Summer Schools
Architecture Summer School
Kick-start your career as an architect with our immersive summer school.
Why Choose Our Architecture Summer School?
- Life-changing architecture summer school in London
- Designed for ages 15-18
- Learn from industry professionals
- Design your own innovative sustainable building
- Visit leading architecture firms
Students from
countries around the world
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Kick-start your architecture career
Architecture Summer Programme with Dukes Plus
Are you ambitious about becoming an architect? Our architecture summer school is the perfect way to kick-start your career.
Based at the prestigious UCL campus in London, you’ll learn from expert mentors, work with state-of-the-art architecture software, and design and present your own building to a panel of industry professionals.
With site visits to leading architecture firms and the chance to master all the core skills used by architects every day, our summer school will set you up for success. Plus, with UCAS accreditation on offer, there’s the opportunity to earn UCAS points and boost your application to university.
Discover more about our architecture summer school and book your place today.
Our immersive career experiences are delivered by InvestIN, a provider of life-changing career experiences since 2012.
Our Architecture Summer School
The Architect Summer Experience is an exciting two-week programme in London designed for ambitious students aged 15-18 who aspire to a career in architecture.
During the architecture summer school, you will:
– Visit a leading architecture and urban design firm
– Use industry-standard architectural sketching tools
– Design and create 3D building models using professional modelling techniques
– Create a design from a brief under supervision from real architects
You’ll be taught by experienced architects and receive career coaching on university choices and ways into the industry.
Hosted at the UCL campus in London, you’ll also experience what it’s like to study at one of the world’s top universities.
Book now to take your first steps towards a career in architecture.
Architect Summer Experience
- Price
- Duration
- Location
- Ages
- Start Dates
- From £2,290
- 1-2 weeks
- London
- 15-18
- 19th July 2027
View Brochure
To learn more about the architecture summer school, view the course brochure.
24/7 Safeguarding
And pastoral support, including a nominated Pastoral & Activity Leader, and a dedicated house parent for residential students.
Coaching from professionals
Minimum of 25 hours of contact time with professionals per week – with coaching and networking opportunities.
Exclusive site visits
Excursions to up to 5 professional workplaces and venues, so you can witness firsthand what a job in your industry looks like.
Career simulations
Immersive, hands-on workshops and activities which replicate the experience of working at the cutting edge of your chosen career.
Why Book Our Architecture Summer School?
With expert mentorship from senior architects and some of the brightest architecture students in the UK, you’ll have an unparalleled opportunity to learn what it takes to succeed in architecture. Plus, there’s plenty of time for networking and making the connections which could help you launch your career.
You have the option to gain a UCAS-accredited qualification on completing the architecture summer school. This will provide you with UCAS points to support your application to university.
From planning and sketching to modelling and using state-of-the art industry software, our architecture summer school will give you a tour-de-force grounding in the key skills needed to work as an architect. You’ll have the chance to put all your knowledge to practical use when you work on a brief for an innovative, sustainable structure.
By the end of the architecture summer school, you will have designed an innovative, sustainable structure all of your own. You will then have the chance to present your work to a panel of industry experts at a prestigious London venue and receive personal feedback to improve your skills.
Get behind-the-scenes access to life as an architect on site visits to leading architecture firms. You’ll learn more about the different roles in the industry and what it’s like to work as an architect in London.
Testimonials
Our Architecture Summer School Campus
Learn more about where you’ll be studying on the architecture summer school.
Ages 15-18
University College London
At University College London (UCL), students aged 15-18 discover thrilling career possibilities. All our immersive career experiences take place at UCL, where students can experience living and studying at one of the leading universities in the world. With the thriving professional culture of London on your doorstep and exclusive site visits to some of London’s top firms, it’s the ideal place to launch your career.
- Price
- Duration
- Start Dates
- From £2,290
- 1-2 weeks
- 5, 19 Jul & 16 Aug 2027
Socials and Special Events
Beyond the Timetable
Discover more of London
At the weekend, residential students have the chance to get out and explore. Activities include a guided London walking tour and a sports day in one of central London’s parks.
Available to residential students only.
Celebrate what you have achieved
The programme concludes with a graduation ceremony recognising students’ work and achievements during their time at summer school – a chance to reflect on the experience and celebrate together.
An exclusive evening of professional connection
Reserved exclusively for students on the 2-Week Enhanced programme, the gala dinner is one of the most memorable occasions of the summer. Held on the penultimate evening, it brings students together for a formal dinner and a special networking event with professionals.
It offers valuable exposure to professional conversations and networks at an early stage – as well as a memorable way to mark the end of the programme.
Available to 2-Week Enhanced students only.
Meet your tutors
Our Architecture Professionals
Chiara is a Marketing and Business Development Manager at Fletcher Priest Architects, with experience in the architecture and planning industry.
- Chiara Beltrame
- Fletcher Priest Architects
- Marketing and Business Development Manager
Karl is a co-director at TA!LAB, a research oriented spatial design studio that is exploring the intersection between branding, architecture and imageability. His academic interests include active architecture, post colonialism and self designing communities.
- Karl Mok
- TA!LAB
- Co-Director
Joe is a Commercial Interior and Architectural Designer & Technician in London, at Resonate Interiors Limited. During his 10 years’ experience, he has seen completed and in-progress works in London, Melbourne, Sydney, Beijing, Baku & Oman as well as all across the UK.
- Joe Mason
- Resonate Interiors Limited
- Commercial Interior and Architectural Designer & Technician
Thea studied at Central Saint Martins in London before graduating in Sustainable Architecture (MArch, ARB Part 2) from the Centre for Alternative Technology. She is a Sustainability Consultant at Carbon.Climate.Certified.
- Thea Brooman
- Carbon.Climate.Certified.
- Sustainability Consultant
Arthur has worked as an Architect at PRP LLP for over 8 years. PRP is an interdisciplinary, design led practice with over 50 years’ experience in housing design and urban regeneration and planning.
- Arthur Chia
- PRP LLP
- Architect
Jeevan studied at Central Saint Martins in London, and is now an Architectural Assistant at JTP LLP. The practice is an award-winning international placemaking practice of architects and masterplanners.
- Jeevan Chahal
- JTP LLP
- Architectural Assistant
Tutors may change from year to year.
Course Content
What Will I Learn?
On our architecture summer school, you’ll receive an incredible induction into the world of architecture and design – through working to a design brief, using state-of-the-art industry tools, and coaching from seasoned architects.
Learn how architects take a project from initial research and concept through to developed design and presentation. You’ll practise architectural drawing techniques, including plans, sections, and axonometric drawings, and use physical models to communicate your ideas.
Respond to a design brief by researching a site, sketching initial ideas, and developing your own architectural concept. You’ll combine drawings, collages, and physical structures, with studio critiques to test and refine your thinking.
Visit an architecture firm to see how professional architects approach design briefs and develop projects for clients. You’ll meet architects and other industry professionals, ask questions about their work, and gain insight into their day-to-day practice.
Explore how architects and urban planners can respond to environmental challenges. You’ll research sustainable materials and systems, develop an eco-friendly urban design, and build your 3D modelling skills as you prepare your proposal.
Learn how architects communicate their ideas through presentation boards, design statements, exhibitions, and pitches. You’ll present your work to industry professionals, receive constructive feedback, and develop projects that can contribute to your architecture portfolio.
Explore routes into architecture while developing the skills and materials that can support your next steps. Our architecture summer school provides you with the opportunity to build a professional development portfolio, work on your CV, LinkedIn profile, and personal brand. Plus, there’s the chance to receive guidance on competitive university applications, including Oxbridge and Ivy League admissions.
Get started
Secure Your Place
Check the availability for the next start date and secure your career experience.
Credentials for your applications
A Recognised Certificate of Achievement
After graduation, every student can earn a personalised digital certificate recognising their achievement to use on their UCAS applications.
Students who attend a 2-Week Summer Experience will also receive an industry reference letter, signed by professionals, outlining what they have achieved over the course of the programme.
We can also be included in the UCAS extra activities section, and we are an approved provider for the Gold Residential section of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
Earn UCAS Points for Your University Application
Students who complete the 2-Week or 2-Week Enhanced programme will have the chance to earn a Level 3 Work Experience qualification, worth 8 UCAS points – a boost for UK university applications.
FAQs
This programme is designed for students aged 15-18 who are interested in studying architecture at university or exploring it as a career.
Participants will study architectural design principles, the history of architecture, and practical skills such as drawing and model-making, as well as using industry-standard software. The course also introduces participants to contemporary architectural practices and sustainable design.
Yes, we have residential options available for our architecture summer school. This includes:
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Guardianship
- 24/7 safeguarding
- Social activities in evenings and excursions at weekends
Please select this option when booking.
Yes. About half of our students attend as day students. The programme content is exactly the same for day and residential attendees.
The summer school is based on the campus of University College London. Students will also visit a leading architectural firm in London during the course of the programme.
No. We do not expect any of our students to have any prior knowledge, simply a keen interest in architecture!
We introduce each topic at an introductory level, with guidance from our industry professionals. There are also opportunities to work towards more advanced concepts where students feel comfortable.
Simply select your chosen start date, duration, and other add-ons on this page, and click ‘Book Now’. You will be taken to a booking form, where you will need to fill out both the parent’s and student’s details. The process takes just a few minutes.
To secure your place, you can choose to make the whole payment upfront, or to pay a deposit of £950, with the remainder of the payment taken nearer the programme start date.
Of course. If you have any questions, simply fill out this form and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible.
Absolutely. Around half of our students are from the UK or US, with the other half from other countries around the world. We have welcomed students from 100 nationalities and are proud to have a global student community.
Have a Question?
Fill out the form and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible.
Make the most of your evenings
Residential students can enjoy a varied programme of evening activities designed to bring the group together in a relaxed setting. Depending on the programme, activities may include movie nights, a board game café, sports and games, wellness evenings, quizzes, scavenger hunts, and craft nights.
Available to residential students only.