15 London Summer Programs for High School Students

If you’ve ever wanted to study at one of the world’s most historically rich academic cities, London ticks all the boxes. Summer programs in London give high school students the chance to engage with university-level coursework at institutions that have shaped global academia for centuries.

Depending on the program, you could be working through case studies in economics, debating international policy, conducting research in a lab, or analyzing literature and philosophy with faculty from top UK universities. You’ll develop skills like academic writing, critical argumentation, data interpretation, and independent research, the kind of foundational work that makes your first year of college feel a lot more familiar. 

What kind of summer programs are available in London for high school students?

High school students looking to spend their summer in London can choose from a variety of academic and experiential programs that take advantage of the city’s global resources. Major universities like King’s College London, University College London (UCL), and Imperial College offer dedicated pre-university summer schools where you can tackle introductory undergraduate coursework in fields like medicine, international law, engineering, and business. 

Beyond university-led academics, there are specialized, industry-focused programs offering hands-on experiences such as theater workshops in the West End, finance bootcamps, and creative arts studios. Most of these programs include a residential component, allowing you to live in university dormitories, navigate the city independently, and get a realistic preview of British university life while studying alongside an international group of peers. 

To help you find the right fit, below are 15 London summer programs for high school students worth considering.

For related opportunities, consider summer programs in Oxford and summer programs in Cambridge.

Key takeaways

• Imperial College London’s Year 10 Insights Summer School is completely free but restricted to UK students currently in Year 10 who are on track for strong GCSE grades.
• Immerse Education’s Academic Insights Programme spans eight locations, including Boston, Cambridge, and London, with small classes of seven to 10 students open to students worldwide aged 13 to 18.
• Several UCL Sutton Trust programs, including Architecture & Built Environment and Crime & Security Sciences, are completely free but restricted to UK state school students meeting widening participation criteria.
• Imperial College’s Global Summer School costs £7,695 and combines one week of subject-specific study with a second week of cross-disciplinary Innovation Challenge work.
• Goldsmiths Art Summer School is free and guarantees successful completers an interview for Goldsmiths’ Fine Art programs, provided they meet minimum entry criteria.
• King’s College London’s Pre-University Summer School costs between £3,195 and £9,375 depending on how many one-week modules you stack across the four July sessions.
• UCL’s London Summer School in Classics costs just £170 and teaches rare ancient languages, including Akkadian, Hittite, and Sumerian, in small groups matched by proficiency level.
• Program costs for London summer programs range from free options like Imperial’s Year 10 Insights and UCL’s Sutton Trust programs to £7,695 for Imperial’s Global Summer School.

15 London Summer Programs for High School Students

1. Imperial College London’s Year 10 Insights Summer School

Location: South Kensington, London
Cost: None
Dates: July 29th – August 1st
Application Deadline: March 11th
Eligibility: Year 10 students currently attending a UK school; on track for at least five GCSEs at grades 7-9, including maths and sciences; not open to international students

In this programme, you choose between a science stream or an engineering stream, and everything you do during the week is built around that choice, from hands-on taster sessions in real undergraduate labs to time with faculty and student mentors who are working in your field. 

You’ll live in university halls on the South Kensington campus, take part in a busy social programme in the evenings, and get a genuine sense of what student life at Imperial looks like beyond the brochure. The week ends with an academic-style poster conference where you’ll present a concept you explored during the programme to peers, workshop leaders, and guests.

Why it stands out: You’ll get hands-on access to Imperial’s labs and live on campus at one of the UK’s leading STEM universities, completely free of charge.

2. Immerse Education’s London Summer School

Location: University College London, London, UK
Cost: Varies; summer school scholarship available through our bursary programme
Application Deadline: Multiple summer cohorts; rolling admissions
Program Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Eligibility: Students across the globe aged 13-18 currently enrolled in middle or high school; open to international students

The Academic Insights Program lets high school students experience university life firsthand. You will live on campus, study in small groups of 7-10, and learn from tutors from eminent universities such as Oxford and Cambridge. You can explore a wide range of subjects, including Architecture, AI, Business Management, Computer Science, Economics, Medicine, Philosophy, and more. 

The courses are experiential and focus on hands-on learning. You may find yourself conducting dissections in medicine, designing a robotic arm in engineering, participating in a moot court for law, or building creative writing portfolios and business case studies. By the end of the program, you’ll complete a personal project, receive written feedback, and receive a certificate of completion. You can find more details about the application here.

Why it stands out: You’ll get an early start at university life and academics because the program includes an independent project, discussion-based classes, and living at a college campus.

3. UCL Sutton Trust’s Architecture & Built Environment

Location: UCL Bloomsbury, London
Cost: None
Dates: July 27-31
Application Deadline: March 5th
Eligibility: Year 12 students (England/Wales), Year 13 (Northern Ireland), or S5 (Scotland) at a state-funded, non-fee-paying school; preference given to first-generation university students, those eligible for Free School Meals, and students from underrepresented communities; not open to international students

If you’re a Year 12 student considering architecture, urban planning, or the built environment and want to understand what studying in this field actually involves before you apply, UCL’s Sutton Trust summer school places you inside the Bartlett for five days. 

During the program, you will attend expert-led lectures, engage in hands-on design workshops, record your ideas through physical model-making, and explore London’s cultural landmarks. You’ll explore new ways of recording and communicating ideas through sketching, photography, collage, film, model-making, and writing, and everything you produce can go directly into your university application portfolio. 

Why it stands out: You’ll leave with portfolio-ready work produced at the UK’s top-ranked architecture school, and it won’t cost you a thing.

4. UCL Sutton Trust’s Crime & Security Sciences

Location: UCL Bloomsbury, London
Cost: Free
Dates: July 27-31
Application Deadline: March 5th
Eligibility: Year 12 students (England/Wales), Year 13 (Northern Ireland), or S5 (Scotland) at a state-funded, non-fee-paying school; preference given to first-generation university students, those eligible for Free School Meals, and students from underrepresented communities; not open to international students

If you’ve ever wondered how crime is studied scientifically, not in legal terms, but through data, behavioural research, and detection methods, UCL’s Department of Security and Crime Science is the place to be. You’ll cover organised crime, terrorism, cybercrime, and policing through lectures from world experts in crime science, alongside hands-on workshops focused on detecting and preventing online harms. 

Throughout the week, you’ll work on individual or group projects that pull together what you’ve learned across the different sessions, and you’ll present your findings before the program wraps up.

Why it stands out: You’ll work with research methods used by actual crime scientists at one of the UK’s leading universities, all for free.

5. Imperial College London’s Year 12 Sutton Trust Summer School

Location: South Kensington, London
Cost: None
Dates: Week One: July 14-17; Week Two: July 21-24
Application Deadline: March 5th
Eligibility: Year 12 students in England/Wales, Year 13 in Northern Ireland, S5 in Scotland under 18 at the time of the program, attending a state-funded, non-fee-paying school in the UK; not open to international students 

You’ll spend your time immersed in the academic department of your chosen subject, a focused experience shaped around the subject you’re already interested in pursuing. The program runs across two intake weeks with different subject options: week one covers Biomedical Engineering, Design Engineering, Earth and Planetary Science, Economics, Finance and Data Science, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, and Molecular Bioengineering; week two covers Aeronautics with Mechanical Engineering, Biological Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics. 

You’ll attend academic sessions, application information talks, and social activities while living in university halls, and accepted students also get access to pre-program webinars, Imperial’s alumni network, and ongoing Sutton Trust support that continues well past the summer.

Why it stands out: You’ll get subject-specific immersion at a top global STEM university, and the program’s support network doesn’t end when you leave campus.

6. RVC’s Year 11 Summer School

Location: Camden Campus, London & Hawkshead Campus, Hertfordshire
Cost: None
Dates: August 24-26
Application Deadline: Typically, June
Eligibility: Current Year 11 students who meet RVC’s Widening Participation eligibility criteria and live within 50 miles of either RVC campus; not open to international students

If you’re a Year 11 student considering a degree in Biological Sciences, Veterinary Medicine, or Veterinary Nursing, the RVC’s three-day summer school gives you a hands-on look at what studying in these fields could actually involve. You’ll take part in practical activities and animal handling work experience across both the Camden Campus in London and the Hawkshead Campus in Hertfordshire, supported throughout by RVC Student Ambassadors and staff. 

The program is built to help you make more informed decisions about the university. You’ll come away with a clearer picture of what the RVC offers and what it’s like to study there.

Why it stands out: You’ll gain real animal handling experience at one of the UK’s leading veterinary colleges within a free, fully supported three-day program.

7. RVC Sutton Trust Summer School

Location: Camden Campus, London & Hawkshead Campus, Hertfordshire
Cost: None
Dates: August 17-21
Application Deadline: March 5th
Eligibility: Year 12 students (England/Wales), Year 13 (Northern Ireland), or S5 (Scotland) at a state school who meet RVC’s Widening Participation eligibility criteria, including being eligible for Free School Meals; must be on track to achieve grades in line with RVC’s Veterinary Gateway or Veterinary Medicine entry requirements; not open to international students

At RVC, you’ll get to study Veterinary Medicine and have the chance to live at a leading veterinary college. You’ll take part in animal handling placements across RVC’s facilities, attend veterinary lectures, complete a research project, develop practical clinical skills, and work through a real-life veterinary case all within one structured week. 

Each student is paired with an RVC Student Ambassador mentor throughout the week, and dedicated sessions on the university application process are built into the schedule. A social programme which has previously included sporting events, cooking sessions, and quiz nights runs alongside the academic content.

Why it stands out: You’ll gain hands-on clinical and animal handling experience that can count toward veterinary application requirements entirely free of charge.

8. Goldsmiths Art Summer School

Location: Goldsmiths, University of London, New Cross, London
Cost: None
Dates: July 27th – August 7th
Application Deadline: June 1st
Eligibility: Students aged 16-18 currently studying at a state-funded sixth form or college in the UK in a creative subject such as Art, Textiles, Product Design, Photography, or Performance; must live within a commutable distance to Goldsmiths or be able to arrange their own accommodation; not open to international students

Run by Goldsmiths’ School of Art and the Widening Participation team, this course gives you your own artist studio space and dedicated mentoring to develop a personal art project, alongside creative skills workshops, gallery and artist studio visits, collaborative art making, and portfolio and career guidance. 

The program closes with a public exhibition of the work you’ve produced during the course. Students who complete the program and wish to apply to Goldsmiths are also guaranteed an interview for their Fine Art programs, provided they meet the minimum entry criteria.

Why it stands out: You’ll develop portfolio-ready work in your own studio space and walk away with a guaranteed interview for Goldsmiths’ Fine Art programs.

9. Imperial College London’s Global Summer School

Location: South Kensington, London
Cost: £7,695
Dates: June 29th – July 10th; August 3-14
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until spaces fill
Eligibility: Students aged 16-17 with excellent academic ability and strong English language skills; open to international students

In Imperial’s Global Summer School in week one, you’ll choose one subject stream: Chemistry, Data Science & AI, Engineering, Medicine & Life Sciences, or Physics, and your academic program of lectures, laboratory sessions, and practical workshops is shaped around that choice. 

In week two, students from all subject streams come together for the Innovation Challenge, where you’ll work in mixed groups to tackle a real-world problem, led by the Imperial Enterprise Lab. Alongside the academic program, there are masterclasses on applying to UK universities and living in on-campus accommodation at Prince’s Gardens in South Kensington, with evenings and weekends dedicated to social activities in London.

Why it stands out: You’ll combine subject-specific academic work with a cross-disciplinary Innovation Challenge, all at a world top two STEM university, living on campus in London.

10. King’s College London’s Pre-University Summer School

Location: King’s College London Strand and Waterloo campuses, central London
Cost: £3,195 (1 week) to £9,375 (3 weeks); housing: £3,965 to £11,685; + £65 application fee
Dates: Session 1: July 6-10 | Session 2: July 13-17 | Session 3: July 20-24 | Session 4: July 27-31
Application Deadline: April 10th
Eligibility: Academically motivated students aged 16-17 enrolled in their final three years of high school; English proficiency at minimum B2 level (CEFR) or IELTS 6.0 equivalent; open to international students

As one of the most flexible London summer programs for high school students, King’s Pre-University Summer School offers one-week modules that can be stacked across multiple sessions in July for 16 and 17 year olds who want to explore university-level study across different subjects while spending time in central London.

You can choose from subjects including Business Management, Law, Marketing, Medical Science, Politics, Psychology, Neuroscience, Computer Science, Accounting and Finance, International Relations, Media and Communication, and Science, Technology & Engineering, with different courses available across the four sessions. Teaching follows a university format of lectures and seminars, with assignments designed to reflect undergraduate-level assessment and tutor feedback built in throughout. Those who complete their course receive a King’s Certificate of Completion.

Why it stands out: You can stack multiple one-week subjects across different sessions and receive a King’s Certificate of Completion, making it one of the most flexible pre-university options in London.

11. UCL London Summer School in Classics

Location: UCL, Bloomsbury, London
Cost: £170
Dates: July 14-23
Application Deadline: June 15th
Eligibility: Anyone aged 14 and above, from complete beginners to advanced students; GCSE, A-Level, and university students; open to international students

If you’re 14 or older and want to study an ancient language, whether you’re starting from scratch or picking up where you left off, UCL’s London Summer School in Classics is for you. You can choose one language from Ancient Greek, Latin, Akkadian, Hittite, Sumerian, New Testament/Koine Greek, or Sanskrit, studying in small groups of 12 to 15 students matched to your level, whether that’s beginner, intermediate, or advanced. 

Each day runs four language classes alongside lectures and epigraphy workshops. Tutors include some of the most experienced Classics teachers in and around London, and the teaching style is described as friendly but demanding; a lot of work is expected from students each day.

Why it stands out: You’ll study a rare ancient language in small, level-matched groups with some of London’s most experienced Classics tutors.

12. UCL Summer School in Homer

Location: UCL, London 
Cost: £180
Dates: July 27-31
Application Deadline: July 20th
Eligibility: Anyone aged 15 and older, including high school (GCSE and A-level) students; open to international students

If you’ve always wanted to get into Homer but don’t know where to start, or if you already have some Greek and want to go deeper, UCL’s Summer School in Homer gives you five intensive days in central London focused entirely on the Iliad and the Odyssey. 

You can choose from language-based courses in Beginners, Intermediate, or Advanced Greek, or literature-based courses taught in English translation, covering topics like Homer and Ancient Philosophy, the Reception of Homer, Religions in the Homeric World, and Gender and Feminist Reception in Homer. Classes are taught in groups of 15 to 20 by experienced Classics tutors, in a style that’s described as friendly but demanding.

Why it stands out: You can approach Homer from both a language and a literary angle in one focused week with course options for every level from complete beginners upward.

13. UAL International Summer School

Location: UAL campuses, London
Cost: Varies by course
Dates: July and August
Application Deadline: Open until full
Eligibility: Students aged 11-18; separate age-appropriate tracks available for 11-15 and 16-18 year olds; open to international students

At UAL International Summer School, you’ll work on hands-on projects in areas like fashion design and digital media under the guidance of expert tutors, building a portfolio and creating work inspired by London’s cultural and social diversity. The program is designed to give you a genuine sense of what studying art and design at university level looks like, a structured course with real creative outputs you can take forward. 

Over three weeks, you create a body of work that can be used for future applications as part of a portfolio. You can explore the course options and book here.

Why it stands out: You’ll build a portfolio at one of the world’s leading art and design universities, with separate programs tailored for younger and older teens.

14. UAL – Art and Design Summer School for 11 to 15 Year Olds

Location: Central Saint Martins, London
Cost: From £1,880
Dates: July and August
Application Deadline: First-come, first-served and often book up by March
Eligibility: Students aged 11-15 with an interest in developing their creativity; suitable for complete beginners and students already studying art and design; open to international students

UAL’s Art and Design Summer School at Central Saint Martins introduces you to a wide range of creative disciplines through hands-on work in a structured, guided setting. Across the course, you’ll work through observational drawing, still life, mark-making, printmaking, painting, colour and collage, typography, graphic design, sculpture, spatial design, and model making, building both your technical skills and your confidence through practical assignments. 

Toward the end of the program, you’ll apply everything you’ve learned to a personal project guided by your tutor, and you’ll aim to finish with a sketchbook full of ideas, several completed pieces, and a set of skills to carry forward into your art practice.

Why it stands out: You’ll work across 12 creative disciplines at Central Saint Martins and finish with completed portfolio pieces and a personal project, an introduction to art school life.

15. UAL International Summer School in Acting and Performance

Location: Wimbledon College of Arts, London
Cost: Starting at £3,670
Dates: Multiple 3-week sessions run throughout July and August
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students aged 16-18; all experience levels welcome; open to international students

In this program, you’ll explore what it actually means to make performance not just act, but also direct, design, and write, experimenting with different roles to figure out where your creative instincts are strongest. The curriculum spans movement and spatial awareness, sound-based performance, writing as a tool for exploring identity, and digital technologies like AR and VR applied to performance-making. 

You’ll also work on set and costume design, giving you exposure to the full production process. The program is structured around cross-cultural collaboration, so you’ll be working alongside students from different backgrounds throughout. It wraps up with a collaborative performance created in a professional theatre space, and you’ll walk away with a digital badge and certificate of attendance.

Why it stands out: You’ll work across every aspect of performance from writing and movement to digital tech and set design, all inside a professional UAL theatre space.

Frequently asked questions: London summer programs for high school students

Are London summer programs open to international students?

Eligibility is mixed. Several free UK widening-participation programs, including Imperial’s Year 10 Insights Summer School and UCL’s Sutton Trust programs, restrict eligibility to UK state school students. However, Imperial’s Global Summer School, King’s College London’s Pre-University Summer School, and UAL’s International Summer School are all explicitly open to international students. Immerse Education’s Academic Insights Programme is also open globally to students aged 13 to 18.

How much do London summer programs cost?

Costs vary enormously by prestige and eligibility. Free options include Imperial’s Year 10 Insights Summer School and several UCL Sutton Trust programs, both restricted to UK students. Mid-range options include UCL’s Classics and Homer summer schools at £170 to £180, while premium programs like Imperial’s Global Summer School cost £7,695 and King’s College London’s Pre-University Summer School can reach £9,375 for a fully stacked three-week experience.

What is the difference between a Sutton Trust program and a standard international summer school in London?

Sutton Trust programs, like UCL’s Architecture & Built Environment or Crime & Security Sciences tracks, are specifically funded to widen access for UK state school students from underrepresented backgrounds, and are entirely free but not open to international students. Standard international summer schools, like Imperial’s Global Summer School or King’s College London’s Pre-University Summer School, charge tuition but welcome students from anywhere in the world. If you’re not a UK state school student, the paid international programs are your relevant options.

Do London summer programs award transferable college credit?

Most don’t award transferable credit, instead providing a certificate of completion, as seen with King’s College London’s Certificate and UAL’s digital badge and certificate of attendance. A few programs offer concrete admissions benefits instead, like Goldsmiths’ guaranteed Fine Art interview for successful completers. If credit specifically matters to you, London-based pre-university programs generally favor certificates and application benefits over formal academic credit.

How selective are London summer programs?

Selectivity varies considerably. Imperial’s Global Summer School and Notre Dame’s related programs are described as selective, with Imperial requiring strong English proficiency and academic performance. UCL’s Sutton Trust programs are also competitive despite being free, prioritizing widening-participation criteria. Other programs, like UAL’s International Summer School, are less centrally selective and instead rely on rolling, first-come enrollment.

Is Immerse Education a good option for exploring London specifically?

Immerse Education’s Academic Insights Programme is a strong choice if you want a genuine London university experience without needing UK state school status, since London is one of its eight global locations. The two week program places you in small groups of seven to 10 students, working on hands-on projects across more than 20 subjects, including AI, medicine, and business management. You’ll complete a personal project, receive written feedback, and earn a certificate of completion, with financial aid available through its bursary programme.

Your Next Chapter After a Summer in London

Choosing among these London summer programs for high school students gives you a genuine introduction to university-style lectures, seminars, and campus life.

Once the program ends, you can turn that academic exposure into a clearer sense of your subject choice and university direction.

The critical thinking, independent study, and confidence you built become a strong foundation for your applications ahead.

Keep building on what you started this summer by exploring our University Preparation blogs for guidance on your next steps.