Essex Summer School in Social Science Data Analysis
The Essex Summer School in Social Science Data Analysis provides intensive social science methods training with instruction from an internationally renowned faculty. Operating since 1967, the Summer School has served as a connection between social science communities throughout the world. Each year, we receive over 500 students from all social science disciplines from over 50 countries. Learn more about ESS here.
The Fifty-Eighth Essex Summer School
The fifty-eighth Essex Summer School will take place from Monday 30th June to Friday 15th August 2025 and will be offering a combination of in-person and online courses.
In-person courses will be held at our Colchester campus. Online study is not available for these courses. Students are encouraged to bring with them their own laptops when undertaking a course in person. If the use of a personal laptop is required for participation, this is stated on the course’s information page and should be taken into consideration at the time of application.
Online courses will be taught via the video conferencing software Zoom. Participants therefore must have access to their own computing facilities in the form of a laptop or desktop PC. This should include adequate audio and visual equipment in the form of a webcam (built in or detachable), as well as a reliable internet connection to enable full participation in the online sessions. For the minimum bandwidth and operating systems required to use Zoom, please see here. Unless otherwise noted, live online class meetings will be recorded and made available to enrolled students during and for a limited period after the course concludes. If instructors are not allowing recording, this will be indicated on the course page on the website. Please check individual course pages for details and take this into consideration when applying. In person study is not available for these courses.
Hybrid courses are available for study either in person or online. Hybrid delivery of courses will include synchronous live sessions during which on campus and online students will be taught simultaneously. If participating online, please note whether recordings will be made available and take this into consideration before submitting an application. The above IT requirements should also be noted. For in-person study, students are encouraged to bring with them their own laptops. If the use of a personal laptop is required for participation, this is stated on the course’s information page and should be taken into consideration at the time of application.
Networking opportunities: Along with our courses, we will be offering opportunities to enhance students’ ESS experience outside of the classroom. These will include presentations from internationally renowned experts in social science methodology as part of our Speaker Series, as well as opportunities to network with fellow ESS participants. Please keep checking our website and the ESS social media channels for updates over the coming months.
Software: ESS will ensure that each participant has access to the necessary software to participate in their course, along with other materials. However, participants will need to ensure their local computing resources are sufficient for the software used in their specific course.
Core text books: Some ESS courses require participants to work from a core text book. If applicable, details are listed under ‘Required Texts’ on the course’s webpage. In these incidents, ESS will supply a digital copy of the textbook to the participant approximately one week ahead of the course’s start date. Core text books will not be provided until full payment has been received.
Courses for credit: Courses are not automatically examined but provision can be made to take a Single Course Exam in most courses – whether taught in person or online – at a cost of £100.00. Exam entry should be indicated on your form at the point of application and the cost will be added to your invoice. If you have any exam related questions, please contact the ESS office.
Further queries should be directed to essexsummerschoolssda@essex.ac.uk
