15 Summer Schools in London for Year 11 Students

TL;DR

Here you'll find 15 London options for Year 11 students, ranging from free council and university taster courses to selective paid courses in the arts and sciences. You can pick a free, UK-only course or a paid option that welcomes international applicants. You'll fit if you're around 15 to 16, though age ranges stretch from 11 up to 19. One, the East Summer School, selects about 350 young people yearly for free sessions at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. You'll find Immerse Education's London Summer School, a two-week residential course for ages 15 to 18 with bursary places available.

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London's global influence is hard to overlook, no matter what you want to study in the future. If you are thinking about politics, finance, creative arts, health services, scientific research, or environmental science, this city plays a huge role in how those fields operate globally. Getting a firsthand look at how these industries run gives you a great head start long before you fill out university applications. If you want to construct that understanding while you are finishing Year 11, a specialized London summer program is an excellent place to start.

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Envision spending a couple of weeks analyzing historical documents, testing theories in a university laboratory, or mapping out city growth patterns alongside other motivated teens. You will put together original group presentations, complete practical challenges, and learn about the exact schedules that higher education classrooms follow every week. This active setup feels completely separate from just reading a textbook on your own during the holidays.

What kinds of summer schools in London for Year 11 students are there?

Your selection links directly with your specific academic targets. Some programs focus heavily on STEM subjects, laboratory experiments, and advanced coding, which suits individuals who love computing and data. Other programs focus on law, international relations, and literature, allowing you to study social structures and debating skills.

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A few programs happen right on a college campus to show you university life, while other programs choose a more flexible schedule focused on outdoor tasks and city trips. The top programs always allow you to talk, share ideas, and use your knowledge rather than just listening to long speeches.

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To help you find the right fit, we've curated a list of 15 summer schools in London for Year 11 students worth exploring!

15 Summer Schools in London for Year 11 Students

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1. UCL, Faculty of Arts and Humanities (Department of Greek and Latin) - London Summer School in Classics

Location: London, England

Cost: £170; limited travel grants toward UK travel only

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open admission; over 200 students

Dates: July 14-23

Application Deadline: June 15th

Eligibility: Minimum age 14; no prior knowledge of the chosen language required; open to school students, university students and adult learners; only one language studied per participant; daily attendance at classes between 10:30 and 16:30 across eight weekdays; open to international students who present a valid passport and appropriate UK visa for campus-based attendance

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In this program, you study one ancient language across eight weekdays at UCL, run jointly with King's College London. You choose Ancient Greek or Latin at any level, or a beginners' class in Akkadian, Hittite, Sumerian, Sanskrit or New Testament Greek. Four classes run daily between 10:30 and 16:30, covering vocabulary, grammar, syntax and translation, with reading of adapted or unadapted texts plus afternoon lectures and epigraphy workshops. 

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Teaching happens in groups of 12 to 15 people, banded by experience so complete beginners and advanced readers work at their own level. You can attend in person or join remotely by Zoom, and you finish with a certificate of attendance rather than any formal assessment.

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Why it stands out: It has taught classical languages continuously since 1976 and reached its 50th anniversary this year, opening university-level Greek, Latin and rarer ancient languages to anyone aged 14 and over for a single £170 fee.

2. Immerse Education’s London Summer School

Location: London
Cost: 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 across the globe aged 15-18 currently enrolled in high school; open to international students

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The Pre-University Summer School lets high school students experience university life firsthand. You will live on campus and study in small groups with an average of 7 participants per class, and learn from tutors from eminent top universities like Oxford and Cambridge. You can explore a wide range of subjects, spanning over 20 options, including Architecture, AI, Business Management, Computer Science, Economics, Medicine, Philosophy, and more. 

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The courses are experiential and focus on hands-on learning. You may find yourself conducting dissections in medicine, designing a robotic arm in engineering, participating in a moot court for law, or building creative writing portfolios and business case studies. By the end of the program, you’ll complete a personal project, receive written feedback, and receive a certificate of completion. You can find more details about the application here.

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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 living at a college campus.

3. UCL Access and Widening Participation, with UCL DCAL and Deaf Unity - Discover UCL Summer School for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students

Location: London, England

Cost: None

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 15 places available

Dates: July 28-30

Application Deadline: June 16th

Eligibility: Deaf or hard of hearing Year 11 students at UK state schools or colleges; likely to achieve at least five GCSEs at grades 9-5; not open to international students

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In this program, you explore university life through a specialist three-day experience designed around accessibility and higher-education preparation. You learn about choosing degrees, navigating UCAS, student finance, disability funding, and support available at university. You also tour UCL, meet current deaf and hard of hearing students, attend careers-focused sessions, and develop communication and self-advocacy skills. 

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The programme provides BSL interpreters and live captioning throughout and limits participation to 15 students to enable personalised support. You also hear from deaf role models and gain practical insight into studying, accessing support, and planning your pathway into higher education.

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Why it stands out: It combines university preparation with specialist accessibility support, deaf role models, and a small 15-student cohort designed specifically for deaf and hard of hearing students.

4. The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama (University of London) - Youth Summer Schools - Play in a Week (16-19 years)

Location: London, England

Cost: None

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not stated

Dates: August 3-7

Application Deadline: Not specified

Eligibility: 16-19 years old; priority given to students meeting widening participation criteria; not open to international students

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In this program, you will engage in an intensive week of acting, devising, and performance-making at a premier drama school. You will collaborate closely with a professional actor and fellow young creatives to develop an original piece of theatre from scratch. Throughout the week, you will participate in dynamic workshops exploring voice, movement, character development, and ensemble practice to deepen your creative confidence. 

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Your experience will culminate in a final showcase for invited friends and family in one of Central’s professional performance studios. This hands-on process equips you with essential collaborative and practical skills applicable to future drama school training or broader creative challenges.

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Why it stands out: It provides aspiring young actors with a barrier-free opportunity to develop original theatre under the guidance of industry professionals within the state-of-the-art studios of one of the UK’s leading drama schools.

5. The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama (University of London) - Youth Summer Schools - Introduction to Theatre Design (13-19 years)

Location: London, United Kingdom

Cost: None

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; ~15 participants

Dates: August 3-7

Application Deadline: Rolling / Until full

Eligibility: Ages 13-19; priority given to applicants where neither parent attended university, who are or have been in local authority care, who are young carers, who have a disability, or who are eligible for free school meals; other applicants considered for places remaining after priority bookings; parental or guardian permission needed to leave from the theatre on the visit day; not open to international students

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In this program, you spend a week exploring how set, costume, lighting and sound designers bring stories to life at a leading London drama school. You experiment with creative ideas, explore performance spaces and develop practical design skills using Central's specialist facilities and resources. 

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You are also invited to an exclusive, invitation-only viewing of Hamilton at the Victoria Palace Theatre, followed by production demonstrations and a Q&A opportunity. A professional designer working across theatre, film and television leads the course, giving you an industry view of how design decisions are made. No previous experience is needed; just enthusiasm, imagination and a willingness to explore new ideas.

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Why it stands out: It combines a free hands-on week in a leading drama school's design facilities with an invitation-only West End viewing of Hamilton, including production demonstrations and a Q&A.

6. Guildhall School Summer Schools

Location: Guildhall School of Music & Drama in the City of London; one drama school is residential in Surrey

Cost: Paid; fees vary by course, with participation bursaries for low-income households

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size varies by specific course

Dates: July and August

Application Deadline: July 9th or once the course reaches capacity

Eligibility: High school age brackets vary by specific program (e.g., ages 11-14, 14-17, 15-17, or 14-21) with interests or prior experience in music, acting, or production; open to international students

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The Guildhall School Summer Schools engage you in the creative arts through programs covering music, drama, production arts, and writing. During your time there, you will engage in technique sessions, practice voice and movement exercises, tackle improvisation, and collaborate on performance pieces. A unique feature of this experience is the choice between training at the world-renowned Barbican complex in London or enjoying a fully immersive residential drama camp in Surrey. 

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Through these dynamic activities, you will master practical performance techniques and learn how to take bold creative risks under the guidance of expert tutors. Ultimately, you will build independence, enhance your teamwork, and develop the vital communication skills needed to excel in any future creative endeavor.

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Why it stands out: You get a taste of study at one of the world's top-ranked conservatoires, taught by working theatre and music professionals.

7. London Borough of Camden (Camden Council youth provision) - Camden Summer University

Location: London, England

Cost: None

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Non-competitive; cohort size not stated

Dates: July 23rd - August 21st

Application Deadline: Open until full

Eligibility: Ages 13-19; live in Camden or study at a Camden maintained school; not open to international students

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In this program, you choose from free short courses across arts, media, fashion, sport, cookery, work skills, and other practical subjects at venues across Camden. You can build hands-on experience by creating music, practising emergency first aid, developing stories and media, or learning clothing design and upcycling techniques. 

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Many courses also offer accreditation, giving you the opportunity to earn a nationally recognised certificate while learning a new skill. You book individual courses rather than following a single fixed timetable, so your activities and attendance depend on the sessions you secure. The programme is designed to help you develop practical skills, confidence, new interests, and experience useful for future education, apprenticeships, or work.

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Why it stands out: It lets eligible Camden teenagers build a personalised, free summer timetable from a broad mix of practical courses, with nationally recognised accreditation available on many options.

8. University of the Arts London - Chelsea College of Arts - UAL International Summer School for 11 to 15 year olds

Location: London, England

Cost: £2,500

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open admission; cohort size not stated

Dates: July 12-23

Application Deadline: Rollins admissions

Eligibility: Aged 11 to 15 years; keen interest in art and design; open to international students

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In this program, you explore fine art and design within a world-renowned college environment. You develop a diverse portfolio by experimenting with 2D and 3D collage, mark-making, and textile manipulation. Throughout the intensive sessions, you utilize professional studios to practice visual recording and conceptual mood-boarding alongside expert tutors. 

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Your practical responsibilities involve producing original artwork inspired by London's cultural diversity and documenting your process using digital photography. Structured similarly to a foundation course, this experience provides unique access to UAL's state-of-the-art facilities while building technical skills. You ultimately gain the creative confidence needed to pursue further education in the arts.

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Why it stands out: It models its rigorous two-week curriculum on a foundation-level course, giving young students a rare and immersive preview of formal art education at one of the world's leading creative institutions.

9. Imperial College London Year 11 Online STEM Challenge

Location: Online, with a final showcase day on campus at Imperial College London

Cost: None

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort not stated

Dates: June 23-26

Application Deadline: March 4th

Eligibility: For UK Year 11 students (around 15 to 16) at non-fee-paying schools from backgrounds underrepresented in higher education; not open to international students

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Imperial College London's Year 11 Online STEM Challenge is a fully funded online programme centred on a team hackathon addressing a real-world problem. Working with a mentor, you and your team develop a structured solution, then visit Imperial on the final day to present it to a panel of judges. 

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The programme is free, covering fees and materials, but it is open only to UK state-school students from underrepresented backgrounds, and applications for this year have closed. You tackle a genuine engineering challenge as part of a team and pitch your solution at a world-leading university, developing research, teamwork, and presentation skills. 

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Why it stands out: It offers underrepresented UK students a free, mentored taste of university STEM that ends with presenting to Imperial academics.

10. Northeastern University London: Get Ahead Year 11 Summer School

Location: Northeastern University London in central London

Cost: None

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohort sizes

Dates: July 28-31

Application Deadline: May 13th

Eligibility: Students currently in Year 11 in the UK moving into a UK sixth form or college in September; live within commuting distance of central London; not open to international students

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Northeastern University London runs a free four-day summer school built specifically to help Year 11 students step up to sixth form and get a feel for university. Over the four days at its campus by Tower Bridge, you take four academic taster sessions chosen from politics and international relations, business, psychology, law, computer science, and philosophy, alongside practical sessions on study skills, wellbeing, and budgeting. Everything is free, including meals, and current students support you throughout, though you apply in advance and travel in each day. You get an early, genuine taste of university study across several subjects and finish better prepared for sixth form. 

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Why it stands out: It is one of very few free London university summer schools designed specifically for Year 11 students, giving an early taste of degree-level subjects before sixth form.

11. University of the Arts London - Central Saint Martins - Textiles for 11 to 15 Year Olds Short Course

Location: London, England

Cost: From £710.00

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open admission; cohort size not stated

Dates: June 22-26; July 27-31

Application Deadline: First-come, first-served until filled

Eligibility: Ages 11 to 15 at the time of the course; suited to students considering GCSE art or textiles; on-campus attendance in London, with under-16s remaining on site at lunchtime; open to international students

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In this program, you explore textiles at Central Saint Martins' King's Cross campus over a five-day week and get a real sense of what studying the subject at university is like. You start the way designers do, gathering research and turning it into ideas through drawing, mark-making, collage and painting. You then build practical making skills across hand knitting, crochet, off-loom weaving, stitching and macramé, with one-to-one tutor support. 

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Your tutors include Berni Yates, who has worked in fashion and textiles for over 30 years and has taught at Central Saint Martins for 20. You finish by presenting your work, leaving with portfolio-ready pieces, a digital badge and a certificate of attendance.

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Why it stands out: It gives 11- to 15-year-olds studio time at Central Saint Martins with practising textile designers, and no application or portfolio is needed to secure a place.

12. University of the Arts London - Central Saint Martins - Fashion Design and Styling for 11 to 15 Year Olds Short Course

Location: London, England

Cost: From £730

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not stated

Dates: Several 1-week sessions  in August

Application Deadline: Rolling admissions

Eligibility: Students aged 11-15; valid immigration status permitting study in the UK; open to international students

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In this program, you explore fashion design and styling through hands-on creative work at Central Saint Martins. You conduct trend research, develop concepts, experiment with fabric in 3D, customise garments, and style your work. You bring these activities together in a final personal project that can contribute to a portfolio for further study. 

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You also practise idea generation and presentation while using materials such as vintage clothing and, where available, a camera phone and laptop or tablet for documenting and researching your process. By completing the course, you gain experience of art-school teaching and receive a UAL Short Courses digital badge and certificate of attendance.

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Why it stands out: It combines hands-on fashion design and styling at Central Saint Martins with a portfolio-focused final project and formal digital recognition.

13. Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance - Young Musicians' Summer School

Location: London

Cost: £160 (UK) or £320 (international); reduced fees available for siblings and students receiving Free School Meals or Pupil Premium

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 65-70 places

Dates: July 22-25

Application Deadline: Closed after all available places were filled

Eligibility: Ages 11-18; open to international students

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In the Young Musicians' Summer School program, you will engage in an intensive four-day experience focused on musical performance and skill-building at Trinity Laban Conservatoire. You will collaborate in various group sizes, ranging from small ensembles to larger workshops, ensuring exposure to diverse musical interests and backgrounds. 

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Throughout the program, you will refine your technical abilities on your chosen instrument or voice while participating in creative sessions guided by experienced musicians. The summer school culminates in a live public concert on the Laban Theatre stage, allowing you to showcase your newly developed skills. This non-residential training emphasizes both teamwork and individual musicianship, providing a taste of conservatoire-level education.

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Why it stands out: It offers young musicians the unique opportunity to train directly with conservatoire professionals and perform a public concert in a renowned venue like the Laban Theatre.

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14. London Borough of Enfield (Enfield Council Youth Development Service) - Summer Uni

Location: Enfield, north London, England

Cost: None

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open admission; cohort size not stated

Dates: Week One: July 20-24; Week Two: July 27-31; Week Three: August 3-7; Week Four: August 10-14; Week Five: August 17-21

Application Deadline: First-come, first-served until places are filled

Eligibility: Aged 11 to 19, or up to 25 with SEND; living in Enfield or attending a school in Enfield; parent or carer consent under 16, self-consent from 16; not open to international students

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In the Summer Uni program, you spend the summer holiday sampling free courses across creative arts, sport, cooking, beauty, digital technology and career tasters at youth centres, libraries and colleges around Enfield. You might customise Nike Air Force 1 trainers at Laced Up Design Camp, race remote-control cars as a motorsport engineer, write prompts in a ChatGPT masterclass, or script, film and edit a short movie. 

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Sessions are run by industry practitioners and partner organisations, so you pick up practical tools alongside communication, teamwork and confidence. Several courses, including the music production and DJing workshops and the coding, AI and employability programme, carry recognised AQA accreditation. You choose up to three courses across the five themed weeks.

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Why it stands out: It offers more than 80 entirely free courses whose applications were judged and selected by Enfield's own Young Leaders, a volunteer panel of local teenagers who also designed the brochure.

15. East Summer School at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

Location: In person at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, east London, hosted across partner venues around the Park

Cost: None

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; approximately 350 young people each year

Dates: July 27th - August 7th

Application Deadline: July 12th

Eligibility: Young people aged 12-17, with a dedicated 15 to 17 track, so it includes Year 11; live or study in Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets, or Waltham Forest; not open to international students

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East Summer School is a free programme that runs over two weeks during the summer holiday. You choose creative and career-focused workshops hosted by the Park's partner venues, which include UCL East, the London College of Fashion, Sadler's Wells East, and V&A East. 

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The workshops connect you directly with industry experts across areas from dance to design, and every session is completely free. You get hands-on, career-inspired experience with professionals at world-class East London venues, at no cost, which is a rare way to sample the creative and cultural industries before you choose your path. 

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Why it stands out: Run by the Mayor's Olympic Park body, it gives East London teenagers free, direct access to industry professionals at landmark venues like V&A East and Sadler's Wells East.

Frequently asked questions: Summer Schools in London for Year 11 Students

What are the best summer schools in London for Year 11 students?

The strongest options span free council programmes, university taster courses, and selective paid intensives in the arts and sciences. UCL's Faculty of Arts and Humanities runs a long-standing classics course open to anyone aged 14 for £170, while Northeastern University London offers a completely free four-day taster built specifically for Year 11 students moving into sixth form. If you want a residential, multi-subject option, Immerse Education's London Summer School puts you in small groups with an average of 7 participants per class, and you finish with a certificate of completion.

How much do London summer schools for Year 11 students cost?

Costs range from completely free to around £2,500 for a two-week course, depending on the provider and structure. Several council and widening-participation programmes, including Camden Summer University and the East Summer School at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, charge nothing at all. Fee-based options sit in the middle, such as UCL's £170 classics course, or climb higher for studio-based programmes like UAL Chelsea College of Arts' International Summer School, priced at £2,500. If cost is a barrier, several programmes also offer bursaries or reduced fees for students eligible for free school meals or pupil premium funding.

Which London summer schools for Year 11 students accept international students?

Most free, council and widening-participation programmes in this list restrict places to UK residents, but several paid and open-admission courses welcome students from abroad. UCL's classics summer school admits international applicants who hold a valid passport and UK visa, and Guildhall School Summer Schools and Central Saint Martins' short courses in textiles and fashion design are also open internationally. Trinity Laban's Young Musicians' Summer School accepts international students too, charging a higher fee of £320 compared to £160 for UK participants. Checking a programme's eligibility notes before applying saves time if you're travelling from overseas.

What subjects can you study at a Year 11 summer school in London?

Subjects range from STEM and social sciences through to the creative and performing arts, so your choice depends on what you want to explore. UCL's classics programme covers ancient languages such as Latin, Greek, Sanskrit and Akkadian, while Northeastern University London offers taster sessions in business, psychology, law and philosophy. Creative options include theatre design and devising at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, fashion and textiles at Central Saint Martins, and music performance at Guildhall School and Trinity Laban. Several council programmes also let you sample coding, media, cookery and work-skills courses in one summer.

Do you need good grades to get into a free Year 11 summer school in London?

Some free programmes are selective and ask for strong predicted grades, while others accept everyone who applies. The Discover UCL Summer School for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students looks for students likely to achieve at least five GCSEs at grades 9 to 5, and Imperial College London's Year 11 Online STEM Challenge targets students from underrepresented backgrounds at non-fee-paying schools. By contrast, open-admission programmes such as Camden Summer University and Enfield's Summer Uni run on a first-come, first-served basis with no grade requirement at all. Reading the eligibility section carefully tells you which type you're dealing with.

How long do London summer schools for Year 11 students run?

Most run from three days to two weeks, with the length usually matching how intensive or residential the programme is. Short, free taster days like the Royal Central School's Introduction to Theatre Design or Northeastern University London's Get Ahead programme last three to five days, while fee-based options such as UCL's classics course and the Guildhall School Summer Schools stretch across a full week or more. Council programmes like Enfield's Summer Uni run longest overall, spanning five themed weeks between July and August, though you only attend the courses you book within that window.

How a London summer school preps you for university

A single summer spent testing real degree subjects, debating in seminars and working directly with current students sharpens the choices you bring into sixth form.

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Among the summer schools in London for Year 11 students, several let you sit in on seminars and test subjects you are still deciding between.

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Writing a short research piece or presenting a project to tutors gives you a concrete sample of independent academic work before applications begin.

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For more guidance on turning this kind of summer experience into real university readiness, explore our University Preparation blogs before you plan your next steps.