15 Summer Schools in London for 17 Year Olds

Your summer can be more than just a break from school. It can be a chance to step into the heart of London, where centuries-old universities, world-class museums, and bustling academic communities create an atmosphere unlike anywhere else. Imagine starting your morning in a university classroom, exchanging ideas with students from around the world, then spending the afternoon exploring the city’s iconic streets, libraries, and cultural landmarks. Summer schools in London for 17 year olds can turn that picture into reality.

They give you an authentic, in-person glimpse into university life while helping you build the confidence and academic skills needed for higher education, serving as the perfect foundation for your college journey.

London is one of the world’s leading education hubs, home to globally recognised universities, pioneering research, thriving industries, and a rich cultural landscape. Whether you’re interested in business, medicine, engineering, law, or the arts, you’ll study in a city where innovation and history exist side by side, making every lesson feel connected to the world around you.

What are summer schools in London for 17-year-olds?

Summer schools in London for 17-year-olds are short academic programmes that introduce you to university-level study before you begin college. You can explore subjects ranging from business and medicine to engineering, law, psychology, and the arts while learning from experienced faculty and professionals.

Alongside classroom learning, you’ll take part in workshops, group projects, discussions, and cultural activities. The summer schools help you strengthen your academic knowledge, communication, teamwork, and independent thinking.

Since every programme offers a different level of academic depth and university exposure, choosing the right one matters. To help you decide, we’ve curated a list of 15 summer schools in London for 17-year-olds.

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

Key takeaways

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 four July sessions.
Immerse Education’s Academic Insights Programme takes place at UCL in classes of seven to 10 students, open to students worldwide aged 13 to 18.
RADA Young Actors Summer School costs £2,000 and caps enrollment at just 14 students for an intensive two week actor training program.
Imperial’s Sutton Trust Summer School offers approximately 224 total places across all subject strands, completely free for eligible UK state school students in Year 12.
Queen Mary University of London’s Chemistry Summer School costs £350, with fully funded places available, giving students access to a £5.5 million teaching laboratory with NMR and mass spectrometry equipment.
The Royal Veterinary College’s Sutton Trust Summer School provides up to 14 hours of clinical observation and animal handling that can formally count toward university veterinary applications.
Notre Dame’s London Study Abroad program costs $8,750, admits just 18 students, and can award one transferable college credit for its Knowledge and Power curriculum.
Program costs for London summer schools for 17 year olds range from free Sutton Trust options to over £7,695 for Imperial’s Global Summer School.

15 Summer Schools in London for 17 Year Olds

1. King’s Pre-University Summer School

Location: King’s College London, London, England, UK
Cost/Stipend: £3,195 (1 week) to £9,375 (3 weeks); housing: £3,965 to £11,685; + £65 application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; ~1,500+ students across all summer programs
Dates: July 6-10, July 13-17, July 20-24, or July 27-31
Application Deadline: April 10th
Eligibility: Academically motivated students aged 16-17 who are in, or about to begin, the final three years of high school; the program welcomes both UK and international students

King’s Pre-University Summer School lets you study university-level subjects while experiencing life at one of London’s leading universities. You can choose one or more week-long courses across areas such as business, law, medicine, psychology, politics, and computer science.

Classes combine lectures, seminars, discussions, and practical activities, with assignments that receive tutor feedback. Outside the classroom, you’ll join extracurricular events that introduce you to campus life and the city. If you complete your coursework successfully, you’ll receive a King’s Certificate of Completion.

Why it stands out: You can mix and match one-week courses to build a summer experience that matches your academic interests.

2. Immerse Education’s London Summer School

A faculty member teaching chemistry on a whiteboard at Immerse's summer school.

Location: University College London (UCL), London, England, UK
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 summer cohorts; rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students across the globe aged 13-18 currently enrolled in middle or high school; open to international students

For 17-year-olds ready to test-drive university life, Immerse Education’s London Summer School places you at UCL, right in the middle of Bloomsbury. Small class sizes mean real conversations with your tutors, not lecture-hall anonymity, as you dig into subjects like Law, Medicine, Economics, Engineering, Mathematics, or Psychology at a genuinely undergraduate level.

Rather than sitting through passive lectures, you’ll be doing the kind of work university students actually do: building arguments around legal case studies, working through medical scenarios, or unpacking psychological research, often with a trip to one of London’s institutions to see the subject in action. The two weeks end with a personal project, written feedback from your tutor, and a certificate to show for it. 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. 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

You’ll explore STEM through a two-week residential programme led by Imperial academics. In the first week, you focus on a subject such as Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Medicine and Life Sciences, or Data Science and Artificial Intelligence.

The second week brings everyone together for an Innovation Challenge, where you collaborate across disciplines to solve a real-world problem. Alongside more than 50 hours of teaching, you’ll receive guidance on applying to UK universities and take part in a full schedule of social activities on campus. By the end, you’ll have experienced both academic study and student life in central London.

Why it stands out: You combine specialist STEM learning with a cross-disciplinary innovation project that mirrors the way real research teams work.

4. UAL International Summer School

Location: University of the Arts London, London, England, UK
Cost: Starting from £3,670
Acceptance rate/cohort size: First-come, first-served; 15-20 students
Dates: Multiple 3-week sessions in July and August
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students aged 16-18 from the UK and overseas

You’ll spend three weeks exploring art and design in a studio-based environment inspired by UAL’s foundation teaching approach. Through drawing, sketching, collage, model making, and creative experimentation, you’ll develop new work while strengthening your portfolio.

Tutors encourage discussion and critique, helping you refine your ideas and creative process. You’ll also visit galleries and cultural sites across London to broaden your artistic perspective. By the end of the course, you’ll leave with a stronger body of work and a clearer understanding of art school study.

Why it stands out: You experience UAL’s renowned foundation-style teaching while building a portfolio in one of London’s leading art schools.

5. RADA Young Actors: Summer School

Location: Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), London, England, UK
Cost: £2,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Non-selective; maximum 14 students
Dates: July 20-31; August 3-14
Application Deadline: Rolling admission until all spots are filled
Eligibility: Students aged 16-18 from the UK and internationally; must demonstrate fluency in English

In this program, you’ll train with RADA tutors through an intensive two-week programme that introduces the foundations of professional actor training. Classes cover acting technique, voice, movement, text and scene study, Shakespeare, and devising, giving you experience across a range of performance methods.

Practical workshops encourage you to collaborate, rehearse, and develop your stage presence in a supportive environment. You’ll also gain insight into the discipline and commitment expected at a leading drama school. If you meet the attendance requirements, you receive a Certificate of Completion

Why it stands out: You learn in small groups of no more than 14 students, allowing for close guidance from RADA’s expert tutors.

6. University College London’s The Bartlett Summer School 2026 – On Campus, 16-18-year-olds

A student wearing a lab coat and green gloves and performing an experiment

Location: London, England
Cost: £950 for 5-day, £1,800 for 10-day, or £2,500 for 15-day session
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open admission; small groups
Dates: July 6-10; July 13-17; July 20-24; July 6-24; August 3-7; August 3-14
Application Deadline: Open until filled
Eligibility: 16-18 years old at the start of the course; passionate about architecture and design; open to international students

In this program, you will receive an introduction to architecture from one of the world’s leading academic institutions. You will explore your creativity through a shared learning experience modeled directly on a professional architectural design studio. During the sessions, you will participate in collaborative design exercises, attend expert talks, and visit local architectural landmarks.

Guided by experienced tutors, you will develop practical skills in varied making and drawing methods while utilizing campus workshops. You will also learn vital presentation techniques by engaging in personalized support sessions and collaborative peer reviews. At the conclusion of the course, you will showcase your achievements in a mini-exhibition and format your design outputs into a university-ready portfolio.

Why it stands out: It immerses high school students in a world-leading architectural faculty, blending hands-on studio design work with the practical development of a university application portfolio.

7. SOAS University of London – SOAS Year 12 Outreach Summer School 2026

Location: London, England
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Non-competitive; cohort size not specified
Dates: July 13-17
Application Deadline: April 24th
Eligibility: Year 12 students attending state schools or colleges; priority given for current or previous Free School Meals eligibility, local-authority care experience, or residence in a TUNDRA-defined area underrepresented in higher education; not open to international students

In the SOAS Year 12 Outreach Summer School 2026 program, you experience university-level learning through one of three pathways spanning cross-cultural studies, economics and global development, or law and society. You attend lectures from SOAS academics, debate key issues, and complete a collaborative group project with other Year 12 participants.

You also take study-skills sessions, learn about university life and the UCAS process, and speak with current students and recent graduates. These activities develop discussion, teamwork, critical-thinking, research, presentation, and higher-education preparation skills. The free, five-day, non-residential format gives state-school and college students structured access to SOAS’s specialist academic environment in central London.

Why it stands out: It combines subject-specific university study across three pathways with UCAS guidance and direct interaction with SOAS academics, students, and graduates.

8. Imperial Sutton Trust Summer School

Location: Imperial College London, South Kensington, London, England, UK
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 224 total places across all subject strands
Dates: Week One courses: July 14-17; Week Two courses: July 21-24
Application Deadline: March 5th
Eligibility: Must attend a UK state-funded school in Year 12 (England/Wales), Year 13 (NI), or S5 (Scotland). Requires a minimum of 8 GCSEs (including five grades 7-9 with math and all sciences, and a 5+ in English Language), at least three A-levels meeting subject prerequisites, and meeting Sutton Trust socio-economic criteria (e.g., first-generation university student); not open to international students

The free Imperial Sutton Trust Summer School allows you to experience student life at a top-ranked London university while staying in actual campus residence halls. You can immerse yourself in intensive subjects, including aeronautics, bioengineering, chemical and design engineering, chemistry, earth science, economics, data science, mathematics, and physics.

Throughout the week, you will attend undergraduate-level lectures, participate in hands-on laboratory sessions, navigate personal statement workshops, and join evening social events. Completing the program grants you access to an exclusive alumni platform and potential contextual university admission offers.

Why it stands out: It provides underrepresented high school students with a completely free, immersive STEM residential experience at a leading global institution, coupled with tangible university application support and long-term alumni networking.

9. Queen Mary University of London – Chemistry Summer School

Location: London
Cost: £350 fee; fully funded places available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately competitive; 40 places
Dates: June 22-24
Application Deadline: Typically closes in March
Eligibility: Year 12 students at UK schools studying A-level or IB chemistry; not open to international students

In the Chemistry Summer School program, you experience life as an undergraduate at a Russell Group university by engaging in hands-on work in a £5.5 million teaching laboratory. You conduct independent experiments that build technical skills and complement the KS5 curriculum using advanced equipment. During workshop sessions, you analyze complex molecular structures using NMR, IR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry tools.

You also participate in problem-solving classes to solidify your theoretical understanding. Throughout the three days, internationally leading scientists guide your learning and provide valuable insights into future career paths and degree choices within the chemical sciences.

Why it stands out: It allows you to conduct independent experiments and utilize advanced analytical equipment like nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometers in a modern university laboratory setting.

10. Guildhall School of Music & Drama – Conducting Summer Course

Location: London, England
Cost/Stipend: £615 course fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open admission; capacity-limited cohort
Dates: Course 1: July 20-24; Course 2: July 27-31
Application Deadline: Closed on July 3rd
Eligibility: Ages 14-17; sufficient English to engage fully; open to international students

In the Conducting Summer Course program, you build a practical foundation in physical conducting technique across five days. You conduct varied repertoire, first with pianists and later with a chamber ensemble, while studying performance style and interpretation from the Classical period to today.

You practise score preparation, rehearsal planning, ensemble direction, and clear verbal communication so you can lead musicians efficiently and confidently. Your conducting sessions are filmed, and copies of the recordings are shared with you for review. After the course, you may record yourself directing your own ensemble and send the video to the tutor for feedback for up to three months. No previous conducting experience is required.

Why it stands out: It combines live chamber-ensemble conducting with continued tutor feedback for up to three months after the course.

11. UEL Your Future Summer School

Location: University of East London, Docklands Campus, London, England, UK
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: July 6-10
Application Deadline: June 14th
Eligibility: Aged 16-17 in Year 12/FE1, living in the UK, with school and parent permission, and meeting widening participation criteria (e.g., first-generation, care leaver, refugee, low-income area); not open to international students

In this program, you’ll spend five days exploring university life through academic taster sessions, practical workshops, and collaborative projects centred on entrepreneurship. The programme introduces you to subjects taught across UEL’s academic schools while helping you develop creativity, leadership, and problem-solving skills.

You’ll also take part in a Dragon’s Den-style pitch challenge, attend personal statement and student finance workshops, and meet industry professionals. Throughout the week, you’ll experience life on campus while preparing for your next steps after sixth form or college.

Why it stands out: The programme is completely free and combines university preparation with an entrepreneurship challenge that lets you turn ideas into practical solutions.

12. University of London’s Royal Veterinary College – RVC Sutton Trust Summer School

Location: London, United Kingdom
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately competitive; 50 students
Dates: August 17-21
Application Deadline: March 5th
Eligibility: Year 12 students; on track to meet Veterinary Gateway or Veterinary Medicine entry requirements; not open to international students

In this academic program, you experience studying veterinary medicine and biological sciences across the RVC’s Camden and Hawkshead campuses. You will complete up to 14 hours of work experience, encompassing clinical observation and practical animal handling, which can count toward future university applications.

Alongside these activities, you will attend educational sessions, interact with student ambassadors, and build confidence for higher education. You will gain insight into veterinary workflows and academic rigor while developing technical knowledge relevant to animal care and medicine. This program aims to support students from widening participation backgrounds in navigating university decision-making.

Why it stands out: It provides substantial, formally recognized clinical and animal handling hours that directly strengthen university veterinary medicine applications while removing financial barriers through full funding.

13. University of Notre Dame Study Abroad: London: Knowledge and Power

Location: University of Notre Dame London, Fischer Hall, London, England, UK
Cost: $8,750; limited need-based full-tuition scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 18 students
Dates: July 5-19
Application Deadline: January 21st
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who will be rising seniors at the time of the program and are at least 16 years old by August 1st; open to international students

In this program, you’ll spend two weeks exploring London’s history through the theme of Knowledge and Power while studying with Notre Dame faculty. Each day focuses on a different period and neighborhood, combining classroom discussions with visits to museums, historic sites, theatres, and cultural landmarks.

Guest lecturers bring local expertise to the experience, helping you examine how London’s past continues to shape the present. You’ll live in Notre Dame’s London residence and study at Fischer Hall near Trafalgar Square. If you complete the program, you may also earn one transferable college credit.

Why it stands out: You’ll use the city itself as your primary learning environment while earning transferable college credit.

14. Imperial Year 12 Work Experience Programme

Students conducting experiments at a college laboratory.

Location: Imperial College London, South Kensington, London, England, UK
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly Selective; approximately 20:1 applicant-to-place ratio
Dates: June 29th – July 3rd
Application Deadline: March 5th
Eligibility: Year 12 students (or equivalent) who attend a UK state-funded (non-fee-paying) school; at least 5 GCSEs at grades 7-9 and specific A-level subjects (e.g., Biology and Chemistry/Maths for Medicine); not open to international students

In this program, you’ll spend five days working alongside researchers in your chosen STEM department, gaining first-hand experience of academic research and university life. You’ll find placements across subjects including Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering, Mathematics, Biomedical Research, Materials, and Climate Science.

You’ll use research laboratories and specialist facilities while learning how research projects are carried out. You’ll also attend sessions on university applications, personal statements, and interview skills. You’ll finish the week by presenting your experience to peers and guests.

Why it stands out: You’ll work inside an active university department and experience the daily routine of a STEM researcher.

15. University of Westminster: Imagine Architecture: Introductory Summer School

Location: University of Westminster, Marylebone Campus, London, England, UK
Cost/Stipend: 5-day: £750; 10-day: £1450
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Non-selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: Multiple five-day and 10-day sessions (course dates vary)
Application Deadline: Rolling booking; places are available until the course fills
Eligibility: Students aged 15-18 who are studying at school or college (GCSE, A-level, or BTEC); the programme welcomes both UK and international students

In this programme, you’ll discover how architects turn ideas into designs through studio projects, drawing, model making, and photography. Working in the University’s specialist studios and Fabrication Lab, you’ll respond to a design brief while receiving feedback from experienced tutors.

Visits to buildings and exhibitions across London help you see how architectural concepts are applied in real spaces. You’ll also receive guidance on building a portfolio and preparing a personal statement for future applications. If you attend at least 80% of the course, you’ll earn a certificate of attendance.

Why it stands out: You gain practical studio experience and create portfolio-ready work using the same creative process followed by architecture students.

Frequently asked questions: Summer schools in London for 17 year olds

Are London summer schools for 17 year olds open to international students?

Eligibility is mixed. Several free, widening-participation programs, including Imperial’s Sutton Trust Summer School, SOAS’s Year 12 Outreach Summer School, and the RVC Sutton Trust Summer School, are restricted to UK state school students. However, King’s College London’s Pre-University Summer School, Imperial Global Summer School, and Notre Dame’s London program all explicitly welcome international students. Immerse Education’s Academic Insights Programme is also open globally to students aged 13 to 18.

How much do London summer schools cost for 17 year olds?

Costs vary enormously by funding model and prestige. Free options include Imperial’s Sutton Trust Summer School and the RVC Sutton Trust Summer School. Mid-range options include Queen Mary’s Chemistry Summer School at £350 and the Guildhall School’s Conducting Summer Course at £615. Premium options include RADA Young Actors at £2,000, UAL’s International Summer School starting at £3,670, and Imperial Global Summer School at £7,695.

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

Sutton Trust programs, like Imperial’s Sutton Trust Summer School or the RVC Sutton Trust Summer School, 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 King’s College London’s Pre-University Summer School or Imperial Global Summer School, charge tuition but welcome students from anywhere in the world.

Do London summer schools for 17 year olds award transferable credit?

Very few do. Notre Dame’s London Study Abroad program is one of the only options in this list that awards one transferable college credit. Most others, including King’s College London’s Pre-University Summer School and RADA Young Actors, provide a certificate of completion rather than academic credit. If credit specifically matters to you, Notre Dame’s program stands out as the clearest option among those listed here.

How selective are London summer schools for 17 year olds?

Selectivity varies considerably. Imperial’s Year 12 Work Experience Programme has an especially competitive 20:1 applicant-to-place ratio, and Imperial’s Sutton Trust Summer School offers only around 224 total places. Other programs, like UAL’s International Summer School, operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Regardless of selectivity, meeting precise GCSE and A-level requirements, particularly for the Sutton Trust programs, matters significantly.

Is Immerse Education a good option for a 17 year old considering London?

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 it’s based at UCL in classes of seven to 10 students. The two week program covers more than 20 subjects through hands-on projects, and you’ll complete a personal project, receive written feedback, and earn a certificate of completion. Financial aid is available through its bursary programme, offering a globally accessible alternative to some of the UK-restricted programs listed here.