For current high school students (must be 15+ - 19 years old) interested in politics, political science, and the social and behavioural sciences in general. 

The lectures and all course materials are in English. Participants in the course become acquainted with learning methods that will give them an advantage as they continue their education at university.

The programme will cover the following themes:

• Introduction to Political Science
• International Relations
• Political Theory
• Political Economy
• Politics and Identity
• Social Movements
• Conflict Studies

Included in the course fees are access to: 

5 live online seminars

• A minimum of 7 pre-recorded video lectures by our community of experts on the topics listed above.
• A selection of recommended readings and other materials accessible at the UvA digital library.
• The opportunity to complete short assignments to help you apply your knowledge.

The programme combines the flexibility of pre-recorded lectures with the structure and engagement of live seminars. This format allows students to interact, collaborate, and reflect in real time. Participants will experience university-style learning through discussion-based seminars, readings, and assignments designed to foster critical thinking and comprehensive knowledge.

The course is structured into five modules, each lasting two weeks. A live seminar takes place at the end of each module, with Module 1 including an additional introductory session. We aim to schedule the live sessions outside of school hours.

Canvas - digital learning environment

All of our programmes make use of Canvas, the UvA's digital learning environment. This is where you'll find all course materials and where you can discuss these sand other topics with your fellow students. 

Participants in this online winter course will have access to all of the content from mid-January through March, and can complete the lectures, readings and assignments at their own pace within that timeframe. 

After completing all the material and assignments, participants will be awarded a certificate of completion. We do not award credits for this programme. 

Jogita Rulle (MSc) is a political scientist specializing in political theory and decolonial thought. She holds both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Political Science from the University of Amsterdam. Her research explores themes such as global migration, decolonial studies, agency, and education systems. Her Master’s thesis examined the persistence of coloniality in Latvian high school curricula, focusing on how Eurocentric narratives shape the presentation of history in textbooks.

In addition to her research, Jogita has extensive experience tutoring both Bachelor’s and Master’s students in academic writing, both online and in person. She has supported numerous students in developing their academic skills, with particular attention to clarity, structure, and critical analysis.

She has also coordinated pre-university and university-level summer programmes on topics including international relations, sustainability, conflict resolution, multilateralism, global governance and others . Her teaching practice is grounded in a commitment to creating more holistic, engaging, and inclusive learning environments, with a strong interest in dismantling traditional student–teacher hierarchies.

Want to get to know more about studying at the University of Amsterdam? Follow us on social media and join our summer community. Get a feel for our summer school vibe and our academic and social community, and learn about studying with us through the eyes of past summer school students. 

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Looking for an alumni perspective? Read this interview with Grace Forrest, who attended the Pre-University Honours Programme: Politics & Identity in summer 2018.