on a daily basis. You are encouraged to actively take part in these discussions to get the most out of the course and to add to your overall enjoyment.

Resources, reading lists and activities

During the course and up until 5 weeks after the course has finished you will have access to a number of learning resources which may include links to websites, readings and research papers. These are provided by the Course Director to support the teaching and will be available on the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

Who can book?

Our Virtual Summer Festival of Learning is open to students aged 18-80+. Courses are taught at approximately first-year undergraduate level. Unless otherwise stated, you don’t need any previous knowledge or experience of the subject. Unfortunately we cannot accept bookings from anyone under the age of 18. However we are also running a Virtual Pre-University Programme for 16-18 years olds in July. 

English Language requirements:

To ensure that all participants are able to enjoy studying with us, you will need to be confident understanding and following arguments presented in written and spoken English at University level. 

If English is not your native language, you will need to satisfy yourself that you have an appropriate level of English language proficiency in line with the following recommended tests (achieved in the same sitting and no more than 2 years before the date of booking): 

• IELTS Academic or IELTS Academic for UKVI: Overall band score of 6.5 or above (with no less than 6.5 in each of the four individual components) 
• CPE (Cambridge English: Proficiency): Grade C or above or 200 points overall on the Cambridge English Scale 
• CAE (Cambridge English Advanced): Grade A or B or 193 points overall on the Cambridge English Scale 

Alternatively, you may have undertaken all, or part, of your education in English and/or may have extensive experience using English on a regular basis in your professional life. On this basis, you could reasonably expect to fully participate in our Virtual Summer Festival of Learning. 

Technical requirements:

All of our courses will be delivered via our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). You will receive access to the VLE a week before your course starts (see the Course schedule and delivery tab). Here you can study and learn online, access resources and activities, and interact with your Course Director and fellow students via the forums. 

You will need to have access to: 

• the internet via a computer, laptop, tablet or other smart device  
• speakers or headphones in order to hear pre-recorded course videos provided by the Course Director 
• a webcam and microphone for any interactive Zoom sessions which may be available  

 When you first log into the VLE we recommend that you view the Online course tour. This will help you to familiarise yourself with the learning environment.  

Full instructions and support on how to use the VLE is available on request.  

Test Video

By playing the video below you can test your home set up to ensure you are able to access our pre-recorded course videos. 

Accessibility and additional support for students 

We make every effort to meet the requirements of those students with additional needs. Please let us know about any additional requirements as soon as possible so that we can offer you the support and advice you require before and during the Festival. Please note that all of our courses are subtitled.

You may wish to consider these additional related courses on offer in the Festival:

If you are able to study more than one course or for more than one week, you may wish to consider streams of related course subjects.  There will be many other options – this is just an illustration of possible course combinations:

And don’t forget to watch the series of talks included in your course booking (usually charged at £50). Further details and a link to access the talks will be sent to you a week before the Festival starts.

Booking a course

To book a Festival course please click the Book Now button at the top of the course page. You will be taken to our secure bookings portal where you can set up an account using your email address, and pay for your course by credit or debit card.

All of our courses are limited to 50 places, in order to allow students and Course Directors the opportunity for interaction via the discussion forums on the VLE.

Bookings will remain open until midnight the day before the course starts. If your preferred course is full at the time of booking you can add yourself to a waiting list. You will be notified, by email, if a place becomes available. We recommend that you book early to avoid missing out.

Please note that if you book a place the weekend before a course starts, it may take up to 48 hours to process your application and notify you of your VLE log in details. You may therefore not have access until the end of the second day of the course, but can go back and review sessions which have already been released.

‘How to book a course’ video

Our short video below talks you through the necessary steps to register and create an account before booking on to your chosen course(s) via our secure payment portal.

Before booking, please ensure that you have read and understood our Booking terms and conditions

Talks

As part of our Summer Festival we will also be offering a series of talks showcasing the variety of subjects on offer here at the University, as well as research, global current affairs and a range of other topics.

By booking a Summer Festival course, you automatically qualify for free access to these talks (usually charged at £50). Further details and a link to access the talks will be sent to you a week before the Festival starts.

Learning outcomes:

This course has been designed to enable you to:

• Become familiar with the work of Artemisia Gentileschi within its social and cultural contexts
• Hone your visual analysis skills when analysing Baroque artworks
• Gain awareness of the range of scholarship pertaining to the work of Artemisia Gentileschi

Course sessions:

1: Contextualising Artemisia
In order to fully understand Artemisia’s legacy, and the regard in which she was held during her own lifetime, it is essential to appreciate the 17th-century backdrop to her creative output. Frameworks for artistic practice in Italy will be highlighted in this session and key terms introduced, enabling students to position Artemisia’s work within the context of its time as well as subsequent scholarly debate.

2: Beginnings: from Rome to Florence
In this session, we begin a chronological exploration of Artemisia’s oeuvre. Although born and trained in Rome, Artemisia soon set up a studio in Florence, where she gained membership of the prestigious Academy of the Arts. We will discuss the impact of her early training in the studio of her father, Orazio Gentileschi, and assess her ability to navigate the demands of the competitive 17th-century art market.

3: An itinerant artist: Artemisia in Venice, Naples and London
Artemisia found success not only in her native Rome, and then Florence, but also in the other major Italian art centres of Venice and Naples. In addition, she had the opportunity to travel to England, where she worked alongside her father. We examine the transferability of her artistic practice, and what qualities in her work drew the attention of international patrons.

4: The mature artist: Artemisia’s late works
As well as introducing the later work of Artemisia, this session is an opportunity to examine how the artistic output of this major artist evolved during the 17th century. We will do so by comparing earlier examples of key subjects, such as Susannah and the Elders, with later versions of the same themes. We will also reflect upon how Artemisia chose to adapt her work to the taste of her audiences.

5: Reception history of Artemisia
In this final session, we will assess how Artemisia’s significant contribution to 17th-century art has been interpreted and re-interpreted by generations of art historians. We will also discuss how her life has acted as an inspiration for creative practice in other disciplines, such as literature and music, and why there has never been a better time to study the work of this important artist of the Italian Baroque.

Non-credit bearing

Please note that our Virtual Summer Festival of Learning courses are non-credit bearing.

Certificate of Participation

A certificate of participation will be sent to you electronically within a week of your Summer Festival course(s) finishing.

Welcome week: Before the course starts

Courses are delivered online via our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). A week before your course starts you will receive an email from our Teaching & Learning (TEL) team confirming your VLE login details. Once you have logged into the VLE, you should:

• Access the ‘Course Information’ and ‘Welcome to the course’ areas.
• Carry out any technical checks, including video checks.
• View the VLE ’Online course tour’ and familiarise yourself with your learning environment.
• Watch the Course Director’s welcome video.
• Introduce yourself to the Course Director and other students using the general forum.
• Access and carry out any pre-reading or activities for the course provided in the ‘Welcome to the course’ area.

Study week: Course delivery, video content and study time

• You will be taught largely through a series of pre-recorded course videos.
• Course videos will be released on a daily basis, Monday to Friday.
• We suggest that you set aside around 1.5 hours each day to watch the course videos, view course materials and resources and complete any related reading, activities and discussions in the daily forums. This does not need to be done in one sitting, you have the flexibility to access content when and where you want, and to go back and review it as often as you wish.

Zoom Session

• Dr Aleksandra Koutny-Jones will be hosting a live Zoom session on Thursday 24 June at 2pm BST (GMT + 1). Please log in at 1.30pm BST (GMT + 1) to check your access and set up. The session will last approximately 30 minutes. Access via the VLE

At the end of the course

• Content for each course will remain available on the VLE for 5 weeks after the course has finished
• Course forums will close for postings on the Monday after the course, but existing messages will still be visible for 5 weeks after the course has finished
• You will receive a certificate of participation via email within a week of your course finishing

Pre-recorded course videos

Courses include one or two videos per day, these are designed by the Course Director to help you address different aspects of the main topic. All of our course videos are subtitled.

Course discussion forums

There will also be the opportunity to engage in written form with other course participants and discuss questions set by the Course Director on the discussion forums. Your Course Director will launch a number of discussions on the daily forums and will generally respond to a selection of key questions and comments on a daily basis. You are encouraged to actively take part in these discussions to get the most out of the course and to add to your overall enjoyment.

Resources, reading lists and activities

During the course and up until 5 weeks after the course has finished you will have access to a number of learning resources which may include links to websites, readings and research papers. These are provided by the Course Director to support the teaching and will be available on the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

Who can book?

Our Virtual Summer Festival of Learning is open to students aged 18-80+. Courses are taught at approximately first-year undergraduate level. Unless otherwise stated, you don’t need any previous knowledge or experience of the subject. Unfortunately we cannot accept bookings from anyone under the age of 18. However we are also running a Virtual Pre-University Programme for 16-18 years olds in July. 

English Language requirements:

To ensure that all participants are able to enjoy studying with us, you will need to be confident understanding and following arguments presented in written and spoken English at University level. 

If English is not your native language, you will need to satisfy yourself that you have an appropriate level of English language proficiency in line with the following recommended tests (achieved in the same sitting and no more than 2 years before the date of booking): 

• IELTS Academic or IELTS Academic for UKVI: Overall band score of 6.5 or above (with no less than 6.5 in each of the four individual components) 
• CPE (Cambridge English: Proficiency): Grade C or above or 200 points overall on the Cambridge English Scale 
• CAE (Cambridge English Advanced): Grade A or B or 193 points overall on the Cambridge English Scale 

Alternatively, you may have undertaken all, or part, of your education in English and/or may have extensive experience using English on a regular basis in your professional life. On this basis, you could reasonably expect to fully participate in our Virtual Summer Festival of Learning. 

Technical requirements:

All of our courses will be delivered via our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). You will receive access to the VLE a week before your course starts (see the Course schedule and delivery tab). Here you can study and learn online, access resources and activities, and interact with your Course Director and fellow students via the forums. 

You will need to have access to: 

• the internet via a computer, laptop, tablet or other smart device  
• speakers or headphones in order to hear pre-recorded course videos provided by the Course Director 
• a webcam and microphone for any interactive Zoom sessions which may be available  

 When you first log into the VLE we recommend that you view the Online course tour. This will help you to familiarise yourself with the learning environment.  

Full instructions and support on how to use the VLE is available on request.  

Test Video

By playing the video below you can test your home set up to ensure you are able to access our pre-recorded course videos. 

Accessibility and additional support for students 

We make every effort to meet the requirements of those students with additional needs. Please let us know about any additional requirements as soon as possible so that we can offer you the support and advice you require before and during the Festival. Please note that all of our courses are subtitled.

You may wish to consider these additional related courses on offer in the Festival:

If you are able to study more than one course or for more than one week, you may wish to consider streams of related course subjects.  There will be many other options – this is just an illustration of possible course combinations:

And don’t forget to watch the series of talks included in your course booking (usually charged at £50). Further details and a link to access the talks will be sent to you a week before the Festival starts.

Booking a course

To book a Festival course please click the Book Now button at the top of the course page. You will be taken to our secure bookings portal where you can set up an account using your email address, and pay for your course by credit or debit card.

All of our courses are limited to 50 places, in order to allow students and Course Directors the opportunity for interaction via the discussion forums on the VLE.

Bookings will remain open until midnight the day before the course starts. If your preferred course is full at the time of booking you can add yourself to a waiting list. You will be notified, by email, if a place becomes available. We recommend that you book early to avoid missing out.

Please note that if you book a place the weekend before a course starts, it may take up to 48 hours to process your application and notify you of your VLE log in details. You may therefore not have access until the end of the second day of the course, but can go back and review sessions which have already been released.

‘How to book a course’ video

Our short video below talks you through the necessary steps to register and create an account before booking on to your chosen course(s) via our secure payment portal.

Before booking, please ensure that you have read and understood our Booking terms and conditions

Talks

As part of our Summer Festival we will also be offering a series of talks showcasing the variety of subjects on offer here at the University, as well as research, global current affairs and a range of other topics.

By booking a Summer Festival course, you automatically qualify for free access to these talks (usually charged at £50). Further details and a link to access the talks will be sent to you a week before the Festival starts.

Learning outcomes:

This course has been designed to enable you to:

• Enjoy better collaboration with finance colleagues and financial advisors.
• Improve the financial dimensions of any self-employed work you do, or plan to do.
• Learn whether a secondment or career in finance is likely to be enjoyable.
• Enhance your appreciation of the role of finance in society.
• Strengthen your applications for higher level studies.

Course sessions:

1. Making friends with money & capital

• What are money and capital?
• Can we get away from them?
• How important are they?
• Are there viable alternative systems?

2. Working with cash flows, balance sheets & income statements

• Cash flows and cash balances
• Balance sheets
• Income statements
• Accruals accounting

3. Understanding return, interest & compound growth

• Interest payable and receivable
• Capital growth and total returns
• Compounding and decompounding

4. Explaining risk & risk management

• Sources and types of risk
• Responses to risk
• Risk appetite
• Risk and return

5. Evaluating projects: payback & discounted cash flow

• What investors - and other approvers - need to know
• Payback
• Net present value
• Internal rate of return
• Bringing it all together

Non-credit bearing

Please note that our Virtual Summer Festival of Learning courses are non-credit bearing.

Certificate of Participation

A certificate of participation will be sent to you electronically within a week of your Summer Festival course(s) finishing.

Welcome week: Before the course starts

Courses are delivered online via our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). A week before your course starts you will receive an email from our Teaching & Learning (TEL) team confirming your VLE login details. Once you have logged into the VLE, you should:

• Access the ‘Course Information’ and ‘Welcome to the course’ areas.
• Carry out any technical checks, including video checks.
• View the VLE ’Online course tour’ and familiarise yourself with your learning environment.
• Watch the Course Director’s welcome video.
• Introduce yourself to the Course Director and other students using the general forum.
• Access and carry out any pre-reading or activities for the course provided in the ‘Welcome to the course’ area.

Study week: Course delivery, video content and study time

• You will be taught largely through a series of pre-recorded course videos.
• Course videos will be released on a daily basis, Monday to Friday.
• We suggest that you set aside around 1.5 hours each day to watch the course videos, view course materials and resources and complete any related reading, activities and discussions in the daily forums. This does not need to be done in one sitting, you have the flexibility to access content when and where you want, and to go back and review it as often as you wish.

At the end of the course

• Content for each course will remain available on the VLE for 5 weeks after the course has finished
• Course forums will close for postings on the Monday after the course, but existing messages will still be visible for 5 weeks after the course has finished
• You will receive a certificate of participation via email within a week of your course finishing

Pre-recorded course videos

Courses include one or two videos per day, these are designed by the Course Director to help you address different aspects of the main topic. All of our course videos are subtitled.

Course discussion forums

There will also be the opportunity to engage in written form with other course participants and discuss questions set by the Course Director on the discussion forums. Your Course Director will launch a number of discussions on the daily forums and will generally respond to a selection of key questions and comments on a daily basis. You are encouraged to actively take part in these discussions to get the most out of the course and to add to your overall enjoyment.

Resources, reading lists and activities

During the course and up until 5 weeks after the course has finished you will have access to a number of learning resources which may include links to websites, readings and research papers. These are provided by the Course Director to support the teaching and will be available on the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

Who can book?

Our Virtual Summer Festival of Learning is open to students aged 18-80+. Courses are taught at approximately first-year undergraduate level. Unless otherwise stated, you don’t need any previous knowledge or experience of the subject. Unfortunately we cannot accept bookings from anyone under the age of 18. However we are also running a Virtual Pre-University Programme for 16-18 years olds in July. 

English Language requirements:

To ensure that all participants are able to enjoy studying with us, you will need to be confident understanding and following arguments presented in written and spoken English at University level. 

If English is not your native language, you will need to satisfy yourself that you have an appropriate level of English language proficiency in line with the following recommended tests (achieved in the same sitting and no more than 2 years before the date of booking): 

• IELTS Academic or IELTS Academic for UKVI: Overall band score of 6.5 or above (with no less than 6.5 in each of the four individual components) 
• CPE (Cambridge English: Proficiency): Grade C or above or 200 points overall on the Cambridge English Scale 
• CAE (Cambridge English Advanced): Grade A or B or 193 points overall on the Cambridge English Scale 

Alternatively, you may have undertaken all, or part, of your education in English and/or may have extensive experience using English on a regular basis in your professional life. On this basis, you could reasonably expect to fully participate in our Virtual Summer Festival of Learning. 

Technical requirements:

All of our courses will be delivered via our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). You will receive access to the VLE a week before your course starts (see the Course schedule and delivery tab). Here you can study and learn online, access resources and activities, and interact with your Course Director and fellow students via the forums. 

You will need to have access to: 

• the internet via a computer, laptop, tablet or other smart device  
• speakers or headphones in order to hear pre-recorded course videos provided by the Course Director 
• a webcam and microphone for any interactive Zoom sessions which may be available  

 When you first log into the VLE we recommend that you view the Online course tour. This will help you to familiarise yourself with the learning environment.  

Full instructions and support on how to use the VLE is available on request.  

Test Video

By playing the video below you can test your home set up to ensure you are able to access our pre-recorded course videos. 

Accessibility and additional support for students 

We make every effort to meet the requirements of those students with additional needs. Please let us know about any additional requirements as soon as possible so that we can offer you the support and advice you require before and during the Festival. Please note that all of our courses are subtitled.

You may wish to consider these additional related courses on offer in the Festival:

If you are able to study more than one course or for more than one week, you may wish to consider streams of related course subjects.  There will be many other options – this is just an illustration of possible course combinations:

And don’t forget to watch the series of talks included in your course booking (usually charged at £50). Further details and a link to access the talks will be sent to you a week before the Festival starts.

Booking a course

To book a Festival course please click the Book Now button at the top of the course page. You will be taken to our secure bookings portal where you can set up an account using your email address, and pay for your course by credit or debit card.

All of our courses are limited to 50 places, in order to allow students and Course Directors the opportunity for interaction via the discussion forums on the VLE.

Bookings will remain open until midnight the day before the course starts. If your preferred course is full at the time of booking you can add yourself to a waiting list. You will be notified, by email, if a place becomes available. We recommend that you book early to avoid missing out.

Please note that if you book a place the weekend before a course starts, it may take up to 48 hours to process your application and notify you of your VLE log in details. You may therefore not have access until the end of the second day of the course, but can go back and review sessions which have already been released.

‘How to book a course’ video

Our short video below talks you through the necessary steps to register and create an account before booking on to your chosen course(s) via our secure payment portal.

Before booking, please ensure that you have read and understood our Booking terms and conditions

Talks

As part of our Summer Festival we will also be offering a series of talks showcasing the variety of subjects on offer here at the University, as well as research, global current affairs and a range of other topics.

By booking a Summer Festival course, you automatically qualify for free access to these talks (usually charged at £50). Further details and a link to access the talks will be sent to you a week before the Festival starts.

Learning outcomes:

This course has been designed to enable you to:

• Gain an understanding of some of the different ways of researching a life
• Gain an appreciation of the part imagination may play in life writing
• Gain an awareness of the different ways of structuring the story of someone’s life

Course sessions:

Session 1 
1.1 Biography or memoir?
How are they different and what are the pros and cons for the reader and writer?
1.2 What makes an interesting life?
Deciding to tell someone’s story can take up years of your own life; which factors should you consider before choosing your subject?

Session 2
2.1 Research one
What are the basic research tools you should be aware of and how can you use them most effectively? 
2.2 Research two
Research doesn’t have to take place in dusty archives or silent libraries. How else can you find out about the past in a way that will help you to paint the picture for your reader?

Session 3 
3.1 Illustrations shouldn’t be an after-thought.
They are an intrinsic part of research that can kick-start your imagination and may influence your structure.
3.2 Memory is key to writing about a life, but how reliable is it?
What part should ethics play when you’re delving into the past?

Session 4  
4.1 Non-fiction obviously relies on facts
How can imagination make the most of those facts?
4.2 Structure
There are many ways in which to tell a story; which one is right for you?

Session 5 
5.1 Pace
Non-fiction can be as dramatic, funny and moving as fiction; how does the writer achieve this?
5.2 Polishing
Why editing never ends.

Non-credit bearing

Please note that our Virtual Summer Festival of Learning courses are non-credit bearing.

Certificate of Participation

A certificate of participation will be sent to you electronically within a week of your Summer Festival course(s) finishing.

Welcome week: Before the course starts

Courses are delivered online via our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). A week before your course starts you will receive an email from our Teaching & Learning (TEL) team confirming your VLE login details. Once you have logged into the VLE, you should:

• Access the ‘Course Information’ and ‘Welcome to the course’ areas.
• Carry out any technical checks, including video checks.
• View the VLE ’Online course tour’ and familiarise yourself with your learning environment.
• Watch the Course Director’s welcome video.
• Introduce yourself to the Course Director and other students using the general forum.
• Access and carry out any pre-reading or activities for the course provided in the ‘Welcome to the course’ area.

Study week: Course delivery, video content and study time

• You will be taught largely through a series of pre-recorded talks, designed to help you address different aspects of the main topic. These will be released on a daily basis, Monday to Friday. All of our videos are subtitled. There will also be an element of interactive work: a daily writing exercise to which you may respond by posting a short piece on the Student Forum on the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). You may also, if you wish, post questions related to the day’s teaching and the associated daily writing exercise, to be answered by the tutor on a separate ‘Your Questions’ Forum. 
• Please note: Your course director will read your posts daily, and will comment in broad terms on the group’s work, but it won’t be possible to provide feedback on individual exercise assignments, though questions arising from the assignment will be welcome. Depending on the number of questions, your tutor may have to work selectively. Where this applies, selection will tend to favour questions of general interest to the group as a whole. 
• The first talk will be introductory, and thereafter a typical session might run as follows, with the Course Director providing: 
  • a broad account of the territory to be covered in the session 
  • close analysis of relevant published texts or images posted on the course VLE  
  • a writing exercise based on the session's focal concerns, and giving you guidelines and making you aware of key issues 
  • a summary of the session's concerns and a brief outline of the next day's focus
• We suggest that you set aside around 2 hours each day to watch the videos, view course materials and resources, complete any related reading, pose questions and undertake the writing exercises. This does not need to be done in one sitting, you have the flexibility to access content when and where you want, and to go back and review it as often as you wish. 

At the end of the course

• Content for each course will remain available on the VLE for 5 weeks after the course has finished
• Course forums will close for postings on the Monday after the course, but existing messages will still be visible for 5 weeks after the course has finished
• You will receive a certificate of participation via email within a week of your course finishing

Resources, reading lists and activities

During the course and up until 5 weeks after the course has finished you will have access to a number of learning resources which may include links to websites, readings and research papers. These are provided by the Course Director to support the teaching and will be available on the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

Who can book?

Our Virtual Summer Festival of Learning is open to students aged 18-80+. Courses are taught at approximately first-year undergraduate level. Unless otherwise stated, you don’t need any previous knowledge or experience of the subject. Unfortunately we cannot accept bookings from anyone under the age of 18. However we are also running a Virtual Pre-University Programme for 16-18 years olds in July. 

English Language requirements:

To ensure that all participants are able to enjoy studying with us, you will need to be confident understanding and following arguments presented in written and spoken English at University level. 

If English is not your native language, you will need to satisfy yourself that you have an appropriate level of English language proficiency in line with the following recommended tests (achieved in the same sitting and no more than 2 years before the date of booking): 

• IELTS Academic or IELTS Academic for UKVI: Overall band score of 6.5 or above (with no less than 6.5 in each of the four individual components) 
• CPE (Cambridge English: Proficiency): Grade C or above or 200 points overall on the Cambridge English Scale 
• CAE (Cambridge English Advanced): Grade A or B or 193 points overall on the Cambridge English Scale 

Alternatively, you may have undertaken all, or part, of your education in English and/or may have extensive experience using English on a regular basis in your professional life. On this basis, you could reasonably expect to fully participate in our Virtual Summer Festival of Learning. 

Technical requirements:

All of our courses will be delivered via our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). You will receive access to the VLE a week before your course starts (see the Course schedule and delivery tab). Here you can study and learn online, access resources and activities, and interact with your Course Director and fellow students via the forums. 

You will need to have access to: 

• the internet via a computer, laptop, tablet or other smart device  
• speakers or headphones in order to hear pre-recorded course videos provided by the Course Director 
• a webcam and microphone for any interactive Zoom sessions which may be available  

 When you first log into the VLE we recommend that you view the Online course tour. This will help you to familiarise yourself with the learning environment.  

Full instructions and support on how to use the VLE is available on request.  

Test Video

By playing the video below you can test your home set up to ensure you are able to access our pre-recorded course videos. 

Accessibility and additional support for students 

We make every effort to meet the requirements of those students with additional needs. Please let us know about any additional requirements as soon as possible so that we can offer you the support and advice you require before and during the Festival. Please note that all of our courses are subtitled.

You may wish to consider these additional related courses on offer in the Festival:

If you are able to study more than one course or for more than one week, you may wish to consider streams of related course subjects.  There will be many other options – this is just an illustration of possible course combinations:

And don’t forget to watch the series of talks included in your course booking (usually charged at £50). Further details and a link to access the talks will be sent to you a week before the Festival starts.

Booking a course

To book a Festival course please click the Book Now button at the top of the course page. You will be taken to our secure bookings portal where you can set up an account using your email address, and pay for your course by credit or debit card.

All of our courses are limited to 50 places, in order to allow students and Course Directors the opportunity for interaction via the discussion forums on the VLE.

Bookings will remain open until midnight the day before the course starts. If your preferred course is full at the time of booking you can add yourself to a waiting list. You will be notified, by email, if a place becomes available. We recommend that you book early to avoid missing out.

Please note that if you book a place the weekend before a course starts, it may take up to 48 hours to process your application and notify you of your VLE log in details. You may therefore not have access until the end of the second day of the course, but can go back and review sessions which have already been released.

‘How to book a course’ video

Our short video below talks you through the necessary steps to register and create an account before booking on to your chosen course(s) via our secure payment portal.

Before booking, please ensure that you have read and understood our Booking terms and conditions

Talks

As part of our Summer Festival we will also be offering a series of talks showcasing the variety of subjects on offer here at the University, as well as research, global current affairs and a range of other topics.

By booking a Summer Festival course, you automatically qualify for free access to these talks (usually charged at £50). Further details and a link to access the talks will be sent to you a week before the Festival starts.

Learning outcomes:

This course has been designed to enable you to:

• Gain an overview of the life and significance of Samuel Pepys and John Evelyn and the importance of their diaries
• Set the diaries and the lives of Pepys and Evelyn in the context of late 17th-century England
• Have some understanding of the political, social and religious events of the late 17th century as presented through the lives and diaries of Samuel Pepys and John Evelyn

Course sessions:

1.1 Introducing Mr Pepys and Mr Evelyn
A brief overview of English history between the 1630s and the early 18th century to set Pepys and Evelyn in their social, political and religious context.

1.2. Pepys, Evelyn and the Royal Brothers
Both Pepys and Evelyn enjoyed the first careless rapture of the Restoration in 1660. However, this joy was soon over-shadowed by doubts caused by the immorality of the Court of Charles II and anxiety as to the consequences of the heir to the throne, James, Duke of York, converting to Roman Catholicism.

2.1 Pepys, Evelyn and the Royal Society
The Royal Society grew out of the ‘invisible college’ John Wilkins (Cromwell’s brother-in-law) established at Wadham College in the 1650s. It was the foremost exponent of ‘experimental philosophy’ in Restoration England and challenged many established beliefs. Evelyn published Sylva: or, a discourse of forest trees in 1664 at the behest of the Society and Pepys's name appeared on the title-page of the first edition of Newton’s Principia in 1687.

2.2 Pepys, Evelyn and Religion
On the 25th December 1657 Evelyn and his wife were arrested for celebrating the forbidden festival of Christmas. In 1679 Pepys was committed to the Tower and charged with treason as a result of the Popish Plot. Religion played a divisive part in the lives of our diarists and we will investigate something of that in this session.

3.1 Pepys, Evelyn and the Royal Navy
Pepys and Evelyn first meet and became friends during the second Dutch War of 1665-67. Pepys worked for many years in the Navy Office under the Lord High Admiral, James, Duke of York, working hard to increase the professionalism of the Royal Navy.

3.2 The Rule of the Strumpets
In his magisterial history of England published in 1848 Lord Macaulay remarked that with the fall of the Commonwealth and the Restoration of the Monarchy in 1660, the rule of the saints was replaced by the rule of the strumpets. Charles II fathered thirteen illegitimate children by a succession of mistresses and remarked that the mistresses of his Catholic brother, James, were so ugly it was obvious that they were chosen for him by his confessors as a penance! This session will examine something of the scandals and controversies associated with the Court.

4.1 Pleasures of the World I – Coffee Houses and the Theatre
The significance of the diaries of Pepys and Evelyn is not just what they tell us about politics and religion but what they reveal about the social like of Restoration England. In these sessions we will explore their discovery of ‘coffee’ and, in particular, Mr Pepys’s love of the theatre.

4.2 Pleasures of the World II – Music, Books and the Garden
Continuing the theme, we will explore Pepys's love of music, Evelyn’s devotion to his garden and their shared love of books.

5.1 Plots, Exclusion and Revolution
Politics broke into the ‘pleasures of the world’ in the 1670s, the ‘Popish Plot’ of 1679-80 witnessed Pepys in the Tower of London fighting for his life against a charge of treason. Neither men approved of the deposition of James VI & II in 1688-9. This session will discuss their struggles to come to terms with a revolutionary situation.

5.2 Retirement, Diaries and Conclusions
This last session will examine the lives of Pepys and Evelyn in retirement, how their diaries have come down to us in various editions and their lasting significance.

Non-credit bearing

Please note that our Virtual Summer Festival of Learning courses are non-credit bearing.

Certificate of Participation

A certificate of participation will be sent to you electronically within a week of your Summer Festival course(s) finishing.

Welcome week: Before the course starts

Courses are delivered online via our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). A week before your course starts you will receive an email from our Teaching & Learning (TEL) team confirming your VLE login details. Once you have logged into the VLE, you should:

• Access the ‘Course Information’ and ‘Welcome to the course’ areas.
• Carry out any technical checks, including video checks.
• View the VLE ’Online course tour’ and familiarise yourself with your learning environment.
• Watch the Course Director’s welcome video.
• Introduce yourself to the Course Director and other students using the general forum.
• Access and carry out any pre-reading or activities for the course provided in the ‘Welcome to the course’ area.

Study week: Course delivery, video content and study time

• You will be taught largely through a series of pre-recorded course videos.
• Course videos will be released on a daily basis, Monday to Friday.
• We suggest that you set aside around 1.5 hours each day to watch the course videos, view course materials and resources and complete any related reading, activities and discussions in the daily forums. This does not need to be done in one sitting, you have the flexibility to access content when and where you want, and to go back and review it as often as you wish.

At the end of the course

• Content for each course will remain available on the VLE for 5 weeks after the course has finished
• Course forums will close for postings on the Monday after the course, but existing messages will still be visible for 5 weeks after the course has finished
• You will receive a certificate of participation via email within a week of your course finishing

Pre-recorded course videos

Courses include one or two videos per day, these are designed by the Course Director to help you address different aspects of the main topic. All of our course videos are subtitled.

Course discussion forums

There will also be the opportunity to engage in written form with other course participants and discuss questions set by the Course Director on the discussion forums. Your Course Director will launch a number of discussions on the daily forums and will generally respond to a selection of key questions and comments on a daily basis. You are encouraged to actively take part in these discussions to get the most out of the course and to add to your overall enjoyment.

Resources, reading lists and activities

During the course and up until 5 weeks after the course has finished you will have access to a number of learning resources which may include links to websites, readings and research papers. These are provided by the Course Director to support the teaching and will be available on the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

Who can book?

Our Virtual Summer Festival of Learning is open to students aged 18-80+. Courses are taught at approximately first-year undergraduate level. Unless otherwise stated, you don’t need any previous knowledge or experience of the subject. Unfortunately we cannot accept bookings from anyone under the age of 18. However we are also running a Virtual Pre-University Programme for 16-18 years olds in July. 

English Language requirements:

To ensure that all participants are able to enjoy studying with us, you will need to be confident understanding and following arguments presented in written and spoken English at University level. 

If English is not your native language, you will need to satisfy yourself that you have an appropriate level of English language proficiency in line with the following recommended tests (achieved in the same sitting and no more than 2 years before the date of booking): 

• IELTS Academic or IELTS Academic for UKVI: Overall band score of 6.5 or above (with no less than 6.5 in each of the four individual components) 
• CPE (Cambridge English: Proficiency): Grade C or above or 200 points overall on the Cambridge English Scale 
• CAE (Cambridge English Advanced): Grade A or B or 193 points overall on the Cambridge English Scale 

Alternatively, you may have undertaken all, or part, of your education in English and/or may have extensive experience using English on a regular basis in your professional life. On this basis, you could reasonably expect to fully participate in our Virtual Summer Festival of Learning. 

Technical requirements:

All of our courses will be delivered via our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). You will receive access to the VLE a week before your course starts (see the Course schedule and delivery tab). Here you can study and learn online, access resources and activities, and interact with your Course Director and fellow students via the forums. 

You will need to have access to: 

• the internet via a computer, laptop, tablet or other smart device  
• speakers or headphones in order to hear pre-recorded course videos provided by the Course Director 
• a webcam and microphone for any interactive Zoom sessions which may be available  

 When you first log into the VLE we recommend that you view the Online course tour. This will help you to familiarise yourself with the learning environment.  

Full instructions and support on how to use the VLE is available on request.  

Test Video

By playing the video below you can test your home set up to ensure you are able to access our pre-recorded course videos. 

Accessibility and additional support for students 

We make every effort to meet the requirements of those students with additional needs. Please let us know about any additional requirements as soon as possible so that we can offer you the support and advice you require before and during the Festival. Please note that all of our courses are subtitled.

You may wish to consider these additional related courses on offer in the Festival:

If you are able to study more than one course or for more than one week, you may wish to consider streams of related course subjects.  There will be many other options – this is just an illustration of possible course combinations:

And don’t forget to watch the series of talks included in your course booking (usually charged at £50). Further details and a link to access the talks will be sent to you a week before the Festival starts.

Booking a course

To book a Festival course please click the Book Now button at the top of the course page. You will be taken to our secure bookings portal where you can set up an account using your email address, and pay for your course by credit or debit card.

All of our courses are limited to 50 places, in order to allow students and Course Directors the opportunity for interaction via the discussion forums on the VLE.

Bookings will remain open until midnight the day before the course starts. If your preferred course is full at the time of booking you can add yourself to a waiting list. You will be notified, by email, if a place becomes available. We recommend that you book early to avoid missing out.

Please note that if you book a place the weekend before a course starts, it may take up to 48 hours to process your application and notify you of your VLE log in details. You may therefore not have access until the end of the second day of the course, but can go back and review sessions which have already been released.

‘How to book a course’ video

Our short video below talks you through the necessary steps to register and create an account before booking on to your chosen course(s) via our secure payment portal.

Before booking, please ensure that you have read and understood our Booking terms and conditions

Talks

As part of our Summer Festival we will also be offering a series of talks showcasing the variety of subjects on offer here at the University, as well as research, global current affairs and a range of other topics.

By booking a Summer Festival course, you automatically qualify for free access to these talks (usually charged at £50). Further details and a link to access the talks will be sent to you a week before the Festival starts.

Learning outcomes:

This course has been designed to enable you to:

• Consider the development of Henry VIII’s reign through art and architecture
• Assess how Henry VIII made use of art and architecture to reinvent Tudor kingship

Course sessions:

1. Henry Tudor, Virtuous Prince
This session will examine the fragility of the Tudor dynasty and Henry VIII’s own unlikely path to the English throne. It will focus on art and sculpture to demonstrate the nature of Henry’s upbringing and the dramatic circumstances that led to his coronation in 1509.

2. A Golden Age 
This session will look at the early years of Henry’s reign, when the young king dazzled Europe with his glamour and intellect. We will focus on Henry’s attitude towards kingship and consider his involvement with the Field of Cloth of Gold.

3. The King’s Great Matter 
This session will examine how and why Henry VIII caused a schism by breaking with the Roman Catholic Church. We will consider how the King used art to provide an explanation of the new religious reality to his uneasy and confused subjects.

4. Reinventing the Monarchy
This session will examine how Henry VIII used art and architecture to demonstrate his reinvention of Tudor monarchy. It will consider how the King viewed the Royal Supremacy as the bedrock of his dynasty’s future. The role of Hans Holbein as the King’s Painter will be explored.

5. Securing the Succession
The final session will consider how Henry wanted to be viewed by posterity and what he intended for the future of the Tudor dynasty. It will look in particular at Henry’s two big projects of the 1540s: war and architecture. It will conclude by considering how far Henry VIII achieved his aims.

Non-credit bearing

Please note that our Virtual Summer Festival of Learning courses are non-credit bearing.

Certificate of Participation

A certificate of participation will be sent to you electronically within a week of your Summer Festival course(s) finishing.

Welcome week: Before the course starts

Courses are delivered online via our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). A week before your course starts you will receive an email from our Teaching & Learning (TEL) team confirming your VLE login details. Once you have logged into the VLE, you should:

• Access the ‘Course Information’ and ‘Welcome to the course’ areas.
• Carry out any technical checks, including video checks.
• View the VLE ’Online course tour’ and familiarise yourself with your learning environment.
• Watch the Course Director’s welcome video.
• Introduce yourself to the Course Director and other students using the general forum.
• Access and carry out any pre-reading or activities for the course provided in the ‘Welcome to the course’ area.

Study week: Course delivery, video content and study time

• You will be taught largely through a series of pre-recorded course videos.
• Course videos will be released on a daily basis, Monday to Friday.
• We suggest that you set aside around 1.5 hours each day to watch the course videos, view course materials and resources and complete any related reading, activities and discussions in the daily forums. This does not need to be done in one sitting, you have the flexibility to access content when and where you want, and to go back and review it as often as you wish.

At the end of the course

• Content for each course will remain available on the VLE for 5 weeks after the course has finished
• Course forums will close for postings on the Monday after the course, but existing messages will still be visible for 5 weeks after the course has finished
• You will receive a certificate of participation via email within a week of your course finishing

Pre-recorded course videos

Courses include one or two videos per day, these are designed by the Course Director to help you address different aspects of the main topic. All of our course videos are subtitled.

Course discussion forums

There will also be the opportunity to engage in written form with other course participants and discuss questions set by the Course Director on the discussion forums. Your Course Director will launch a number of discussions on the daily forums and will generally respond to a selection of key questions and comments on a daily basis. You are encouraged to actively take part in these discussions to get the most out of the course and to add to your overall enjoyment.

Resources, reading lists and activities

During the course and up until 5 weeks after the course has finished you will have access to a number of learning resources which may include links to websites, readings and research papers. These are provided by the Course Director to support the teaching and will be available on the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

Who can book?

Our Virtual Summer Festival of Learning is open to students aged 18-80+. Courses are taught at approximately first-year undergraduate level. Unless otherwise stated, you don’t need any previous knowledge or experience of the subject. Unfortunately we cannot accept bookings from anyone under the age of 18. However we are also running a Virtual Pre-University Programme for 16-18 years olds in July. 

English Language requirements:

To ensure that all participants are able to enjoy studying with us, you will need to be confident understanding and following arguments presented in written and spoken English at University level. 

If English is not your native language, you will need to satisfy yourself that you have an appropriate level of English language proficiency in line with the following recommended tests (achieved in the same sitting and no more than 2 years before the date of booking): 

• IELTS Academic or IELTS Academic for UKVI: Overall band score of 6.5 or above (with no less than 6.5 in each of the four individual components) 
• CPE (Cambridge English: Proficiency): Grade C or above or 200 points overall on the Cambridge English Scale 
• CAE (Cambridge English Advanced): Grade A or B or 193 points overall on the Cambridge English Scale 

Alternatively, you may have undertaken all, or part, of your education in English and/or may have extensive experience using English on a regular basis in your professional life. On this basis, you could reasonably expect to fully participate in our Virtual Summer Festival of Learning. 

Technical requirements:

All of our courses will be delivered via our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). You will receive access to the VLE a week before your course starts (see the Course schedule and delivery tab). Here you can study and learn online, access resources and activities, and interact with your Course Director and fellow students via the forums. 

You will need to have access to: 

• the internet via a computer, laptop, tablet or other smart device  
• speakers or headphones in order to hear pre-recorded course videos provided by the Course Director 
• a webcam and microphone for any interactive Zoom sessions which may be available  

 When you first log into the VLE we recommend that you view the Online course tour. This will help you to familiarise yourself with the learning environment.  

Full instructions and support on how to use the VLE is available on request.  

Test Video

By playing the video below you can test your home set up to ensure you are able to access our pre-recorded course videos. 

Accessibility and additional support for students 

We make every effort to meet the requirements of those students with additional needs. Please let us know about any additional requirements as soon as possible so that we can offer you the support and advice you require before and during the Festival. Please note that all of our courses are subtitled.

You may wish to consider these additional related courses on offer in the Festival:

If you are able to study more than one course or for more than one week, you may wish to consider streams of related course subjects.  There will be many other options – this is just an illustration of possible course combinations:

And don’t forget to watch the series of talks included in your course booking (usually charged at £50). Further details and a link to access the talks will be sent to you a week before the Festival starts.

Booking a course

To book a Festival course please click the Book Now button at the top of the course page. You will be taken to our secure bookings portal where you can set up an account using your email address, and pay for your course by credit or debit card.

All of our courses are limited to 50 places, in order to allow students and Course Directors the opportunity for interaction via the discussion forums on the VLE.

Bookings will remain open until midnight the day before the course starts. If your preferred course is full at the time of booking you can add yourself to a waiting list. You will be notified, by email, if a place becomes available. We recommend that you book early to avoid missing out.

Please note that if you book a place the weekend before a course starts, it may take up to 48 hours to process your application and notify you of your VLE log in details. You may therefore not have access until the end of the second day of the course, but can go back and review sessions which have already been released.

‘How to book a course’ video

Our short video below talks you through the necessary steps to register and create an account before booking on to your chosen course(s) via our secure payment portal.

Before booking, please ensure that you have read and understood our Booking terms and conditions

Talks

As part of our Summer Festival we will also be offering a series of talks showcasing the variety of subjects on offer here at the University, as well as research, global current affairs and a range of other topics.

By booking a Summer Festival course, you automatically qualify for free access to these talks (usually charged at £50). Further details and a link to access the talks will be sent to you a week before the Festival starts.