Scottish Universities' International Summer School

Founded by Professor David Daiches in 1947, the Scottish Universities' International Summer School (SUISS) runs summer courses in British literature (Modernism, Contemporary Literature and Scottish Literature), Creative Writing, and Contemporary British Theatre and Performance.

These courses are open to domestic and international undergraduates, postgraduates, teachers and academics. In the past, we have welcomed applications from students from 40 different countries.

For further information, please contact Lauren Pope

British Literature

The British Literature courses provide a comprehensive, interdisciplinary programme that examines literature from Britain and Ireland in the context of the key societal and cultural developments during the twentieth and the twenty-first centuries. The dynamic and diverse characteristics of more than one hundred years of English, Irish, and Scottish texts are studied in conjunction with recent developments in literary theory.

Creative Writing

The Creative Writing course offers developing and established writers a supportive environment in which to further their writing skills in fiction, poetry, and drama. Students have a unique opportunity to develop their own critical analysis by attending Modernism and Contemporary Literature lectures, as well as author-led Masterclasses. SUISS tutors, who are published writers and experienced teachers, lead the students in 3-hour group seminars and individualised mentoring sessions.

Contemporary British Theatre and Performance

The Contemporary British Theatre and Performance course provides a challenging, dynamic and diverse introduction to contemporary British and Irish theatre with a global impact. The course takes place in Edinburgh, giving students the chance to study theatre and performance in Scotland’s beautiful capital city, while the Edinburgh International Festival and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe take place. Students benefit from lectures by established academics and daily seminars for discussion of dramatic texts, alongside a series of practical workshops offered by Playwrights’ Studio Scotland – Scotland’s only dedicated, independent development organisation for playwrights. Students also have the opportunity to attend events, including Festival shows and readings from leading contemporary theatre practitioners.

About SUISS

The Scottish Universities’ International Summer School (SUISS) was founded as a non-profit organisation by Professor David Daiches in 1947. In the spirit of the Edinburgh International Festival, SUISS brings together students and academics who, irrespective of their national, religious, cultural or gender differences, share a love of literature and the arts. SUISS is affiliated with seven prestigious universities: The University of Aberdeen, The University of Dundee, The University of Edinburgh, The University of Glasgow, The Open University in Scotland, The University of St Andrews, and The University of Strathclyde.