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Edinburgh Zoo Science Summer School

Applications are now open for the 2026 Science Summer School at Edinburgh Zoo, offering 16–18-year-olds an amazing week focusing on practical activities with help from a variety of specialists!

Edinburgh Zoo Science Summer School

About Edinburgh Zoo Science Summer School

27th Jul 2026 to 7th Aug 2026
9am - 4pm
Edinburgh Zoo
134 Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh West EH12 6TS
Recommended donation
Visit the event website here

Image credit RZSS

The application process is now open for the Science Summer School 2026 programme.

Our Science Summer School is a programme for 16–18-year-olds introducing the role of a modern zoo through a weeklong course focusing on practical activities including enclosure design, animal behaviour observations, collection planning and zoo veterinary practices.

Throughout the week, students will engage with a variety of specialists from the RZSS family. This culminates in a group presentation.

Edinburgh Zoo 2026 dates:

Monday 27 July – Friday 31 July
Monday 3 August – Friday 7 August
For further information please contact education@rzss.org.uk.

How to apply
To apply please complete the online application form before the stated application deadline. We ask that all student applications are accompanied by a recommendation from a teacher (or other responsible adult who knows the student well). Teachers looking to submit their recommendations should complete the Teacher Recommendation form.

Deadline for applications is 9am on Monday 9 February 2026. All applicants should hear if their application has been successful or not within 3 weeks of the deadline passing. This will allow successful applicants as much time as possible to arrange accommodation for yourselves if it is required.

Our Science Summer School is a subsidised programme and thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we’re able to make this opportunity accessible to as many young people as possible.

To help us continue offering this valuable experience, we invite attendees and their families to consider making an optional donation of £50, or whatever amount feels comfortable, towards the cost of the programme. Every contribution, large or small, makes a real difference and helps us open the door to future conservationists and those passionate about the natural world. Further details on how to donate will be shared once your place has been confirmed.

Please note that accommodation is not included in the programme fee. We recommend arranging this as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

Sponsored Links

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