Bloomsbury Summer School & Academy
Fascinated by ancient civilisations?
We offer anyone with any level of knowledge, inspiring short courses on ancient Egypt and other areas of the ancient world.
News
Our 35th year of providing top-quality short courses on ancient Egypt and the Ancient Near East
Our 2025 programme was enjoyed by over 320 students from around the world. We held 15 courses and two study days online and in person. Our first awardees of the Christopher Coleman Awards also joined us. As well as a BSS course in Egypt with Dr Campbell Price, we expanded our BSS in Europe museum-based courses, with students enjoying a course on the Near Eastern collections at the Louvre in Paris with Prof. Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones, in addition to reprising our course at the Egyptian Museum in Turin with Dr Luigi Prada.
Student enjoy a guided gallery tour in the Paris Louvre with Course Director, Prof. Lloyd Llewlyn-Jones.
Courses
Founded in 1990, we endeavour to present the finest programme of courses in Egyptology and ancient world history, languages, and archaeology, available in the UK.
In 2026, we will be offering over 15 short intensive courses – online and during the summer, in London – for adults of all ages: lifelong learners and students, including sixth-formers, wishing to further their study in these subject areas.
- Details are now available here here.
- Download our 2026 brochure
- To receive a paper copy of our 2026 brochure, email your postal address to: kathryn@bssac.uk
- Find out about our previous courses available on video here.
Study Days
We stage one or two study days each year in central London. These take place at the weekend and each day has four lectures given by one or more speakers. We have a reputation for attracting a range of fine speakers of international status, including over the years: Prof. Kent Weeks, Dr Irving Finkel, Prof. Geoffrey Martin, Mr John Romer, Prof. Rosalie David, Prof. David O’Connor, Dr Campbell Price, Dr José-Ramón Pérez-Accino, Dr Kathryn E. Piquette, Mr Michael Oakey, and Dr Marcel Marée.
Saturday 14 November 2026
MATERIALITY OF THINGS: THE HIDDEN POWER OF ANCIENT EGYPTIAN OBJECTS
Speakers: Dr Christina Geisen (British Museum) and Dr Kelly Accetta Crowe (British Museum)
BSS&A in Egypt & beyond
We are proud to have organised at least one course in Egypt every year since 2009 (apart from during the pandemic). This is a very special learning opportunity: a programme of lectures and visits to archaeological sites, some usually closed to visitors but opened specially for BSS&A by the The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. Daily visits to ancient monuments, accompanied by a renowned Egyptologist, enhance this learning experience. We also offer on-site courses to Egyptian monuments and museum collections in Europe, and new in 2026 is our course in Turkey.
Monday 27 April to Monday 4 May 2026
READING HIEROGLYPHS: THE DUTIES OF THE VIZIER
Join us for a NEW course taught in Luxor by renowned Egyptian-language teacher and BSS favourite, Dr Bill Manley. Enjoy daily classes for reading hieroglyphs plus visits to ancient sites, including the tomb of king Thutmose III, which is ordinarily closed to visitors. Bill accompanies the site visits and is on hand throughout to answer questions, discuss, and socialise with you.
Note that this course is confirmed with only 3 places remaining!
Inside the tomb of Rekhmire (TT100) at Sheikh Abd el-Qurna.
