Summer School at UCL
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Our students come from
high-academic-standard international schools:
including Harrow School, Marlborough College, Mill Hill School, English School Cyprus, and more. The 2025 Summer School at UCL has attracted over 300 students from more than 40 countries and regions, all from top international private schools. Among them, approximately 40% are native English speakers, ensuring that participants can engage in high-level academic discussions and interactions in an immersive English-speaking environment.
* Harrow School: A prestigious British boarding school, known for educating several British prime ministers, including Winston Churchill.
*Marlborough College: The alma mater of Princess Kate, renowned for its holistic education and collegiate learning atmosphere.
Harrow School
Marlborough College
Mill Hill School
English School Cyprus
Course Description：
From the Shard in London to the Shanghai Tower, from Amager Hill to the World Trade Center in Bahrain, architectural works from different periods reflect the evolution of human needs for architectural functionality. With the continuous development of human needs, there is an increasing demand in society for architects with professional skills and design taste. In this course, students will learn fundamental knowledge in architecture, design principles, and other professional courses; draw design inspiration from the experiences shared by professionals, understand and develop the skills required for architects, laying a solid foundation to adapt to the demands of modern architecture.
Sample Practice Activities：
Design and development of comprehensive urban buildings: Visit the London office of Metropolitan Workshop Architecture Studio, a recipient of numerous awards in architectural design. Experience the real working environment and workflow of architects, establishing a concrete understanding of the architectural design industry.
Exploring Architecture Center: Students will be able to explore the material exhibits on show at the Building Centre, and use this as a basis for creating their own project or piece by the end of their visit.
Architects' urban exploration journey：Under the guidance of mentors, students will explore Canary Wharf, a significant financial center in London. They will gain insights into the engineering principles embedded in the architecture of this area.
Instructor-led teaching
Architectural sketching
Course Description：
The Film Studies programme is aimed at guiding students into the world of films and theatres, exploring the enchantment of film art through theoretical and practical learning, Students will learn scriptwriting skills for films, and explore TV and film criticism. Practically, they will have the opportunity to experience visual effects production produced by Framestore, an Oscar-winning company, participate in the shooting process of Chocolate Films Workshop, and appreciate the charm of GlobeTheater in London. The course, with the combination of theory and practice, will allow students to spark their inspiration and lay a solid foundation for the future creation.
Sample Practice Activities:
The Unveiling of Visual Effects Production: Students will attend a seminar organized by Framestore, one of the world's leading visual effects companies, which has won international awards such as the Academy Award and the BAFTA. Students will gain in-depth expertise in visual effects production for film, television, and advertising.
Chocolate Films Workshop: Students will learn filmmaking in a professional studio, taking on roles like director and cameraman while developing various skills.
Visit to Globe Theatre: Students will explore Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London, learn about the history and culture of Elizabethan theatre, see Shakespeare's plays, and analyze his influence on English literature.
Disney Performing Arts Seminar: Led by Disney Teaching Artists, students will explore characterization and acting, enhance communication skills, and enjoy a performance of The Lion King.
Studio workshop
Set workshop
Course Description：
Business management is a practice-oriented discipline. In this program, students will explore the professional field through specialized courses, interactive seminars, and team activities. They will gain insights into the financial industry by learning from experienced professionals and participating in discussions. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to visit renowned institutions/organizations, deepening their understanding through practical experiences, gaining insights into industry trends, and clarifying personal professional choices and career development directions.
Sample Practice Activities:
Financial accelerators and start-ups: Students will hear from Barclays’ RISE Fin-Tech accelerator, how Fin-Tech is innovating and changing the world of finance, and learn about start-up companies in the heart of the most dynamic area of London.
Fashion factory visit: The factory offers different topics such as: the manufacturing process of a garment, the garment life cycle, sustainable on-demand textile production, the supply chain and challenges a supplier faces.
Big data and business management: The visit to LOKE allows students learn about marketing, Fin-Tech, big data and AI in business, and explore how a company pivoted successfully during the pandemic due to its AI-driven targeted marketing.
Brand promotion and development and business management: Supported by PIP Creative, students will work through their own brand development project, looking at trends and how to stand out in their chosen industry.
Instructor-led teaching
Post-class seminar
Course Description:
The Banking and Finance programme, seamlessly merging theoretical foundations with hands-on applications, aims to equip participants with a deep understanding of the operation of the financial market, global economic dynamics, the knowledge of economic theories, investment strategies, and market trends through academic learning, and to enhance their professionalism through on-site visits. Students will visit the Bank of England to learn about the operation of the central bank and monetary policy; participate in the Guinness Ventures Investment Management Workshop to learn about capital allocation and risk assessment; and communicate with senior practitioners from Revolut to learn about the development path of the financial industry. The combination of theories and practice will help students lay a solid foundation for their future development in the financial sector.
Sample practice activities:
Visit to the Bank of England: Students will visit the Bank of England, known as the ‘cornerstone of the financial system’, learn about the central banking system, monetary policy, and financial regulation to understand how financial institutions operate and how they impact the global economy.
Exploration of Financial Institutions: Students will visit London’s financial institutions, stock exchanges, and research centres, learning about investment strategies, risk management, and market trends.
The Unveiling of Venture Capital: Students will join a seminar by Guinness Ventures, exploring portfolio management, capital allocation, and risk assessment in venture capital.
Face-to-Face with Fintech Veteran: Students will converse with Revolut professionals to learn about the company's impact on the fintech industry through innovative products and services.
City of London Exploration
Teaching moments
Course Description：
With tremendous creativity and challenge, the media and journalism programme aims to provide students with the advantages that come with exploring the operation and impact of journalism and digital media in nowadays society. Students will have the opportunity to gain insights into what it would be like to study journalism and digital media with academic sessions such as media ethics, investigative journalism, digital narratives, the basic theory of news writing and media, and industry visits to the behind-the-scenes process of news production. Through interactive academic sessions combined with practical workshops and industry visits, the course will help students better prepare for a future career in journalism.
Sample Practice Activities:
Academic Workshop of News Creation: Students will join a headline-writing workshop hosted by The Guardian, learning to identify core news information, analyze audience needs, and craft effective, engaging headlines.
The Unveiling of News Production: Students will attend a seminar by the Daily Mirror to understand the full workflow of news production—from planning to publishing—while developing key skills in content editing, information filtering, and news reporting.
Behind the Scenes of Sports Coverage: Students will visit the media room at The Oval Cricket Ground, exploring its history and learning about the challenges of live sports coverage and how media teams deliver high-quality content to audiences.
Media Seminar of Communication Arts: Students will participate in a seminar by Media First, gaining skills in media communication and response strategies, and building a strong foundation for future media engagement and career development.
Teaching moments
News shooting set
Course Description：
Law is a crucial set of social norms and rules, serving as a significant force in upholding social justice and order. As legal professionals, lawyers must possess excellent critical thinking, judgment, and persuasive skills to effectively use legal tools in protecting the legal rights of parties involved in legal cases. In the course, through the study of professional knowledge, analysis of typical cases, practical activities, and more, students will develop a foundational framework of legal knowledge. They will gain an understanding of the crucial significance of legal operations and establish basic awareness of the legal industry's prospects and workflows.
Sample practice activities:
Old Bailey Court Case Reappearance Tour: Students will tour the Royal Courts of Justice with an expert guide, exploring the Great Hall, original 1605 court documents related to Guy Fawkes, legal costume displays, the history of judicial art, and landmark cases and inquiries of the RCJ.
Discovery Tour of the Royal Court: Students will visit the Royal Courts of Justice to explore original Guy Fawkes case documents, historical legal costumes, and exhibitions on the court’s famous cases and investigations.
UK Supreme Court Discovery Tour: Students will visit the Supreme Court Education Exhibition Hall and can watch or attend the appeal hearing after sharing with the information officers of the British Supreme Court.
Exploring the British Parliament and the House of Commons:Students will visit the British Parliament Education Center to learn about the functions and historical changes of the British Parliament and explore important legislative and political institutions in Britain.
Investigation brainstorming
Evidence search
Course Description：
Engineering is an applied discipline, with its core focused on applying principles of science and technology to solve problems. In the subject, students will study knowledge in various subdivisions of engineering, such as electronic engineering, electrical engineering, bioengineering, fluid mechanics, software and computer engineering. Through disciplinary practical activities, they will gain an understanding of the learning emphases in different subdivisions of engineering, the practical application of specific disciplinary knowledge, and how to collaboratively address real-world problems through interdisciplinary cooperation.
Sample Practice Activities:
3D Printing: Students will experience the 3D printing with the latest technology and explore its applicatiions.
Exploration of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park: At the Olympic Park, students will discover the stages and considerations involved in urban regeneration.
Secrets of the Underground: Students will explore the tunnels, learn what it takes to construct city-wide transportation with a huge number of variables and the changes in engineering over the years.
UAV Coding and Virtual Reality: Students will visit the School of Coding to learn UAV programming, operate virtual reality devices, and explore the real-world applications of computer engineering.
Exploration of Science Museum: Students will visit the Science Museum—“a witness to global scientific and technological change”—to learn about the forces driving scientific progress and its applications across fields, especially in medicine.
Machinery Class
Engineering Practice
Course Description：
Students will explore different subdivisions of biological sciences and investigate emerging trends in the medical field, understanding the developmental trajectory of the healthcare industry. Acting as simulated family doctors, students will conduct tests, diagnose patients, and formulate treatment plans, learning how to address real medical issues. They will read cutting-edge academic materials, record and summarize personal opinions and thoughts, and develop independent thinking skills. Through clinical medical practices, discussions, and on-site explorations at medical schools, students will experience the real working methods and environment of medical professionals.
Sample Practice Activities:
Animal structure and comparative anatomy: Students undertake a self-guided tour of the museum, guided by their expert tutor, to explore a number of the museum’s specialist areas.
Field exploration at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine: Students will explore the roles within LSHTM and learn about the intersection of research, education, and global communication, understanding its significant impact.
Laboratory exploration tour: Students will visit the laboratory where penicillin was discovered and learn how accidental biochemical discoveries have shaped medical history, with additional insights through lectures.
History and changes of operating room: Students will visit the Old Operating Theatre, Europe’s oldest operating room, and experience pre-anesthesia surgeries through lectures.
Medical Suturing Practice
Human Anatomy Class
Course Description：
In the digital era, game, having been an important carrier of culture and technology, consistently promotes the innovation and development of software development and game design. The programme will prepare students with development skills in core games such as programming, software architecture, and storytelling. They will also experience the immersive technology of virtual reality brought by OTHERWORLD, and learn programming and robot technology in LOGO and FUZE workshops. Besides, they will have the opportunity to visit the Pixel United Studio and Video Games Museum to explore the full scope of game development up close.
Sample Practice Activities:
Virtual Experience in OTHERWORLD: Students will experience 16 unique VR simulations at OTHERWORLD, entering an immersive capsule with a state-of-the art VR headset featuring dynamic heat, wind, and vibration effects.
Hobs Group Tour: Students will visit the Hobs Group in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, to learn more about cutting-edge technology in the fields of 3D visualization, virtual reality, and model making.
LEGO Workshop: Students will build automated robots using LEGO Mindstorms kits, enhancing problem-solving and creative thinking through hands-on programming and robotics.
Fun Game Programming: Students will learn game programming through the ‘FUZE4 Nintendo Switch’ app, and be exposed to real-life game examples to stimulate interest in complex concepts.
VR and Drone Programming Challenge: Students will learn drone programming at the School of Coding's VR and Drone Workshop, completing a challenge to race drones through an obstacle course with precision and speed.
Teaching moments
OTHERWORLD VR
Course Description：
This course offers students the opportunity to explore traditional and contemporary art forms, covering drawing, painting, sculpture, mixed media, and digital art software. Under the guidance of instructors, students will develop creativity, technical skills, and visual thinking through a combination of workshops, art history lectures, and computer projects. Additionally, students will visit institutions in the visual effects and art industries to gain insight into the future trends of art creation and design from real-world industry environments.
Sample Practice Activities:
Painting and Drawing Workshop: Students will learn various painting and printmaking techniques, enhancing their skills in shape and expression through exercises on landscapes, figures, and animals, while developing a personal style.
Digital Art Practice: This course explores how technology reshapes art, with hands-on experience in digital tools and technologies, expanding artistic expression through immersive installations and AI integration.
Future of Art Seminar: Students will discuss art’s evolution in response to emerging technologies and social change, exploring virtual reality and digital art markets, and developing a vision for the future of art.
Teaching moments
Digital Art Experience
Course Description：
The course, set against the backdrop of London, offers students the chance to explore the future of design, media, and storytelling. London is a dynamic hub where fashion, technology, music, and advertising intersect. The course guides students across disciplines, covering brand strategy, digital communication, visual storytelling, and user experience, while engaging in the full creative process. Students will complete practical tasks, visit innovative studios and institutions, and gain insights from industry mentors on how innovation shapes today’s creative landscape.
Sample Practice Activities:
Design and Communication Workshop: Students learn visual storytelling and brand building through activities like brainstorming and sketching, exploring how creativity is communicated across different media.
Media & Narrative Practice:In groups, students create or analyze visual narratives, understanding how tone, structure, and message affect communication, while developing critical thinking and cultural awareness.
Creative Business Case Study: Students analyze real cases and practice turning creative ideas into business strategies through mock client proposals.
Story Creation Group
Teaching moments
Make a Medic
British Royal Court of Justice
Metropolitan Workshop Architecture Studio
Additive X
Bank of England Museum
London Film Museum
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
Rise Created by BARCLAYS
