ASE

A top-quality academic and cultural experience.

About us

Since 1989, ASE has established a reputation for providing academically rigorous study abroad experiences for undergraduates from US institutions.

ASE’s study centre - Nelson House - is located in the heart of Bath, just 90 minutes from London by train. Our faculty are accomplished academics from institutions such as the University of Oxford, the University of Bristol, and Bath Spa University, as well as seasoned creative writers, filmmakers, artists, and musicians.

We welcome applications from suitably qualified undergraduates from all US institutions of Higher Education.

Organisation

ASE is a nonprofit organisation owned by Franklin & Marshall College, PA, accredited by the Middle States Commission on Education.

The programme was founded in 1987 by Don Nunes, a New Yorker educated at Wesleyan and the University of Rochester. Since its formation, students from over 50 US institutions of higher education have come to study at ASE, creating a community of more than 4,000 alumni around the world.

Meet the ASE Team

ASE and Oxford University

From Advanced Studies in England’s Mission Statement

ASE offers a transformative learning opportunity to ambitious liberal arts undergraduates of diverse backgrounds. The Programme encourages students to take an active role in co-creating a study abroad experience tailored to their own interests, passions, and academic needs.

By offering students a unique blend of intellectual curiosity, cross-cultural exploration, critical thinking, and creativity, ASE seeks to inspire a lifelong love of education in its various forms. We help students investigate, value, and cultivate their singularity while reflecting on their connectedness to others with the aim of turning this awareness into positive personal and social effects.

In all things, we strive to contribute to the shared goal of helping students become ‘informed, open-minded and responsible people who are attentive to diversity across the spectrum of differences’*.

* Global Learning Value Rubric, Association of American Colleges and Universities

History of ASE

1987

ASE is founded by Dr Don Nunes, a New Yorker educated at Wesleyan and the University of Rochester, who made England his home. He envisaged a study abroad experience combining the best of the British and American university systems and worked closely with colleagues in Bath, Oxford, and the USA to design the programme.
1989

ASE first opens its doors to students. 11 students attend in Spring 1989.
1991

ASE establishes formal links with University College, Oxford.
1991-97

ASE gradually establishes its reputation and increases its base of US affiliate institutions to eleven. Student numbers gradually increase.
1996

The Education Programme is launched.
1997

Don Nunes passes away. Ann Nunes, Don's wife, becomes director of the ASE Programme.
Inaugural ASE Summer School.
1999

Don Nunes Memorial Scholarship offered for the first time.
1999-2008

ASE's internship offerings increase from two to eighteen.
2000

ASE is first represented at the NAFSA International Education Conference.
2004

Franklin & Marshall College acquires ASE. Dr Barbara White becomes Dean and Director of the Programme.
2008

ASE is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
2010

Jonathan Hope becomes Dean and Director of the Programme.
2014

ASE celebrates its 25th anniversary. Over one hundred alums and friends of the Programme gather in Bath to mark the occasion.
The first ASE Theatre Summer School runs.
2016

ASE begins to work with all US partner institutions on an equal footing. The affiliate/non-affiliate distinction is dissolved.
2019

ASE celebrates its 30th anniversary, with major events in Bath and four cities in the USA.
2020-21

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, ASE launches its first online courses, including a Continuing Education programme for the ASE alumni community. Cohorts of students from Wellesley College and small groups of international first-year students from F&M help ASE through the crisis.
2022

ASE welcomes the first official iF&M (the i stands for international) cohort - first year students from Franklin and Marshall College, beginning their college experience in Bath.on goes here
2023

The first Education Summer School runs.