A short-term summer or winter program, such as a summer school, short course, winter institute, or summer research fellowship, can enable you to gain international academic exposure, test a study destination, and enhance your CV. Scholarships are often offered by these programs, which may cover tuition, travel, or living expenses.
An overview of the types of jobs that are available, as well as how to apply for them, is provided in this article.
What are the benefits of summer / winter school scholarships?
These programs may fund short-term academic programs (usually 1-8 weeks, but sometimes up to a few months), including:
- Summer academic programs (language courses, cultural immersion)
- There are opportunities for short-term internships and fellowships during the summer
- A winter school (short academic or training courses) takes place during the winter semester break
- Courses in professional or thematic areas (e.g., environment, data, humanities, languages).
Scholarships may cover tuition, travel costs, and accommodation expenses, depending on the program.
A short-term scholarship program is available
DAAD University Summer Courses (Germany) – Funds summer courses for international students and graduates.
ESA Academy Short-Course Scholarship Programme – Offers scholarships for short courses in space and science to students from member and associate states.
Summer Boarding Courses International Summer School – Offers fully-funded 2-week summer school scholarships (primarily for younger students) at certain UK colleges and universities.
AFS Abroad Scholarships & Grants – AFS provides financial assistance and grant packages for students attending summer, internships, or short-term abroad programs.
KU Leuven Grants for Summer & Winter Programmes — The University offers grants for short-term mobility programs including summer and winter schools.
Scholarships for Estonian short courses and summer schools for international students – Some Estonian institutions offer scholarships for international students to attend summer schools (linguistic, cultural, and academic).
Scholarships are available in a variety of formats, including 2-week boarding courses, research fellowships, short academic courses, and mobility-school scholarships.
Short-term scholarship opportunities that you can find
- Look for a summer/winter school + “scholarship” + the country where you wish to study (e.g. “Germany summer school scholarship international students”).
- Most universities have pages dedicated to “International Study / Short Courses / Summer School” that list funded courses.
- There are many online scholarship databases and portals that list short-term, exchange, and mobility scholarships
- Consider specialized organizations in your field (space, science, environment, humanities) – they often run short training camps.
- Some embassies and cultural exchange organizations may fund short study or internship trips abroad
Coverage of typical scholarships
Scholarships for summer or winter school may cover the following, depending on the program and level of funding:
- Tuition or program fee waiver
- Amounts associated with travel (sometimes)
- Accommodations on campus or housing stipends
- Short-term courses rarely offer stipends or living allowances, but research internships may do so
- Health insurance will be provided during the program
The cost of travel and accommodation often outweighs the cost of tuition in short-term courses.
Consideration should be given to these programs
Short-term study scholarships are especially useful for:
- Undergraduates between semesters
- Recent graduates or students exploring international education during their gap year
- Students seeking international experience before committing to a full degree abroad should
- Training and global networking opportunities for those seeking short-term training
- Students in the sciences, engineering, humanities, languages, and global studies
Scholarship Application Tips for Short-Term Programs
- Choose courses or programs aligned with your academic or career goals when making your application
- Describe how a short-term program fits into your long-term goals in your motivation statement
- You can boost your competitiveness by highlighting your academic and volunteer achievements in the past
- It is best to apply early because slots tend to fill quickly due to the short duration and high demand
- Make sure you plan your travel and visa ahead of time – even short courses require preparation
In conclusion
The benefits of summer and winter school scholarships include gaining international exposure, boosting your CV, and exploring study abroad while reducing risk and cost. The option to study abroad without committing to a full degree program is manageable for undergraduates, gap-year students, and working professionals.