Social Science Data Analysis

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. Please do check in advance the minimum bandwidth and operating systems required to use Zoom. 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.

Courses are 35 hours over 2 weeks unless otherwise stated. The Essex Summer School offers an intensive learning environment. Each course consists of three and a half hours of teaching per day. Participants are advised to calculate additional time for readings and homework.

For information on specific courses please refer to the 2025 course list overview.

ECTS Course credit will still be available for courses when taking the Single Course Exam. 

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.

Courses take place in mornings or afternoons, British Summer Time (BST).

The language of instruction of this summer school is English.

We will ensure that each participant has access to the necessary software to participate in their course, along with other materials, as part of your course fees. 

For those participating in online courses, participants 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 over Zoom. 

For best learning success, participants should have the background knowledge necessary to follow a course. The instructors’ specifications of the prior knowledge expected of participants appear in the course descriptions for each session. This will also include any specialised requirements, such as computing knowledge, although basic knowledge of computing is essential. Participants can refresh and enhance their mathematics knowledge in an intensive course, Mathematics for Social Scientists, which is provided free of charge for participants of the Summer School. 

Instructors will assume that everyone doing their course has the required background knowledge and reserve the right to exclude a participant who does not have the required background.

Anyone who is uncertain about whether a course is appropriate for their needs or their background should contact the Summer School office for advice.

Fees differ by length of course and there is a discounted fee for participants from academic institutions and non-profit organisations. For a more detailed breakdown please view our course fees

Applicants wishing to apply should complete the online application form. We will continue to take applications until notice of application closure is posted. We strongly recommend early applications as courses can fill up quickly and many will become unavailable by May. All applicants also need to check our website for up-to-date information on course availability.

On receipt of the application, the Summer School office will send applicants an invoice for the amount due. At this point, either full payment or a non-refundable £50 deposit needs to be paid to secure your place. Full payment must then be paid by the date provided to you with your invoice. Places on courses cannot be guaranteed if payment has not been received in full by this date. There are two options for payment: online payment or bank transfer.

Essex PG students need to apply via Proficio, in addition to completing the application form. 

Please contact the summer school office with all queries by emailing essexsummerschoolssda@essex.ac.uk.

Applications for our 2025 Summer School are now live. To apply please visit our dedicated Website. 

Situated in the grounds of Wivenhoe Park, our campus accommodation is situated just a few minutes away from ESS’s academic and administrative buildings, so residents can, for example, easily use their rooms between lectures to prepare a meal or take a coffee break. All residences are equipped for self-catering and are provided with bed linen and hand towels. There is a linen change once a week but participants are responsible for their own cleaning of the flat, particularly the shared kitchen facilities. Computer network facilities are available in all accommodation.

Further information about our accommodation can be found on the ESS Website.