If you’re a high school student interested in exploring a subject outside of the classroom, joining a summer program can be a practical way to build new skills and explore a subject in more depth. These programs are usually short and focused, and many are designed to help you work on advanced projects, learn directly from professionals, or experience how a subject is taught beyond the school level.
London has no shortage of options. Each year, universities, research centres, and professional organisations across the city offer summer programs for high school students. You’ll find options in subjects like science, politics, economics, tech, and the arts. Some are based at well-known universities, while others take place at museums, institutes, or even startup hubs. If you’re based in London already, choosing one of these local programs can also help cut down on travel and housing costs, making it a more affordable way to get this kind of experience.
To make your search easier, we’ve put together a list of 15 summer programs in London that are open to high school students!
1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Full financial aid is available!
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program for high school students. You work 1-on-1 with a PhD mentor to design and complete an independent research paper over 12 weeks. You can choose topics in psychology, physics, economics, computer science, engineering, international relations, and more. The program includes nine mentor sessions, two writing coach sessions, and five research workshops. You finish with a 15-page paper that can be submitted to competitions or used in college applications. You can find more details about the application here.
2. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type
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! A few tracks require prerequisites, see 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.
3. Imperial College London – Year 10 Insights Summer School
Cost: Free (covers tuition, materials, accommodation, and meals; travel not included)
Location: Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, UK
Dates: July 30 – August 2
Application Deadline: March 5
Eligibility: Year 10 students (UK equivalents)
The Imperial College London’s Year 10 Insights Summer School is a four-day, three-night residential program for UK students interested in science or engineering. You’ll choose either the science or engineering stream and take part in hands-on lab work, taster sessions, and group projects. The program ends with an academic-style poster conference where you present your findings. You’ll stay in university halls, work closely with undergraduate mentors, and get a real feel for campus life.
4. Imperial College London – Global Summer School
Cost: £7,260 (includes tuition, accommodation, meals, and social activities)
Location: Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, UK
Dates: June 30 – July 11 or August 4 – August 15
Application Deadline: Applications open in January and close by February-March.
Eligibility: Students aged 16–17 with strong academics and English proficiency
Imperial College London – Global Summer School is a two-week residential program for students aged 16–17 who are passionate about STEM. You choose one subject area from Data Science and AI, Engineering, Physics, or Medicine and Life Science and spend the first week in lectures, labs, and workshops led by Imperial academics.
In the second week, you join an interdisciplinary team for the Innovation Challenge, where you solve a real-world problem with guidance from industry mentors. The program also includes sessions on applying to UK universities and evening social activities. You stay in student accommodation on Imperial’s South Kensington campus.
5. Point Blank Music School – London Summer Schools
Cost: Varies based on program; limited free places for eligible UK-based students
Location: Point Blank Music School, 23–28 Penn Street, Hoxton, London, N1 5DL
Dates: Various 5-day sessions based on the program.
Application Deadline: Rolling until spots are filled; early application recommended
Eligibility: Ages 13–17; open to beginners and intermediate-level students
Point Blank Music School – London Summer Schools are five-day programs for students interested in music production, DJing, singing, and songwriting. You’ll learn in professional studios using industry-standard software like Ableton Live and Logic Pro. Each course includes hands-on training with production hardware and digital audio workstations (DAWs), helping you build real technical skills. Courses end with a live showcase or performance, and you’ll collaborate with peers throughout the week.
6. UCL Summer School
Cost: £2,850 for one session; £4,950 for both sessions (accommodation extra at discounted rates)
Location: University College London, Bloomsbury Campus, London, UK
Dates: Session One: June 30 – July 18; Session Two: July 21 – August 8
Application Deadline: Applications generally close by late May
Eligibility: Advanced high school students meeting academic and English language requirements (16+ recommended)
UCL Summer School offers 3- or 6-week credit-bearing modules for university-level students from around the world. You can choose from a wide range of subjects in sciences, humanities, business, and social sciences, all taught by UCL faculty. Modules include interactive lectures, group work, and excursions that use London as a learning environment. The program is held on UCL’s Bloomsbury campus in central London and includes optional social and cultural events. You can apply for UCL accommodation at a discounted rate.
7. London School of Economics (LSE) – Summer School
Cost: Fees vary by course (£2,500–£3,000 per session); accommodation extra
Location: London School of Economics, Houghton Street, London, UK
Dates: Session One: June 23 – July 11; Session Two: July 14 – August 1; Session Three: August 4 – August 22
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; early application recommended until classes fill
Eligibility: Advanced high school students (16+) with strong academic performance; English language proficiency required
LSE Summer School offers intensive, credit-bearing courses in economics, business, finance, law, and politics taught by LSE faculty. You’ll study in central London and take part in lectures and seminars modeled on undergraduate classes. Courses focus on analytical, quantitative, and policy-related skills and include case studies and data-driven approaches. The program also features SPARK, a professional development initiative with workshops to build career skills.
8. King’s College London – Pre-University Summer School
Cost: £2,990 for one week; £5,610 for two weeks; £8,600 for three weeks; £11,220 for four weeks; English Language & Culture courses £1,200–£2,400
Location: King’s College London, Strand Campus, London, UK
Dates: Session 1: June 30 – July 4; Session 2: July 7 – July 11; Session 3: July 14 – July 18; Session 4: July 21 – July 25
Application Deadline: April 4
Eligibility: Students aged 16–17 in their final three years of high school; must meet English proficiency requirements
King’s College London – Pre-University Summer School is a one-week academic program for students aged 16–17. You can choose from subjects like Business Management, Law, Medical Science, Psychology, Computer Science, International Relations, and more. You can combine multiple sessions to create a multi-week experience. Courses include lectures, seminars, and interactive activities like simulation games, roleplay, and Q&A with guest speakers. Assignments are designed to reflect university-level assessments, and students who complete the course receive a King’s Certificate of Completion.
9. University of Notre Dame – London: Knowledge and Power
Cost: $8,375 (includes tuition, housing, meals, excursions, and travel health insurance; excludes airfare); $75 application fee; $2,000 non-refundable enrollment fee applied to total cost
Location: Fischer Hall (near Trafalgar Square) & Conway Hall, London, UK
Dates: July 6 – July 20
Application Deadline: January 22
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors; limited to 18
The University of Notre Dame – London Summer Program is a six-week study abroad experience for undergraduate students. You’ll take two credit-bearing courses taught by Notre Dame and London-based faculty at Fischer Hall, located near Trafalgar Square. The curriculum uses London as a classroom, with fieldwork in museums, historic neighborhoods, and cultural institutions. Courses explore topics like imperial history, architecture, literature, and performance, including visits to venues such as Shakespeare’s Globe.
10. School for Ethics and Global Leadership (SEGL) – Summer Institute: London
Cost: $17,990 (includes tuition, housing, meals); $315 Textbooks & Travel fee; ~$320 personal expenses; significant need-based financial aid available; ~50% of students receive assistance
Location: Bloomsbury, London, UK
Dates: June 28 – August 9
Application Deadline: February 15 (priority for financial aid); main application typically due in January
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors; selective admissions; international students welcome
School for Ethics and Global Leadership (SEGL) – Summer Institute: London is a six-week residential program for rising high school juniors and seniors. You’ll study SEGL’s Ethics and Leadership curriculum while living in Bloomsbury, near the British Museum. The program includes three major projects: an ethical Credo, a collaborative policy memo for Members of Parliament, and a business plan for a social venture. You’ll also take part in public speaking workshops, field visits, and mentorship sessions with leaders in government, business, and civil society.
11. ISSOS Summer School – Cambridge
Cost: £7,100 all-inclusive fee, covering academics, electives, accommodation, meals, cultural trips, materials, insurance, and activities
Location: University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
Dates: July 9 – July 30
Application Deadline: Rolling until capacity is reached; early application recommended due to 10% nationality cap
Eligibility: Ages 13–18; international cohort with limited spots per nationality
ISSOS Summer School – Cambridge is a three-week residential program for students aged 13–18. It takes place at Queen’s College, University of Cambridge. The program brings together students from over 80 nationalities. No more than 10% of students come from any one country. You choose one academic course: Business and Entrepreneurship, Debate, English Language, Journalism, or Study Skills. You also choose one elective: Outdoor Leadership, Theatre, Photography, Tennis, or Art. Classes run in the morning. Electives take place in the afternoon. Evenings include cultural trips, sports, and team activities.
12. Imperial College London – Year 11 Online STEM Challenge
Cost: Free; includes course fees, materials, and lunch on campus day
Location: Hybrid (online + Imperial College London, South Kensington)
Dates: June 24 – June 27
Application Deadline: March 5
Eligibility: Year 11 students meeting outreach eligibility criteria
Imperial College London – Year 11 Online STEM Challenge is a four-day hybrid program for UK students in Year 11. You’ll work in small teams to solve a real-world STEM problem using knowledge from multiple disciplines. The first three days are online. You’ll meet your team, academic mentor, and receive resources to guide your project. You’ll also attend sessions with researchers and industry professionals. On the final day, you’ll visit Imperial’s South Kensington campus. You’ll refine your presentation and pitch your solution to a panel of judges. The winning team receives a prize.
13. Imperial College London – Year 12 Sutton Trust Summer School
Cost: Free; covers tuition, materials, accommodation, meals, and trips; travel reimbursement available
Location: Imperial College London, South Kensington
Dates: July 15 – 18 or July 22 – 25
Application Deadline: March 6 at 12 pm
Eligibility: Year 12 students from state schools meeting Sutton Trust criteria; UK-based
Imperial College London – Year 12 Sutton Trust Summer School is a four-day residential program for UK state school students interested in STEM. You choose a subject track such as Biomedical Engineering, Molecular Bioengineering, Mathematics, Physics, Economics, Finance and Data Science, or Design Engineering. You’ll take part in hands-on labs, lectures, and small-group sessions led by Imperial faculty. The program includes two pre-program webinars, on-campus mentoring, and support through the Sutton Trust Alumni network.
14. Imperial College London – Year 12 Work Experience Programme
Cost: Free; includes all program activities and materials
Location: Imperial College London, South Kensington
Dates: June 30 – July 4
Application Deadline: March 5
Eligibility: Year 12 students meeting academic and widening participation criteria
Imperial College London – Year 12 STEM Potential Summer School is a five-day non-residential program for UK state school students. You’ll explore STEM research through streams like Bioengineering, Mathematics, Physics, Materials, Chemical Engineering, Climate Science, and Biomedical Research. You’ll shadow researchers, take part in lab work, and contribute to ongoing projects. Sessions focus on professional lab practices, time management, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The program builds early research skills and exposes you to STEM careers.
15. Imperial College London – Year 9 Girls Engineering Summer School
Cost: Free; includes all course fees, materials, and lunch
Location: Imperial College London, South Kensington
Dates: August 5 – August 8
Application Deadline: March 17
Eligibility: Year 9 girls with an interest in STEM; must be able to commute daily
Imperial College London – Year 9 Girls Engineering Summer School is a four-day non-residential program for Year 9 girls in the UK. You’ll explore different branches of engineering through hands-on activities, taster sessions, and group challenges. Past sessions have included Bioengineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Design Engineering, and Materials Science. You’ll work in small groups led by undergraduate mentors. Each day ends with a reflection activity to help you track what you’ve learned. At the end of the week, you’ll present a group poster showcasing an engineering concept to staff, family, and guests.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source – Imperial College London