Royal Holloway, University of London

International Summer School

Students from around the world can enjoy Royal Holloway’s new International Summer School. This gives the opportunity to learn about British history and culture in the areas that interest students the most. At the same time, they can study for academic credits.

Running from the end of June to the middle of August, the programme consists of unique modules that are designed around the university’s history and location. Subject areas cover history, politics, law and the arts, and are experienced through cultural visits to London and nearby areas. For example, Royal Holloway is situated just one mile away from where the Magna Carta was signed at Runnymede, and four miles away from Windsor Castle and Parks.

Students can choose one module from both Summer School programmes:

• Programme 1

Democracy, sovereignty and the rule of law: from Magna Carta to Brexit

Theatre in London: Shakespeare to the contemporary scene

• Programme 2

Victorian England: history, literature and the arts

The heritage sector: understanding the past in contemporary society.

Classes are held on four days a week, with up to three hours of contact time each day. One day a week there is a cultural field trip day. Students are expected to study independently outside of classes, and will be assessed through tests, presentations and coursework.

During the course, students have access to university facilities including libraries and study spaces. They will stay in George Eliot halls of residence, on the main campus. The programme fee includes tuition fees, accommodation costs, breakfasts and dinners, field trip costs, a sim card and transport to and from the airport.

If students successfully complete the programme they can achieve 15 UK credits/7.5 ECTS, which is equivalent to 3–4 U.S.credits.

Royal Holloway is home to over 1,750 staff who work in academic, administrative and support departments. Visiting teachers, student interns and student staff also work on campus. The university’s staff is noted for its diversity with many countries being represented.

Royal Holloway is well-known for its excellence in teaching and research. Achievements include:

• Placing within the top 25 percent of UK universities with ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ research (Research Excellence Framework, 2014).
• The Economics department is in the top tenin the UK (Times Higher Education’s ‘REF institutions ranked by subject’, 2014).
• Music is top in the UK for research intensity (Complete University Guide, 2020) and Psychology is fifth.
• English is fifth in the UK for Creative Writing research (Times and the Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2019).
• Geography is second in the UK for research quality (Complete University Guide, 2020)

All students are taught by dedicated experts who are professors, teaching fellows, post-doctoral researchers and PhD students. Teaching methods include large-group lectures,small sized interactive seminars, classes and workshops,practical classes,and field and study trips.

Added value

Royal Holloway is dedicated to providing students with a unique education that ensures they graduate equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to stand out in the professional job market. Students can be flexible with their degreesandthey can spend time studying or working abroad, or choose a multidisciplinary unit from a different department to broaden their experience.

Undergraduate students at Royal Holloway can study for one of the following types of degree:

• Bachelor of Arts (BA)
• Bachelor of Engineering (BEng)
• Bachelor of Law (LLB)
• Bachelor of Music (BMus)
• Bachelor of Science (BSc)
• Bachelor of Science (Economics) (BSc Economics)
• Master of Engineering (MEng)
• Master of Science (MSci)

The majority of undergraduate courses span three years, but some degrees last four: Modern Languages, Master of Science and Master of Engineering. This is due to courses incorporating a year in industry or studying abroad.

Royal Holloway is made up of 21 academic departments and schools covering:

• Biological Sciences
• Classics
• Comparative Literature and Culture
• Computer Science
• Criminology
• Drama, Theatre and Dance
• Earth Sciences
• Economics
• Electronic Engineering
• English
• Geography
• History
• Information Security
• Languages, Literatures and Cultures
• Law
• Liberal Arts
• Management
• Mathematics
• Media Arts
• Music
• Philosophy
• Physics
• Politics and International Relations
• Psychology
• Social Work

As the majority of teaching at Royal Holloway is led in English, international students will need to have a high level of English language ability before starting their academic course. This is to ensure that they can cope with their studies as well as enjoy the course and student life.

The university accepts the following English language tests:

• IELTS
• TOEFL iBT
• PTE
• Cambridge ESOL
• Other accepted equivalents

Students are encouraged to check the requirements for their chosen academic course.

Language programmes

International students who cannot satisfy the English language requirements for their degree course can study a preparation programme with Royal Holloway’s International Study Centre. These programmes help students improve their skills and allow them to progress onto academic study.

Programmes include the International Foundation Year. This is a one-year course where students take academic modules to improve their language abilities, and prepare for studying an undergraduate degree at Royal Holloway.

Often regarded as one of the most beautiful university campuses in the world, Royal Holloway is spread over 135 acres of idyllic parkland in Egham, Surrey. It also has a base in Bloomsbury, central London, which is just 19 miles from the main campus.

Buildings

The Founder's Building is globally recognised due to its impressive architecture. It houses the famous Picture Gallery, some academic departments, accommodation for 500 students, a dining hall, a restaurant and more.

The university is undergoing a multi-million pound campus enhancement. Finished projects include the Emily Wilding Davison Building, which consists of a new library and the Student Services Centre, and the George Eliot student residences, which created 600 new bedrooms for students.

Community

During their time at Royal Holloway, students will have plenty to do outside of their studies. There are 150 clubs and societies to enjoy, and music, media and arts events and opportunities. As well as providing a vibrant events calendar, the Students’ Union represents student voices and also offers advice and support.

Accommodation

Undergraduate students are guaranteed university accommodation if they accept their offer before the given deadline. Accommodation includes single and shared rooms with private or shared facilities, and catered or-self catered options.

A range of scholarships are available to international students looking to study at Royal Holloway.

International Excellence Scholarship

New international undergraduates may be able to receive a tuition fee discount GBP 5,000 for the first year of study. There are 12 scholarships available. To be eligible, internationals will need to submit a scholarship statement and meet a number of requirements including:

• Predicted GCE A Level grades of AAA, or equivalent
• A conditional or unconditional study offer from the university.

Global Scholarship Programme

Available for students from Canada, India, Turkey and the U.S., new international undergraduates may be able to receive a tuition fee discount of up to GBP 5,000 each year for three years. There are 14 scholarships available. To be eligible, internationalstudentswill need to submit a scholarship statement and meet a number of requirements including:

• Predicted GCE A Level grades of ABB, or equivalent
• A conditional or unconditional study offer from the university