15 Summer Schools for Year 10 Students

TL;DR

You’ll find 15 summer schools here that admit Year 10 students, run by universities and national institutions in the UK and US. The biggest split is between free UK residentials, which often limit places to certain schools or backgrounds, and paid programs open to students worldwide. Most suit students aged around 14 to 15, and options like Imperial’s Year 10 Insights Summer School cover your course, accommodation, and meals. Immerse Education’s Academic Insights pathway runs two-week courses in Cambridge, London, Oxford, Singapore, Sydney, and Toronto for ages 13 to 18, with a bursary programme available.

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As a Year 10 student, you’re at the point where school starts asking you to make real decisions about your future, from your A-level or IB subjects to the kind of university you might aim for. A summer school gives you a chance to test those ideas early by studying a subject at university level, living in halls of residence, and learning from academics and current students. 

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Imagine spending four days in undergraduate labs in London, joining a seminar-style online course with students from other countries, or tackling a maths problem set that takes days to crack. Depending on the program, you might attend subject tasters, complete a group project, work on a research question, or present your ideas at an end-of-week showcase. 

How do you choose the right summer schools for Year 10 students?

Not every summer school for Year 10 students works the same way. Many UK universities run free widening-participation residentials for students from specific schools, regions, or backgrounds, while other programs are paid, open internationally, and focused on a single subject. 

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Location and format matter too. A short residential on a UK campus helps you picture student life close to home, while an online course or a program abroad lets you meet peers from other schools and countries. If you’d like to stay near the capital, you can also explore these summer schools in London for Year 10 students.

15 Summer Schools for Year 10 Students

1. Year 10 Insights into Science and Engineering

Location: Imperial College London, South Kensington campus, London, UK
Cost/Stipend: Free; covers course fees, materials, accommodation, three meals a day, and timetabled trips (travel not included)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; programmes are often oversubscribed
Dates: Four days and three nights; 29th July to 1st August 2026 (2027 dates not yet posted)
Application Deadline: 11th March 2026, with decisions released by 6th May 2026 (2027 deadline not yet posted)
Eligibility: Year 10 students who live and go to school in the UK, with priority for backgrounds underrepresented in higher education | Not open to international students

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This four-day residential summer school is designed to encourage Year 10 students to continue with science and engineering beyond GCSE. You’ll apply for either the science or engineering stream, then take part in taster sessions, practicals, and workshops in real undergraduate labs. 

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Sessions are led by Imperial academics and current students, so you get a clear sense of how each subject is taught at university level. The week ends with an academic-style conference where you present a group poster explaining a concept you learned. You’ll also stay in halls of residence with undergraduate mentors, which gives you an early, low-pressure experience of student living.

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Why it stands out: It gives Year 10 students time in Imperial’s undergraduate labs and an academic-style poster conference, a rare early look at university-level science and engineering.

2. Immerse Education’s Pre-University Summer School

Location: Cambridge, London, Oxford, Singapore, Sydney, and Toronto
Cost/Stipend: Varies; summer school scholarship available through our bursary programme
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; an average of 7 participants per class
Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Multiple cohorts with rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students aged 13 to 18; open to international students from around the world

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Immerse Education's Academic Insights pathway lets high school students experience university life firsthand. You can live on campus or commute, study in small seminar groups with an average of 7 students, and learn from expert tutors from leading institutions. You can explore over 20 subjects, including Architecture, AI, Business Management, Computer Science, Economics, Medicine, and more, with availability varying by age group and location. 

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Each course combines tutor-led seminars, two 1:1 tutorials, masterclasses, and guest speakers. By the end of the program, you’ll present a personal project on the final Friday and receive a certificate of completion. You can find more details about the application here.

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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 the option to live in a university residence.

3. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

Location: Remote; you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.

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The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. 

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At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.

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Why it stands out: You get 1-1 mentorship with a Ph.D. mentor and produce an independent research project by the end.

4. Uncover Engineering

Location: University of Oxford, Department of Engineering Science, Oxford, UK
Cost/Stipend: Free, with travel bursaries for eligible students
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Four days and three nights in spring: 30th March to 2nd April 2027 (Black, African, or Caribbean heritage students) | 5 to 8th April 2027 (girls)
Application Deadline: Applications open 15th October 2026 and close 31st December 2026 at 5 pm
Eligibility: UK-based Year 10 students at state schools, with programmes for girls and for students of Black, African, or Caribbean heritage | Not open to international students

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Uncover Engineering is a Year 10 residential programme run by Oxford’s Department of Engineering Science to broaden who considers engineering. It runs in early April rather than the summer, so it’s a useful option if you want a taste of university before summer schools begin. 

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You’ll stay in an Oxford college and spend your days in engineering workshops, with past sessions covering CAD design and 3D printing, electronics, and a robotics challenge. The programme also includes a company visit and support from student ambassadors, and you can join a follow-on programme in later years. Because the goal is to help you make informed A-level choices, it’s timed deliberately for Year 10.

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Why it stands out: It’s one of the only Oxford programmes aimed squarely at Year 10, timed to shape your subject choices before they narrow.

5. Summer Institutes Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies

Location: Online (live instruction)
Cost/Stipend: Tuition-based
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; average class size of 16
Dates: Two two-week sessions in 2026: 15 to 26th June and 6 to 17th July (2027 dates not yet posted)
Application Deadline: The 2026 application has closed; 2027 deadline not yet posted
Eligibility: Students in grades 8 to 11, which includes Year 10 | Open to international students, with 50+ countries typically represented

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Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes are intensive, two-week online courses for students in grades 8 through 11. You’ll choose a single subject from more than 75 courses, in areas like artificial intelligence, creative writing, engineering, mathematics, and philosophy, and study it in depth through live classes. 

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Courses are ungraded and non-credit, and small class sizes let you discuss ideas directly with your instructor and classmates. Daily attendance is required, with asynchronous assignments to prepare for each class, so you get a clear sense of how a topic is studied at university level.

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Why it stands out: Run by Stanford and open from grade 8, it’s a Year-10-friendly way to experience a focused, seminar-style course alongside students from over 50 countries.

6. Double Discovery Center Summer Academy

Location: Columbia University, Morningside campus, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; shortlisted applicants are invited to an in-person interview
Dates: Four weeks, 13th July to 7th August 2026 (2027 dates not yet posted)
Application Deadline: 12th April 2026 (2027 deadline not yet posted)
Eligibility: 9th and 10th graders at New York City public high schools who are first-generation, meet low-income requirements, and have a GPA of 80 or above | Not open to international students

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The Double Discovery Center at Columbia runs a four-week commuter summer academy for 9th and 10th graders from New York City. The program gives you an immersive college-campus experience, with classes in sociology, theater, financial literacy, writing, and STEM. 

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Alongside academics, you’ll take part in wellness-focused workshops that provide social and emotional support. Programming runs daily on Columbia’s Morningside campus, so you get a taste of university surroundings while commuting from home.

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Why it stands out: It puts Year-10-age students on an Ivy League campus at no cost, with a focus on the reading, writing, and research skills that university demands.

7. Year 10 Summer School

Location: University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
Cost/Stipend: Free; meals, social activities, and accommodation are provided, and travel expenses can be reclaimed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; priority goes to students who meet additional criteria
Dates: Three days and two nights, typically in July
Application Deadline: Applications reopen in January 2027
Eligibility: Year 10 students at partner schools in the West Midlands with the potential to achieve good GCSE grades | Open only to partner-school students

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Birmingham’s Year 10 Summer School, titled “Your Future, Your Choice,” is built to show younger students what it’s like to live and learn as a university student. You’ll attend subject taster sessions led by Birmingham academics, giving you a first look at how different subjects are taught at degree level. 

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You also stay overnight in en-suite university accommodation, which gives you a real taste of student living away from home. Alongside the lectures, you’ll hear from the careers team, academic services, and current students, plus tips on staying focused through Year 11. Because it’s aimed at partner schools in the West Midlands, it’s a regional widening-participation programme rather than a nationally open one.

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Why it stands out: It pairs subject tasters with an overnight stay in halls, giving Year 10 students a realistic preview of university life at no cost.

8. AIMI Summer Research Internship

Location: Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (format not specified on the program page)
Cost/Stipend: Not specified on the program page
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Summer 2027
Application Deadline: Applications open 10th November 2026 and close 1st February 2027
Eligibility: High school students | International eligibility not specified

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The Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship comes from the Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging, a global leader in applying AI to healthcare. Through mentored research, you’ll build technical skills, work with health data, and explore challenges at the intersection of AI and medicine. 

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You’ll also learn from and engage with the Stanford AIMI community along the way. A free online information session for students and parents runs on 10th November 2026, so you can ask about structure and eligibility before you apply.

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Why it stands out: It gives Year 10 students who already enjoy coding or maths a route into mentored AI and healthcare research through Stanford.

9. Pre-College Online Seminars

Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: Tuition-based
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Two sessions in 2026: 13 to 24th July or 20th July to 7th August (2027 dates not yet posted)
Application Deadline: Not specified on the program page
Eligibility: Current 9th to 11th grade students, which includes Year 10 | International students welcome

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Penn’s Pre-College Online Seminars are fully online, non-credit programs that let you explore a subject in an interdisciplinary way. The seminars pair advanced theoretical concepts with practical scenarios, so you engage with university-level ideas rather than a repeat of school material. 

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They’re led by University of Pennsylvania faculty and long-standing professionals in their fields, giving you a sense of how an Ivy League faculty approaches a topic.

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Why it stands out: Open from grade 9 and fully online, it lets Year 10 students study at an Ivy League level from anywhere in the world.

10. Year 10 Summer Residential

Location: University of Gloucestershire, Park Campus, Cheltenham, UK
Cost/Stipend: Free, including meals and accommodation, with a travel bursary of up to £50
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited places
Dates: Four days and three nights; 14 to 17th July 2026 (2027 dates not yet posted)
Application Deadline: 26th April 2026 (2027 deadline not yet posted)
Eligibility: Year 10 students who meet at least one priority condition, such as being the first in their family to go to university | International eligibility not specified

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Gloucestershire’s free Year 10 Summer Residential runs over four days and three nights, giving you an early taste of university study. Past residentials have offered taster sessions across creative arts, business, law, health, computing, and social sciences. Sessions are led by the university’s own lecturers in industry-standard facilities, and you’ll take part in interactive subject activities with students from across the country. You’ll also live in halls of residence and get to speak with current students about what university life is really like.

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Why it stands out: Its wide spread of subject tasters lets Year 10 students sample several fields at once, from computing to law, before committing to any.

11. PROMYS

Location: Boston University, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Up to $8,000 in 2026, depending on financial aid; free for domestic students whose families earn under $80,000 a year
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; about 80 students, chosen partly through a challenging problem set
Dates: Six weeks, 27th June to 7th August 2027
Application Deadline: End of February 2027 (exact date to be confirmed)
Eligibility: Students aged 14 to 18 who have completed 9th grade or equivalent | Open to international students, with financial aid considered case by case

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The Program in Mathematics for Young Scientists is an intensive six-week residential mathematics program hosted at Boston University. You’ll work on deep, challenging problems and explore mathematical ideas far beyond the standard school curriculum, guided by research mathematicians and undergraduate counselors. 

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Admission is based partly on your solutions to a demanding application problem set, so it rewards real mathematical curiosity rather than grades alone. Because it admits students who have completed 9th grade and are at least 14, motivated Year 10 mathematicians are eligible.

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Why it stands out: It’s one of the most rigorous math programs open to Year 10 students, selecting on problem-solving rather than grades alone.

12. Work Experience Week

Location: Royal Observatory Greenwich team, currently based at the National Maritime Museum, London, UK
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; recent cycles offered six placements
Dates: One week in summer 2027
Application Deadline: Not yet posted for 2027
Eligibility: Students in Year 10 to Year 13 | International eligibility not specified

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The Royal Observatory Greenwich, part of Royal Museums Greenwich, offers a week-long work experience placement in astronomy and science communication. You’ll learn what the Observatory’s astronomers do day to day to engage the public with astronomy, with the option to talk to visitors yourself. 

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The astronomy team is currently based at the National Maritime Museum during a renovation of the Observatory, so that’s where your placement takes place. If you want more options like this, browse these work experience ideas for Year 10.

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Why it stands out: It’s a rare science placement at a national observatory that opens to Year 10 students, blending astronomy with science communication.

13. Year 10 Summer School

Location: University of Kent, Canterbury campus, UK
Cost/Stipend: Free, including accommodation, meals, academic sessions, and activities
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited places
Dates: Residential summer school, typically in late July
Application Deadline: Applications for the 2027 summer school open in March 2027
Eligibility: Year 10 students who meet eligibility criteria, such as receiving free school meals | International eligibility not specified

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The University of Kent runs a Year 10 Summer School designed to give younger students an early experience of university study and campus life. The 2027 edition is themed “The BIG Kent Experience,” giving the week a clear focus while you explore different subjects and skills. 

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You’ll take part in academic sessions and social activities alongside other Year 10 students from around the county, staying in university accommodation with a Summer School mentor. It’s a free way to picture yourself at university well before you have to apply.

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Why it stands out: It gives Year 10 students a themed, campus-based introduction to university at no cost, well ahead of the usual sixth-form summer schools.

14. Oxford Saïd Teen Leadership Summer Academy

Location: Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK

Cost: £8,995

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited cohort sizes

Dates: July 18-31

Application Deadline: Rolling admissions

Eligibility: Students aged 15-18; B2 English level; international students are welcome

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Oxford Saïd Teen Leadership Summer Academy introduces you to leadership, entrepreneurship, strategy, and business decision-making through lectures, workshops, and group activities. You work with peers on practical challenges while developing communication, teamwork, and presentation skills. 

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The programme gives Year 10 students early exposure to university-style learning at Oxford while exploring business and leadership as future study paths. It also involves cultural activities and excursions throughout the city. The programme is useful if you want to test your interest in management, entrepreneurship, or social impact before choosing future subjects.

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Why it stands out: It combines leadership training with business-focused learning at Oxford Saïd Business School.

15. 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

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The University of Oxford Saïd Business School’s AI and Machine Learning Pioneers Summer School offers you a two-week immersive residential experience to explore the future of artificial intelligence. Throughout the program, you will dive into key topics like machine learning, neural networks, econometrics, and AI ethics. 

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You will engage in hands-on Python coding workshops, collaborate on data science group projects, pitch your solutions to industry mentors, and participate in historic Oxford formal dinners. Uniquely, this is the only official Oxford summer pathway focused on AI, taught jointly by the business school and the Department of Economics. By completing the curriculum, you will develop essential leadership, critical thinking, technical coding, and data-driven decision-making skills.

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Why it stands out: It empowers you to tackle real-world technological challenges alongside world-class academics while earning an official certificate from one of the world's most prestigious universities.

Frequently asked questions: Summer Schools for Year 10 Students

How do you get a place on a free Year 10 summer school?

You usually need to meet eligibility criteria and submit your application well before the deadline. Most free UK residentials prioritise students from backgrounds underrepresented in higher education, such as those who would be the first in their family to go to university or who receive free school meals. Imperial asks for a personal statement plus references from a teacher and a parent or guardian, while Birmingham only accepts students from its West Midlands partner schools. Check each programme’s criteria carefully, then ask your teacher early so your reference arrives on time.

When do applications for Year 10 summer schools open?

Most applications open between October and March, often several months before the programme runs. Oxford’s Uncover Engineering opens on 15th October 2026 and closes on 31st December 2026, while Stanford AIMI opens on 10th November 2026 with a 1st February 2027 deadline. Birmingham reopens in January 2027, PROMYS closes around the end of February 2027, and Kent opens its 2027 applications in March. Make a list of deadlines in the autumn so you don’t miss the free residentials, which are often oversubscribed.

Can international students attend summer schools for Year 10 students?

Yes, but many free UK residentials are only open to students who live and study in the UK. Imperial requires you to live and go to school in the UK, and Uncover Engineering is for UK-based state school students. If you’re applying from abroad, look at programmes like Stanford’s Summer Institutes, Penn’s Online Seminars, or PROMYS, which all accept international students. Immerse Education’s Academic Insights pathway also welcomes students aged 13 to 18 from around the world, with two-week courses in cities including Cambridge, London, Oxford, and Singapore.

Are online summer schools worth it for Year 10 students?

Online summer schools can be a strong option if travel is difficult or you want to study alongside students from other countries. Stanford’s Summer Institutes run two-week live courses with an average class size of 16, and Penn’s Online Seminars let you study an interdisciplinary topic from home with Penn faculty. You won’t get the experience of living in halls, but you can still go deep into one subject. If you’re looking for no-cost alternatives, explore these free online courses for 14 year olds in the UK.

Do Year 10 summer schools help with university applications?

They can, mainly by helping you choose the right subjects and giving you experiences to draw on later. Imperial’s poster conference, PROMYS’s problem sets, or Birmingham’s subject tasters give you concrete examples to mention in a personal statement or interview. Several programmes, including Uncover Engineering, are timed for Year 10 so you can make informed A-level choices. Immerse also offers an optional accredited route from age 14, which lets you earn 8 UCAS points or 3 US college credits.

Can you do work experience in Year 10 instead of a summer school?

Yes, and some placements are open to Year 10 students, though places are usually very limited. The Royal Observatory Greenwich offers a one-week summer placement in astronomy and science communication for students in Year 10 to Year 13. Work experience shows you how a field operates day-to-day, while a summer school focuses more on university-style learning. If you’re weighing both, this guide on how to get work experience in Year 10 and 12 can help you plan your approach.

Starting your university journey in Year 10

Year 10 might feel early, but it is the point where your choices about subjects, skills, and interests start shaping the years ahead.

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Summer schools for Year 10 students let you test a subject, sleep in halls, and ask current students the questions your school cannot easily answer.

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Apply to a mix of options, since free residentials fill quickly and often close their applications several months before the summer even begins.

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When you’re ready to plan your next steps, browse our University Preparation blogs for practical guidance on subject choices, applications, and student life.