International Relations and Politics Summer Courses in Cambridge
Explore how countries interact, investigate how political decisions are made and develop your understanding of the forces shaping societies and international affairs with Atlas Summer Courses. Our two-week International Relations and Politics summer course in Cambridge, designed for students aged 13–15, gives you the opportunity to explore political and global questions beyond your usual studies while developing your critical thinking, analytical and communication skills.
Through small-group seminars and independent study, you'll examine political ideas, consider different perspectives on international issues and become more confident developing and communicating your own arguments while enjoying the wider experience of spending your summer in Cambridge with Atlas Summer Courses.
What's Included?
Your residential International Relations and Politics summer course in Cambridge includes academic teaching, accommodation, meals, a certificate on completion, airport transfer and insurance.
Choose from Plus, Superior and Premier packages, with accommodation and additional benefits varying by package.
Study International Relations and Politics in Cambridge
Our International Relations and Politics summer course in Cambridge gives students aged 13–15 the opportunity to spend two weeks exploring political ideas, global affairs and relationships between countries as part of an Atlas Summer Courses summer experience.
Politics examines how societies are governed, how power is distributed and how decisions affecting individuals and communities are made. International Relations considers how countries, international organisations and other actors interact across borders, from cooperation and diplomacy to disagreement and conflict.
Studying the subjects together gives you the opportunity to consider how domestic politics and international affairs can influence one another. You'll explore how governments respond to challenges, why countries pursue different interests and how political ideas can shape decisions at both national and international levels.
Outside your academic sessions, you'll experience the wider programme alongside other students, with time to enjoy Cambridge and take part in the social and cultural elements of your Atlas Summer Courses summer.
What Will You Study on an International Relations and Politics Summer Course in Cambridge?
There is no prescribed syllabus that every student follows. Atlas Summer Courses tutors create their own syllabi, drawing on their expertise while taking the interests, abilities and learning needs of their students into account.
Depending on your tutor and group, you could explore different aspects of politics, international relations, political ideas, diplomacy and global affairs.
You might consider questions such as:
- Why do countries cooperate in some situations and disagree in others?
- How is political power gained, exercised and challenged?
- What makes a political system democratic?
- How do governments balance competing interests and priorities?
- What role do international organisations play in global affairs?
- How can diplomacy help countries manage disagreements?
- How do political ideas influence the way societies and governments respond to global challenges?
The precise content will reflect your tutor's expertise and the interests and learning needs of the students in your group. Any syllabus shown on our website is an example from a previous course rather than a guarantee of the exact countries, political systems, theories or international issues you'll study.
How You'll Learn on Your International Relations and Politics Course
Atlas Summer Courses' International Relations and Politics summer course combines interactive small-group seminars with private study, giving you opportunities to explore political questions, examine different perspectives and develop arguments of your own.
Ages 13–15
24 hours of small-group seminars
You'll take part in eight seminars where you'll explore International Relations and Politics through interactive discussions, debates, case studies and activities. You'll be encouraged to consider different perspectives, examine evidence and explain the reasoning behind your own conclusions.
12 hours of private study
You'll complete a small amount of work for each seminar. Depending on the course, this might involve reading about a political or international issue, researching a question, examining a case study or preparing an argument or presentation. There will be opportunities to work independently as well as collaboratively with your peers.
Across the course, you'll be encouraged to participate actively, question assumptions and become more confident analysing political and international questions from different perspectives.
Your Summer Experience in Cambridge
Your time with Atlas Summer Courses extends beyond your International Relations and Politics course.
You'll spend two weeks living and learning alongside other students, combining your academic programme with the wider social and cultural elements of the summer experience.
Outside your academic sessions, you'll have opportunities to spend time with other students, enjoy Cambridge and take part in the activities and experiences included within your programme.
Accommodation and additional programme benefits vary according to the package you choose, so you can compare the available options before applying.
Explore the summer experience in Cambridge.
Who Is Our International Relations and Politics Summer Course in Cambridge For?
Our International Relations and Politics summer course in Cambridge is designed for students aged 13–15 who are curious about politics, world affairs and the decisions that shape societies and relationships between countries.
You don't need to have studied either subject before joining. The course may particularly appeal to you if you follow current affairs, enjoy debating different points of view, are interested in how governments and international organisations work or want to understand why countries respond differently to global challenges.
It can also provide an opportunity to explore both disciplines before deciding whether Politics, International Relations or another social science is something you'd like to pursue in greater depth in the future.
You'll develop transferable skills including critical thinking, evaluating evidence, analysing different perspectives, constructing arguments, independent study and communicating ideas clearly.
Learn from Expert Tutors
Atlas Summer Courses tutors are experienced educators and subject specialists active across academia, research, policy and education.
They bring their own expertise and interests into their teaching and have the freedom to shape their syllabus around both their specialism and the students in their group. This means different International Relations and Politics summer courses in Cambridge may explore different political ideas, international issues and approaches to understanding global affairs.
Tutors are confirmed closer to the summer, so profiles on our website are examples of tutors who have previously taught with us rather than confirmation of who will teach your course.
Where Can International Relations and Politics Take You?
International Relations and Politics develop the ability to analyse complex issues, understand competing perspectives, evaluate evidence and construct clear, well-supported arguments.
Students interested in these subjects may go on to study International Relations, Politics or related areas such as history, economics, law, philosophy, international development or other social sciences and humanities.
The analytical, research and communication skills associated with International Relations and Politics can also support future paths across government, public policy, international organisations, diplomacy, journalism, law, research, business and many other fields.
An International Relations and Politics summer course in Cambridge gives you the opportunity to explore both subjects before making longer-term academic decisions and discover which political and international questions interest you most.
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FAQs about Our Cambridge Courses
Atlas Summer Courses offers a range of summer courses in Cambridge across subjects including sciences, medicine, technology, humanities, social sciences, business and creative disciplines. Course availability varies by age group and dates, so students can explore the subjects available for their age when choosing what to study.
Our summer courses in Cambridge are available across age groups including 13–15, 16–17 and, for selected subjects, 18–24. The academic approach varies according to age, giving students an appropriate balance of small-group teaching, independent study and academic challenge.
Our residential summer courses in Cambridge combine academic teaching with accommodation, meals and a wider programme of social and cultural experiences. Exact inclusions and accommodation vary by package, allowing students and families to compare the available options before applying.
No. Atlas Summer Courses is an independent summer course provider and is not part of, affiliated with or endorsed by the University of Cambridge. Our summer courses in Cambridge are organised and delivered by Atlas Programmes, with the focus on our academic courses and the wider Atlas Programmes summer experience.
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