About
It is impossible to understand Scotland without acknowledging the place and impact of sport. Sport is a significant part of Scottish cultural heritage. It helps to link the Scottish diaspora from Scotland to Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and Australia, to name but a few places.
It provides an informed practical insight into how sport is increasingly being used as a cost effective social tool involved in addressing many of the world’s social and humanitarian issues. It is part of the social, cultural, economic and political fabric of many countries that makes it a potent force for good and bad. It has been a catalyst in starting wars, promoting peace and international reconciliation, enabling health.
The Global Impact of Sport is build around two broad themes:
Sport, Heritage and Scottish Culture examines the contribution that Scotland has made to different worlds of sport. It takes the learner on a critical journey from St Andrew’s and the home of golf, to the National Football Museum and the oldest international fixture in the world, to unique sports settings in the borders, the western isles and the Highlands, to Braemar and the Royal Highland Games but also where Scottish sporting culture, icons and émigré’s have travelled and why.
Sport and Global Affairs identifies and analyses the way in which sport is being used today by the United Nations, UNICEF, the World Bank, the World Health Organization and trans-national NGO’S as a cost effective social tool that can contribute to global challenges of health, justice, conflict resolution, social inclusion, education for all, sustainability and international development.
You will learn about social interventions through sport such as Peace, Players international; Soccer Across Borders; and The Mighty Girls Programme. You will gain unique insight into what works, what isn’t working, successes and failures.
Sport itself is a global phenomenon Governments around the world commit public resources to sport. Every four years countries and cities commit to hard and soft legacies from hosting the Olympic or Commonwealth Games, or other major sporting events. From the bleachers to the boardroom, to the senate or cabinet, sport increasingly matters in today’s world. This course helps you to understand why this is the case.
Who should take this course?
This course will appeal to anyone with an interest in Scottish heritage, society and culture. It will also provide interesting insight for those who have an interest in global affairs and the part that sport can play in addressing world problems and issues, and those who want to visit some of Scotland's great sporting settings and institutions, architecture, museums and Scottish sports Halls of Fame.
Eligibility criteria
Credit-bearing courses
Minimum academic requirements
If you would like to apply to one of our credit bearing courses then you must be able to demonstrate that you will have completed at least 1 year of university–level study upon the start date of your preferred course.
You will ideally have a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or above, or equivalent grades. However, we will consider special circumstances on a case-by-case basis.
Minimum English Language requirements
If you are a non-native English speaker, we require that you demonstrate a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 (with a minimum of 5.5 in each component) or equivalent.
Some of our credit bearing courses require slightly higher levels of academic ability and English language ability; please see the individual course pages for the exact requirements for your chosen course.
Non-credit bearing courses
You must be 16 years of age or older upon the start date of your preferred course for your application to be considered.
Minimum English Language requirements
If you are a non-native English speaker, we require that you demonstrate a minimum IELTS score 5.5 (with a minimum of 5.0 in each component) or equivalent.
Supporting Evidence Requirements
You will be asked to provide the following evidence in support of your Summer School application:
- A personal statement: Please include your personal statement within the appropriate box in the application form. It should explain why you wish to study at the University of Edinburgh and provide any additional information (such as your hobbies and interests and extra-curricular activities relevant to your course choice) which you feel may support your application
- A copy of your passport (and any current UK visas)
In addition, you may be asked to provide evidence of the following:
Academic Qualifications
If you are required to provide evidence of your academic achievements, the Summer School will accept either:
- An official transcript/ interim degree transcript
OR - A letter of reference which vouches for your level of academic ability (ie. your level of study completed and your grades achieved). Recommendation letters should be around 300 words in length (although there is no upper limit) and should be provided by an individual who is unrelated to you. References must be composed in English, signed, and written upon headed paper.
English language requirements
Please note that any evidence provided in order to demonstrate your English language proficiency must be dated within 2 years of your preferred course start date.
In some circumstances, you may also be asked to provide a character reference in support of your application.
Please note that any documents which are not in English must be translated prior to submission. It is possible for you to translate these documents yourself, as long as any such documents are stamped and verified by the appropriate institution/ individual.
Applications will be available soon.
For more information click "Further official information" below.