Arts, Activism and Social Justice
Learn from activists and change-makers working in the UK’s thriving arts and voluntary sectors.
Who it's for
This is a summer school with a difference: you will join local activists, community members and Fulbright UK Summer Institute participants as you contribute directly to a city-wide movement of change.
This programme is open to international students from any academic discipline who want to understand the context for and learn the tools to effect change.
Feedback from previous students
“The people, ideas, and activities I engaged with both inside and outside the classroom have forever altered how I communicate with others and myself, what I specialize in academically and professionally, and how I intend to immerse myself in the world from this point forward.”
Obse, USA - Columbia University
“I can't emphasize enough how amazing my experience was. I felt so supported, validated and academically stimulated throughout the course of the program.”
Saadhavi, USA - University of Louisville
What you'll learn
You will investigate initiatives for social justice from across the globe, with particular attention given to racial justice, colonialism and legacies of enslavement. You will explore the role of arts and culture within these initiatives, drawing on diverse disciplines which may include, for example, philosophy, history, law, music and dance, visual arts, poetry, and storytelling.
You’ll learn how to create transformative change in the world around you in a range of skill-building, creative and academic sessions delivered by a network of community leaders, activists, academics and artists from Bristol's thriving grassroots sector and around the world.
The summer school focuses on five overlapping themes:
- Racism and social justice
- Colonialism and independence
- Strengths-based community development
- Migration and refugees
- Environmental sustainability
You’ll share your experiences and knowledge, explore diverse ways of linking arts, activism and social justice, and develop your own vision for positive change.
Recent alumni have described the programme as "a pivotal experience" and "nothing less than transformative".
Over the course of the summer school you will:
- Learn about the initiatives for social change and justice from around the world.
- Examine legacies of racism, slavery and colonialism, and the impact of these legacies on the lives of people today.
- Learn about Bristol's role in transatlantic slavery.
- Examine different approaches to rectifying historical injustices.
- Learn from a combination of practitioners and academics.
- Develop transferrable practical skills in media, campaigning and social entrepreneurship.
- Get involved in a variety of community, civic and arts activities.
- Meet local people from a variety of backgrounds.
- Enhance leadership skills and be empowered to build community, transform culture and grow as changemakers.
The academic programme will include:
- Creative, hands-on workshops with artists, entrepreneurs, and activists from the thriving arts and voluntary sectors of Bristol.
- Academic lectures and discussions.
- Learning by example from experienced changemakers.
Participants will study and complete coursework alongside fellow international students, learning valuable insights from their peers and working collectively to further their understanding of contemporary realities and the topics and themes being discussed. They will also work with an academic lead, who will provide direction, guidance and feedback to the participants.
You can read the course description, aims, intended learning outcomes and teaching assessment information in our Unit Catalogue. If the Unit Catalogue link doesn't work, please contact us at bristol-summer@bristol.ac.uk for this information.
Find out more about previous participants' experiences by reading our Arts, Activism & Social Justice Programme Timetable 2024 (PDF, 200kB) and the Arts, Activism & Social Justice Programme Brochure 2024 (PDF, 2,268kB) Please note that this timetable is subject to change.
If you need to view the academic brochure and programme outline in another format, email bristol-summer@bristol.ac.uk.
Learn more about our School of Arts, where you will be based.
Key information
Programme dates: Sunday 14 June to Saturday 4 July 2025
Programme fee: £3,595 - see what's included in the fee
Qualify for a 10% discount: We offer a single 10% discount for either:
- early-bird applicants who apply by 1 March 2026;
- students from International Partner Universities and Study Abroad student mobility partners;
- students who apply for two consecutive programmes; or
- groups of 10 or more students from the same university.
Students who apply through an agent will not be eligible for a fee discount.
Credits: upon successful completion of the programme, students will receive 10 academic credits, suggested as equivalent to 5 ECTS or 3 US semester credits.
Early bird applications end: 1 March 2026
Closing date for all applications: Applications will close on Sunday, 3 May 2026. For late expressions of interest, please contact Bristol Summer (bristol-summer@bristol.ac.uk) for consideration on a case-by-case basis.
Why choose a Bristol Summer?
Study at a top-10 UK university and explore one of the UK’s most exciting cities.
Entry requirements
Age: 18 or over
Study level and subject: international undergraduates currently studying any major
Current academic attainment: GPA equivalent to 60–63% on the UK scale, C on the ECTS scale, or 3.0 on a 4.0 GPA scale
English language: you meet our requirements if:
- you are a native speaker; or
- your degree is taught in English; or
- you meet our Profile C language requirements. Visit the page and select the 'English Language Proficiency Tests' tab for more information.
For this programme, we also accept CET-4 scores of at least 550 and CET-6 scores of at least 520.