One Academic and One Elective: For Focussed Learning

Each weekday morning, our students focus on a single academic subject, allowing them to fully immerse themselves and make meaningful progress over the duration of the course. In the afternoons, they receive expert coaching in one carefully chosen elective, enabling them to develop their skills in a focused and structured way. By dedicating themselves to just one academic area and one elective, students can achieve real depth in their learning while still having time to enjoy a variety of sporting, creative and recreational activities after class.

Yes, English is the official language of Scotland!

In Scotland, we speak and teach in English—it’s our primary language! While you might hear some lovely Scottish accents and a few fun local words, rest assured that all lessons and conversations at ISSFT are in easy to understand English.

Modern Comfort in a Historic Setting

Students stay in modern, comfortable halls of residence set within the historic university environment. Each student has their own private en-suite bedroom, providing a secure space and a good night’s sleep after a busy day of activities.

Communal areas are available so students can relax and socialise with their peers, but at lights out, everyone has their own private space. Each room is individually keyed, ensuring privacy and safety throughout their stay.

You will find 'your people'

Each summer, students from over 100 countries come together to learn, live, and grow — forming friendships and global connections that often last far beyond the summer. Students live and learn alongside peers from across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, the Americas, and beyond — creating a global network within a world-class university environment.

With round-the-clock care and security

Students are chaperoned by a dedicated member of our team, known as a Counsellor. All our staff are experienced summer school chaperones and are overseen by a Residential Manager, who lives on campus 24 hours a day.

The Halls of Residence are carefully divided by age and gender to ensure a safe and comfortable environment for everyone. Access is strictly controlled — only students and authorised staff have keys. Student safety is always our top priority.

Supervised Airport Transfers

On opening day, we organise supervised transportation for students from Edinburgh International Airport or London Heathrow, depending on which campus they are attending. If your child requires travel outside of the scheduled times, we can also arrange private pickups for an additional charge.

At the end of the programme, we accompany students back to Edinburgh Airport and escort them through to their check-in gate. Our staff remain at the airport until all flights have departed, ensuring every student is safely on their way home.

Yes. Last year we welcomed students from over 100 countries.

Our school aims to limit nationality quotas to a 10% mix, to ensure a truly international experience for our students.

This also discourages groups of the same nationality talking in their native language, aiding our policy of ensuring that students speak English at all times.

Book with confidence

Our cover includes but is not limited to, Emergency medical expenses in the event of illness or injury. Protection against cancellation or curtailment charges. Cover for loss or damage to baggage and personal money

Your policy will become valid after you have completed your summer school fee payment in full and received notification that your policy is live.

Policy Summary Outline 

Yes, we provide freshly prepared meals every day.

Each student will receive a balanced and nutritional diet, including breakfast, lunch, dinner. On trip days, packed lunches with a small treat are provided.

We take our food seriously. As parents we understand that good food is an important part of feeling at home.

Don't worry, there is never a dull moment

After classes we run a full activity programme for all learners. During the evenings a full range of competitive sporting, artistic and socials events are also held. At weekends our learners will be taken on cultural excursions to the UK's finest cultural attractions. We never leave your child with nothing to do.

Yes. We have an experienced pastoral care team that live side by side with our students.

Our campus is also monitored round the clock by a dedicated security team. Reassuringly, our campus is considered the safest in the UK.

Even during free time, students can enjoy our facilities, safe in the knowledge that if they need anything there will be a member of staff nearby to assist them.

Yes. We make every effort to ensure that they are.

We limit the total number of students attending ISSFT, to ensure small class sizes and create an environment where every student feels involved, valued and comfortable.

During the first few days of the summer school, we focus heavily on helping our students to settle in and make friends. All of our Counsellors and Teachers are approachable, open and friendly. It’s their responsibility to ensure that all students are happy for the duration of their stay.

Our Director is on hand throughout the summer school to promptly address any concerns students or parents may have.

We have first aid trained staff and access to an online doctor, local doctors surgery and pharmacy.

Not only do we have first aid trained staff we also have access to an online doctor, local doctors surgery and pharmacy. We are also only ten minutes from the local Accident and Emergency Centre and Hospital. We have robust systems and protocols in place for all medical emergencies. If your child should ever feel unwell, we will book a doctor's appointment and chaperone them to and from it.

We plant a tree in your name as part of our sustainability and climate pledge.

We've partnered with environmental organisation Ecologi. Each tree is responsibly planted with Eden Reforestation, which ensures their reforestation projects have a positive human impact and a positive environmental impact. You will be able to see your tree planted in the ISSFT forest once your summer school application has been completed in full. More about Tree Planting.