FLAGSHIP PROGRAMME
FLAGSHIP: THE COMPLETE EXPERIENCE
Our Flagship Programme brings together the most intellectually ambitious students from across the globe for two intensive weeks exploring philosophy, politics, and economics. This is not an introduction; it’s the John Locke Institute's most demanding summer school, designed for students who want to be challenged at the highest level, who are prepared to have their assumptions questioned, and who possess the intellectual courage to defend what they believe whilst maintaining intellectual humility.
OUR SIGNATURE CORE CURRICULUM
Every Flagship student follows a common course of study, supplemented by up to two electives. Our signature core curriculum consists of logic, ethics, political theory, political economy, public policy, game theory, psychology and political, economic and intellectual history.
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We focus on contestable claims within these subjects, inviting students into a vigorous debate about questions on which two people of intelligence and goodwill might reasonably disagree. Indeed learning through disagreement is a key part of the John Locke experience. Mastering the art of disagreeing without being disagreeable is a valuable skill, and arguing about contentious topics provides the perfect setting to practise what we call generous listening, and to learn how to think and speak with clarity and precision.
WHICH ELECTIVES WILL YOU CHOOSE?
The Flagship Programme offers six electives – philosophy, politics, economics, history, law, and psychology – and we invite you to choose either one or two of them.
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Philosophy includes formal symbolic logic, metaethics and epistemology. Politics introduces some advanced game theory and a public policy case study. Economics includes mathematical microeconomics, macroeconomics and finance. The history elective consists chiefly of historiography and especially the interrogation of conflicting source documents. The law elective includes jurisprudence and British Common Law and its alternatives. In psychology we consider how beliefs are formed and we look at systematic cognitive bias.
PHILOSOPHY
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Symbolic Logic, Metaethics & Epistemology
POLITICS
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Game Theory & Public Policy Case Study
ECONOMICS
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Microeconomics, Macroeconomics & Finance
HISTORY
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Historiography & Source Interrogation
LAW
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Jurisprudence & Comparative Legal Systems
PSYCHOLOGY​
Belief Acquisition & Causes of Irrationality
WHAT'S SPECIAL ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR COURSE?
The Flagship Programme is the right choice for ambitious students who want the most demanding intellectual experience the John Locke Institute offers.
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As one of the world's most dynamic and forward-looking cities, Singapore provides an ideal setting for this programme. As a dynamic crossroads of East and West, tradition and innovation, and commerce and culture, it offers world-class infrastructure and serves as a living case study in how societies navigate rapid modernisation whilst preserving cultural identity. The city's intellectual vibrancy and global outlook make it an appropriate location for bringing together exceptional students from across the world.
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Singapore offers a tapestry of cultures – where the tranquil beauty of heritage districts meets the futuristic allure of cutting-edge architecture – which you will have the chance to explore beyond the classroom. From the serene beauty of the Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to the iconic Marina Bay Sands, each corner tells a story of a proud history intertwined with bold aspirations for the future.
FACULTY TO INSPIRE
Unusually among academic summer schools, the John Locke Institute prides itself on our faculty of world-class academics, chosen for their preeminence in their fields of study, but also for their ability to bring the best out of our students by presenting persuasive arguments for surprising conclusions.
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You will learn from philosophers, political scientists, and economists drawn from leading universities in Britain, America, and Asia. To take full advantage of the serious scholars available to you, we would encourage you to sit next to one of the professors at lunch or dinner. Many of them will share their email addresses with students so you can keep in touch in the months and years to come.
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IS THIS RIGHT FOR ME?
We think that the biggest difference between John Locke summer schools and other academic summer courses may be the students you will meet. The friends that you will make at the Flagship Programme will change how you think, and – to a considerable extent – who you become.
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Last year we received 4,513 applications for our summer schools, and we welcomed just 747 students. Don't let this deter you from applying: if you're intelligent, curious and motivated we really want to hear from you! If you are successful, you will be welcomed into an exceptional community of talented young people. We invest a lot of effort in identifying the people capable of developing both the intellectual humility and the intellectual courage to change the world for the better. If you join us, you will encounter some of the most interesting people you will ever meet; we hope some of them might become lifelong friends.
WHAT WILL I GET FROM THIS EXPERIENCE?
“Why did you apply for the Flagship Programme?" is a question we put to many candidates. The two most common answers are, first, "to expand my knowledge of philosophy, politics, and economics" and, second, "to spend part of my summer with like-minded people."
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But both these answers subtly, and importantly, miss the point.
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After two weeks in Singapore, you will know much more than you do now, but we are mostly concerned with developing listening and reasoning skills, cultivating a new mindset of open-mindedness and love for truth, and inspiring the courage to express what you have good reason to believe is true, rather than parrot what is merely fashionable.
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As for meeting like-minded people, yes, you will find that you are among people who – like you – care about ideas and love to debate them with other intelligent people; but many of them will be anything but like-minded. Instead you will find every shade of opinion – about politics, religion, ethics, and public policy – held by people who are well informed and able to make a compelling case to support their conclusions.
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We expect you to comport yourself with courtesy, but we equally expect you to join the battle of ideas with people – both faculty and students – who hold views very different from yours.
HOUSING
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Accommodation is in twin rooms with shared bathroom facilities in a hotel near the city centre. Male and female students stay in separate rooms, grouped by age.
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All meals are provided throughout the programme.
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Free WiFi and self-service laundry facilities are available.
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Access to hotel facilities (outdoor swimming pool, and fitness centre).​​
ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE
Arrival ​
The check-in time is between 3pm and 4.30pm. We advise you to arrive early to give you enough time to check in, be shown to your room and receive your course timetable. A welcome talk is scheduled for 5pm. Parents and guardians are welcome to attend.
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If you would like to be met by a driver at the airport on the check in day, we are offering a shuttle service from Changi airport at an extra charge.
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It is your responsibility to determine whether you need a visa and, if so, what kind of visa you need and how you should apply for it. Every overseas student must have a valid passport to enter Singapore. We can provide individual support on request for those who will need a visa.
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We advise you to purchase travel insurance.
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Departure
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On the departure day, check out is by 10am.
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We will be running a shuttle to Changi airport at an extra cost.
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Our staff will be available to help you on the departure day so you don't miss your flight!
