The School

The Playfair Library Reception at SUISS

The Scottish Universities' International Summer School (SUISS) was founded as a non-profit organisation by Professor David Daiches in 1947 in the spirit of the Edinburgh International Festival, In 2012, SUISS celebrates its 65th anniversary. The School brings together students and academics who, irrespective of their national, religious or cultural difference, share a love of literature.

Each summer, we run courses in British and Irish literature and culture from 1900 to the present, as well as a creative writing programme.

We welcome undergraduates, postgraduates, teachers and lecturers from all over the world: in 2011, our students came from 37 different countries.

The School presents a wonderful opportunity for visiting Scotland, combining excellent educational facilities with the incomparable surroundings of Scotland's capital city.

SUISS runs for a total of six weeks, and offers a continuous programme of study throughout that period. Students may choose to come for the full programme, or attend either the first, the second ot the third two-week term, or a combination of the modules.

Download the 2012 brochure here.

The Programme currently offers four self-contained courses:

Text and Context

We present a comprehensive interdisciplinary course of study of twentieth-century literature, which seeks to understand British, Scottish and Irish culture against the background of the enormous social and political change of the twentieth century. Guest speakers of established scholarly reputation give daily lectures on major authors and critical developments.

1. Modernism
   British and Irish Literature 1900-1950
   9th-21st July 2012
2. Scottish Literature
   Scottish Literature 1900-Present
   23rd July-4th August 2012
3. Contemporary Literature
   British and Irish Literature 1960-Present
   6th-18th August 2012

Creative Writing

31st July-18th August 2012.

One of the most exciting and diverse courses available in Britain, the course makes the most of the experience of some of the leading talents in the vibrant culture of contemporary British and Irish literature. It is run in co-operation with the Edinburgh International Book Festival.

Our Partner Universities

Although SUISS is based at the University of Edinburgh, it pools the resources of some of Britain's most prestigious universities.

SUISS represents the following universities in Scotland:

The University of Aberdeen

The University of Dundee

The University of Edinburgh

The University of Glasgow

The Open University in Scotland

The University of Strathclyde in Glasgow

The University of St Andrews

SUISS students 2010