London International Youth Science Forum 2026 Guide

The London International Youth Science Forum (LIYSF) is a world-renowned STEM summer programme that has inspired ambitious young scientists since 1959. 

Each year, it brings together around 500 participants from 90 countries to engage with cutting-edge science, experience London’s academic environment, and connect with peers from across the globe.

Based at Imperial College London and the Royal Geographical Society, LIYSF offers two intensive weeks of lectures, laboratory visits, and cultural activities. 

Here’s a comprehensive guide to LIYSF.

Course Breakdown

Note: Check their official website for their current pricing.

Why Choose London International Youth Science Forum?

London International Youth Science Forum is one of the world’s longest-running scientific forums, combining academic rigour with residential immersion in London. 

Participants spend fifteen days at Imperial College London and the Royal Geographical Society, attending ten plenary lectures from leading scientists, including a Nobel keynote, plus specialist sessions across AI, nanotechnology, medicine, and physics.

Students choose from over fifty UK departments, labs, and industrial sites, including Oxford and Cambridge, to visit, gaining rare exposure to cutting-edge research environments. 

Alongside this, the Science Bazaar and an active social programme encourage cultural exchange, with participants from 90 countries forming lasting friendships.

LIYSF’s strength lies in its lecture-based structure and global networking, giving science students unparalleled access to Nobel-level teaching and UK research centres.

Searching for a specific subject or an option outside of London? Immerse Education also provides genuine exposure to university-level learning through expert tutors, engaging guest speakers and academically stretching sessions, but it extends its offering well beyond STEM. Programmes are available in Oxford and Cambridge as well as prestigious locations worldwide, including Sydney, Singapore, Tokyo, and Boston.

Students can explore humanities, creative subjects and skills-based courses, all delivered in small groups with plenty of personal guidance. The programmes, including career-focused pathways, blend challenge with a strong sense of community, making space for friendships, confidence and real insight into future pathways.

Immerse also offers flexible online pathways, allowing students to tailor their experience to their academic goals and cultural interests.

Through excursions, social activities, and residential living, participants gain both academic depth and the chance to build connections that last a lifetime.

Key Features of LIYSF

London International Youth Science Forum runs as a two-week summer forum in late July to early August, bringing together participants for ten plenary lectures from leading scientists, including a Nobel Prize keynote. 

Alongside these, students choose from specialist sessions covering subjects such as AI, nanotechnology, medicine, physics, and astrophysics.

A highlight of the programme is four full days of visits chosen from over fifty departments, research labs, and industrial sites across London, Oxford, and Cambridge. These visits allow students to experience world-class research environments first-hand and engage with professionals in their fields.

The residential package includes accommodation in South Kensington, all meals, 24/7 staff support, and a welfare/buddy system is available. A 4-star twin-share en-suite option is also available as an upgrade.

Beyond academics, students enjoy an active cultural and social programme, from international cabaret evenings and London excursions to optional day trips to Oxford, Cambridge, and Stonehenge.

Participants can also present their own work at the Science Bazaar, earning an additional certificate for their contribution. The experience concludes with a formal graduation ceremony, where every participant receives a certificate recognising their engagement and achievements. 

With students from 90 countries, LIYSF creates a global community where academic discovery is matched by cross-cultural friendships.

Advantages

• Affordable compared to peers: At £3,295, it costs less than many other global residential programmes of similar prestige.
• World-class teaching: Direct access to leading academics, including a Nobel Prize keynote and ten plenary lectures.
• Extensive lab exposure: Four full days of visits chosen from over fifty cutting-edge research facilities across London, Oxford, and Cambridge.
• Prestigious venues: Sessions take place at Imperial College London and the Royal Geographical Society.
• Research showcase: The Science Bazaar allows students to present their own projects and gain an additional certificate.
• All-inclusive package: Tuition, accommodation, meals, programme transport, activities, and graduation are included.
• Virtual access: A £395 online option makes the forum accessible to students worldwide.

Disadvantages

• STEM-only focus: The programme does not cater to students interested in humanities, creative subjects, or broader academic exploration.
• Lecture-heavy format: With large plenary sessions at the core, the experience is less interactive and personalised than small-group teaching.
• Large cohort size: Around 500 participants attend each year, so the atmosphere can feel less tailored compared to smaller programmes.
• Extra costs: Flights, visas, insurance, and optional excursions are not included in the £3,295 fee, increasing the overall expense.
• Funding challenges: LIYSF does not directly offer scholarships, leaving students to secure financial support independently.

London International Youth Science Forum vs Immerse Education

Immerse Education offers three core pathways: Academic Insights, Career Insights, and the Online Research Programme (ORP), combining university-style learning, real-world experience, and one-to-one research mentorship across global locations.

Is LIYSF Worth It?

For STEM-focused students aged 16–21, LIYSF is a strong choice. 

It offers the rare chance to hear from Nobel Prize winners, attend world-class lectures, and explore over fifty labs and research centres across the UK. With a sixty-seven-year history and thousands of alumni, it delivers both academic enrichment and global networking in an inspiring setting.

The diverse international cohort of 500 participants from 90 countries fosters cross-cultural friendships, while the £3,295 fee makes it more affordable than many other global residential programmes. Families should note, however, that flights, visas, and optional excursions are extra.

London International Youth Science Forum’s lecture-heavy format and large scale mean it is less personalised and less suited to students seeking assessed outputs or close mentorship. 

By contrast, Immerse Education offers small tutorials, tailored feedback, and career-focused pathways across both STEM and humanities subjects in multiple global locations.

In short, LIYSF is best for students who thrive in large, inspiring settings with broad scientific exposure. Immerse is better for those who want small-group teaching, flexible subject choice, and deeper academic engagement.

Alternatives to LIYSF

• Immerse Education – Academic Summer School: Oxbridge-style subject depth in Oxford, Cambridge, and Sydney; small tutorial groups.
• Immerse Education – Career Insights: Project-based learning with industry exposure in London, Singapore, and Boston.
• Immerse Education – Online Research Programme: 1:1 research mentorship with PhD tutors for independent study.
• Sutton Trust Summer Schools (ages 16–17, Year 12): Free residential programmes at top UK universities for state school students from under-represented backgrounds.
• ISSOS Cambridge (ages 13–18): Three-week all-inclusive residential at Cambridge combining academic study with electives and cultural activities across 80+ nationalities.

How to Apply for LIYSF

1. Choose Your Format  – Select the on-campus programme in London (19 July – 1 August 2026) or the virtual option. Check if your country has a national organiser or apply individually online.
2. Submit Application – Complete the online form with personal details, programme choice, and usually a school reference.
3. Confirm with Payment – Secure your place by paying the fee (£3,295 on-campus; £395 virtual) and completing medical and dietary forms.
4. Arrange Visa & Documents – If needed, apply for a UK visitor visa. LIYSF provides support letters once fees are paid.
5. Prepare for Arrival  – Arrange travel and optional transfers. On arrival, check in at Imperial College London, attend induction, and begin the forum. Graduation includes a certificate, with an extra award for Science Bazaar presenters.

Final Thoughts

London International Youth Science Forum offers a prestigious, lecture-based residential experience at Imperial College London, combining world-class speakers, extensive lab visits, and an international cohort of 500 students. With 67 years of history and access to Nobel laureates, it provides inspiration, confidence, and global connections.

For students who want breadth, prestige, and exposure to the STEM research landscape, LIYSF is compelling.

However, for those seeking intensive academic preparation, personalised attention, and deeper subject exploration, Immerse Education is the stronger alternative.

With smaller tutorial groups, expert Oxbridge mentorship, and programmes designed for university preparation, Immerse combines rigour with the inspiring environment of world-class institutions whilst maintaining the personalised guidance that makes a transformative difference.