Emerson College

General information

Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Emerson College is a centre of education for adults that addresses the need for human approaches to today’s urgent questions. It provides opportunities for learning and transformation through education, practical initiatives, research and community building. Emerson's aim is to develop, practice and share ways of working and living that encourage free thinking, imagination and responsibility in the world.

Emerson College offers accredited vocational courses, and non-accredited programmes for personal learning and development. Its mix of full time, part time and short courses includes:

biodynamic horticulture and natural ecology
education
health, healing and care
performing and visual arts
social ecology and community building
inner development and consciousness studies
Emerson's approach works not only to deepen students' understanding and ability in each subject, but to explore the contributions that each subject can offer to the other - for example, the connections between healing and the arts, or natural ecology with inner development. Theoretical study is combined with practical work to integrate learning through head, heart and hands.

We also offer venue rentals, conference facilities, performances and events on our beautiful campus.

Emerson brings together ideas and people from all over the world to learn, work, and live in a sustainable, transformative, and natural environment. On these pages you can learn more about who studies and works here, life at the College, our ethos and governance.

Student facilities

The college has a library, bookshop, telephone, fax, internet facilities, a small food shop and a laundry. There is a variety of shops in Forest Row (20 - 25 minutes walk from the college).

Accommodation and meals

The college provides single room accommodation in student houses on the college campus. The college kitchen prepares wholefood, vegetarian meals with primarily organic/biodynamic produce.

Social and cultural life

Each week, there is a range of evening activities that are open to all students and staff, such as: choir, study and craft groups, and occasional lectures. There are weekend workshops on many weekends of each term, which are open to all, as well as storytelling performances, concerts and plays. In addition, throughout the year there are college events, such as poetry evenings, performances and festivals.