First of all we would like to thank everyone who entered this year’s Instagram Competition. We received so many great entries from our Undergraduate, Pre-University and JESIE students and it’s been great to see all your interpretations of the theme Summer at King’s.
The Summer Programmes Team whittled down the 335 entries to just a few photos and voted for our best. And here is the winner…
Adrian managed to snap this amazing photo whilst cruising along the River Thames at our Session One Boat Party. So well done Adrian for sending us such a great photo, which we all feel really captured our theme.
Over the next few weeks we will be sharing our Instagram competition shortlist with you all, so keep an eye for some more brilliant photos.
We can’t believe that one week has already passed for our Undergraduate Summer School students. And what a busy week it has been. We’ve had enrolment, a Thames Boat Party, a marshmallow competition at our Opening Social and a visit to the Warner Bros Studio Tour. And that’s on top of classes and module excursions. Our students have been very busy studying and enjoying the sights in London. So here are just a few photos of the Undergraduate Summer School so far…
As summer is edging ever nearer we wanted to let you know all about our exciting social programme for students at the Undergraduate Summer School. The Summer Programmes team works with King’s College London Student Union to create a social programme that compliments the academic programme and gives you the chance to explore London and make new friends. Activities will take place on evenings and weekends, meaning once class is finished for the day, you are able to take part in some (or all) of these excellent events.
For each session there will be an ‘Official’ Opening Party and also a Thames Boat Party. Both are great opportunities to make new friends, spend time with your classmates and to chat to staff at KCLSU and the Summer Programmes team.
London is home to the West End and is a hub for musical and other theatrical performances. And for this years summer school, students will get the opportunity to see some of the best shows around. For both sessions there are tickets available to see The Lion King. In Session One you will also be able to see Wicked and in Session Two you will have the opportunity to purchase tickers to Aladdin. Tickets are limited so do book early to avoid disappointment!
We also have some brilliant day time activities. In both sessions students are able to spend the day exploring the historical towns of Oxford and Windsor– the Queen’s favourite holiday home. And for Session One only there will be a number of tickets available for the Harry Potter Studio Tour. Here you will spend time admiring the sets featured in the movies, as well as sampling butter beer and riding a broomstick.
Walking around London is by far the best way to see it. And this summer you’ll also be able to take part in a number of walking tours. In the first session students are able to explore the quirky Camden Market and the quaint Notting Hill and Portobello Market. And in the second session you’ll be able to visit the locations used in the Harry Potter movies, as well as a Theatre Land Tour of London.
If you are interested in any of the trips mentioned above and listed on the website please do book your tickets early. There are a limited amount of tickets for some events, so if you really do want to go book as soon as you can. Throughout these events we want to see how much of a great time you’re having, so please do like/follow us and share your pictures on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
‘Hi! My name is Nuralyah Razali and I am a year 3 bio-medical undergraduate from the National University of Singapore. A year ago, my family and I visited London for the Queen Diamond Jubilee. My parents wanted to give me an opportunity to see and experience the everyday life in the UK in hopes that I would like to study here in the future.
Fast forward to the following year, I came across the Kings College Summer School website by chance and found out that King’s is a partner school with my university, the National University of Singapore. I’ve always had plans to pursue a post-graduate medical degree in the UK and I felt that King’s offered a really good programme which I hope to apply to in a few year’s time. King’s is not only a highly respected and reputable university for bio-medical research, but it is also the largest healthcare education center in Europe.
Coming from a science background, I wanted to study something that was related to my course of study but also had a historical aspect because I love reading about medieval medical history. That is why I decided to apply for the History of Medicine course at King’s. I believe that learning the history itself will provide me insight on how to better the lives of others through future medicine and clinical research, which I hope to be part of in the near future.
Nuralyah outside Guy’s Hospital
Imagine people running against you, the wind blowing with temperature of 18 degrees every morning, yet you get to feel the comfort of the sun rays while enjoying the walk down to school! On the left side is the panoramic view of Westminster, the London Eye, Big Ben and the River Thames. On the right, you get to see the Southbank, where locals do street performances like dancing, playing the guitar and even selling potted plants in small cute mini gardens by the river.
Small vans selling the finest Danish ice cream, Belgium waffles and hot dogs. Little kids playing bubbles while their parents have Twinning tea for brunch at the cafes: these are the many sights that I get to see while walking to school.
Scenes on Southbank
On the first day of school, we made our way through crowds of Summer School students from over 90 universities from around the world, got our timetables and headed to the auditorium for a welcome speech. I felt butterflies in my tummy the whole time, especially the part when the speaker welcomed ‘students from partnering universities: National University of Singapore’. I was about to stand up and wave for a standing ovation! We met Dr. Anna who was our professor for History of Medicine, along with the smallest group of students in a course – 6 of us to be exact. We had classmates from the USA, Bulgaria and Saudi Arabia, and amongst them were PHD students in Philosophy and History of Medicine and undergraduate in medical or pre-med school.
History of Medicine class 2013
The first session was really mind opening for a science student like myself in the sense that we get to read Shakespeare and were allowed to express our ideas on pictures of early Modern Europe-dating back to the 16th century. What I found most peculiar personally is that whatever explanation or reasoning I shared with the class, there was no wrong or right answer to the theory imposed. I felt really at ease in class and as the days went by I began to feel less afraid to share my own thoughts and views.
History of Medicine
We got to discuss primary sources of Vesalius, Galen, poems from the 1500s, and stories on how the medical market was so busy with quacks trying to sell off their goods (black market of the medical industry in Europe). The great thing about studying history in London is that it really IS the place to study history: not only did we have class activities; we visited museums like the Hunterian, Gordon and Florence Nightingale Museums. Every single museum has its own murky past to tell but what was common between all these museums is that they helped to mark out and define what the medical industry we see today is about. We take for granted the difference between a physician and a surgeon, the Christianity-era influenced background of the professionalism of a nurse, how hospitals back then only admitted the poor… how then did everything change to what it is today?
We ventured through the dark halls of Gordon Museum where we got to browse through ancient medicine books dating back to 1400s. Books in the past were made of copper-based material, and it was a very chilling yet wonderful feeling to be able to hold the finest medieval books of the ancient Roman and Greek history.
Enjoying London!
The Summer School also offered a social programme during the weekends which I was thrilled to be part of and to be able to get to know the other Summer School students. It also gave me a chance to learn and be exposed to the rich and diversified lifestyle that the UK has to offer to a student.
The first weekend we had a boat trip from Westminster all the way to Greenwich and back. There was music and good food, and the company was simply lovely; getting to know each other better under a wonderful panoramic sunset view.
The following weekend, I signed up for the trip to Oxford and Windsor. Our tour guide was like a walking encyclopedia! It was a lovely day exploring two of the most magical places in UK.
London life
The loveliest memory that I will always hold dear to me is that I celebrated my 21st birthday on the 14th of July while studying at King’s! AND I MET NATALIE TENA who acts as Osha in Game of Thrones and Nymphadora Tonks in Harry Potter series!! I took the time over the weekends and after school to explore different parts of London, browsing through street markets and tasting the local delicacies.
During my stay at London I constantly update my personal blog http://aleejustsaid.blogspot.com and I recommend anyone who intends to go on a KCL summer programme would do the same thing to! I hope to come back to King’s one day in the future. It was the best summer experience of my life and I know that there are many others out there who would love to have had the same experience. The most important thing is to be brave, be bold and take the time to discover yourself in the three weeks!
Thank you King’s for providing a platform for us to share our wonderful experiences! Am already missing the school adventures!’
Every year the Summer School likes to offer its students a lively and varied social programme to complement the academic courses. Some events are free; others may require purchase of tickets, but whatever we offer we always strive to provide value for money for our students. This year we are especially delighted to be offering for the first time ever weekend trips outside of London, which offer our students a chance to explore Europe while knowing they will be enjoying their time with friends, led by experienced guides, and knowing you are guaranteed value for money.
Details of how to book social events is available to Summer School students as part of the welcome information you receive after you have paid fees. Some of the ticketed events offered in 2013 will include:
This is a truly once in a life time chance to explore not only one of Great Britain’s most beautiful cities, but also the dreamy surrounding areas of The Trossachs, which inspired so many of the great writers and poets. The trip, offered in Session One, includes a stunning train ride from London to Edinburgh, accommodation, and excursions in and around the city. Don’t miss this chance to discover ‘the Athens of the North’.
What better way to discover the city of light then with your new Summer School friends? Offered in Session Two, this two night trip includes Eurostar to Paris, accommodation, a three hour scenic tour of Paris, and much more. You will also have plenty of time to explore the city on your own, getting lost in markets and pick up trinkets for friends and family back home. A trip not to be missed.
Visit two of England’s most striking and historic locations as part of a guided day trip. The tour will take you west to Windsor to skirmish with its 900 year old castle where the queen calls home.
You will explore Windsor Castle’s extraordinary history within the walls and it includes a visit to the St George’s Chapel. Here kings and queens are buried. Henry VIII, despite a spectacular mishap en route from London, lies in the royal vault alongside his favourite wife. This afternoon will take students to Oxford with a walk that goes by many of the principal university buildings such as the Bodleian Library, the Radcliffe Camera and Christopher Wren’s Sheldonian Theatre where degrees ceremonies take place. The highlight will be a visit to New College – dating from 1379.
Boat trip down the Thames
The Thames boat trip is a chance to get to know your fellow Summer School students and see the sights of London from the river Thames, from the Strand Campus down, under Tower Bridge to maritime Greenwich before returning to Camden.
Canal boat trip
Explore London’s backwaters on this Canal tour from Little Venice to Camden, along The Regent’s Canal through Regent’s Park, London Zoo to Camden Lock ending in Camden, famous for alternative music, great food and a buzzing atmosphere.
Walking tours
This year we are planning several walking tours in London, from tours of local street art in East London to literary pub crawls. Tours are still being decided but if you would like to suggest any tours, please send us an email with suggestions!
Welcome to the new King’s Summer School blog. We hope that the blog will be a great place for you to learn more about the Summer School, the courses we offer, and the university that we are part of. We also plan to tell you loads about life in London and how to make the most out of your time here if you decide to study with us this summer.
Each week the blog will have a new post, new tutors telling us more about their courses, Summer School alumni reminiscing on their time in London and King’s, and news and advice directly from the Summer School team. remember you can always find us on our website, Twitter and Facebook.
But why attend a Summer School in the first place?
Attending a Summer School is a fantastic way to broaden your academic outlook, learn in a new environment and gain credit towards your university study. The Summer School at King’s offers all these things and more, and also gives you the chance to study in a world-leading university in the one of the world’s most dynamic cities. Not only to our Summer School students benefit from learning from leading academics, they also form friendships and contacts for life. Why not listen to Summer School alumni Melissa’s student profile to see why she decided to study with us.
Why should I choose King’s?
The King’s College London Summer School is a high quality and intensive academic programme open to students from around the world. We offer university-level summer courses which use a fresh approach to the study of traditional academic subjects.
Located in the very heart of London, accommodation and classes are next to many of the great cultural, social and entertainment attractions which London has to offer. We even offer a lively social programme to complement the academic programme with events offered both on and off campus, including boat trips along the Thames, trips to Bath and Oxford, and the Warner Bros. Studio Tour to experience some Harry Potter magic! All this helps our students make the most of their time in London, both academically and culturally.
How can I learn more?
Well this blog is a great way to start! For information on what courses are scheduled to run this Summer, details on fees, accommodation and our social programme, can all be found on our website. Please note that as we get closer to the summer, more and more details will be confirmed, so make sure to check back regularly! We also have our Facebook and Twitter pages, and if you have a particular question that cannot be answered, please email us at summerschool@kcl.ac.uk.
London is home to the West End and is a hub for musical and other theatrical performances. And for this years summer school, students will get the opportunity to see some of the best shows around. For both sessions there are tickets available to see 
Walking around London is by far the best way to see it. And this summer you’ll also be able to take part in a number of walking tours. In the first session students are able to explore the quirky 
