15 Residential Summer Schools in the UK for High School Students

Summer is often a chance to take a break from school, but it can also be an opportunity to explore new interests, experience university life, and challenge yourself in ways that aren’t always possible during the school year. Whether you’re curious about medicine, engineering, business, law, or the humanities, residential summer schools in the UK for high school students can help you explore subjects in greater depth while meeting students from around the world.

They offer much more than classroom learning. You might spend your mornings attending seminars or working on hands-on projects, your afternoons exploring university campuses or historic cities, and your evenings taking part in social activities alongside your peers. Living on campus also gives you a taste of the independence, routines, and community that come with university life.

Whether you’re based in the UK or travelling from abroad, these programs let you experience some of the country’s leading universities, colleges, and boarding schools while learning from experienced instructors and subject specialists. They can also act as a foundation for your college journey, giving you a taste of what university life is like at a top institution, in person.

What are residential summer schools in the UK for high school students?

Residential summer schools are short academic programs where you live on campus while studying a subject that interests you. They cover a wide range of disciplines, including science, medicine, engineering, business, economics, computer science, law, psychology, and the arts. Depending on the program, you may attend university-style lectures, participate in tutorials, complete group projects, or gain practical experience through workshops and simulations.

The experience varies from one program to another. Some emphasize academic rigor with small-group teaching and faculty mentorship, while others place greater focus on university preparation, cultural immersion, or personal development. Understanding these differences can help you choose a program that aligns with your interests and goals.

To help you compare your options, we’ve put together a list of 15 residential summer schools in the UK for high school students. 

Key takeaways

• The University of Oxford’s Future of Business Summer School costs £8,995 and has students develop and pitch an AI-driven business proposal using the UN Sustainable Development Goals as a framework.
• Immerse Education’s Artificial Intelligence Summer School takes place in Oxford over two weeks, working in classes of seven to 10 students, open to students worldwide aged 13 to 18.
• Durham University’s Global Futures Pre-University Summer School costs £5,000 and delivers 24 hours of academic instruction in small seminar groups over 10 residential days.
• Several Sutton Trust programs, including those at Cambridge, Durham, and St Andrews, are completely free with travel costs covered, but restricted to UK state school students.
• The University of Bath’s Discover Bath program is fully funded and can lead to a guaranteed contextual university offer for students who successfully complete the residential.
• The University of Warwick’s Pre-University Summer School costs £5,250 plus a £50 application fee and delivers 29 hours of academic teaching across five subject pathways.
• The University of Exeter’s Exeter Scholars National Residential Pathway is entirely free with all travel costs refunded, specifically reserved for Year 12 students from outside the South West of England.
• Program costs for UK residential summer schools range from free Sutton Trust and widening-participation options to over £8,995 for the Oxford Saïd Business School academies.

15 Residential Summer Schools in the UK for High School Students

1. University of Oxford Said Business School – Future of Business Summer School

Location: University of Oxford, Saïd Business School, Oxford, England
Cost: £8,995
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not publicly disclosed
Dates: July 19th – August 2nd
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students ages 15-18 (up to 18 years and 11 months by August 1st) with B2 English proficiency or above; open to international students

In this program, you’ll spend two weeks exploring how business leaders make decisions in a rapidly changing world through lectures, workshops, guest speaker sessions, and collaborative projects. The curriculum covers strategy, leadership, AI, finance, systems thinking, and innovation before you work in a small team to develop and pitch an AI-driven business proposal addressing a real-world challenge. 

The program uses the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as a framework for understanding how businesses balance innovation, sustainability, and long-term value. You’ll present your final proposal at a conference-style showcase, receive a certificate from the University of Oxford, and gain nine months of access to Oxford’s online Entrepreneurship School after the program ends. 

Why it stands out: Students develop and pitch an AI-driven business strategy using the UN Sustainable Development Goals as a real-world decision-making framework.

2. Immerse Education’s Pre-University Summer School

Location: Cambridge, London, and Oxford
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 and study in small groups of 7-10, and learn from tutors from eminent top universities like Oxford and Cambridge. You can explore a wide range of subjects, spanning over 20 options, 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. University of Oxford – Saïd Business School’s AI and Machine Learning Pioneers Summer School

Location: Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford, Oxford, England
Cost: £8,995; scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: July 19th – August 1st
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students ages 15-18; minimum B2 English proficiency; open to international students

As the only official University of Oxford pathway program focused on AI, this program features the unique characteristic of combining expertise from the Saïd Business School and the Department of Economics. Your comprehensive curriculum covers the AI revolution, generative AI, neural networks, data science, machine learning, econometrics, AI ethics, algorithmic decision-making, and leveraging technology for social good. 

Throughout your stay, you will write code in Python, collaborate on small group projects tackling real-world tech challenges, explore UK heritage sites, and network during formal dinners. By actively engaging in these varied activities, you will develop essential critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and practical teamwork skills. 

Why it stands out: It offers a rare opportunity to earn an official certificate from the University of Oxford while blending rigorous technical instruction with world-class business and leadership training.

4. University of Oxford Said Business School – Future Climate Tech Innovators Summer School

Location: University of Oxford, Saïd Business School, Oxford, England
Cost: £8,995
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not publicly disclosed
Dates: July 19th – August 2nd
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students ages 15-18 (up to 18 years and 11 months by August 1st) with B2 English proficiency or above; open to international students

This program’s curriculum covers topics such as extreme weather, biodiversity, food security, water scarcity, entrepreneurship, and business strategy before you work in teams to develop and present a climate technology solution to a real-world environmental challenge. The program combines sustainability with innovation and entrepreneurship, encouraging you to design practical solutions with measurable impact. 

You’ll present your work at the Oxford Climate Innovation Conference, receive a certificate from the University of Oxford, and gain nine months of access to Oxford’s online Entrepreneurship School after completing the program. Outside the classroom, you’ll stay in a historic Oxford college, participate in cultural activities, and collaborate with students from around the world.

Why it stands out: Students develop and pitch climate technology solutions while combining sustainability, entrepreneurship, and innovation in a university-level setting.

5. University of Oxford Said Business School – Future Entrepreneurs Summer School

Location: University of Oxford, Saïd Business School, Oxford, England
Cost/Stipend: £8,995
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not publicly disclosed
Dates: August 2-15
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students ages 15-18 (up to 18 years and 11 months by August 1st) with B2 English proficiency or above; open to international students

In this program, you’ll spend two weeks learning how new ventures are built, from generating ideas and validating opportunities to pitching investors and developing business models. Through workshops, case studies, and collaborative projects, you’ll explore topics including customer discovery, marketing, finance, negotiation, innovation, and startup strategy while receiving guidance from Oxford faculty and experienced entrepreneurs. 

A major focus of the program is developing your own startup idea, testing it through practical exercises, and presenting it in a TED-style talk and pitch experience by the end of the course. Alongside entrepreneurship training, you’ll live in a historic Oxford college, connect with an international cohort, and experience university life through cultural activities and formal college traditions. 

Why it stands out: Students build, test, and pitch their own startup ideas while learning directly from Oxford faculty and experienced entrepreneurs.

6. Imperial Global Summer School 

Location: Imperial College London, South Kensington, London, England, UK
Cost: £7,695
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; over 550 students annually
Dates: June 29th – July 10th; August 3-14
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until spaces fill
Eligibility: Students aged 16-17 from the UK and around the world who demonstrate strong academic ability and meet the published English language requirements

The Imperial Global Summer School is a two-week residential program in Central London that lets you experience rigorous STEM study before university. You will immerse yourself in one of five tracks: Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Medicine and Life Sciences, or Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. Throughout the course, you will attend academic lectures, conduct hands-on laboratory experiments, and participate in practical workshops. 

The program features a unique cross-disciplinary Innovation Challenge, where you partner with peers from different tracks to design solutions for real-world problems. By completing these activities, you will build technical expertise alongside essential skills like teamwork, problem-solving, and public speaking. Ultimately, it gives you a realistic preview of undergraduate life. 

Why it stands out: Unlike general summer camps, it focuses exclusively on hands-on STEM education and culminates in a cross-disciplinary project that mirrors how real scientific professionals collaborate today. 

7. University of Brighton On-Campus Residential Summer Schools

Location: University of Brighton, Brighton, England
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; places are limited
Dates: July 7-9
Application Deadline: May 17th
Eligibility: Year 12 (or first year of sixth form/college) students ages 16 to 17 who meet the university’s widening participation criteria; not open to international students

In this program, you can choose from academic pathways including art and media, engineering, health professions, humanities, science, social science, or sport, with opportunities to use specialist facilities and explore different areas of study. The program is designed to give you a realistic introduction to university by combining academic taster sessions with a residential experience in student halls. 

Everything is provided at no cost, including accommodation, meals, activities, and travel support for eligible students, making the program accessible to students who meet the widening participation criteria. Evenings include social events, trips around Brighton, and time to connect with other students while getting a feel for university life outside the classroom.

Why it stands out: Students get a free residential university experience with subject-specific workshops across seven academic pathways.

8. Durham University – Global Futures Pre-University Summer School

Location: Durham, England, United Kingdom
Cost: £5,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately competitive; limited places
Dates: July 12-21
Application Deadline: May 22nd
Eligibility: Aged 16-17 for the full duration of the programme; performing well in current studies and able to take part in academic discussion; B2-level English; open to international students

In the Global Futures Pre-University Summer School program, you spend ten residential days at Durham University exploring a range of social science disciplines alongside students from around the world. You receive 24 hours of academic instruction from Durham academics, taught in small seminar groups rather than school-style lessons. 

You take part in interactive, discussion-based sessions and group work, live in en-suite college accommodation, and join cultural visits including a full-day trip to Edinburgh. Evening activities, team-building, games nights and sports centre access sit alongside the academic timetable, with 24/7 welfare support throughout. You build independence, stronger study habits and the confidence to take part in university-style academic discussion, finishing with a Durham University certificate of attendance.

Why it stands out: It combines 24 hours of academic teaching from Durham academics with full college residence in a UNESCO World Heritage city, giving 16–17-year-olds a genuine preview of UK undergraduate study.

9. University of Cambridge – Sutton Trust Summer Schools

Location: University of Cambridge, Cambridge, England
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 400 students across streams
Dates: August 17-21
Application Deadline: February
Eligibility: Year 12 (England and Wales), S5 (Scotland), or Year 13 (Northern Ireland) and attend a state-funded, non-fee-paying school who meet the Sutton Trust eligibility criteria; not open to international students

You’ll spend five days exploring your chosen subject through lectures, seminars, research activities, and Cambridge-style supervisions led by university academics. The program allows you to experience undergraduate teaching while also taking part in college life, with activities such as Formal Hall dinners, punting on the River Cam, and conversations with current Cambridge students and alumni. 

The Summer School is designed for high-achieving students from underrepresented backgrounds and combines challenging academic teaching with a realistic introduction to studying at Cambridge. You’ll also receive online guidance before and after the residential, helping you prepare for university applications and reflect on your experience beyond the week itself.

Why it stands out: Students experience Cambridge-style supervisions and subject teaching while living at the university through a fully funded residential program.

10. Durham University – Sutton Trust Summer School

Location: Durham, England
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; cohort size not stated
Dates: July 27-31
Application Deadline: March 5th
Eligibility: Year 12 in England or Wales, Year 13 in Northern Ireland, or S5 in Scotland (or equivalent); continuous attendance at a UK state-funded, non-fee-paying school or college; generally under 18, though some partner universities permit over-18 Year 12 students; subject-specific A-level or equivalent requirements for certain strands; teacher verification of the application; not open to international students

In the Sutton Trust Summer School program, you spend a residential week at Durham University exploring one of twenty-four subject strands, from Computer Science and Engineering to Law, Music and Sport and Exercise Science. You live in one of Durham’s 17 colleges alongside current undergraduates who act as your mentors for the week. 

Your days combine academic sessions led by departmental staff, guidance on UCAS applications, student finance and college choice, and extra-curricular activities that mirror wider Durham student life. Completing the programme makes you eligible for a Guaranteed Alternative Offer that reduces the grade requirements when you apply to Durham in Year 13. Travel costs are covered, and the week itself is free.

Why it stands out: It offers a free, travel-funded week living in a Durham college across twenty-four subject strands taught by the university’s own academic departments.

11. University of St Andrews – Sutton Trust Summer School

Location: St Andrews, Fife, Scotland, United Kingdom
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; cohort size not stated
Dates: July 5-10
Application Deadline: March 5th
Eligibility: Studying in S5 (Scotland), Year 12 (England and Wales), or Year 13 (Northern Ireland); attend, and have always attended, a state-funded, non-fee-paying UK school or college; generally under 18 at the time of the summer school; at least five GCSEs at grades 9-6 or five National 5 A-B grades including English and Maths; no prior university application; not open to international students

In the Sutton Trust Summer School program, you spend a free residential week at the University of St Andrews sampling degree-level study across two chosen subjects, picking one from each option list spanning Chemistry, Computer Science, Medicine, Psychology, Biology, International Relations and Modern Languages. 

You attend lectures, laboratory sessions and tutorials led by St Andrews academics, mirroring the workload of first-year undergraduates. Seminars cover the UCAS process, personal statements, study skills and student finance. You live in University halls, explore St Andrews traditions, and join evenings of sport, music and the Sutton Trust ceilidh alongside current students.

Why it stands out: It pairs a completely free residential week, with travel reimbursed or arranged, with academic teaching in two self-selected subjects delivered by St Andrews academics.

12. University of Bath – Discover Bath

Location: Bath, Somerset, England 
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; around 450 places
Dates: Engineering: August 3-5; Science: August 5-7; Social Sciences and Business: August 10-12
Application Deadline: Closes once places fill
Eligibility: Year 12 or equivalent; academically able to study the chosen subject at Bath; meets the University’s widening participation criteria; UK-based; not already registered on Pathway to Bath; compulsory overnight residential attendance; some strands require specified A levels; not open to international students

The Discover Bath program is a free summer residential giving you a real taste of first-year undergraduate life at the University of Bath. You will study a wide range of topics, including mathematics, biology, physics, pharmacy, criminology, economics, health, politics, psychology, and sociology. 

During the trip, you will attend academic lectures, stay in on-campus accommodation for two nights, receive UCAS application guidance, and join student-led social activities. The program is unique because your travel, meals, and housing are fully funded. Furthermore, completing the course can directly earn you a guaranteed contextual university offer. By the end, you will build essential higher-education skills like academic writing, independent study, referencing, and teamwork.

Why it stands out: Not only does the program completely remove financial barriers to experiencing university life, but it also gives you a tangible advantage in the admissions process through potential guaranteed alternative offers.

13. University of Bath – Step into Bath

Location: Bath, Somerset, England
Cost: £365 per person
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately competitive; roughly 300 places
Dates: July 27-29 for Engineering and Design or Science streams; July 29-31 for Humanities and Social Sciences or School of Management streams
Application Deadline: Typically closes in late May
Eligibility: Year 12 or Lower Sixth student; on track to meet Bath’s typical offer for the chosen course; taking the relevant A levels or equivalent and providing expected grades; planning to start a university course next year; overnight residential attendance compulsory; remaining on campus for the duration; not open to international students

The University of Bath’s Step into Bath program is a two-night residential summer school where you can authentically experience university life before applying. You will explore academic topics within your choice of four streams: Engineering and Design, Science, Management, or Humanities and Social Sciences. 

Throughout your stay, you will attend taster lectures, join social activities led by current students, participate in employability sessions, and chat directly with admissions tutors. The program uniquely places you in actual undergraduate student accommodation and offers direct, insider guidance from admissions selectors on crafting your personal statement. By the end, you will have learned academic study skills, gained application-writing techniques, and developed a strong network.

Why it stands out: It offers a fully immersive residential experience that pairs authentic undergraduate living with tailored application support directly from the admissions selectors who evaluate applications. 

14. University of Exeter – Exeter Scholars National Residential Pathway

Location: Exeter, Devon and Penryn, Cornwall, England
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Non-competitive; cohort size not stated
Dates: Penryn residential: July 7-10; Exeter residential: July 27-30
Application Deadline: June 5th
Eligibility: Year 12 students living outside Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, Bristol, and Dorset; attending a non-fee-paying state school or home-educated; minimum eight GCSEs at grades 9-4 including Maths and English at grade 4; meeting at least one of eleven widening-participation criteria; compulsory residential attendance; open to international students who hold Home or EU fee status, or meet Sanctuary Scholarship criteria

In the Exeter Scholars National Residential Pathway program, you spend four days living in university halls and studying one core subject strand at either the Streatham campus in Devon or the Penryn campus in Cornwall. You choose from strands such as Business, Humanities, STEM, Social Sciences, Medicine, Conservation and Ecology, or Environmental Science and Engineering, then attend taster lectures, laboratory and fieldwork sessions, and research-inspired seminars led by academics and current students. 

You also choose elective sessions alongside your core strand, sampling additional subjects ranging from neuroscience and medical imaging to marine biology and geology. You build critical thinking, analysis, teamwork, and communication skills. Alongside timetabled study, you explore the campus, city, and student societies.

Why it stands out: It is an entirely free, fully funded four-day residential reserved for Year 12 widening-participation students from outside the South West, with all travel costs refunded.

15. University of Warwick – Pre-University Summer School

Location: University of Warwick, Coventry, England
Cost: £5,250 + £50 application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: July 14-24
Application Deadline: May 31st
Eligibility: Students aged 16-17 during the program who are considering applying to university; demonstrate sufficient English proficiency; open to international students

In this program, you’ll spend 10 nights exploring university-level subjects through lectures, seminars, workshops, and collaborative activities while living on the University of Warwick campus. You can choose from five academic pathways, including Arts and Humanities, Business, Economics and Finance, Health, Medical and Life Sciences, Social Sciences, and Science and Engineering. 

Each pathway includes 29 hours of academic teaching alongside workshops focused on communication, teamwork, and personal effectiveness, giving you a broader introduction to university study. Outside the classroom, you’ll visit Oxford and Warwick Castle while taking part in social activities with current Warwick student ambassadors, providing a well-rounded residential experience.

Why it stands out: Students combine subject-specific academic study with dedicated personal development workshops and a residential university experience.

Frequently asked questions: Residential summer schools in the UK for high school students

Are residential summer schools in the UK open to international students?

Eligibility is mixed. The Oxford Saïd Business School academies, Imperial Global Summer School, and Durham University’s Global Futures program are all explicitly open to international students. However, most Sutton Trust-funded programs, including those at Cambridge, Durham, and St Andrews, along with the University of Bath’s and Exeter’s widening-participation programs, are restricted to UK state school students. Immerse Education’s Artificial Intelligence Summer School is also open globally to students aged 13 to 18.

How much do residential summer schools cost in the UK?

Costs vary enormously by funding model and prestige. Free options include multiple Sutton Trust Summer Schools and the University of Bath’s Discover Bath and University of Exeter’s residential pathway. Mid-range options include the University of Bath’s Step into Bath at £365 and the University of Brighton’s residential summer school, which is also free. Premium residential options include the Oxford Saïd Business School academies at £8,995 and Imperial Global Summer School at £7,695.

What is the difference between a Sutton Trust program and a standard fee-paying residential summer school?

Sutton Trust programs, like the University of Cambridge’s or Durham University’s Sutton Trust Summer Schools, 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 fee-paying programs, like the Oxford Saïd Business School academies or Imperial Global Summer School, charge tuition but welcome students from anywhere in the world.

Do residential summer schools in the UK help with university admission?

Several offer concrete admissions benefits. The University of Bath’s Discover Bath program and Durham University’s Sutton Trust Summer School can both lead to a Guaranteed Alternative Offer with reduced grade requirements. The University of Exeter’s Exeter Scholars pathway similarly targets widening-participation students with structured application support. Fee-paying programs like the Oxford Saïd academies instead offer a certificate and ongoing access to online resources rather than a direct admissions guarantee.

How selective are residential summer schools in the UK?

Selectivity varies considerably. The University of Cambridge’s and University of Bath’s Sutton Trust and Discover programs are both highly competitive despite being free, admitting only around 400 to 450 students respectively. Fee-paying programs like the Oxford Saïd academies and Imperial Global Summer School are also selective but based on academic performance and English proficiency rather than widening-participation criteria specifically.

Is Immerse Education a good option for a student considering UK residential summer schools?

Immerse Education’s Artificial Intelligence Summer School is a strong choice if you want a genuine Oxford-based residential experience without needing UK state school status. The two week program places you in small groups of seven to 10 students, working on machine learning, neural networks, and AI ethics through hands-on coding projects and team challenges. You’ll complete a personal project, receive written feedback, and earn a certificate of completion, with financial aid available through its bursary programme.

Your Residential Summer Was Just The Preview

Choosing among these residential summer schools in the UK for high school students gives you a genuine early introduction to university-style teaching and independent campus life.

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

The confidence, independent thinking, and academic skills you built become a strong foundation for your applications in the years ahead.

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