Summer schools are ideal locations for not just learning new skills and ideas, but also for networking with your peers and senior figures in your field. Plus they can be a lot of fun! If you have the time over the summer break, spending a week or two at a summer school can be an helpful step along your career path.

Today we're considering the top 10 summer schools for students in politics and international relations which you could participate in 2016:

EUsers Summer School: Performance and Governance of Services of General Interest in the EU​

Organizer: University of Milan

Location: Milan, Italy

Duration: Jun 27, 2016 to Jul 1, 2016

 

Details: This summer school is aimed at analysing the structure, regulation and performance of public services in Europe, particularly network industries. It is targeted to master-level, PhD students and post-doctoral researchers who are working in the fields of Economics, Management, Public Administration, Political Science and Social Studies. The school offers an overview of network industries reform in the EU, a unique focus on public enterprises economics and management, an international faculty of senior experts and a great opportunity for interacting with stakeholders from the European Commission and European agencies.

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Istanbul: Crossroad of Civilizations Summer School​

Organizer: Isik University

Location: Istanbul, Turkey

Duration: Jun 6, 2016 to Jul 1, 2016

 

Details: Enjoy your summer in Istanbul studying the history and culture of Istanbul at one of Turkey’s most prestigious universities. Immerse yourself in Turkey’s history, traditions and people in Sile, home of Istanbul’s most renowned summer resort. Discover Turkish and Middle East politics, culture, economy, society and art through a study of Istanbul. Deepen your understanding of Turkey with several day-long trips to major historical sites. The program also includes elementary Turkish for students from abroad.

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International Relations & Politics Programme​

Organizer: Cambridge Summer Institute

Location: Oxford, United Kingdom

Duration: Jul 3, 2016 to Aug 27, 2016

 

Details: This course serves as an introduction to the theoretical background of international relations and politics. You can examine a range of historical topics about international relations in trade, finance, and political institutions which it is possible to explore the behavior of states of international organizations. Through this, you will be provided with an in-dept understanding of international relation and politics related disciplines in the complex field between nations.

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Harvard Summer School: Debates in International Politics​

Organizer: Harvard Summer School

Location: Cambridge, MA, USA

Duration: Jul 11, 2016 to Aug 6, 2016

 

Details: This course critically examines arguments, analytical frameworks, and possible solutions for major debates in international politics. Students are encouraged to take positions on key economic, security, and global controversies. You will examine debates surrounding phenomena such as sovereignty, imperialism, terrorism, world governance, and state failure. You will also have a chance to investigate disputes over international injustice, environmental degradation, global trade, as well as America's role toward China and the rest of the world.

 

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2016 Munich-Vienna Middle East Summer School​

Organizer: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München and MEIA Research

Location: Munich, Germany & Vienna, Austria

Duration: Aug 3, 2016 to Aug 26, 2016

 

Details: During the 2016 Munich-Vienna Middle East Summer School, students will be provided with a broad understanding of the key political, economic, and societal developments in the contemporary Middle East. In the seminars, students will be taught by academics and practitioners with long-standing experience in the Middle East and given the opportunity to engage in a dialogue with students from the region in focus. The program targets both advanced students and young professionals from various backgrounds.

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SciencesPo Summer School​​: The European Union at a Crossroads

Organizer: Sciences Po Paris

Location: Paris, France

Duration: Jun 3, 2016 to Jun 30, 2016

 

Details: The Sciences Po Summer School is a unique opportunity for students from all over the world to study political sciences at Sciences Po, France’s leading university in the social sciences. The aim of the course is to introduce students to the multiple European realities and to provide the necessary tools for understanding how the EU can face these challenges in an ever-changing world. This interdisciplinary course will permit students to approach these major issues through the lenses of political science, law, economics and history.

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International Politics Summer School​

Organizer: University of Oxford

Location: Oxford, united Kingdom

Duration: Jul 31, 2016 to Aug 13, 2016

 

Details: The International Politics Summer School tackles the vital issues that shape politics in the modern world, in a rigorous academic environment. Participants will apply their knowledge to in depth analysis of key countries and regions outside of Western Europe and North America, and will engage with broader issues that affect all parts of the globe.

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The Summer School 'China: A World Superpower - Myth or Reality?' ​

Organizer: Schola Empirica in cooperation with the Institute for European and National Strategies

Location: Prague, Czech Republic

Duration: Jul 2, 2016 to Jul 9, 2016

 

Details: Whether one likes or not, the People’s Republic of China is becoming an economic and political powerhouse and the world’s second most powerful country after the United States. At the same time there are a lot of misconceptions and confusion about the real nature of Beijing’s political and economic system. If you are a student interested in finding out what the real China is and where it is headed in the near future, SCHOLA EMPIRICA is pleased to invite you to its summer school.

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LSE-UCT July School

Organizer: London School of Economics and Political Science

Location: Cape Town, South Africa

Duration: Jun 27, 2016 to Jul 8, 2016

 

Details: This innovative and prestigious two-week 'summer school' style programme provides the highest calibre students, graduates and professionals from across the globe with an exciting opportunity to study important social science issues relevant to Africa today across subject areas as diverse as international relations, economics, management, government, geography, law, media and social policy. The programme is taught by outstanding faculty from the University of Cape Town and LSE -  two of the world’s leading institutions for teaching and research.

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Summer School in Methods and Techniques​

Organizer: European Consortium for Political Research

Location: Budapest, Hungary

Duration: Jul 28, 2016 to Aug 13, 2016

 

Details: The Summer School forms part of the ECPR's Methods School, which delivers cutting-edge courses in the full span of qualitative and quantitative topics, spread across the two schools. Delivered by a diverse range of experienced Instructors and supported by dedicated Teaching Assistants, the academic side of the School is designed to provide young scholars with the methodological skill set they need at the start of their career, while an exciting plenary programme provides an opportunity for all important networking.

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Are you looking for summer courses in other disciplines? Check these rankings:

>> Top 10 Summer Schools 2016: Business & Management

>> Top 10 Summer Schools 2016: Economics

>> Top 10 Summer Schools 2016: Finance & Accounting

>> Top 10 Summer Schools 2016: Maths & Stats

>> Top 10 Interdisciplinary Summer Schools 2016: Social Sciences