Young Art and Design Summer Experience

Immersive Art Experiences

• Uncover art history and sketch some of London’s most iconic landscapes, guided by a professional illustrator.
• Take part in a range of artistic masterclasses including life drawing, bookbinding, screen printing, textiles and more.
• Create contemporary art in a professional design studio.
• Develop an animated short film with award-winning animators.
• Try spray painting at one of London’s graffiti walls.
• Receive guidance on how to build a stand-out portfolio, with optional 1-to-1 critiques for personalised feedback.
• Curate and exhibit your work in a renowned London gallery space.

Gain a Qualification and UCAS Points

• Gain practical art and design experience to strengthen your university application and showcase your dedication to the subject.
• Have your work assessed to receive a Level 3 Award in Work Experience and Career Planning, worth 8 UCAS points.
• Complete the online assessment after the programme and receive a personalised certificate and industry reference letter.

Meet Top Artists

• Learn directly from artists specialising in fine art, illustration, graphic design, animation and more.
• Invite artists to your private viewing event, giving you the chance to build valuable professional connections.

Career Coaching

• Receive coaching on how to secure competitive roles in art and design.
• Advice on subject choices, university applications, work experience and extra-curricular activities.

World-Class Universities and World-Class People

• Meet ambitious and creative students from around the world and form a global network of future artists and designers.

Design Your Own Summer Experience

• Choose from the following programme options:
  • First Week Only (taster experience)
  • Two-Week Experience (full programme)
  • Two-Week Premium Experience (both weeks plus enhanced benefits)
• Choose to attend as a residential or non-residential student.
• Residential students stay at UCL halls in central London, with meals, guardianship and evening/weekend activities included.
• Optional airport transfers are available at checkout.

Days 1–5

Explore an Iconic London Gallery

• Tour a major London gallery and study masterpieces with art experts
• Sketch the London skyline and explore behind-the-scenes curation processes
• Develop your critical eye by evaluating and interpreting works of art

Enter the Artist’s Studio

• Create a 3D clay self-portrait, experiment with life-drawing and screen printing
• Design and bind your own sketchbook using artistic bookbinding techniques
• Receive feedback from professional artists and critique peer work

Illustration and Animation

• Learn about illustration careers, freelancing and working with commercial clients
• Design characters and storyboards for your own animation project
• Create a stop-motion claymation using your original character designs

The Portfolio

• Learn what top art and design schools expect from a portfolio
• Photograph your work in a professional studio and create a portfolio cover using water marbling
• Compile your work for university, scholarship or awards applications

Days 6–10

Filmmaking

• Work as a prop designer or art director to recreate an iconic film scene
• Screen your recreation to directors and receive professional feedback

Concept Art

• Explore how concept art shapes characters, environments and storytelling
• Design visuals for your own game and receive feedback from industry artists
• Gain insight into both traditional and digital art techniques

Textiles

• Learn textile techniques including sewing, stitching and patternmaking
• Experiment with materials to bring your creative ideas to life
• Receive tailored guidance to refine your work

Graphic Design, Branding and Marketing

• Understand design principles, branding and the difference between art and design
• Create posters and invitations for your own art exhibition
• Plan, budget and execute an exhibition with guidance from designers and curators

The Exhibition

• Curate your own exhibition at an exclusive London gallery space
• Hang and label artworks, considering lighting, spacing and viewer experience
• Host artists, curators and art directors, and receive expert portfolio feedback

Graduation & Certification

• Celebrate completing the summer experience
• Receive an industry reference letter outlining your achievements

Immersive Experiences 2-Week Premium

Overview

• Includes all core programme activities plus 15 additional hours with creative professionals
• Develop a professional portfolio and gain a Level 3 Work Experience Award with UCAS points
• Includes a private Gala dinner on the penultimate evening

Highlights

• Masterclasses in CV writing, LinkedIn, personal branding and Oxbridge/Ivy League applications
• Psychometric testing and personality profiling to understand strengths and motivations
• Compete in a strategy challenge and network at a Gala dinner in central London

Dates
27th July 2026

Venues
The programme is based at UCL and the surrounding University of London campus. Certain days take place in other key industry locations in London

Accommodation
Students live on university campus in central London and are allocated to halls of residence used by University of London students, including those from UCL and LSE. We typically occupy a range of halls, including Garden Halls, College Hall, International Hall and Frances Gardner House.

All rooms are single and en-suite.