London is home to a range of STEM summer programs designed to give high school students hands-on exposure to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. If you’re based in London or are considering an undergraduate program at a university in London, they make for great options to consider in high school.
As a participant, you will work in university labs, develop coding or engineering projects, and build research and analytical skills through real-world challenges.
STEM programs for high school students in London provide early exposure to the tools, methods, and expectations of university-level study and scientific work, along with the latest advancements and ongoing STEM research in prestigious universities. You will actively participate in research projects, and work alongside university faculty, researchers, and industry professionals. You can also learn specialized technical skills such as coding in Python, laboratory techniques, engineering design software, and statistical analysis methods.
This blog lists 15 STEM programs for high school students in London that offer meaningful learning experiences for high schoolers.
1. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Location: Virtual
Cost | Stipend: $5,950 (Financial aid available) | None
Application Date: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer and Fall cohorts.
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, and more! Horizon is one of the few research programs for high school students that offers you the choice to engage in either quantitative or qualitative research. Once you select a particular subject track, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar who acts as a mentor throughout your research journey. As a participant, you will be expected to develop a 20-page research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects.
2. Imperial College Medicine and Life Sciences Summer School
Location: Imperial College London, London, England
Cost | Stipend: £7,260 | None
Application Deadline: Allocated on a first-come first-serve basis. More information here.
Dates: June 30 – July 11 | August 4 – 15
Eligibility: Must be 16 or 17 years old before the start of the program, and not turn 18 years old before or during your program.
The Global Summer School is a two-week academic program that blends medical training with interdisciplinary collaboration. In the first week, you will learn clinical and diagnostic techniques at St. Mary’s Hospital, including CPR, ABCDE assessment, blood pressure monitoring, glucose testing, urine analysis, and identifying kidney disorders. Sessions also include lab-based activities in genetics and life sciences. The second week is about a cross-disciplinary Innovation Challenge, where participants apply subject-specific knowledge in team-based problem-solving tasks led by industry professionals. The program emphasizes communication, collaboration, and presentation skills.
3. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost | Stipend: $2,290 for the 10-week AI Scholars program | $5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase | $6,900 for both. Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars. You can apply here. | No stipend
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Program Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers the AI Scholars program for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science. Through this 10-session boot camp, students are introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and get a chance to work on real-world projects. Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus feature of this program is that students have access to the in-house publication team to help them secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here.
4. FDM Apprenticeship Program
Location: Sheffield Hallam University or NorthEastern University, London, UK
Cost | Stipend: Free | Stipend provided
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: Varies based on sector and cohort selected.
Eligibility: Over the age of 16 | Based in the UK | Capable of meeting the entry requirements for a degree in digital and technology solutions at one of FDM’s partner universities
The FDM Apprenticeship Programme offers early career training in areas like IT support, robotics process automation, information security, salesforce administration, IT Business projects, software development, and cybersecurity. Operating in collaboration with Sheffield Hallam University and Northeastern University, the program blends academic coursework with on-the-job learning in a corporate environment. You will be placed on the sites of top companies acting as clients and paid a monthly salary, have your university tuition covered, and receive dedicated study time. You will work on real-world projects, receive professional mentorship, and gain exposure to industry practices.
5. Lite Regal Medical Internship and Job Shadowing
Location: University of London campus (for residential candidates) + internship at a London local hospital or clinic provided by the program.
Cost | Stipend: £1,750 onwards (includes £300 deposit) | None
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates: 1–4 weeks in the spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Specific dates depend on the hospital or clinic placement
Eligibility: Ages 17 and above, and ideally about to enter medical school. International and UK students can apply.
This program offers high school students the chance to observe practicing doctors in London clinics and hospitals. It provides direct exposure to clinical environments in a broad range of medical specialties such as cardiology, oncology, neurology, and more. Running for 1 to 4 weeks, the internship offers a structured opportunity to explore medical practice in real-world settings. You will actively participate in patient care, diagnostic processes, and treatment plans and develop hands-on clinical skills. You will also experience patients from diverse backgrounds in London’s diverse population, enabling you to provide culturally sensitive care, which is highly valued in the global healthcare landscape.
6. Imperial College London Y10 Insights Summer School
Location: Imperial College, South Kensington campus, London
Cost | Stipend: Free | None
Application Deadline: March 5
Program Dates: July 30 – August 2
Eligibility: Applicants must be 10 years old at the time of application | Attending a non-fee paying school in the UK
The Y10 Insights Summer School is a residential program for Year 10 students interested in exploring science, engineering, and math beyond the GCSE level. The four-day, three-night program includes taster lectures, hands-on sessions, and exposure to university-level learning. You can choose between science and engineering streams and will be supported by undergraduate mentors who offer academic and social guidance, giving you a taste of university life in London. The program concludes with a group research poster presentation at a mock academic conference where you will work in groups to prepare a poster explaining a concept you’ve learned in the program.
7. King’s College Pre-University Summer School
Location: King’s College, London
Cost | Stipend: £2,990 (one course, 1 week) | £5,610 (two courses, 2 weeks) | £8,600 (three courses, 3 weeks) | £11,220 (4 courses, 4 weeks). More information here | No stipend
Application Deadline: April 4
Program Dates: Session 1: 30 June — 4 July | Session 2: 7–11 July | Session 3: 14–18 July | Session 4: 21–25 July
Eligibility: Open to high school students aged 16 and 17
This program offers high school students the chance to explore academic subjects at a university level. Course options span a range of disciplines including Business, Law, Medical Science, Psychology, Neuroscience, and International Relations. The medical course focuses on the relationship between human physiology, anatomy, and medical conditions. You will explore the workings of the cardiovascular, neuroendocrine, and musculoskeletal systems, as well as how the body adapts to extreme temperatures, high altitudes, airplane cabins, and space. While not a formal internship, it provides exposure to university-style teaching and access to experienced tutors. Students who complete their coursework earn a King’s Certificate of Completion.
8. University College London’s Pre-University Online Summer School
Location: Virtual
Cost | Stipend: £950 | None
Application Deadline: Not specified
Dates: July 18: 3-hour induction | Course: July 21 – August 1
Eligibility: High school students aged 16–18 | English should not be first language
This two-week academic program focuses on developing core university-level skills such as academic writing, research, critical thinking, effective note-taking, and presentation. You will explore subject areas across the sciences, arts, humanities, and social sciences, enabling you to identify potential areas of interest for future undergraduate studies. Though not an internship, the program includes structured mentorship and collaborative learning with peers and tutors worldwide in a class of 12-14 students. You will engage in self-study tasks with the help of your tutor and have one-on-one personal learning sessions with them. You will deliver a short presentation at the end of the course and will receive a UCL CLIE certificate with a full report.
9. LITE Regal Medical School Preparation 15–18
Location: University of London | University of Cambridge | University of Oxford
Cost | Stipend: $5,495 | None
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates: 2, 4 and 6-week sessions. 29 June — 12 July | 13 — 26 July | 27 July — 9 August | 10–23 August
Eligibility: High school students aged between 15 and 18
The course also covers topics such as anatomy, physiology, medical ethics, and clinical reasoning. You will undergo hands-on clinical training via activities such as human-grade specimen dissections and suturing workshops. You will also be given UCAS/UKCAT/BMAT coaching in the form of personal statements, exam strategies, and interview simulations. You’ll learn about the UK medical school application process through workshops and group activities, and have a better understanding of how applications are assessed. You will also receive 3.5 credits, along with a Certificate of Completion and a Letter of Recommendation at the end of the program.
10. Imperial College London Y12 Work Experience Programme
Location: Imperial College, South Kensington campus, London (non-residential).
Cost | Stipend: Free | None
Application Deadline: January 14 – March 5
Dates: July 30 – July 4
Eligibility: Applicants must be in Year 12 at the time of application | Attending a UK state school
This five-day, in-person opportunity is designed for high school students to explore research in departments such as Bioengineering, Materials, Physics, Mathematics, Chemical Engineering, and Biomedical Research. You will be supported by a student ambassador throughout the program and follow a structured schedule, gaining lab and workshop exposure based on your chosen field. In addition to hands-on activities, the program includes university prep sessions on personal statements and interviews, with guidance from student ambassadors. It ends with a research-style conference where students present their findings via an oral and short presentation to peers, leaders, and invited guests about their time in the program.
11. Imperial College London Y9 Girls Engineering Summer School
Location: Imperial College, South Kensington campus, London (non-residential program).
Cost | Stipend: Free | None
Application Deadline: January 14 – March 17
Dates: July 30 – August 2
Eligibility: Applicants must be in Year 9 | Attending a non-fee paying school in the UK | Meet at least one of the criteria here.
In this five-day program, you will engage in hands-on sessions across fields like Bioengineering, Civil Engineering, Earth Science and Engineering, Material Science and Engineering, Design Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. The program initially involves engineering-based group challenges, followed by taster sessions in various engineering departments. Working in small groups with mentors, you will eventually take part in and complete a group project and present a poster summarizing an engineering concept. The program includes daily reflection sessions to encourage critical thinking and reinforce learning, with a strong focus on practical, experience-based education.
12. LSE’s Introduction to Data Science and Machine Learning
Location: London School of Economics campus, central London
Cost | Stipend: £4,150 – One session | £7,300 – Two sessions | £9,000 – Three sessions | £50 application fee. Academic scholarships available along with student discounts | No stipend
Application Deadline: First-come-first-served basis
Program Dates: July 14 – August 1
Eligibility: High school students familiar with introductory quantitative levels, notation and concepts and linear regression analysis.
This course is designed for high school students with a quantitative aptitude. It covers fundamental data science concepts, blending classical statistical methods with modern computation and machine learning techniques. You will learn data wrangling, visualization, regression, and an overview of machine learning methods using programming languages such as R and Python. You will be exposed to LSE’s world-renowned facilities and understand the political, social, and economic aspects of data. You will acquire skills such as data analysis, critical thinking, and programming which will boost college applications and build a strong base for future STEM careers.
13. Bucksmore Medical English & Science Summer Camp
Location: King’s College London, London, England
Cost | Stipend: £3,050 per week | None
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates: Two-week courses starting on dates July 8 and July 22
Eligibility: High school students aged 13 to 17
The Young Professionals Medicine program covers anatomy, diagnostics, and patient care through interactive workshops and practical exercises, enabling comprehensive learning of the field. You will participate in academic sessions alongside visits to medical institutions and cultural landmarks in and around London. You will learn language skills and knowledge related to the anatomy and functions of the cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and nervous systems. You will also be part of case study discussions and simulations, and learn to develop treatment plans for several acute and complex medical disorders. The program also emphasizes soft skills like communication and collaboration. You will receive a personalized report card and certifications upon completion.
14. Queen Mary University of London Med Schools Summer Programme
Location: Virtual
Cost | Stipend: Free | None
Application Deadline: TBA. Details here
Program Dates: The programme for 2025 is yet to be confirmed. Details here.
Eligibility: Live outside of Greater London | Be in Year 12 as of September | Must have attended a non-selective state school since age 11 | Currently studying two science A-levels, including biology or chemistry.
Funded by Health Education England, this program supports 75 Year 12 students from underrepresented or priority backgrounds across England in exploring medical education at London’s leading institutions—King’s College London, Queen Mary University of London, St. George’s, and University College London. You will engage with patients, medical students, and healthcare professionals to better understand clinical practice and the skills needed in medicine. The program also aims at improving your understanding of medicine, dentistry, and alternative science/ allied health subjects and helps you better prepare for your higher education journey.
15. Pre-Medicine Summer Camps at the Imperial College of London
Location: Imperial College London, South Kensington
Cost | Stipend: £990 | None
Application Deadline: Variable based on dates selected
Program Dates: Multiple week long camps from June 30 – August 1
Eligibility: For ages between 12–17
This pre-medicine summer program provides an interactive, small-group learning environment focused on core medical topics such as anatomy, emergency care, surgical techniques, psychiatry, genetics and cancer, public health, musculoskeletal biology, and regenerative medicine. It also has sessions covering mental health, breathing, and clinical reasoning. With a 1:12 student-tutor ratio, content is tailored to participants’ knowledge levels. The program emphasizes discussion-based learning and builds an in-depth understanding of scientific subjects such as biology, chemistry, and physics, and how medicine impacts day-to-day life. You will also develop transferable skills like teamwork, problem-solving, and resilience.
Image source – Imperial College of London