Undergraduate Summer School

The emphasis of the Undergraduate Summer School is to bridge the skills gaps you may have encountered and help you progress with your career in ecology. Within the application process we are seeking your views on the most useful content to include. We have lots of exciting plans in process but the most important aspect is to provide an experience that will enhance your opportunities to succeed.

Summer School 2025

Applications will open in early Spring 2025. If you would like to be added to a mailing list to be notified when applications open, please email education@britishecologicalsociety.org.

We are exploring new and exciting venues for the 2025 Summer School, and hope to share these with you soon!

Applications will be considered for all undergraduate students studying a degree relating to ecological sciences and enrolled in British or Irish Universities, irrespective of their background. We strongly encourage applications from individuals who face or have faced barriers to their career development; this may be due to being from an underrepresented group and/or due to other factors (such as having caring responsibilities).

Past Summer Schools

Summer School 2024

In 2024, the Summer School saw it’s 10th Anniversary in the stunning sceneries of North Wales, Rhyd-y-creuau Field Studies Council! We created a programme led mainly but past alumni, to showcase their career paths since graduating. We also had some returning session leaders, who have dedicated their time each and every year to the Summer Schools.

Summer School 2023

With the success of 2022’s hybrid model, the 2023 Summer School kept the format and took its students to Preston Montford where they got to engage in a range of specialist ecological workshops, develop new field skills, and network with peers and professionals from the ecological sector.

Summer School 2022

The last two years the Summer School went fully online, however in 2022 we took the hybrid route combining the best elements from the online and in-person trips. The Summer School had a first session fully online on the 12th July 2022 where they were able to meet their peers, their mentors, and staff, and practice networking in a relaxed setting. This was followed by the residential field trip to Blencathra Field Studies Centre 15th July – 18th July, where they were able to attend classes and dive right into the world of ecology with practical skills sessions!

Summer School 2020 and 2021

The past two years have seen fully online Summer Schools with extra ecological outdoor content local to participants. Over the course of the weeks, students participated in expert-led science sessions, online interactive elements and career development workshops. There were plenty of opportunities to network with fellow undergraduates, PhD students, ecological academics and professionals. Whilst the Summer School was an intense experience, jam-packed with activities, it was extremely beneficial and lots of fun!

In previous years we have been lucky enough to visit some amazing locations to deliver the Summer School. Below are some images of previous years and an insight into the fieldwork, careers, and ecological sessions Summer School alumni have taken part in!