International Relations Summer Courses in Cambridge
Explore how countries interact, investigate the forces shaping global affairs and develop your ability to analyse complex international issues with Atlas Summer Courses. Our two-week International Relations summer course in Cambridge, designed for students aged 16–17, gives you the opportunity to explore international relations beyond your usual studies while developing your critical thinking, analytical and communication skills.
Through small-group seminars, tutorials and independent study, you'll examine global issues, consider competing perspectives and become more confident constructing and defending 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 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 in Cambridge
Our International Relations summer course in Cambridge gives students aged 16–17 the opportunity to spend two weeks exploring global affairs, international cooperation and relationships between countries as part of an Atlas Summer Courses summer experience.
International Relations examines how states, international organisations and other actors interact across borders. It considers questions of power, diplomacy, cooperation, conflict and global governance, while exploring why different countries and institutions may respond to the same international challenges in very different ways.
Across the course, you'll be encouraged to look beyond individual events and headlines and consider the wider forces influencing international affairs. You'll examine different perspectives, question assumptions and explore how evidence and theory can help us understand complex global issues.
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 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 areas of International Relations, from diplomacy and international organisations to conflict, cooperation, global governance and international political issues.
You might consider questions such as:
- Why do countries cooperate in some situations and compete in others?
- How does power influence relationships between states?
- What role does diplomacy play in managing international disagreements?
- How effective are international organisations in addressing global challenges?
- Why do conflicts emerge, and how can they be managed or resolved?
- How do economic, political and security interests influence foreign policy?
- How can different theories of International Relations lead to different interpretations of the same global event?
The precise content will reflect your tutor's academic 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 theories, countries, conflicts or international issues you'll study.
How You'll Learn on Your International Relations Course
Atlas Summer Courses' International Relations summer course combines small-group seminars, tutorials and private study, giving you opportunities to explore international issues, examine competing perspectives and develop arguments of your own.
Ages 16–17
18 hours of small-group seminars
You'll take part in six three-hour seminars, exploring International Relations through discussion, debates, case studies, sources and other academic activities. You'll be encouraged to examine evidence, question assumptions and consider international issues from different perspectives.
2 hours of tutorials
You'll have one tutorial each week, usually with your tutor and one other student. These focused sessions give you the opportunity to discuss the essay you've been working on, explain and defend your argument and receive detailed feedback.
Around 20 hours of private study
You'll complete reading in preparation for seminars and work independently on an essay for each tutorial.
Together, these different forms of teaching encourage you to participate actively, engage critically with complex international questions and take greater responsibility for developing your own academic arguments.
Your Summer Experience in Cambridge
Your time with Atlas Summer Courses extends beyond your International Relations 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 Summer Course in Cambridge For?
Our International Relations summer course in Cambridge is designed for students aged 16–17 who are curious about world affairs and want to understand more about the relationships, institutions and decisions shaping international politics.
You don't need to have studied International Relations before joining. The course may particularly appeal to you if you follow current affairs, enjoy discussing complex issues, are interested in diplomacy or international organisations, or want to understand why countries respond differently to global challenges.
It can also provide an opportunity to explore International Relations academically before deciding whether it's a subject you'd like to pursue at university or in greater depth in the future.
You'll develop transferable skills including critical thinking, evaluating evidence, analysing competing perspectives, constructing arguments, independent research and communicating complex 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 academic 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 summer courses in Cambridge may explore different theories, regions, global challenges and approaches to understanding international 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 Take You?
International Relations develops the ability to analyse complex global issues, understand competing perspectives, evaluate evidence and construct clear, well-supported arguments.
Students interested in International Relations may go on to study the subject itself or related areas such as politics, history, economics, law, international development or other social sciences and humanities.
The analytical, research and communication skills associated with International Relations can also support future paths across government, diplomacy, international organisations, public policy, journalism, law, research, business and other internationally focused fields.
An International Relations summer course in Cambridge gives you the opportunity to explore the subject before making longer-term academic decisions and discover which aspects of international affairs 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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