15 Summer Schools in London for High School Students in 2026

TL;DR

This list covers 15 summer schools in London, mixing free, UK-state-school-only outreach programmes with paid residentials open to international students. Most of the free options, like Imperial’s Sutton Trust and Year 10 Insights summer schools, are restricted to UK Year 10 to 12 students. You’ll find options ranging from free UK-only outreach weeks to Imperial’s £7,695 Global Summer School, spanning STEM labs, humanities seminars, and creative arts studios. Immerse Education also offers a two-week Academic Insights pathway at UCL, open to students aged 15 to 18 worldwide, with a bursary available for those who need it.

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A summer in London can be more than a break from school. For high school students, it can be an opportunity to experience university-style learning, explore a subject beyond the school curriculum, and understand what studying in a major academic city actually feels like.

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Imagine spending part of your summer attending lectures, taking part in seminars, working through practical problems, or discussing ideas with tutors and other students. Depending on the programme, you might analyze scientific concepts, work on an engineering challenge, explore entrepreneurship, or examine how historical and political ideas have shaped modern society. These experiences can help you develop skills such as critical thinking, independent learning, collaboration, research, and academic communication.

Why 2026?

London remains a useful setting for students who want to explore university study in person. The city is home to institutions including King’s College London, Imperial College London, the University of East London, and Northeastern University London, alongside research centres, cultural institutions, and professional organizations.

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For 2026 specifically, the value of these programmes lies in their range of formats and academic experiences. Some provide residential study on university campuses, while others offer funded outreach opportunities for students from specific backgrounds. Across the programmes, students can encounter lectures, practical workshops, research environments, academic taster sessions, collaborative projects, and university application guidance.

15 Summer Schools in London for High School Students in 2026

1. Immerse Education’s London Summer School

Location: University College London, London, UK
Cost: Varies; summer school scholarship available through our bursary programme
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; an average of 7 participants per class
Application Deadline: Multiple cohorts with rolling admissions
Program Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Eligibility: High school students aged 15-18; open to international students

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Immerse Education's Academic Insights pathway in London lets high school students experience university life firsthand. You can live on campus or join as a commuter, study in small seminar groups averaging 7 students, and learn from tutors from eminent universities like Oxford and Cambridge. You can explore subjects including Economics, Engineering, Mathematics, Medicine, and Psychology. 

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The courses are experiential and focus on applied, project-based learning. You may find yourself conducting dissections in medicine, designing a robotic arm in engineering, analysing human behaviour in psychology, or building economic models and data-driven case studies. By the end of the program, you’ll complete a personal project, receive written feedback, and receive a certificate of completion.

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Why it stands out: You’ll study university-level subjects at UCL in small groups, complete a personal project, and receive a certificate you can include in your college applications.

2. King’s Pre-University Summer School

Location: King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
Cost: One course (1 week): £3,195 | Two courses (2 weeks): £6,180 | Three courses (3 weeks): £9,375 | Application fee: £65
Program Dates: Session 1: July 6-10 | Session 2: July 13-17 | Session 3: July 20-24 | Session 4: July 27-31
Deadline: Applications closed
Eligibility: Students aged 16-17 years old, enrolled in their final three years of high school | Open to international students from over 70 nationalities

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King’s Pre-University Summer School allows students aged 16-17 to choose one or more week-long courses across subjects including business, law, arts and humanities, social sciences and public policy, and life sciences and medicine. Teaching combines lectures and seminars with interactive activities such as discussion groups, simulations, role play, and Q&A sessions, depending on the subject. Assignments are designed to reflect university-level assessment, and students can receive tutor feedback on their work. 

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The programme therefore gives students an opportunity to explore a potential subject while becoming familiar with the pace and structure of university-style learning. Students who complete the programme and required assignments may receive a King’s Certificate of Completion. For a closer look at how King’s compares with other options, see our complete guide to King’s College London Summer School.

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Why it stands out: The programme combines subject-specific university-style teaching with assessed academic work and an on-campus experience at King’s College London.

3. Imperial Global Summer School

Location: Imperial College London, London, UK
Cost: £7,695
Program Dates: June 29th - July 10th | August 3-14
Deadline: Applications for 2026 are now closed; 2027 applications open in January 2027
Eligibility: Students must be 16 or 17 years old, demonstrate excellent academic ability, and possess strong English language skills | Open to international students

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Imperial Global Summer School is a two-week residential programme for students interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Students choose from Chemistry, Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, Engineering, Medicine and Life Sciences, or Physics in week one before completing a cross-disciplinary Innovation Challenge in week two, designed to develop problem-solving and entrepreneurial skills. 

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The programme includes academic sessions, practical activities, and guidance on applying to UK universities. Students also live in Imperial’s on-campus accommodation, giving them direct experience of a university residential environment. For more detail on fees, entry requirements, and how it compares with other options, see our complete guide to Imperial Global Summer School.

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Why it stands out: The programme combines subject-focused STEM study with a multidisciplinary challenge and on-campus university experience, while accepting students from around the world.

4. Imperial College London Sutton Trust Summer School

Location: Imperial College London, South Kensington, London, UK
Cost/Stipend: Free, including reimbursed travel costs
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not disclosed
Dates: Not yet announced for 2027; past cohorts have run in July
Application Deadline: March 5th, through the Sutton Trust portal
Eligibility: Students have always attended state-funded, non-paying schools, and are studying in Year 12 in England/Wales, Year 13 in Northern Ireland, or S5 in Scotland (or equivalent); not open to international students

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Imperial College London delivers this four-day residential summer school in partnership with the Sutton Trust, aiming to support state school students from underrepresented backgrounds at university and at Imperial. Streams have included Economics, Finance and Data Science alongside engineering disciplines such as Aeronautical, Biomedical, Chemical, Design, Electrical, and Materials Engineering, depending on the year. 

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The programme is fully funded and free of charge for successful applicants, with travel costs reimbursed on top. Since you’ll be studying and living around the university area, you get a chance to taste what it’s like to be a college student before the real university year begins.

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Why it stands out: You’ll be living and studying at one of the world’s top research universities at no cost, and get a chance to experience university life before it really starts.

5. University of Notre Dame London: Knowledge and Power

Location: Notre Dame London, London, United Kingdom
Cost: Total program cost: $8,750 | Application Fee: $75; Enrollment Fee: $2,000 | Financial aid available
Program Dates: July 4-18
Deadline: January 20th
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are at least 16 years old | Open to international students

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The University of Notre Dame’s London: Knowledge and Power programme examines how London developed through its imperial history and how historical interpretations are constructed. Classroom teaching is combined with field visits, guest lectures, and guided exploration of London’s historical and cultural institutions. 

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Students work with historical themes and primary-source interpretation while considering how London’s past connects with contemporary issues. The programme is limited to 18 students and may allow eligible participants to earn one transferable college credit.

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Why it stands out: Its 18-student cohort allows for a small-group academic experience combining classroom study, primary-source analysis, and structured field-based learning in London.

6. Imperial College London Year 11 Online STEM Challenge

Location: Hybrid (Online + Imperial College London, South Kensington, London, UK)
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 23-26
Deadline: March 4th
Eligibility: UK Year 11 students who meet Imperial College London’s academic and widening participation eligibility criteria | International students are not eligible

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Imperial’s Year 11 Online STEM Challenge is a four-day hybrid programme in which students work in teams to solve a real-world problem using knowledge from multiple STEM subjects. The first three days take place online with support from an academic leader and mentor, while the final day is held at Imperial’s South Kensington campus. 

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Students apply research, scientific reasoning, creativity, and problem-solving skills to develop and present a solution. The programme also introduces participants to university study and provides opportunities to interact with researchers, industry professionals, and student ambassadors.

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Why it stands out: It combines online multidisciplinary STEM collaboration with a final on-campus challenge and presentation at Imperial.

7. Your Future Summer School (University of East London)

Location: University of East London, London, United Kingdom
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Exact 2026 dates not yet announced; the programme typically runs five days in July
Deadline: Not yet announced for 2026
Eligibility: Students aged 16-17 in Year 12/FE1 who live in the UK; priority given to students underrepresented in higher education | Not stated as open to international students

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The University of East London’s Your Future Summer School is a free, non-residential programme held over five days at the university’s Docklands campus. The programme focuses on helping students explore their options and build confidence through academic taster sessions, practical workshops, and a creative project students can develop and share. 

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London-based students can have travel costs reimbursed up to £25 after the programme, subject to eligibility and full attendance. The programme also includes real experience of university life at UEL.

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Why it stands out: It combines academic subject exploration with practical university-readiness sessions in a free, non-residential programme close to home for East London students.

8. Get Ahead: Year 11 Summer School (Northeastern University London)

Location: Northeastern University London, Devon House, London, UK
Cost: Free
Program Dates: July 28-31
Deadline: Not yet announced for 2026
Eligibility: Currently in Year 11 in the UK and going into UK Sixth Form or College from September | International students are not eligible

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Northeastern University London’s Get Ahead Summer School is a four-day programme designed to help Year 11 students prepare for sixth form or college while gaining an introduction to university life. Students take part in academic taster sessions across subjects including politics and international relations, business, psychology, law, computer science, and philosophy. 

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The programme also covers study skills, wellbeing, and budgeting, with current university students serving as Student Ambassadors. Priority is given to students attending under-performing UK state schools or those eligible for free school meals, though the programme remains open to any Year 11 student in the UK.

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Why it stands out: It combines multiple university subject tasters with practical preparation for the transition from Year 11 to sixth form or college, at no programme cost.

9. Year 10 Insights Summer School (Imperial College London)

Location: Imperial College London, London, UK
Cost: Free
Program Dates: July 29th - August 1st
Deadline: March 11th
Eligibility: Year 10 students who live and attend school in the UK and meet Imperial’s eligibility and academic criteria | International students are not eligible

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Imperial’s Year 10 Insights Summer School is a four-day, three-night residential programme designed to encourage students to continue studying science and engineering subjects after their GCSEs. Participants choose a science or engineering stream and take part in subject-specific taster sessions and practical activities on campus. 

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This summer school is fully funded, covering course fees, materials, accommodation, three meals a day, and any trips that are part of the summer school timetable. Students therefore gain an early opportunity to explore STEM subjects while experiencing a residential university environment.

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Why it stands out: It is fully funded and combines applied STEM learning with residential experience in Imperial’s undergraduate laboratory and campus environment.

10. London School of English Young Adults Summer Programme

Location: University of London (Senate House), London, United Kingdom
Cost: £4,200 per two-week course, including accommodation in Bloomsbury with breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Program Dates: Sunday 28th June - Saturday 11th July | Sunday 12th July - Saturday 25th July
Deadline: Rolling, with final payment due a few weeks before each course starts
Eligibility: Students aged 15-18 | International students are eligible

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You’ll develop practical English-language skills through an intensive schedule of lessons alongside a programme of cultural excursions across London, including West End theatre, museums, and a boat cruise on the Thames. The course combines classroom learning with activities that connect language development to real-world cultural contexts. 

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You’ll practise communication in a collaborative environment with students from different countries, giving you opportunities to use English in academic and everyday settings. Its residential format combines structured tuition, cultural activities, and interaction with an international student community over a two-week programme.

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Why it stands out: You combine intensive English tuition with London-based cultural experiences and international peer interaction, giving you opportunities to apply language skills in academic and real-world contexts.

11. UAL International Summer School

Location: University of the Arts London, London, United Kingdom
Cost: From £3,670, for a three-week course
Program Dates: Typically in July
Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students aged 11-18, with age-appropriate course options for 11-15 and 16-18 year-olds | International students are eligible

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You’ll explore creative subjects through practical workshops, lectures, and collaborative activities at the University of the Arts London. The programme allows you to develop artistic skills while gaining exposure to different approaches within the creative disciplines. 

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Through applied project work, you’ll experiment with ideas, techniques, and creative processes while receiving guidance from experienced tutors and engaging with industry professionals. The programme can help you build a stronger understanding of creative practice while developing transferable skills such as communication, adaptability, experimentation, and problem-solving.

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Why it stands out: UAL combines practical project work with an authentic art-school environment, allowing students to experience university-level creative study while developing work that can contribute to a future portfolio.

12. Imperial College London Year 12 Work Experience Programme

Location: Imperial College London, United Kingdom
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 29th - July 3rd
Deadline: March 5th
Eligibility: Year 12 students attending UK state schools who meet the program’s eligibility and academic criteria | International students are not eligible

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Imperial’s Year 12 Work Experience Programme gives students an introduction to academic research and careers in higher education. Participants join one research stream, with past options including bioengineering, biomedical research, chemical engineering, climate change and the environment, materials, mathematics, and the National Heart and Lung Institute. 

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During the five-day programme, students work within their chosen department and can access research and teaching laboratories, workshops, and specialist facilities. The programme also includes university application sessions covering areas such as personal statements and interviews, as well as a final presentation about the experience.

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Why it stands out: It places students directly within active Imperial research departments, combining academic research exposure with practical university and research-career guidance in a fully funded programme.

13. Imperial College London Year 9 Girls Engineering Summer School

Location: Imperial College London, South Kensington, London, United Kingdom
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Not yet announced for 2026; the most recent confirmed cycle ran August 5-8
Deadline: Not yet announced for 2026
Eligibility: Girls in Year 9 attending school in the UK who meet Imperial’s eligibility and academic criteria, and who can travel to and from campus each day | International students are not eligible

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Imperial’s Year 9 Girls Engineering Summer School introduces students to the breadth of engineering through practical activities, subject tasters, and talks. Students explore areas such as bioengineering, civil engineering, design engineering, materials science, and mechanical engineering, although the exact sessions may vary. 

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The programme includes teamwork, campus exploration, and a final poster presentation in which students communicate what they have learned about engineering. This non-residential summer school is fully funded, which includes all course fees and materials as well as lunch.

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Why it stands out: It provides fully funded, applied exposure to several engineering disciplines before students make GCSE and post-16 subject choices.

14. UCL Engineering Summer Schools

Location: UCL, London, UK
Cost: Free for the school-age outreach summer schools
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not disclosed
Dates: Varies by programme; UCL’s Chip Design Summer School ran July 13-22, 2026
Application Deadline: Varies by programme; the Chip Design Summer School’s deadline was June 26th, 2026
Eligibility: UK Year 12 students, with requirements varying by subject (for example, physics, computer science, or engineering for the Chip Design Summer School) | International eligibility not specified

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UCL runs several outreach summer schools each year for school-age pupils, alongside its longer UCL Summer School for university-level international students. Its Chip Design Summer School, delivered by UCL’s Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering with the UK Semiconductor Centre, lets you explore chip design from the fundamentals through to a working towards your own chip, engaging with academics and industry experts from across the semiconductor sector. 

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UCL Chemical Engineering also runs outreach programmes such as the Sutton Trust residential summer school and the Electrochemical Propulsion Engineering summer school, both for Year 12 students, giving you a sense of what a career in engineering might involve.

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Why it stands out: It offers applied engineering challenges and outreach activities across several specialisms, helping you deepen your understanding of a specific engineering field before university.

15. Royal Observatory Greenwich - Work Experience Programme

Location: London, UK (currently based at the National Maritime Museum while the Royal Observatory undergoes renovation)
Cost: Free
Program Dates: One week in summer 2026 (exact dates confirmed with successful applicants)
Deadline: Not specified for 2026; recent cycles have closed in January
Eligibility: Students in Years 10-13; international eligibility not mentioned

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This one-week placement introduces you to astronomy through public engagement and science communication rather than research alone. You work with the Astronomy Team on activities connected to observational astronomy, museum outreach, and educational content creation. 

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Part of the experience involves helping evaluate public sessions, scripting short astronomy explainers, and understanding how scientific ideas are adapted for different audiences. You also spend time around the National Maritime Museum, observing how astronomers and educators interact with visitors throughout the day. For more options like this, see our internships for high school students in London.

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Why it stands out: You explore astronomy through real science communication work inside one of London’s best-known public science institutions.

Frequently asked questions: Summer Schools in London for High School Students

Is a London summer school worth it for international students?

It can be, depending on what you’re looking for. Paid programmes like Imperial’s Global Summer School or Immerse Education’s Academic Insights pathway accept international applicants and are built around sustained exposure to university-style teaching, structured activities, and qualified instructors. Most of the free options on this list, by contrast, are restricted to UK state school students, so they won’t be an option if you’re applying from abroad. If your goal is testing a subject, building a portfolio, or previewing university life in a major academic city, a paid international programme is usually the better fit.

Do you need a visa to attend a summer school in London?

Whether you need a visa depends on your nationality and the length of your course, so you should check current UK visa requirements before applying to any programme. Short courses of a few weeks are often covered under standard visitor rules for many nationalities, though this varies and changes over time, so always confirm directly with the programme and UK government guidance. Programmes aimed at international students, like King’s Pre-University Summer School or UAL’s International Summer School, typically provide visa guidance as part of their application process.

What age do you have to be for a summer school in London?

Most of the programmes on this list are designed for students aged 15 to 18, though a few go younger or stop earlier. Imperial’s Year 9 Girls Engineering Summer School is open to Year 9 students, while UAL’s International Summer School runs age-appropriate courses from age 11, and Immerse Education’s Academic Insights pathway in London accepts students from age 15. Always check a programme’s specific age or year-group requirement before applying, since even similar-sounding courses can have different cutoffs.

Are there free summer schools in London for high school students?

Yes, several programmes on this list are completely free, including Imperial’s Sutton Trust Summer School, Year 10 Insights Summer School, and Year 9 Girls Engineering Summer School. These free places are almost always restricted to UK state school students who meet specific widening participation criteria, so they aren’t generally open to international applicants or to students at fee-paying schools. If you don’t meet that criteria, a paid programme such as Immerse Education’s Academic Insights pathway or Imperial’s Global Summer School gives you a comparable university-style experience.

Can US students attend summer schools in London?

Yes, though your options narrow to the programmes that explicitly welcome international applicants. The University of Notre Dame’s Knowledge and Power programme is specifically designed for international high school students including those from the US, and other paid options like King’s Pre-University Summer School and Immerse Education’s Academic Insights pathway also accept applicants from any country. The free, UK-state-school-restricted programmes on this list, including most of Imperial’s outreach summer schools, are not available to US students.

Do London summer schools offer financial aid or scholarships?

It depends on the programme. Immerse Education offers a bursary for its Academic Insights pathway, and the University of Notre Dame’s London programme has financial aid available, while Imperial’s Global Summer School and UAL’s International Summer School do not offer scholarships or bursaries. The free, UK state-school programmes such as Imperial’s Sutton Trust and Year 10 Insights summer schools cover the full cost for eligible students instead of offering a partial discount. If cost is a barrier, it’s worth checking each programme’s own financial aid policy directly, since this varies considerably across the list.

Your study abroad journey starts here

Summer schools in London 2026 put you inside a global academic city, surrounded by some of the world’s most recognisable universities and museums.

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Comparing free UK-only options against paid international programmes helps you work out which route actually fits your eligibility and budget.

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Visiting a few campuses in person, even informally, gives you a clearer sense of which city and subject combination suits you best.

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For more direction on where a summer abroad could lead, browse our Study Abroad blogs and start planning your next chapter.