Young Psychologist Summer Experience

Immersive Experiences in Psychology

• Conduct live patient consultations in a simulated psychology clinic under the guidance of experienced clinical psychologists.
• Act as a forensic psychologist in a simulated criminal trial: carry out a psychometric assessment of the offender, act as an expert witness in court, and consult with the parole board.
• Experience life on a simulated in-patient mental health ward; work with psychologists, nurses and doctors to diagnose and treat patients.
• Visit a Premier League stadium and practise psychological strategies used to give elite athletes a competitive mental advantage on match day.
• Discover the latest psychological technologies at a pioneering PsychTech firm used to treat conditions such as phobias, PTSD and anxiety.

Gain a Qualification and UCAS Points

• Gain practical psychology experience to enhance your university application and demonstrate commitment 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 to receive a personalised certificate and an industry reference letter outlining your achievements.

Meet Senior Psychologists

• Be guided by psychologists specialising in clinical, forensic, sports, behavioural, business, educational psychology and more.
• Attend private networking sessions, ask questions and receive personalised advice from professionals.

Career Coaching

• Receive expert coaching on how to gain a place at top universities.
• Master the admissions process including personal statements, interviews and more.

World-Class Universities and World-Class People

• Experience life at University College London (UCL), one of the world’s leading universities.
• Meet ambitious students from around the world and build a valuable global network.

Design Your Own Summer Experience

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

Week 1

Educational Psychology

• Explore working with vulnerable young people and assess a struggling child’s case
• Take part in a simulated parent consultation and develop key communication skills
• Create an intervention plan and receive feedback from qualified psychologists

Enter the Psych Clinic

• Learn core clinical psychology skills and techniques, including CBT
• Carry out patient assessments and design personalised treatment plans
• Understand trust-building, rapport and active listening in therapy

Sport Psychology

• Tour a Premier League stadium and explore athlete psychology and match-day preparation
• Speak privately with a professional athlete about performance and resilience
• Learn tools to improve focus, confidence and emotional control in sport

Forensic Psychology

• Assess a criminal case, conduct psychometric tests and analyse behaviour
• Act as an expert witness in a courtroom simulation
• Design a prison therapy treatment plan and participate in a parole board decision

How to Become a Successful Psychologist

• Learn key academic and career decisions from A-levels to university
• Build an impactful application, CV and secure work experience
• Practise interview techniques and receive coaching from psychologists

Week 2

Enter the Mental Health Ward

• Explore a simulated in-patient ward and work with a multidisciplinary medical team
• Use creative therapies like art, drama and movement in patient care
• Devise crisis plans and manage challenging psychiatric scenarios

Inside the Nervous System

• Discover the link between cognition, behaviour and brain function
• Conduct a neurological assessment in a clinical setting
• Work with neuropsychologists on a traumatic brain injury case study

Visit Bethlem Royal Hospital

• Tour the UK’s oldest mental health hospital and explore its history
• Examine archives, art and ethical issues in mental health care
• Hear firsthand patient experiences from specialist units

Occupational and Business Psychology

• Explore how psychology drives productivity and behaviour in corporate settings
• Design and conduct a behavioural experiment with peers
• Present findings to business psychologists and receive expert feedback

The Future of Psychology

• Meet a PsychTech firm and explore cyberpsychology and VR-based therapies
• Work in teams using virtual reality for psychological assessment and treatment
• Investigate how VR supports trauma, addiction, phobias and more

Networking Event with Top Psychologists

• Network with senior psychologists, trainees and psychology students
• Ask questions and gain tailored career advice

Graduation & Certification

• Celebrate completing the programme
• Receive an industry reference letter signed by professionals

2-Week Premium

Overview

• Includes all core programme activities plus 15 additional professional hours
• Build a development portfolio and earn a Level 3 Work Experience Award with UCAS points
• Enjoy a private Gala dinner on the penultimate evening

Highlights

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

Dates
This summer school has two intakes: 6th July or 27th July 2026.

Locations
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.