14 Programs in England for High School Students
If you’re a high school student looking to explore academics and potential future careers, structured programs can be a good way to learn beyond the classroom. These programs help you build practical skills, engage with expert instructors, and work on guided projects that deepen your understanding of subjects such as science, business, creative writing, law, and engineering. You’ll also have the chance to experience a different academic culture and gain a sense of independence while studying in a new environment.
Why should you attend a program in England?
England combines academic tradition with a modern approach to global learning, offering programs hosted by various universities and institutions. Programs here often emphasize discussion‑based learning, research exposure, and interaction with students from around the world. Whether you live nearby or are coming from the U.S. or elsewhere, studying in England helps you experience a different educational style, explore historic campuses, and connect with global peers.
To help you navigate the options, we’ve selected 14 programs in England for high school students.
If you are looking for free online programs, check out our blog here.
1. Insights Summer School
Location: London (South Kensington campus)
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 29 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 11
Eligibility: Year 10 students living and attending school in the UK who expect to study science and maths post-16; academic and widening participation criteria apply
This four-day, three-night residential summer school at Imperial College London is designed to help you explore science or engineering beyond the GCSE classroom while getting a realistic feel for university life. You’ll apply to either the science or engineering stream and spend your time attending hands-on taster sessions, practicals, and workshops led by Imperial academics and students. Alongside academic sessions, you’ll live in university halls, work closely with undergraduate mentors, and take part in a structured pastoral and social programme in the evenings. The experience culminates in an academic-style conference where you and your peers create and present a poster based on what you’ve learned during the week.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program type; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year (spring, summer, fall, winter)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; deadlines vary by cohort and program. You can apply to the program here.
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 programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. Students who are looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science would benefit from the AI Scholars program. 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 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.
3. Sutton Trust UK Summer Schools
Location: Nationwide (hosted at partner universities across the UK)
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: 1 week
Application Deadline: March 5
Eligibility: Year 12 students in England or Wales, Year 13 in Northern Ireland, or S5 in Scotland, attending a state-funded, non-fee-paying school, with strong academic performance, and meeting one or more widening participation criteria
The Sutton Trust UK Summer Schools give you a fully funded opportunity to experience university life before you apply. You’ll spend a week at a leading UK university taking part in academic taster sessions for a subject you’re interested in, alongside social activities with students from across the country. The programme also includes guidance on university applications, helping you better understand courses, admissions, and student life. All costs for the week, including travel, accommodation, and food, are covered, so there’s no financial barrier to taking part. If you’re from an underrepresented background in higher education, this is a practical way to explore your options and build confidence before applying.
4. Immerse Education’s Academic Insights Pathway
Location: Oxford, Cambridge, Singapore, Sydney, Toronto, and Boston
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: 2 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students aged 13-18 currently enrolled in middle or high school
The Academic Insights Program provides school students with an opportunity to take undergraduate-level classes at universities around the world. Participants work with academics from universities like Oxford, Cambridge, and Harvard in classes of 4-10 students. They attend university-style lectures and 1:1 weekly sessions with their tutor. The program includes practical experiences such as dissections in medicine, robotic arm building in engineering, or moot courts for law. Students can choose from over 20 subjects, including biology, artificial intelligence, business management, computer science, economics, medicine, philosophy, and more. By the end of the program, they complete a personal project and receive written feedback and a certificate of completion. You can find more details about the application here.
5. Pre-University Summer School
Location: King's College London (Strand and Waterloo campuses)
Cost/Stipend: From £3,195 (residential package from £3,965; application fee £65)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: July 6 – 10 | July 13 – 17 | July 20 – 24 | July 27 – 31
Application Deadline: April 10
Eligibility: Students aged 16–17 who are in the final years of high school; English proficiency requirements apply
This flexible summer programme at King’s College London runs for one to three weeks and is designed to give you a realistic introduction to university-level academics. You can choose from a wide selection of one-week courses, including business, law, medicine, psychology, neuroscience, computer science, politics, science, technology, and engineering. Teaching includes lectures and interactive seminars, with assignments following a university-style assessment format and feedback from King’s tutors. Beyond academics, the programme includes organized social and extracurricular activities, giving you opportunities to explore London and build connections with students from around the world.
6. LSE Summer School
Location: London (Houghton Street campus)
Cost: £3,350 – £6,450
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 22 – July 10 | July 13 – 31 | August 3 – 21
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students who already hold an offer to study at a university; course-specific academic and English language requirements apply
The LSE Summer School at the London School of Economics and Political Science provides challenging, university-level courses for students seeking to deepen their subject knowledge. Courses span economics, finance, politics, law, international relations, data analysis, and related social science fields, with options at introductory, intermediate, and advanced levels depending on your background. You’ll attend lectures and smaller classes taught by LSE faculty and industry experts, with assessments designed to mirror term-time university standards and, in some cases, offer academic credit. Outside the classroom, you’ll study alongside a highly international cohort while living in the heart of London, with access to LSE facilities and optional accommodation in university halls.
7. International Summer Programme
Location: Cambridge, UK
Cost: From £1,135 per week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Over 800 learners every year
Dates: July 12 – August 8
Application Deadline: June 28
Eligibility: Adults aged 18 and over from all backgrounds; English language requirements apply
The International Summer Programme at the University of Cambridge is a flexible academic option for adult learners interested in short-term study at a world-class university. You can design a one- to four-week schedule by choosing from over 140 courses across a wide range of subjects, including history, politics, science, philosophy, literature, and business. Teaching is led by Cambridge academics and specialists and includes lectures, seminars, and optional written assignments for assessment. Beyond the classroom, the programme offers opportunities to live in historic Cambridge colleges, attend daily lectures and special events, and explore the city with students from around the world.
8. AI and Machine Learning Pioneers Summer School
Location: Oxford, UK
Cost: £8,995
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not mentioned
Dates: July 19 – August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students aged 16–18 from all nationalities
This two-week residential summer school at the University of Oxford is designed for high school students seeking a rigorous, forward-looking introduction to AI and machine learning. Delivered in partnership with the University of Oxford’s Department of Economics and Oxford Saïd Business School, the program combines academic instruction with hands-on coding, group projects, and discussions on ethics and real-world applications. You’ll work with tools like Python, explore topics such as machine learning, generative AI, and data analysis, and collaborate with students from around the world on applied projects. Outside of class, you’ll live in an Oxford college, take part in organized social and cultural activities, and get a firsthand sense of daily life at one of the world’s most historic universities.
9. Pre-University: Design (University of Edinburgh)
Location: Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Cost: £5,250
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: June 29 – July 10
Application Deadline: May 19
Eligibility: Ages 16–18; penultimate or final year of high school; strong English proficiency (IELTS 6.5 overall or equivalent)
Offered by the University of Edinburgh, this two-week residential design course introduces you to the creative process behind undergraduate-level design study while helping you start building a personal portfolio. You’ll learn through studio-based, hands-on workshops focused on design thinking, visual communication, and practical skills such as image-making, typography, photography, collage, and moving image. Using professional tools such as the Adobe Creative Suite, you’ll work on both collaborative and self-directed projects, creating deliverables such as posters, zines, and short films. Tutorials, critiques, and one-on-one feedback sessions help you reflect on your work and identify strengths in areas like graphic design, animation, fashion communication, or illustration.
10. Manchester City Football Performance Programme
Location: Manchester, United Kingdom
Cost: £2,299
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple 5-night programmes from June 28 to August 7
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Ages 14–17; intermediate English (B1) or above; boys and girls cohorts offered separately
Run by Manchester City FC, this performance-focused summer programme is designed for serious teenage players who want to develop their game in a professional training environment. You’ll spend around 15 hours per week on the pitch working on individual and team development, alongside another 15 hours in off-field workshops that cover topics like injury prevention, recovery, performance psychology, and match analysis. Training is delivered by Manchester City coaches and specialists, giving you insight into how elite clubs approach human and football performance. Players are placed into ability-based groups to ensure focused coaching and appropriate challenge. The programme also includes high-quality accommodation, all meals, official training wear, immersive evening activities, an Etihad Stadium tour, and a closing celebration for families.
11. Warwick Pre-University Summer School
Location: Coventry, England
Cost: £5,250
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available.
Dates: July 14 – 24
Application Deadline: May 31
Eligibility: Students aged 16–17 who are enthusiastic about academic study and considering applying to university; no subject-specific requirements
The Warwick Pre-University Summer School at the University of Warwick is a 10-night residential programme designed to give you a realistic taste of university life in the UK. You’ll choose from five broad subject pathways, including science and engineering, business and economics, social sciences, or arts and humanities, and take part in lectures, seminars, and skills workshops taught by Warwick faculty. Alongside academics, the programme places a strong emphasis on personal development, with sessions on study skills and on applying to UK universities, including guidance on personal statements. You’ll live on Warwick’s self-contained campus alongside current student ambassadors and take part in a full social programme, including trips to Oxford and Warwick Castle.
12. Imperial Global Summer School
Location: London, United Kingdom (South Kensington campus)
Cost: £7,695 (residential programme)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 29 – July 10 | August 3 – 14
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students aged 16–17 with excellent academic ability, strong English proficiency
The Imperial Global Summer School at Imperial College London is a selective, pre-university residential programme for students serious about STEM. You’ll choose a subject area such as engineering, physics, medicine and life sciences, chemistry, or data science and artificial intelligence, and take part in university-style lectures, laboratory sessions, and practical workshops. A key part of the programme is the Innovation Challenge, where you’ll collaborate with students from other disciplines to solve a real-world problem and build skills like teamwork, communication, and presentation. You’ll live in on-campus accommodation and take part in a structured schedule of social activities, giving you a realistic taste of student life in central London.
13. London: Knowledge and Power (University of Notre Dame)
Location: London, United Kingdom
Cost: $8,750 (tuition, housing, and meals included; airfare not included)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 18 students
Dates: July 5 – 19
Application Deadline: January 21
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (current juniors) who are at least 16 years old by August 1, in strong academic standing with demonstrated maturity and interest in global study
London: Knowledge and Power is a two-week study abroad programme run by the University of Notre Dame that explores how London became one of the world’s most influential global capitals. You’ll examine the city’s imperial history, literature, culture, and political power through daily site-based learning, with each day focused on a different historical period and neighborhood. Classes are taught by Notre Dame London faculty near Trafalgar Square, while guest lecturers guide you through museums, historic buildings, theatre performances, and locations like Shakespeare’s Globe. The course emphasizes history as an interpretive discipline, helping you work with primary sources and think critically about how historical narratives are constructed.
14. Brown Experiential Education: Oxford
Location: Oxford, England (with a day trip to London)
Cost: $8,270 (residential)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 6 – 17
Application Deadline: May 8
Eligibility: Students completing grades 10–12 who are ages 16–18 by mid-June
Brown Experiential Education: Oxford is a 12-day, immersive summer programme run by Brown University that focuses on biotechnology and its real-world impact. You’ll explore how ideas move from academic research labs to biotech companies and into clinical care through site visits, expert talks, and hands-on learning experiences in Oxford’s research ecosystem. The programme also includes a focused day in London, helping you see how local innovation connects to the global scientific landscape. Rather than formal grades, you’ll receive a Course Performance Report and a digital certificate of completion, allowing you to concentrate fully on learning and exploration.
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