STEM Summer School 2024

Improve your skills

The Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) Summer School is an opportunity for you to further improve your skills for your chosen programme here at Strathclyde. 

We caught up with some of our STEM Summer School participants, and here's what they had to say:

More information

Who can apply to attend STEM Summer School?

To be admitted to the STEM Summer School you must:

  • have accepted an offer to study at the University of Strathclyde as firm or insurance student

How do I apply to attend STEM Summer School?

Applications can be made through our online portal. Please note that the deadline date for applications is Friday 7 June 2024. Applications may be considered after this date on a case-by-case basis. Please email if you are unable to meet the deadline.  

When and where is STEM Summer School?

The dates of the 2024 Summer School are Monday 17 June to Wednesday 17 July 2024. (Please note, the university is closed on Friday 12, and Monday 15 July for the Glasgow Fair weekend).  The timetable is available here.

Please note that the ILTHE activities/assessments that appear on the timetable refer to the 'Introduction to Higher Education' module which all Summer School students are required to take.  Zoom and on-campus room details will be sent to you by your subject tutors.

Is the Summer School taught online or on campus?

The Summer School will be taught online with some optional on-campus sessions offered for those students who wish to join them. We encourage students to take up the opportunity to attend these on-campus sessions as it will provide you with a chance to explore the University campus and facilities. However, we recognise that some students may live outwith Glasgow, or Scotland, or have other factors which prevent you from attending on campus. Please be assurred that you will be able to sit all aspects of the Summer School (including assessments) online and will not be disadvantaged by not being able to attend on-campus sessions.

What about holidays or part-time work commitments during the Summer School?

The Summer Schools runs continuously between 17 June and 17 July. There are not scheduled activities on every day however students are expected to use most of this time to study the provided materials and prepare your assignment and assessment submissions. If you plan on attending Summer School, please try not to take holidays during this period so that you can keep up with the work and maximise your chance of success. There is no flexibility with exam and assignment dates (all of which are online).  However, we recognise there may be cases where some students have pre-booked holidays or existing part-time work commitments. If you are in this position, we would recommend that you email to inform us. 

How much does it cost?

Attending STEM Summer School is free of charge.

What do I do at STEM Summer School?

Induction

A foundation module has been created to introduce you to online study and university life and will be available to undertake online a couple of weeks prior to the start of the Summer School.

Modules

STEM Summer School consists of Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics modules. The modules will be delivered online via the University’s virtual learning environment, MyPlace, and for each you will have a number of structured learning activities to complete.

If attending STEM Summer School is a condition of your offer of study, your conditional offer will outline which module(s) you are required to take. 

In addition to your subject modules you will also complete an Introduction to Learning in Higher Education module which incorporates Study and Library Skills. This will be invaluable to you in your undergraduate career.

Mathematics

The Mathematics module will cover core topics required for university courses in science and engineering. Over the course of the STEM Summer School, you will study: numbers, algebra, functions and graphs, trigonometry, geometry, and calculus.

Learning activities will include reading sections of lecture notes, watching short video lectures, exercises and completing end of topic quizzes. To aid your learning and understanding, weekly live teaching sessions will be provided, during which you will be able to ask your tutors any questions you have about the material.

Chemistry

Inorganic, Organic and Physical Chemistry, including ideas of atomic and molecular structure and their relation to chemical reactivity.

This introduction to Chemistry will take the form of online lectures, tutorials, and laboratories.

Physics

The physics module will provide a foundation of physics on which you will build your University course.  The course will cover three main areas: mechanics, waves and electrostatics.  The course will be delivered via directed reading, recorded lecture videos, quizzes and problems solving activities.  We will have on-campus/online tutorials to work through problems together.

Introduction to Higher Education

The Introduction to Higher Education module (ITLHE) will equip you with the skills necessary for studying successfully at university and will include the following topics:

  • time management 
  • notetaking
  • reading and analysis
  • exam preparation
  • finding scholarly information using the Library catalogue and online resources
  • critically evaluating information
  • referencing different types of information

This module will be assessed by two short assignments submitted via Myplace.

Assessment

Assessment details and timings are detailed in the timetable.  Assessment details will be confirmed to you by your subject tutors.