Applications for Freedom Week 2026 are OPENING SOON

Freedom Week is an annual, one-week seminar which teaches students about classical liberal, free market, neoliberal and liberal perspectives on economics, politics, history and society. It is open to over-18s who are currently attending or about to start university. The week is entirely free to attend: there is no charge whatsoever for accommodation, food, tuition or materials.

cambridge

Spend a week in one of Britain's most beautiful towns, go punting, see the architecture and the mechanical clock, eat at the market, and visit its traditional pubs.

best and brightest

Meet dozens of like-minded students also interested in liberal perspectives on economics, political science, history and society.

top thinkers

Receive lectures and instruction from the crème de la crème of classical liberal academia as well as staff of the two leading free market think tanks in Westminster.

About Freedom Week

Freedom Week is aimed at students who have an interest in—yet are relatively new to—classical liberal ideas. 

Successful applicants will spend the week immersed in talks from some of Britain's leading thinkers. Seminars will cover the foundations, history and underlying economic principles of classical liberalism, as well as discuss cutting-edge research and contemporary debate from within the movement.

Freedom Week offers a unique chance to network with like-minded peers, academics and think tank representatives — all in a relaxed atmosphere with plenty of free time and nightly social acitivities. 

By the end of the week attendees will have the knowledge, confidence and network to go out and make the case for freedom.

This year’s Freedom Week will run from Monday 17th August 2025 to Friday 21st August 2026.

FAQ

Who attends Freedom Week?
Freedom Week is attended by ~30 students every year, most of whom are undergraduates. Several lecturers will also stay the entire week, making it easy to have discussions or ask questions in a social context. Attendees must be over 18 by the time Freedom Week begins. Those starting university this autumn and those graduating this year are also eligible.

How much does Freedom Week cost?
Freedom Week is entirely free for the students. Lunch, dinner, and single-occupancy accommodation in the College are provided free of charge to all participants.

Are travel/visa grants available?
No. Students are responsible for making their own way to and from Cambridge. You must have the legal right to be in the UK and arrange this yourself.

How competitive is the application process?
The application process for Freedom Week is very competitive, and unfortunately many applicants have to be turned away. But if you are talented and enthusiastic, please don’t let that stop you from applying. It is to your advantage to apply early, as participants are selected as and when applications come in.

How many hours of lectures are there on each day?
Last year there were roughly 6 hours of lectures most days, and 3 hours of lectures on Wednesday.  

Is Freedom Week party political?
No – Freedom Week has no ties to any political party, and does not exist to serve any party political agenda. It is more concerned with ideas, principles and theories than it is with politicians and current affairs.

What is expected of Freedom Week participants?
Freedom Week participants are required to remain in Cambridge for the duration of the seminar. No exceptions will be made. While in Cambridge, participants must attend all lectures and evening meals.

Do I need to have studied economics or politics?
No. There are no particular academic requirements for Freedom Week participants. We only ask that people be enthusiastic to learn about classical liberalism and free market economics.

Should I do any reading / preparation?
There is no reading list you must complete before attending Freedom Week. However, should you wish to familiarize yourself with some of the ideas and concepts that will be discussed at Freedom Week, the Adam Smith Institute’s A Beginner’s Guide to Liberty is available for free download here. You may also benefit from reading Classical Liberalism: A Primer and Foundations of a Free Society, both published by the Institute of Economic Affairs.

Who organises Freedom Week? 

Testimonials

Hundreds of young thinkers have been on (and been thrilled by) Freedom Week. If you are unsure about applying, here is what they have to say about the experience:

Jack Cryer

"Freedom Week was an incredible mix of good ideas and great people in a beautiful place. The schedule was filled with enough genuinely stimulating talks from accomplished people to get you thinking and keep you learning for the next year or so. In typical ASI/IEA fashion, I had viewpoints I was convinced of challenged and doors opened into areas of politics, philosophy, economics and history I never even knew existed.

All this while leaving us enough free time to get to know our fellow participants, the ASI/IEA staff and other speakers. I made great friends I still speak to regularly a year and a half later. Getting to have informal conversations with speakers who are the best in their field was also a bonus. The week was great fun whilst being both a confidence builder and a lesson in intellectual humility. I couldn’t recommend it more.”

Rebecca Johanna Jacobi

“I heard of Freedom Week through a friend of mine, who recommended applying for it and it turned out to be one of the best experiences of my life so far. Not only did I get the opportunity to meet incredibly talented speakers and discuss new ideas, but also to connect with like-minded people from all over Europe.

In-between lectures and social activities in Cambridge I learned a lot about practical applications of liberalism in different countries and foreign politics, as well as expanded my knowledge of the theoretical and historical background of recent global developments. I left Freedom Week enlightened, filled with new ideas, and having established deep new friendships.”

Sample Timetable

A typical Freedom Week might look something very similar to this...

Monday

12.00 – 15.30: Arrival of Delegates and Registration.

15.30 – 16.00: Dr. Madsen Pirie on 'Winning Liberty's Battles'

16.00 – 18.30: Free Time

18.30 – Late: Welcome Drinks and Networking

Tuesday

10.00 – 11.00: Session 1 – Andy Mayer on "The Energy Crisis”

11.00 – 11.30: Break

11.30 – 12.30: Session 2 – Dr. Kristian Niemietz on "Moral Panics and Conspiracy Theories around NHS Privatisation”

12.30 – 14.00: Lunch

14.00 – 15.00: Session 3 – Daniel Pryor on “Liberal Approaches to Drug Policy”

15.00 – 15.30: Break

15.30 – 16.30: Session 4 – Professor Jonathan Portes on “The Economics of Immigration”

16.30 – 17.30: Discussion groups

17.00 – 19.00: Free Time

19.00 – Late: The Famous Freedom Week Pub Quiz & Pizza

Wednesday

10.00 – 11.00: Session 5 – Lord Hannan of Kingsclere on “The Importance of Free Trade”

11.00 – 11.30: Break

11.30 – 12.30: Session 6 – Professor Robin Ellison on “Do we need a law against murder?”

12.30 – 13.45: Lunch

13.45 – 16.00: Punting on the River Cam

16.00 – 18.00: Free Time

18.00 – Late: Post-Punt Dinner and Drinks

Thursday

10.00 – 11.00: Session 7 – Richard Teather on “Tax: Starving the Beast”

11.00 – 11.30: Break

11.30 – 12.30: Session 8 – Victoria Hewson on “The Online Safety Bill”

12.30 – 14.00: Lunch

14.00 – 15.00: Session 9 – Aria Babu on “Future Technology: Challenges and Opportunities for Freedom”

15.00 – 15.30: Break

15.30 – 16.30: Session 10 – Christopher Snowdon on “Killjoys: The Case Against Paternalism”

16.30 – 17.30: Discussion Groups

17.30 – 19.00: Free Time

19.00 – Late: Board and Card Games Night

Friday

10.00 – 11.00: Session 11 – Rebecca Lowe on “Privatisation: The Final Frontier”

11.00 – 11.30: Break

11.30 – 12.30: Session 12 – Media Workshop with Tom Harwood

12.30 – 14.00: Lunch

14.00 – 15.00: Free Time & Packing

15:00 – 15:30: Farewell Ceremony

16:00: Goodbyes