Social programme

Make the most of your time at Lancaster with plenty of opportunities to socialise, gain new skills, and travel the UK.

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Group of Global Summer School students 2025

Applications are now open

Applications close on Tuesday 07 April 2026.

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Socialise and explore

As well as the academic content, you will be able to choose from a wide range of social activities in the evenings and on weekends during your Global Summer School programme. There will also be optional workshops and other resources where you can reflect on your own cultural background and explore new perspectives from the other students on your programme.

We’ve designed a fun-filled schedule of social events and field trips to enhance your time here at Lancaster. They’ll help you to connect with other students on all our summer school programmes and gain new experiences outside of the academic content.

In previous years, we organised group coach trips to the Lake District, Liverpool, York, and Manchester on weekends. These trips are subject to an additional charge to cover travel costs and there are limited spaces.

Evening activities

We run regular social activities in the evenings for you to relax and make friends with students from across the Summer Schools. For larger groups, there will often be choices of activities between sports, games or cultural activities. Here are some examples from previous years:

  • Experience a warm welcome with an arrival social
  • Make friends over a game of badminton, frisbee or netball
  • Sit back and relax for a cosy movie night
  • Sing your heart out at karaoke
  • Get creative with arts and crafts sessions
  • Go head-to-head with your peers as you play strategy games
  • Enjoy some fresh air with our on-campus woodland walk
  • Show off your best skills in a talent show

College Cup Day

Our collegiate system and sense of community is something that makes Lancaster University so unique. When you arrive here at Lancaster, you’ll join one of our nine colleges, and will later compete in a range of friendly sporting events for our annual College Cup Day!

Global Summer School evening talent show activity from 2023

Explore Lancaster

You won’t have to go far to find a vibrant and interesting culture. The historic city centre of Lancaster is bustling with life and has everything from an array of cosy cafes and high street shops, to a historic castle with a fascinating story. Over summer, Lancaster is host to some exciting events like live music gigs in the town centre’s bars, and outdoor theatre performances in the green spaces of Williamson Park.

City of Lancaster and beyond

Explore the UK

If you wish to travel further afield, Lancaster has excellent transport links to popular locations in the UK. We’ll be hosting group excursions to a few different destinations on the weekends (additional travel costs apply), but you can also use your free time to get out there and explore.

A view of the Lake District in Cumbria, England

Lake District National Park

Just a 30-minute drive from Lancaster University, the Lake District offers plentiful opportunities to walk, swim, explore, and more.

Lake District National Park

If you like exploring natural landscapes, you will love the Lake District, which is England's largest natural park.

Blackpool Beach Tower

Just an hour’s drive from Lancaster, Blackpool is a popular seaside town with plenty to do. You might explore the famous Blackpool Tower, or head to Blackpool Pleasure Beach theme park for an exciting day out.

Manchester

Visit the buzzing city of Manchester via train routes from Lancaster in just one hour. You’ll find plenty of shops, restaurants and attractions; it’s a great place to visit if you want to explore more of the north while visiting the UK.

York

In just over two hours, you can be in York, host to some of the most impressive architecture in the UK. Don’t forget to visit the Shambles, a narrow, cobbled street in the heart of the city, said to be an inspiration for the fictional Diagon Alley from Harry Potter.

London

You might be eager to visit the capital city while you’re here in the UK – London can be visited in just 2.5 hours on the train from Lancaster. Visit popular attractions like Buckingham Palace and the London Eye, or perhaps you might wish to discover some hidden gems.

Global Summer School students cheering

What to bring?

  • Clothing that can be layered to suit different temperatures.
  • A light waterproof coat (umbrellas are not recommended as they can get broken in the wind).
  • Comfortable walking shoes and sportswear for trips and activities.
  • We recommend bringing some spending money for day trips, travel, and meals out if you wish. Your budget will depend on what activities you’d like to do here.
  • Linen (bedding and towels) are provided in all rooms, so you do not need to bring any.

If you forget something, don’t worry – we have convenience stores on campus that sell many of your daily essentials.

Facilities on campus

During your time here at Lancaster, you may wish to make use of our fantastic array of on-campus facilities. Aside from using the plentiful study spaces available, you could swim, climb, or work out at our Sports Centre, grab a coffee and pastry from one of the many outlets on campus, get some fresh air with our outdoor Trim Trail, and so much more. You’ll have everything you need right on your doorstep.

Facilities - Lancaster University
View of the Lancaster University Sports Centre.

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Got a question?

If you have any questions, our friendly team will be happy to help. Send us an email at globalschools@lancaster.ac.uk

Cultural immersion

''The people met, experiences had, culture immersed into, all brilliant! I want to come back next year'' - Sunway University student, International Cultural Experience programme 2025

Global Summer School students in the audience clapping during 2023 social event