Explore how political systems, international relations and power shape the world around us. From understanding why countries struggle to cooperate on climate change to examining who controls AI, you’ll investigate the role of institutions, diplomacy and soft power. You’ll also look at how politics influences wealth distribution and how cultural phenomena, from K-pop to major sporting events, can shape international relations.
Pre-University Summer School
Make Your Summer a Unique Journey
Spend two weeks in Lisbon living the Forward experience: university subjects exploration, team project work, AI & leadership skills in one of the loveliest cities in Europe just minutes from the beach..
Why join
the Forward Summer School?
What subject should I select for university? How do I learn best? What is my personality type and how may I work with others? How can we learn and create better with AI? These are the topics covered by our summer school.
Here is how:
- Explore university subjects among Politics and International Relations, Economics & Management, Psychology, Data Science & AI
- Learn with international faculty from Forward College
- Discover your personality type and build essential human skills
- Learn how to use AI to advance your learning and create in teams during our Hackathon on real life challenges
- Have fun together exploring Lisbon and its amazing beaches
- Wrap up your learning and leave with great memories and your own personal Higher Education Plan
The topics
you will explore
You can choose up to two academic tracks to explore in depth. Each track offers a different perspective on today’s biggest questions, giving you the opportunity to discover new subjects and explore the topics that interest you most.
Discover how economic forces shape businesses, markets and society. Explore how AI is transforming industries, who stands to gain from the climate transition and how businesses respond to global challenges. You’ll also examine how entertainment and fandoms become major industries, and investigate the factors behind wealth inequality, from individual skills and birth to market power.
Explore how people think, behave and make decisions in a rapidly changing world. Why do we love or hate AI? Why is it so difficult to turn climate awareness into action? What makes us feel connected to celebrities or people we’ve never met? You’ll examine these questions while exploring how our beliefs, emotions and perceptions shape our attitudes towards fairness, wealth and society.
Discover how data and AI can help us understand the world and the systems that shape it. Explore how AI learns and how data can reveal patterns in climate change, wealth inequality and popular culture. You’ll also investigate how statistical models can help us interpret complex issues, while questioning what the numbers actually tell us and how they can sometimes be misleading.
programme
overview
Academic Seminars & Workshops: Take part in 13 academic seminars and 6 academic workshops, exploring your chosen subjects and applying what you learn through practical activities.
Personality & Leadership: Develop a better understanding of yourself and how you work through 3 Personality & Leadership Seminars, including sessions focused on personality and working styles.
AI & Hackathon: Spend a full day exploring how AI can support your learning and problem-solving, before putting your ideas into practice during the Hackathon.
Learning & Career Development: Reflect on your strengths, working style and goals through sessions on learning how to learn, MBTI, wrap-up activities and career counselling.
Extracurricular Activities: Take part in a range of cultural, social and outdoor activities, including city exploration, beach days, sports and day trips around Lisbon and the surrounding area.
Schedule
What sets this programme apart?
Academic Experience
Explore one subject in depth and discover if it’s the right fit for you
Future Ready Skills
Develop AI fluency, build essential human skills, and discover your personality type with MBTI
Real-World Experience
Apply what you’ve learned in a hackathon challenge, working in teams to solve real-world problems
Memorable Experience
Make friends from around the world while soaking up Lisbon’s beaches, culture and energy
*Inc. tuition fees, accommodation, extra-curricular activities, and three meals a day
Experience
Life in Lisbon
Lisbon is one of Europe’s safest, sunniest, and most welcoming cities. Set by the Atlantic Ocean, it combines the energy of a European capital with an easy, affordable pace of life – the perfect place to experience your first taste of university life.
FAQ
Students in international high schools who want to make a more informed academic choice.
No. It is an academic orientation experience.
The Summer School programme includes:
- Welcome pack
- Two weeks of business tuition
- Welcome and farewell events
- Tuition and study materials
- Accommodation in a single room with a private bathroom and shared kitchen
- Full board, including breakfast, lunch, dinner and daily snacks
- Student insurance coverage
- Cultural, social and outdoor activities, including city exploration, beach days, sports and day trips around Lisbon and the surrounding area
- Forward College Summer School Certificate of course completion
- 24/7 supervision and support from the Programme Coordinator and dedicated Student Monitors
- Public transportation: Zapping card for 4 metro/bus rides per day
The programme fee does not cover:
- Comprehensive health insurance covering healthcare in Portugal
- Travel to and from Lisbon (flights or trains, airport transfers)
- Visa fees and visa-related expenses (if applicable)
- Personal expenses and pocket money
- Personal purchases and optional activities not included in the programme
- Additional accommodation outside the programme dates
No. The programme is designed precisely for students who want more clarity before making that decision.
You can choose up to two academic tracks to explore among: Politics & International Relations, Economics & Management, Psychology and Data Science &AI.
Each track offers a different perspective on today’s biggest questions, giving you the opportunity to discover new subjects and explore the topics that interest you most.
Yes.
No. AI is integrated across the programme.
Yes. Students receive a completion certificate.
Yes. Accommodation is guaranteed in our partner residence Xior Benfica: a dedicated student residence around 20 minutes away by train. Students have a private room and bathroom, a shared kitchen and access to an on-site coworking space.
July 5th 2027
As part of your application, you’ll submit your school transcripts, but these help us understand your profile rather than determine admission on grades alone. We’re looking for curious, motivated students who are eager to learn, engage with others and experience university life.
The easiest way is by metro: take the Red Line from Aeroporto station and change to the Blue Line at São Sebastião, getting off at Colégio Militar/Luz, then you’re a short walk (approximately 7 minutes) from the residence.
For the most convenient option, especially with luggage, you can also book a Bolt or Uber directly from the airport straight to the residence door.
FAQ