DJCAD Summer School

Immerse yourself in an inspiring three-week, credit-bearing course at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design.

This dynamic Summer School offers a hands-on introduction to human-centred innovation through design thinking. It will equip you to tackle urgent social, economic, and environmental challenges.

Located in Dundee, this experience combines academic learning with unique cultural adventures across Scotland. Dundee is the UK's only UNESCO City of Design.

Regardless of your educational background, you’ll gain practical skills in human-centred innovation. You will also have the opportunity to earn academic credit, build international connections, and enjoy all that Dundee and Scotland have to offer.

In the Design Thinking for Civic Innovation course, you’ll be guided by renowned design practitioners and researchers. This will allow you to delve into real-world case studies. You will learn to address complex issues with creative, impactful solutions. This will be done through critical thinking, field research, and hands-on making.

You will participate in interactive workshops at DJCAD—one of the UK’s top 10 art and design schools—and at Scotland’s national design museum, V&A Dundee.

You’ll engage with diverse design research teams. This will allow you to gain insights into the role of design in driving social change and environmental sustainability.

You’ll also experience cultural excursions and guided tours of iconic sites. You will be able to draw inspiration and fresh perspectives from Scotland’s rich cultural heritage.

From day one, immerse yourself in Scotland’s rich heritage. Activities as part of the course include:

• a campus treasure hunt
• a Dundee city tour
• Highland Games visit
• an excursion to Loch Ness

You will also have free time to explore Edinburgh, St Andrews and other local areas of interest.

You will be able to unleash your creativity within DJCAD, through a fun, dynamic souvenir-making workshop.

The course culminates in a final project presentation and celebration dinner. This will leave you with a portfolio of skills and memories to last a lifetime.