This July, our Confucius Institute welcomed more than 70 students into our global community, connecting online with students from the China University of Political Science and Law (CUPL) for our annual summer school programme: three intensive weeks, two courses, and countless new connections in British Culture and Academic Writing and Critical Thinking.

Now in its fifth year, our partnership with CUPL is a powerful example of what's possible when institutions commit to building something together. What began as a modest pilot has grown into one of the Confucius Institute's flagship international programmes, rooted in the same spirit of community and possibility that our University was founded on, connecting students across thousands of miles as though they were in the same room. Students joined with a shared ambition: to sharpen their academic English, engage critically with ideas, and explore British culture and university life.

Two Courses, One Shared Spirit of Enquiry!

Our British Culture and Academic Writing course introduced students to the conventions of academic English while exploring British history, institutions, and everyday life, giving them both the practical tools and the cultural context to write with confidence. Alongside it, our Critical Thinking course invited students to question assumptions, build sound arguments, and take part in reasoned debate: skills that carry far beyond the (virtual) classroom, wherever their ambitions take them next.

A Familiar and Trusted Face!

Leading the teaching once again was Anthony Brook, whose association with the programme now spans its entire five-year history. His engaging style and steady presence have become something of a hallmark of these summer schools, and feedback from students this year was, once again, exceptional!

Five Years On, and Still Growing!

What began five years ago as a small collaboration has become a highlight of the academic calendar for both institutions. Over five consecutive years, our summer schools have earned a reputation among CUPL students for rigorous, engaging teaching, and among our own staff for the warmth and sense of belonging each new cohort brings, even from a distance. With over 70 students taking part online this year, we look forward to continuing and deepening our partnership with CUPL in the years ahead.

We would like to thank all staff and students who made this year's programme such a success, and we look forward to welcoming the next cohort of CUPL students in 2027.