Applications for the ISC to the Washington Summer Institute at George Mason University, USA have now closed.

The summer programme is open to all undergraduate and postgraduate students from any discipline who wish to develop their understanding of U.S. politics, culture and law.

You will join other students from all over the world on the two week Washington Summer Institute programme.

• The 2-week Washington Summer Institute program will run from 1-15 July 2023.
• The three education tracks are U.S. Politics, U.S. Culture, and U.S. Law.
• Gain insight into three aspects of the American experience while enjoying Mason’s beautiful campus and all the opportunities proximity to Washington DC provides.
• Visit U.S. landmarks like the Capitol Building, Library of Congress, Mount Vernon, and more.
• Watch Independence Day fireworks on the National Mall.

Fairfax Campus is Mason's primary location in the City of Fairfax, Virginia is home to most of our undergraduate student population. The campus provides housing for up to 6,000 students and features the Center for the Arts, EagleBank Arena, the Recreation and Athletic Complex, and an Aquatics and Fitness Center.  The campus is located on 677 wooded acres just 20 miles from downtown Washington, D.C.

Participants will live in Mason dormitories on the Fairfax campus for the duration of their program. Mason is located just 24 kilometres outside of Washington, D.C. with access to the Metro and other public transportation options. Amenities include free laundry machines, wifi, and activity rooms. Find out more about Mason housing.

Meals are included in the cost of the programme.

You are responsible for checking what type of visa you may need to take part in the programme. 

The Washington Summer Institute is designed to enhance the experience of those who want to explore DC as tourists, not as students. Mason cannot support applications for F-1 visas for these short-term programs. However, participants are eligible to attend these programs on visitor B-1 and B-2 visas.

Visit the FCDO entry requirements for the USA webpage for further details on entry requirements, these can change frequently and at short notice.

You’ll need to budget for your own flights if you’re offered a place on the ISC - use a tool like skyscanner/kayak to get an idea of the cost. Bear in mind that direct flights may be more expensive than indirect flights and that prices may increase/decrease. It is your choice when to book your flight once you have been offered a place on the programme. 

Room and board, programming, site visits, airport pick up and drop off, and on-campus events will be provided by George Mason University as part of the programme fee. The programme fees are payable directly to the George Mason University.

Program fee: $3,200 (USD) [approximately £2,600 (GBP)]

Spending money will be required for any activities and weekend excursions outside of the programme.

There are a limited number of bursaries you can apply for through the University of York to help towards covering the costs of the programme and travel arrangements.  They are competitive and will be distributed on a needs basis but are open to all students.   

Your eligibility for partial or full funding will be evaluated as part of your internal application for the ISC. The maximum bursary amount for the ISC to George Mason University is £3,500.

We also recommend you check eligibility and apply for funding up to £3,000 from the York Futures Scholarship to help with the costs of the programme. 

Applications from the following students will receive particular consideration:

• students with disabilities and long term health conditions
• mature students (those aged 21 or over on the first day of undergraduate study at York)
• care leavers and care experienced students
• estranged students
• students who are carers
• students with children
• students from military families
• students who identify as LGBTI+
• first generation students (including if a parent went to university as a mature student)
• students seeking asylum in the UK
• students with refugee status
• students from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds (including students from Gypsy, Roma or Traveller backgrounds)
• students with an annual household income of £25,000 or less and receiving the maximum amount of Student Finance

If you have any questions or you would like to discuss this opportunity further, please contact summer-abroad@york.ac.uk. Please note that the ISC to George Mason University, Washington Summer Institute will not be accompanied by a member of staff from the University of York; support during the programme will be provided by George Mason University.  

Applications for the ISC Plus to University of Victoria, Canada are now closed.

The ISIBM is open to all undergraduate and postgraduate students from any discipline who wish to develop a fundamental understanding of business skills and tools to succeed in today’s global marketplace.

You will join other students from all over the world on the four week International Summer Institute for Business Management programme.

• The International Summer Institute for Business Management (ISIBM) is an intensive four-week program taught by award-winning professors from the Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria in Canada.
• Topics covered include: Business Communication, Entrepreneurship, Service Management and International Business. 
• Each programme comprises of two core modules; Business Communication and Business Management, focusing on Entrepreneurship, Service Management and International Business.
• Improve your intercultural awareness that will prepare you for further studies abroad and international business
• Improved business communication skills (oral, written, presentation and interpersonal skills)
• Experience Canadian university-level education
• Meet, study and live with students from around the world
• Social and cultural activities and on-campus housing included
• Canada Day Experience (first 4 days of programme, 30 June to 4 July) 

Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia, Canada and is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island. This safe and friendly city is the 15th most populous Canadian metro region. Victoria is one of the top tourist destinations in North America because of its beautiful gardens, plethora of indoor and outdoor activities and its mild, year-round climate. It is easily accessible by air and sea from Vancouver, Seattle and the rest of the world.

Students will stay in campus residences – the Commonwealth Village clusters. Students have a private bedroom and share a kitchen, living room, dining room and washrooms with 3 other students.

The campus is a 10 minute walk from the beach, local supermarkets and entertainment venues. Libraries, galleries, bus exchange, movie theatre and athletics and recreation centres with swimming pools are located on campus (these services may be at additional cost).

Students will have a meal card to use around campus in restaurants, cafes and student cafeterias.

You are responsible for checking what type of visa you may need to take part in the programme. 

You may be eligible to study in Canada for less than 6 months without a study permit if you have valid visitor status. Depending on your situation, you may need one of the following:

• an electronic travel authorization (eTA)
• a visitor visa (temporary resident visa)

Visit the FCDO entry requirements for Canada webpage for further details on entry requirements, these can change frequently and at short notice.

You’ll need to budget for your own flights if you’re offered a place on the ISC Plus - use a tool like skyscanner/kayak to get an idea of the cost. Bear in mind that direct flights may be more expensive than indirect flights and that prices may increase/decrease. It is your choice when to book your flight once you have been offered a place on the programme. 

Tuition, accommodation and meals will be provided by University of Victoria as part of the programme fee. The deposit and programme fees are payable directly to the University of Victoria.

Program fee: $6,037.50 (CAD) [approximately £3,700 (GBP)]

Deposit: If you are accepted to the programme a non-refundable fee of $600 (CAD) + tax [approximately £350] will be required.

Spending money will be required for any activities and weekend excursions outside of the programme.

There are a limited number of bursaries you can apply for through the University of York to help towards covering the costs of the programme and travel arrangements.  They are competitive and will be distributed on a needs basis but are open to all students.   

Your eligibility for partial or full funding will be evaluated as part of your internal application for the ISC Plus. The maximum bursary amount for the ISC Plus to Victoria is £5000.

We also recommend you check eligibility and apply for funding up to £3,000 from the York Futures Scholarship to help with the costs of the programme. 

The Gustavson School of Business also has a limited number of partial scholarships for successful applicants. To apply, please fill out the scholarship application form and submit it by email to isibm@uvic.ca by 27 May 2023 for the final scholarship committee meeting.

Applications from the following students will receive particular consideration:

• students with disabilities and long term health conditions
• mature students (those aged 21 or over on the first day of undergraduate study at York)
• care leavers and care experienced students
• estranged students
• students who are carers
• students with children
• students from military families
• students who identify as LGBTI+
• first generation students (including if a parent went to university as a mature student)
• students seeking asylum in the UK
• students with refugee status
• students from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds (including students from Gypsy, Roma or Traveller backgrounds)
• students with an annual household income of £25,000 or less and receiving the maximum amount of Student Finance