Summer offers you a chance to unwind, enjoy yourself, and take a break from the demands of the academic year. But summer programs in the United Kingdom can be so much more than a break. They offer new perspectives, meaningful experiences, and memories you’ll carry into your future.

Imagine spending summer wandering Oxford’s cobblestone lanes between lectures or debating ethics with classmates from many countries over dinner. UK summer programs are not just classes; they blend academic challenge, cultural adventure, and university life.

Even if you already call the UK home, these programs let you rediscover it through the independence and energy of university life. Summer programs are offered by universities and educational organizations. University-led options give you direct access to campus life and faculty, while educational organizations provide broader support and a more curated academic and social experience.

If joining from overseas, a summer program easily explores a new country, often including accommodation, meals, and excursions. If you’re based in the UK, the experience still feels fresh as you see familiar places through the perspective of new friends. Non-residential options can also help reduce the overall cost while still giving you access to academic and cultural opportunities.

What types of summer programs are offered to high school students in the United Kingdom (UK)? 

Summer programs can feel like quite the commitment, especially if they’re virtual. 

However, across the United Kingdom, renowned universities offer a wide range of in-person summer opportunities in fields like Economics, Law, Business, Finance, and STEM. As a result, whether you’re discovering a new passion or deepening an existing one, these experiences provide a glimpse into what your future could look like. 

You’ll learn from leading faculty, join lab or case study sessions, and meet peers from around the world. Along the way, you’ll develop practical skills, build confidence, and form lasting connections that can shape your academic journey. Ultimately, these academic experiences build both skill and confidence.

You’ll have to work hard during the program, but we’ll save you work right now. To help you choose, we’ve compiled a list of 15 Summer Programs for High School Students in the UK, selected for their academic rigour, mentorship opportunities, and global reputation.

15 Summer Programs for High School Students in the UK

1. London School of Economics and Political Science Summer School

Location: London School of Economics and Political Science, Houghton Street, London, UK
Cost: Fees vary by course and sessions; accommodation is extra. Check here.
Dates: June 23 – July 11; July 14 – August 1;  August 4 – August 22
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; early application recommended until classes fill
Eligibility: Advanced high school students (16+) with strong academic performance; English language proficiency required

LSE Summer School offers rigorous, credit-bearing courses in Data Science, Economics, Business, Finance, and Law, taught by LSE faculty. The courses include lectures and seminars modelled on the undergraduate curriculum offered at LSE.

In addition, you will work on case studies using data-driven approaches and focus on developing analytical, quantitative, and policy-related skills. Moreover, the program also includes SPARK, a professional skills programme, which involves completing extracurricular activities to build career skills.

Why it stands out: You’ll be part of one of Europe’s most international classrooms, where undergraduates and professionals from 100+ countries debate global issues together.

2. Immerse Education’s Pre-University Summer School

Location: Oxford, Cambridge, London, Singapore, Tokyo, Sydney, Toronto, and Boston
Cost: Varies; summer school scholarship available through our bursary programme.
Program Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Multiple summer cohorts with rolling admissions.
Eligibility: Students aged 13-18 currently enrolled in middle or high school

The Academic Insights Program provides school students with an opportunity to take undergraduate-level classes at universities around the world. Participants work with academics from universities like Oxford, Cambridge, and Harvard in small classes of on average 7 students. They attend university-style lectures and 1:1 weekly sessions with their tutor.

The program includes practical experiences such as dissections in medicine, robotic arm building in engineering, or moot courts for law. In addition, you can choose from over 20 subjects, including architecture, AI, business management, computer science, medicine, and philosophy.

By the end of the program, you will complete a personal project, receive written feedback, and get a certificate of completion. You can find more details about the summer school application here.

Why it stands out: Designed and taught by faculty and graduates from leading universities like Oxford, Cambridge, and Harvard, so it’s a truly international learning environment.

3. Seren Academy Summer School

Location: Various campus locations
Cost: Free
Dates: Varies by location
Application Deadline: February (tentative)
Eligibility: Students aged 12 to 18; check here for more information

If you’re a talented, high-achieving, and driven high school student, Seren Academy’s Summer Schools could be the right fit for you. You’ll spend a few weeks at a Seren Academy partner university, experiencing campus life and accessing high-quality academic enrichment.

The Academy supports motivated high school students, giving opportunities that broaden their horizons regardless of background. You will have access to the university resources, university-style teaching, and the experience of living on a college campus. Additionally, you’ll receive guidance on applying to universities, completing the UCAS application, and tips for interviews. 

Why it stands out: It partners with multiple Russell Group universities, giving you access to faculty and admissions teams normally unavailable to high-school students and giving you a better shot at college applications.

4. King’s College London: Pre-University Summer School

Location: King’s College London, Strand Campus, London, UK
Cost: £3,195 for one week; £6,180 for two weeks; £9,375 for three weeks; £1,200–£2,400 for English Language & Culture courses
Dates: July 6 – 10;  July 13 – 17; July  20 – 24; July 27 – 31
Application Deadline: April 10
Eligibility: Students aged 16–17 in their final three years of high school; must meet English proficiency requirements

The Pre-University Summer School at King’s College London is an academic program for students aged 16–17. You can pick from subjects like Business Management, Law, Marketing, Medical Science, Politics, Psychology, STEM, etc. You can choose to do multiple courses over two or three-week sessions.

Classes include lectures, seminars, university-level assignments, discussion groups, simulation games, and Q&A sessions with guest speakers. In addition, you receive a King’s Certificate of Completion after you complete the program.

Why it stands out: Given its location and prestige, you could be a part of guest lectures by people from the NHS, Parliament, and the Royal Courts of Justice.

5. Imperial College Work Experience Programme

Location: Imperial College London, South Kensington, London, UK
Cost: Free
Dates: TBA
Application Deadline: Applications open in January
Eligibility: Year 12 students meeting academic and inclusive participation criteria

This Work Experience Summer School is one of several opportunities offered by Imperial College London. The other Imperial programmes in this guide each serve different students and interests: the Imperial Global Summer School is a residential STEM programme for older learners, while the Year 10 Insights and Year 9 Girls Engineering Summer Schools offer shorter subject tasters. The Online STEM Challenge provides a hybrid project-based experience, and the Sutton Trust Summer School supports Year 12 students through an intensive, admissions-focused STEM programme.

The Work Experience Programme at Imperial College gives insight into life as a researcher and other higher education careers. Research streams open to you include Bioengineering, Grantham Institute for Climate Change and the Environment, Materials, Mathematics, Physics, Chemical Engineering, and Biomedical Research. You’ll experience working life, learn professional time management, and access research/teaching labs, workshops, and technical suites.

Apart from academic study, you’ll attend talks on university applications and receive support from a student ambassador. By the end, you will present a poster and an oral presentation at an academic-style conference before your peers, leaders, and guests.

Why it stands out: It places you in functioning labs, divides you into research groups, and prepares you for presenting at a formal academic conference, mirroring how academia works.

6. St. Andrews University Summer Experience Courses

Location: St. Andrews, United Kingdom
Cost: £6,850
Dates: July 11  – August 1
Application Deadline: Yet to be confirmed
Eligibility: For students between the ages of 16–18 years

At St. Andrews’ Summer Experience Course, you will have the opportunity to study various courses taught by faculty. You can study creative writing, medicine, management, psychology, and much more. Many of the courses include a blend of lectures, group work, and workshops or independent projects.

Additionally, you’ll get to experience the historic city of St. Andrews through organized excursions to castles, theatres, and the Edinburgh Dungeons. Moreover, as a residential student, you will familiarise yourself with university life, interact with global peers, and prepare for college.

Why it stands out: It offers you a taste of university-level academic study in one of the UK’s historic cities, so you can develop academic, cultural, and interpersonal skills.

7. Imperial College Insights Summer School

Location: Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, UK
Cost: Free
Dates: July 30 – August 2
Application Deadline: March 5
Eligibility: Year 10 students (UK equivalents)

Imperial College London’s Year 10 Insights Summer School is a four-day residential program focusing on science and engineering. You can choose either the science or engineering stream. You will settle in on day 1, attending multiple sessions tailored to your stream for the next two days. On day four, you will present your findings at an academic-style poster conference.

These four days, working with undergraduate mentors and staying in university halls, are an authentic experience of university life in London. In addition, the course features a pastoral programme with evening social activities that help you connect with your cohort.

Why it stands out: You’ll get to experience college-level science, work with undergraduate mentors, and learn how to present at a poster conference.

8. Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Summer Schools

Location: Glasgow, Scotland, UK
Cost: Varies by program
Dates: Varies, but typically multiple sessions between July – August
Application Deadline: Varies by program
Eligibility: For students aged 5-18 years

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) offers various in-person and online summer programs in the performing arts. You can study dance, drama, musical theatre, music, film, or production. Courses are offering an introduction to performing arts, as well as courses to improve your skills if you are experienced.

You’ll be taught by experienced instructors and have the opportunity to work with students from across the world. Moreover, if you’re looking to explore and enhance your interest in the performing arts while connecting with like-minded peers, this could be a good opportunity for you.

Why it stands out: It is well-connected to the UK’s theatre, film, and music industries, so you might be taught by people working in major productions, well-known orchestras, and film sets.

9. Imperial Global Summer School

Location: Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, UK
Cost: $10,091
Dates: June 29 – July 10 or August 3 – August 14
Application Deadline: Applications open in January 
Eligibility: Students aged 16–17 with strong academic ability and English proficiency

Imperial Global Summer School is a two-week residential program for students aged 16–17 interested in STEM. You will choose one subject area: Data Science and AI, Engineering, Physics, or Medicine/Life Science. You’ll spend the first week in lectures, labs, and workshops.

Next, you’ll be placed in a team for the Innovation Challenge, led by the Imperial Enterprise Lab, where you’ll solve a real problem under the mentorship of industry experts. In addition, the program also includes sessions on university admissions, along with structured evening activities. 

Why it stands out: You’ll have the rare opportunity to combine STEM education with entrepreneurship activities in a short summer program.

10. University of Notre Dame – London: Knowledge and Power

Location: Fischer Hall (near Trafalgar Square) & Conway Hall, London, UK
Cost: $8,750 
Dates: July 5 – 19
Application Deadline: January 21
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are at least 16 years of age by or on August 1

The Study Abroad: London program at the University of Notre Dame is a two-week summer program for high school students in the UK. Throughout the program, you will be taught about London’s history, explore historic sites, and explore the idea of what history truly means. Moreover, lectures will be led by Notre Dame London faculty, and you will be part of a globally diverse cohort.

You will explore London with guidance from guest lecturers, participate in academic and extracurricular activities, and attend theatre tours. Moreover, you could be eligible to receive one transferable college credit upon completion of the program.  

Why it stands out: It has partnerships with museums, theatres, and archives, so you’ll have increased access to the behind-the-scenes of these institutions.

11. University of Warwick Pre-University Summer School

Location: Warwick, England, United Kingdom
Cost: £5,250 
Dates: July 14 – July 24
Application Deadline: May 31
Eligibility: Students aged 16-17 years old

The University of Warwick offers summer courses teaching humanities, science, social science, and economics. As a summer student, you will live at Warwick campus, participate in excursions, and connect with peers from 30+ countries. Your courses will be structured to include a mix of lectures, seminars, and talks by guest speakers.

Additionally, you will attend personal development classes and sessions on applying to the UK, the UK admissions process, and writing a personal statement. The program will provide a blend of academics, university-style living, and exposure to college prep.

Why it stands out: It strongly encourages student leadership and interaction, so you could interact with undergraduates to get an idea about university life and academic study.

12. Imperial College Girls’ Engineering Summer School

Location: Imperial College London, South Kensington
Cost: Free
Dates: August 5 – August 8
Application Deadline: March 17
Eligibility: Year 9 girls with an interest in STEM; must be able to commute daily

The Year 9 Girls Engineering Summer School is a four-day non-residential program for Year 9 girls in the UK. You will work in small groups under undergraduate mentorship, exploring engineering branches through structured activities and challenges. Past sessions include fields like Bioengineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Design Engineering, and Materials Science.

Each day will conclude with a reflection activity where you share what you’ve learnt. At the end of the week, you’ll do a poster presentation presenting an engineering concept with your group to your tutors and peers.

Why it stands out: You’ll have access to engineering tools and prototypes from Imperial’s MakerSpace that are typically not available to pre-GCSE students, so you’ll be better prepared for future STEM education.

13. Imperial College Online STEM Challenge

Location: Hybrid (online + Imperial College London, South Kensington)
Cost: Free
Dates: June 24 –  27
Application Deadline: March 5 
Eligibility: Year 11 students meeting outreach eligibility criteria

The Year 11 Online STEM Challenge is a four-day hybrid program for UK students in Year 11. You will work in small teams to solve an existing STEM problem. The first three days cover online activities: meeting the team, your academic mentor, and receiving project resources.

You’ll attend sessions with researchers and professionals, and on the final day, you’ll visit Imperial’s South Kensington campus. Afterwards, you will continue to refine your presentation and finally pitch your solution to a panel of judges. 

Why it stands out: The format reflects modern STEM work, with remote research and digital tools, giving you a good idea of what working in the field looks like.

14. University of Edinburgh Pre-University Summer School

Location: University of Edinburgh, UK
Cost: Yet to be announced
Dates: June 29 – July 10
Application Deadline: May 19
Eligibility: Students aged 16-18

The University of Edinburgh provides a two-week summer course combining academic study, city exploration, and global connection. You can pick from design, humanities, life sciences, and social science courses, all taught by the university’s experienced teaching tutors. In addition to lectures, courses include hands-on components such as workshops, walking tours, or studio work.

The program also includes excursions and social activities, such as trips to the National Museum and Sterling Castle. As a result, by living on campus and interacting with university faculty, you will gain a clear sense of undergraduate life, university culture, and the UK college application process.

Why it stands out: It integrates city-based observations into university work, letting history and humanities students gain a deeper understanding. STEM students benefit from Edinburgh being a biomedical and data science hub, as education is influenced by ongoing research.

15. Imperial College Sutton Trust Summer School

Location: Imperial College London, South Kensington, UK
Cost: Free
Dates: July 15 – 18; July 22 – 25
Application Deadline: March 6 at 12 pm
Eligibility: Year 12 students from state schools meeting Sutton Trust criteria; UK-based

The Year 12 Sutton Trust Summer School is a four-day residential program for UK state school students interested in STEM. You can choose from multiple subject tracks, such as Biomedical Engineering, Design Engineering, Earth Science, Economics, Finance and Data Science, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Materials, and Molecular Bioengineering.

You’ll attend lectures led by Imperial faculty, engage in hands-on labs, and small-group sessions. In addition to academics, you will live on campus, interact with peers, and receive college admissions guidance.

Why it stands out: As an alumnus, you’ll have an ongoing national membership and support network that has helped students get into top UK universities in the past.

Is a Summer School Right for Me?

A summer school can open doors to new interests and help you understand what university life feels like. It’s a chance to learn from experts, meet motivated students, and explore subjects that excite you.

Each program offers something different, so think about the learning style and environment that suits you best.

It’s normal to feel unsure about your next steps. Many students do.

We know the transition from school to university can be overwhelming. If you want additional support whilst choosing the right summer school, download our guide to preparing for university interviews here.