An intensive academic experience in Ushuaia, the gateway to Antarctica.
The National University of Tierra del Fuego, Antarctica and the South Atlantic Islands (UNTDF) invites students, researchers and professionals from around the world to its International Summer School.
During the austral summer, in the city closest to the Antarctic continent, you will study the polar region through history, politics, science, the environment and the economy, combining lectures, seminars and field work in Tierra del Fuego.
About the programme
The Summer School awards the Graduate Diploma in Antarctic Studies (Diploma Superior de Posgrado en Estudios Antárticos), a short, intensive programme offering a comprehensive, interdisciplinary view of the main issues facing Antarctica today.
It runs in February and March, when Ushuaia is at the centre of the scientific, logistical and tourism activity of the Antarctic season — the best time to see first-hand how Tierra del Fuego connects with the white continent.
It complements, but does not replace, UNTDF’s Master’s in Antarctic Studies: it does not grant a graduate degree, but an introductory training and an international experience in the field of polar studies.
Who it is for
- Graduate students.
- Early-career researchers.
- Professionals working in environmental, scientific, legal, geographical, tourism, logistics or international-relations fields connected to Antarctica.
What you will study
The programme is organised around three themes and a field-work component:
- History, politics and governance. Antarctic exploration and geopolitical interests, the Antarctic Treaty System, and Antarctic governance in the 21st century.
- Antarctica and the environment. Geology, palaeontology and glacial environments; oceanography, ecosystems and climate change.
- Human activity and sustainability. The region’s economic activities — fisheries and tourism — and the debates around their regulation and future.
- Field trips. Visits to institutions, infrastructure and natural areas in Tierra del Fuego that show Ushuaia’s role as an Antarctic hub.
Key facts
| Award | Graduate Diploma in Antarctic Studies |
| When | Austral summer — February and March [confirm cohort dates] |
| Where | Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina |
| Format | On-site and intensive, with field work |
| Workload | 350 total hours (129 of teaching contact) — 14 credits |
| Language | Spanish (functional command of English recommended) |
| Certification | Certificate of completion issued by UNTDF |
Admission requirements
Applications are open to university graduates, as well as to graduate students, early-career researchers and professionals interested in Antarctic topics.
How to apply
Complete the registration form:
Send us a summary of your Curriculum Vitae to relaciones.internacionales@untdf.edu.ar
If you meet the admission requirements and there are still spots available, we will send you the link to pay for the course, which costs US $2,000.
Assessment and certification
To pass the Diploma, you must attend at least 80% of the scheduled activities and complete the compulsory academic work for each module. No final integrative project is required.
Participants who meet these requirements receive the Certificate of Completion of the Graduate Diploma in Antarctic Studies of the International Summer School, issued by UNTDF through the SIU Guaraní system.
Contact
Want to join or have questions? Write to us at relaciones.internacionales@untdf.edu.ar or follow updates on the UNTDF website.
Academic coordination: Direction of the Master’s in Antarctic Studies, supported by the International Relations Office and the Graduate Studies Office of UNTDF.