15 Programs in the United Kingdom (UK) for High School Students
If you’re a high school student looking to explore subjects beyond what your school currently offers, structured academic programs can be a good option. These programs often give you early exposure to practical skills, research-style thinking, and real academic environments, while also helping you understand what studying a subject in college might actually feel like. You also get to work alongside motivated mentors and peers, which often leads to strong classroom discussions and meaningful connections.
Why should you attend a program in the UK?
Universities and organizations across the United Kingdom (UK) host programs that offer discussion-based learning, strong faculty engagement, and historically rich academic environments. Many programs also combine academics with site visits, research exposure, or project-based work, which helps bridge theory with real-world context. Whether you live in the UK or are visiting from abroad, these experiences allow you to grow academically while exploring one of the world’s most respected education systems.
To help with your search, we have 15 programs in the United Kingdom (UK) for high school students.
If you are looking for free online programs, check out our blog here.
1. University of St Andrews – Summer Academic Experience Courses (SAEC)
Location: University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Scotland, UK
Cost: £6,850; scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohort sizes
Dates: July 11 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 to 18 with a minimum 3.2 GPA (or equivalent) and B2 level English proficiency.
The University of St Andrews – Summer Academic Experience Courses (SAEC) offer you a prestigious three-week immersion into Scottish academic life, where you are taught by full-time university faculty in the nation’s oldest higher education institution. You can choose from diverse subject tracks including Medicine, Creative Writing, Sustainable Development, Psychology and Neuroscience, and Management, Economics, and Entrepreneurship. During your stay, you will engage in university-level lectures, conduct specialized research projects, and participate in field trips to historical sites such as Edinburgh or Stirling Castle. By the end of the session, you will have sharpened your critical analysis and academic writing skills while gaining a realistic preview of undergraduate life and university admissions.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on the program type; full financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; AI Scholars: 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio; AI Fellowship: 1:1 mentor-student ratio
Dates: Multiple 12–15 week cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Varies according to the cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November); apply here
Eligibility: AI Scholars: All high school students | AI Fellowship: Prior AI or Python experience or completion of AI Scholars
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 and read about a student’s experience in the program here.
3. Cambridge Medicine Summer School
Location: University of Cambridge, Cambridge, England
Cost/Stipend: £6,995
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; medium-sized cohorts
Dates: July 5 – 18; July 19 – August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Students aged 12–15 years old, or 16 – 18 years old who have an English level of C1 or above on the CEFR (or equivalent, such as IELTS 6.5 or higher)
The Cambridge Medicine Summer School offers a focused introduction to pre-medical studies through a residential academic experience. You explore core subjects such as human anatomy, physiology, medical ethics, and disease pathways through structured lectures and case-based discussions. Hands-on clinical workshops, including suturing practice and patient simulation exercises, help you apply theoretical knowledge in practical ways. The program also includes guidance on medical school admissions, which can be helpful if you’re considering medicine long-term. Studying within historic Cambridge colleges adds academic context and immersion. Overall, the program emphasizes critical thinking, diagnostic reasoning, and teamwork rather than surface-level content.
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. Aberystwyth University: Pre-University Experience
Location: Aberystwyth University (Main Campus), Wales, UK
Cost: Applies, but not stated explicitly; contact tesol@aber.ac.uk for group booking fees
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Rate not specified; maximum 16 students per class
Dates: June 30 – July 11
Application Deadline: Generally early June
Eligibility: High school students aged 15–18; English level CEFR B1/IELTS 4.5 to CEFR B2/IELTS 6.0
This program offers you a unique immersion into academic culture in a beautiful Welsh seaside town. You will explore subjects including Art, Business, Computer Science, Education, Law, Psychology, International Politics, English, Life, Sport, Environmental, and Theatre studies. During your stay, you will engage in hands-on activities like programming robots, filming your own movies, and joining interactive seminar discussions. The program is unique for its intensive blend of English language coaching combined with direct access to twelve distinct academic departments and their professional facilities. This experience provides the perfect bridge to help you transition confidently from high school to a university environment.
6. ISSFT (International Summer School for Teens)
Location: University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Scotland
Cost: £5,950
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Rate not disclosed; 20–25 students per class
Dates: July 11 – 25
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students aged 13–18 (all nationalities welcome; English proficiency required as the program is immersive)
At the International Summer School for Teens in Scotland, you’ll dive into a program that pairs rigorous morning academics with engaging afternoon electives. You can choose from subjects including Medicine, AI, Law, Global Leadership, Entrepreneurship, English, and Study Skills before heading out for activities like golf, theatre, or sports leadership coaching. The program stands out for its dual-study structure and a strict nationality cap, which ensures you build genuine friendships within a truly diverse global community. Between weekend visits to historic landmarks and "clan" competitions, you will experience an authentic taste of independent university life. Through this experience, you’ll develop greater cultural awareness and critical thinking skills.
7. Oxford University – Future Climate Innovators Summer School
Location: Oxford Saïd Business School, Oxford, UK
Cost/Stipend: Starts from £8,995
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; roughly 32 students
Dates: July 19 – August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Students aged 16–18 by August 1
The Oxford University Future Climate Innovators Summer School focuses on sustainability through both scientific and entrepreneurial perspectives. You study climate science, ecosystems, and environmental challenges while working in teams to design climate-focused business or policy solutions. A major highlight is presenting your final project at the Oxford Climate Innovation Conference, which emphasizes leadership and communication. The program also involves industry visits and career workshops that help you understand sustainability-related career pathways. The program’s small cohort size supports deeper collaboration and discussion. This program offers a strong interdisciplinary approach if you’re interested in environmental science with real-world applications.
8. Dylan Thomas International Summer School (UWTSD)
Location: Lampeter Campus, University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Wales
Cost: £2,450
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; maximum 18 students
Dates: Typically, late May to early June
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+
The Dylan Thomas International Summer School at UWTSD is a 12-day creative writing immersion in the backdrop of the Welsh landscape. You’ll explore genres like poetry, prose, and essays through intensive daily workshops and peer collaboration. During your stay, you will visit Dylan’s Boathouse in Laugharne, attend nightly readings by famous authors, and receive personalized feedback in one-on-one tutorials. The program follows the "writer at work" philosophy, encouraging you to view the surroundings as a laboratory for inspiration rather than just a tourist destination. By the end, you will have sharpened your descriptive writing and performance skills while building a portfolio rooted in the deep literary heritage of Wales.
9. The University of Edinburgh – Pre-University Summer School
Location: University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland
Cost/Stipend: £5,250
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; typically, 15–20 students
Dates: June 29 – July 10
Application Deadline: May 19
Eligibility: Students aged 16–18 who are in their penultimate or final year of high school and meet the minimum English language requirements (equivalent to, or above, 6.5 IELTS overall with 5.5 in each component)
The University of Edinburgh Pre-University Summer School offers multiple academic pathways, including data science and life sciences. Depending on your track, you may gain lab exposure or receive portfolio feedback for creative disciplines. Living in catered on-campus accommodation gives you a realistic sense of university life. The program combines academic depth with cultural immersion. You also engage in social activities such as Ceilidh (Scottish dance), Ghost Tour, Afternoon Tea, Tenpin Bowling, visiting the National Museum of Scotland, Stirling Castle, and St. Andrews. The program also involves admissions workshops introducing you to UCAS and UK university applications.
10. Oxford University AI & Machine Learning Pioneers Summer School
Location: Oxford Saïd Business School, Oxford, UK
Cost/Stipend: Starting from £8,995
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not publicly disclosed
Dates: July 19 – August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students aged 16–18
In Oxford’s AI & Machine Learning Pioneers program, you will explore machine learning, neural networks, agentic AI, econometrics, and ethical data analysis. You’ll participate in hands-on Python coding workshops, collaborate on data-driven projects, and present your findings in a competitive final pitch. You will learn directly from Oxford faculty while earning an official university certificate, even with no prior coding background. Through these sessions, you will develop vital skills in problem-solving, leadership, and critical analysis. You will also experience the authentic Oxford student life by living in a college and punting on the River Cherwell with a global cohort.
11. AFS-USA: High School in Wales
Location: Various host communities throughout Wales, UK
Cost: Semester: ~£13,029 | Year: ~£17,125 (Estimated costs; actual costs yet to be published); scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohort sizes
Dates: Semester: September – February | Year: September – July
Application Deadline: Semester: Varies | Year: April – May
Eligibility: High school students aged 16–19 by the program’s start
The AFS-USA High School in Wales program deeply immerses you in culturally vibrant Welsh communities in Cardiff. You will attend a local high school, exploring subjects from Welsh literature and engineering to psychology and art alongside UK peers. Your journey involves living with a host family, joining school societies, and completing an interactive "Student Learning Journey" course. This program’s unique focus on active global citizenship ensures you become an integrated community member rather than just a tourist. Through these daily experiences, you’ll master vital skills like adaptability, critical thinking, and intercultural communication. You will return home with lasting independence and a transformed perspective.
12. Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) Summer Schools
Location: Glasgow, Scotland (Main campus at 100 Renfrew Street and Wallace Studios)
Cost: Varies by course; need-based financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; typically 12–20 students per specific course
Dates: Varies as per course (between June and August)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students aged 12–17
In this program, you will immerse yourself in the professional performing arts at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, exploring disciplines like music, drama, dance, film, and production arts. During the program, you will engage in intensive rehearsals, receive masterclasses from industry experts, and perform in a final showcase for an audience. You will have access to elite professional facilities and receive training from the same world-class faculty who teach full-time degree students. Through collaborative projects, you will sharpen your technical abilities, learn vital audition techniques, and significantly boost your stage confidence. This experience provides the artistic discipline and creative skills essential for a successful career in the global arts industry.
13. Brown Experiential Education: Oxford
Location: Oxford University and London, UK
Cost: Approximately £6,164 ($8,270); scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; typically, small cohort sizes
Dates: July 6 – 17
Application Deadline: May 8
Eligibility: High school students completing grades 10–12, and between ages 16–18 by June 14
In the Brown Experiential Education: Oxford program, you will explore biotechnology or medicine while residing at the historic St. Edmund’s Hall. You’ll engage in interactive seminars covering DNA, CRISPR gene editing, AI in medicine, and global governance, meeting experts. During the program, you will tour research labs, visit London’s scientific hubs, and participate in community-building cultural events. These activities sharpen your scientific literacy and critical thinking skills in a pressure-free environment without the stress of formal grades. The program’s interdisciplinary focus empowers you to connect academic discoveries directly to global challenges. By the end, you’ll have the analytical tools and independence required for future collegiate success.
14. Atlantic Pacific: Introduction to Medicine (ITM)
Location: St Donat’s Castle, UWC Atlantic College, Llantwit Major, Wales, UK
Cost: £1,177 (tentative); limited scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Non-selective; 24 participants per session
Dates: August 3–9
Application Deadline: No fixed deadline, on a first-to-book basis
Eligibility: High school students aged 16–17
This program offers an immersive look into emergency and humanitarian medicine, where you will explore topics ranging from anatomy and trauma care to the realities of working in disaster zones and search and rescue. During the week, you will engage in daily workshops, attend lectures from active medical professionals, and participate in high-stakes simulated rescue scenarios in both land and water environments. The program’s unique standout is its "aide-memoire" check card system, which teaches you to provide advanced care under pressure without relying on memory alone. This experience not only builds your confidence but also provides a distinct advantage for your future university applications.
15. Hillsdale Summer Study — In Love & War: The Land & Literature of England
Location: Warwick, Oxford, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Bath, Windsor, Canterbury, London
Cost: Approximately £3,720 ($4,995); scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; approximately 30–50 students
Dates: July 2 – 16
Application Deadline: February 15, but rolling till cohort is full
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors aged 15 or older
In this two-week program, you’ll explore themes of love and war through the works of authors like Shakespeare and Austen, beginning with an intensive on-campus study at Hillsdale College. You will then travel across England to watch a play at the Globe Theater, visit the Roman Baths, explore the ruins of Tintern Abbey, and tour Warwick Castle. You will earn three college credits while being mentored by expert Hillsdale faculty who lead the entire journey. This immersive program bridges the gap between classic literature and the physical landscapes that inspired it, providing a rigorous academic foundation for your future.
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