Where are events held?

Events take place worldwide, both online and in person. If any changes prevent this from being possible, we will email you the updated information in advance. Please make sure to: Double-check your e-ticket or our website before the event to confirm the venue. Provide us with a correct and up-to-date email address. We cannot be held responsible if you do not receive venue details due to missed or undeliverable emails.

How do I contact you?

For Membership support, email: customerservice@theschooloflife.com . We’ll do our best to respond in 48 hours. For full details, please see our Membership Terms and Conditions .

How do I access the members-only content and app?

When you join, you’ll receive a welcome email with login details and links for: The Membership calendar (where you can book events) The Member’s access code for events The Social app (where conversations continue) The School of Life Content App (with exclusive content) Your discount code for our online shop Please keep this email safe and don’t forward.

What is The School of Life Membership?

Membership is a year-long invitation to belong to a global community of psychologically minded people. It includes: Unlimited access to all online events (including two conversations a year with Alain de Botton). Access to our global programme of in-person events (London, US, Brazil, Australia). A place in our private online social app. Access to our flagship Festival of Ideas . Full access to The School of Life Content App (articles, videos, podcasts, and exercises). This is not simply a subscription. It is a sanctuary for people who want to think deeply, speak honestly, and form friendships around life’s big questions.

What kinds of events are included?

We curate a wide range of experiences, such as: Psychologically rich dinners and discussions. Workshops on emotional themes. Conversations hosted in our Social app. Book clubs

Can I cancel my Membership?

Yes. You may cancel at any time by turning off auto-renewal in your account settings or by emailing customerservice@theschooloflife.com . You can continue to enjoy all of your Membership benefits until the end of your annual term. Please note: we do not offer refunds for unused months.

The School of Life Festival of Ideas, London

Self-Knowledge

A day to think more deeply, together. Save the date.

Old Sessions House, London, UK

Total

Date

More About The Event

Much of life requires us to think alone: about our relationships, our work, our purpose, and our emotional lives. The School of Life Festival of Ideas is an opportunity to do something unusual but profoundly nourishing, to think in company.

The Festival of Ideas offers members the opportunity to step back from the noise of everyday life and reflect, alongside others, on what truly matters: how we connect, how we grow, and how we might begin to better understand ourselves.

Taking place across the characterful rooms of the Old Session House in Farringdon, the day will include a full programme of talks, workshops, games and conversation. Our faculty, and Alain de Botton, will guide sessions on key themes from The School of Life, including self-knowledge, work, calm and connection. These aren’t lectures in the conventional sense: you’ll be invited to participate, reflect and share throughout.

This is a day for anyone seeking greater emotional clarity, deeper conversation, and a sense of belonging among people who care, quietly and sincerely, about the same things. The Festival won’t offer quick fixes or grand transformations, but it may help you feel a little more understood and more connected to other members.

Save the Date: 31st May 2026

More information and ticket costs to be released soon.

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Membership FAQ’s

Yes, all events are 18+

Most online events are included in your Membership. Some in-person events (depending on format and location) carry an additional cost. Prices are always listed clearly on the booking page.

Currently, membership payments can be made in GBP, AUD, CAD, USD, or EUR.

For exclusive member events hosted on Eventbrite, payments are accepted in GBP, USD, AUD, or EUR, depending on the event’s location. Please note that we are not responsible for any exchange rate differences at the time of purchase.

Not at this stage.

Events take place worldwide, both online and in person. If any changes prevent this from being possible, we will email you the updated information in advance.

Please make sure to:

Double-check your e-ticket or our website before the event to confirm the venue.
Provide us with a correct and up-to-date email address.

We cannot be held responsible if you do not receive venue details due to missed or undeliverable emails.

Our event time varies. Some are short and focused (around 90 minutes), others allow for deeper exploration (2 hours), and some stretch over a half-day or even a full-day festival. Each event page lists its exact duration so you’ll know what to expect.

Unfortunately, we are not able to take reservations in advance.

Yes, currently in the UK. Our programme includes both weekday and weekend events to suit a variety of schedules.

Unfortunately, we cannot offer refunds or transfers for missed events. Please make sure you’re available before booking. Full Event Terms can be found here: “Event Terms”.

We issue an electronic confirmation by email, which serves as your ticket. Please make sure to enter your email address carefully at the time of booking, and if you do not receive your ticket shortly thereafter, please double-check the email address you entered at the time of booking and also check your spam/junk older. Please note we cannot be held responsible in the event you do not receive your ticket because you failed to enter your email address correctly. Email [email protected] if you would like to change any information on your ticket.

We do not allow filming of any of our live events, as our events are a safe space. Recording could inhibit the sense of safety and privacy that attendees need to participate fully. Occasionally, we may do some filming for promotional purposes, but this is always done thoughtfully and with consent, and it never compromises the closed nature of the sessions. Our goal is always to create the very best experience for our participants, preserving the openness and trust that make the events meaningful.

Due to the nature of the material covered in our member events, we find that smaller group sizes help everyone to feel relaxed and get the most out of participating, so we have a maximum group size of 25-30 participants per workshop, with a max of 45 on the virtual events.

Yes, if you are a member, simply select each event you wish to attend and add it to your shopping basket. All selected events will be there at checkout. Please note you can only book 1 ticket for each event.

Not at this current stage.

If you have any special dietary, health or other requirements, please notify us at the time of booking in the check-out process. We are able to accommodate most requirements, but cannot guarantee this. Please note that it is your responsibility to contact us at the point of booking, and if necessary for your attendance, obtain confirmation by email (through [email protected]) that we can meet your needs. If it turns out that we are unable to meet your requirements, you will be entitled to a refund.

No need. We will verify your Membership in advance and scan you into the event upon arrival.

No, just come as you are. All materials you’ll need will be provided, unless otherwise communicated at the time of booking. Our events are designed so you can arrive with nothing but your curiosity and openness.

We’re still in the early stages of building our global programme. Right now, many events are online (so you can join from anywhere, please check the time zone), and we’re steadily growing our in-person presence. As our Membership expands, we hope to bring more gatherings closer to you, both in your time zone and, eventually, in your city.

The School of Life is dedicated to supporting participants in exploring life’s big questions within a safe and thoughtful environment. However, we are not a clinical or medical service. If you feel you require professional assistance, we recommend seeking private therapy. You can find more information about therapy sessions through our Therapy service here. Additionally, seek support options in your country. For example, in the UK:

Samaritans – 24/7 freephone: 116 123

Mind – free articles, resources, and local support.

If you think you have a medical or mental health emergency, please call 999 (UK) or go to the nearest open clinic or emergency room. Please refer to Find a helpline – www.findahelpline.com (global directory by country).

For Membership support, email: [email protected]. We’ll do our best to respond in 48 hours.

For full details, please see our Membership Terms and Conditions.

Use the Membership calendar on The School of Life website. You’ll need the unique booking code provided in your welcome email; this will unlock the Members ticket check-out box. Once booked, you’ll receive an e-ticket by email.

Our social app is separate from The School of Life content app. It is hosted on a platform called Circle, which can be accessed via web or mobile app.

Your welcome email contains a personal link and instructions to access the community. If you can’t find it, please check your spam folder or contact [email protected].

You can download the Circle app at these links:

App Store (iOS)

Google Play (Android)

Once downloaded, log in with your username and password for The School of Life Membership.

When you join, you’ll receive a welcome email with login details and links for:

The Membership calendar (where you can book events)
The Member’s access code for events
The Social app (where conversations continue)
The School of Life Content App (with exclusive content)
Your discount code for our online shop

Please keep this email safe and don’t forward.

Membership is a year-long invitation to belong to a global community of psychologically minded people. It includes:

Unlimited access to all online events (including two conversations a year with Alain de Botton).
Access to our global programme of in-person events (London, US, Brazil, Australia).
A place in our private online social app.
Access to our flagship Festival of Ideas.
Full access to The School of Life Content App (articles, videos, podcasts, and exercises).

This is not simply a subscription. It is a sanctuary for people who want to think deeply, speak honestly, and form friendships around life’s big questions.

Good news: access to the content app is included with Membership.

If you’re already an app subscriber and choose to become a Member, you’ll need to purchase Membership first. We will refund any remaining value from your app subscription within 14 working days. Please contact [email protected] if you have not received your refund after this time.

We curate a wide range of experiences, such as:

Psychologically rich dinners and discussions.
Workshops on emotional themes.
Conversations hosted in our Social app.
Book clubs

Not at all. Membership is global. Many events are hosted in London, but we also run programming across the US, Brazil, Australia, and online. Please do check event times carefully, as they’re listed in local time zones.

Absolutely. Our spaces are designed to be inclusive and gentle. You don’t need to perform or be extroverted. Whether you prefer group discussions or quiet, one-to-one connections, you’ll find events that suit your temperament.

Unfortunately, we don’t offer trials for the Membership.

Membership lasts for one year and renews automatically unless cancelled.

Your subscription renews automatically each year at the price in effect at the time of renewal. We’ll email you at least seven days before renewal, reminding you of the cost and your benefits

If you’d prefer not to renew, simply turn off auto-renewal in your account settings at least 24 hours before your renewal date.

Yes. You may cancel at any time by turning off auto-renewal in your account settings or by emailing [email protected]. You can continue to enjoy all of your Membership benefits until the end of your annual term. Please note: we do not offer refunds for unused months.

Membership is for personal use only. Please don’t share your login or event details with others.

The Social app is governed by our Community Guidelines and T&C’s. These ensure conversations remain respectful, thoughtful, and safe. Breaches may lead to suspension or cancellation of your Membership, without refund.

You may be aware of the UK’s Online Safety Act 2023. We use our best efforts to comply with OFCOM’s Codes of Practice in our moderation of the Community. This requires The School of Life to take certain steps to protect our community from seeing illegal content. Like other forums, we use AI to search for certain keywords and images and flag their use to our human moderators, who then decide whether the post is breaching our Community Guidelines and/ or the law. Our moderators may block or remove those posts. Note that direct messages are not moderated by The School of Life staff. Please be kind, respectful, and thoughtful. We are committed to keeping this space respectful, legal and emotionally safe.