The IHR London Summer School 2023: Secret London

Bookings will close on Thursday 29 June 2023.

The IHR London Summer School offers a unique opportunity to explore London’s stories and historic places from our home here at Senate House in the heart of Bloomsbury. Guest lectures from world-renowned experts and interactive workshops will focus on topics from London’s earliest history to the present day – as well as visions and policy debates around its future. Site-specific work will take us out to archives and museums, as well as offering special access to some of London’s most fascinating historic sites. Students will have access to the remarkable London collections in the IHR’s Wohl Library, including maps, rare books and a range of important primary and secondary sources. Alongside programmed content, IHR academic and library staff will be available informally for consultation and bespoke support. 


The IHR London Summer School is a unique opportunity to explore London’s stories and historic places from our home here at Senate House in the heart of Bloomsbury. Guest lectures from world-renowned experts and interactive workshops focus on topics from London’s earliest history to the present day, with special access visits and trips to some of London’s most fascinating historic sites. 


From special visits to the mysterious London Mithraeum and the Bishopsgate Institute Archives, to a tour of Senate House’s own ‘Ministry of Information’, and expert lectures on topics from the history of MI5 to hidden histories of early medieval London, join us in 2023 to discover Secret London. 

Provisional Schedule

A provisional IHR London Summer School Schedule is now available to view on the IHR website.

The London Summer School builds on the IHR’s outstanding strengths in urban and metropolitan history, and especially London history, formerly concentrated in its Centre for Metropolitan History (founded in 1988 by the IHR and Museum of London) and now based in its Centre for the History of People, Place and Community. The Summer School draws on this world-class academic heritage, as well as other high-profile projects and centres based in the IHR: the Victoria County History of England (founded 1899), History & Policy: the UK’s national network for connecting historians and policy-makers, and Layers of London: the major history mapping project which brings together historic maps, material from archives and institutions, and crowdsourced content from communities across the city. The Summer School will also feature cutting-edge new research from other projects both within and beyond the University of London.

Fees 

The fee for the IHR Summer School 2023 is:

• Standard | £680
• Student | £550

Bookings will close on Sunday 25 June 2023.

The University accepts Visa/Mastercard/Maestro/Solo (UK only)/Visa Debit. No other credit cards (e.g. American Express) can be accepted. If you have an issue with payment, please contact IHR Events office ([email protected]). 

• Bookings cannot be made for individual days of the courses. Attendance is for the full four days. 
• The fee does not include accommodation. 

Bursaries

Apply for a bursary now


We are pleased to offer a number of bursaries for attendance at the IHR London Summer School. We are grateful for the support of the American Friends of the IHR (AFIHR), the Friends of the IHR and Professor David Bates all of whom have kindly provided funds for these bursaries.

IHR London Summer School applications will be judged on the basis of financial need, as well as benefit to the applicant. We will use your ‘Statement of Motivation’ and ‘Statement of Need’ to help us make the awards. Decisions will be made by senior academic staff in the IHR.

Bursaries offered range from full fees (plus, for USA-based applicants, a contribution to travel costs and accommodation) to a fee reduction. If you have any questions about the Bursary scheme, please email [email protected]

Applications should be submitted by 12th May 2023, and you will be notified of the outcome by 26th May 2023.

All welcome- advance booking is required.