How to Apply

Making an application to the ISS is simple, and we are here to help should you need it. Please note that for the ISS 2024, you will be choosing 'Admission Term' 2023-24.

Applications are made online, through Liverpool’s central application system, the same as you would if you were applying for a Postgraduate Degree. The first step is to create an account, receive your PIN and login, then you can make an application.

You will need to choose your period of study, supply your personal information, and upload some documents to support your application, as well as tell us about your current study.

Depending on your background, you may need to supply an English language certificate (if you don’t have one, we can supply an online test a little later.) You will be asked for a transcript- but if you don’t have this you can upload a blank document in its place and you will be able to continue.

We will then contact you to confirm your module choices and guide you through the rest of the process including producing your offer letter (which you may need for your visa), confirmation of accommodation, and payment. We’ll be in touch throughout the whole process and you are welcome to reach out directly if you have any doubts.

Students nominated by partners will follow the same process, although we will also be in touch with your home institution.

Module choice

You will be asked to make first and second module choices, enabling you to have options in case your first choice modules are full or otherwise unavailable. Please remember that places on chosen modules are allocated on a first come, first served basis, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

We will try to place all students in their chosen module classes. However, do be aware that modules which do not recruit enough students may be withdrawn. Modules may also be cancelled due to reasons beyond our control e.g. sickness of an academic member of staff. This is rare, and we will communicate directly with you should it occur.

Should your first choice module become full, cancelled or withdrawn, we will aim to allocate you to your second choice module.

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements for the International Summer School are as follows:

  • You will be a student at postgraduate or undergraduate level at a university worldwide or have completed an undergraduate degree at a university worldwide.
  • You will be aged 18 or over on the first day of the course.

We do not ask for a GPA. it is up to you and your home institution to decide whether the ISS is appropriate for you (see FAQS for further explanation).

English Language Requirement

If English is your second language, and you are not coming from an institution with English as a medium of instruction, you must demonstrate a minimum level of English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.0/CEFR B2/Upper intermediate to take part in the academic modules. To join the English Communication Skills modules (weeks 4-6 only) you will need to demonstrate a level equivalent to IELTS 5.0 / CEFR B1/ Intermediate.

We are able to accept a range of exam certificates as proof of your proficiency in English, or your home institution can vouch for your level with a form such as this one (confirmation of language level / confirmation of language level PDF). 

Any student who is found to fall significantly below the required level on arrival may be refused registration or if appropriate moved to the ECS pathway.

Information for Current UoL Students and Students at XJTLU

The ISS is a fantastic experience whether you are new to Liverpool and the UK or not, and we welcome applications for current UoL students as well as students currently studying at XJTLU. You will qualify for a discounted tuition fee and choose whether to take campus accommodation or not.

If you are a current UoL student or studying at XJTLU and wish to make an application to the ISS we would be happy to hear from you. As you will have an existing Liverpool ID, to avoid duplication of records you must refer to this ID number in your application.

  • If you are a UOL student and don't know your ID, please get in touch.
  • If you are an XJTLU student you can contact the team there. You should inform your home institution of your intention to join us.
  • If you are on campus you are welcome to arrange to drop into the office for a chat.

Please note that for UoL students, credit gained from the ISS cannot be used in your main course, although you will receive a separate transcript for your study with us.

Staying in touch

We will be in contact with you throughout your application with information on the programme, links to things we think you might want to know about, and of course are on hand to answer any questions. Closer to the start of the programme we will start to send more detailed information about preparation and arrival and set up some online events so we can get to know each other.

If you have any questions, please see our FAQs page, or you can contact us for any other queries.

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