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Summer Schools

Politics Summer School

Throw yourself into the dynamic world of modern politics on our incredible summer school.

Why Choose Our Politics Summer School?

  • Incredible summer school for politics in London
  • Designed for ages 15-18
  • Learn from professional politicians, pundits, and advisers
  • Design a presidential campaign and debate in the Houses of Parliament
  • Master diplomacy, negotiation, and debating

Students from

+

countries around the world

Trustpilot rated

/5

from 1600 reviews

5 star-rated by

%

of students

We’ve welcomed

+

students since 2012

We’re partnered with

+

schools worldwide

Launch your political career

Politics Summer Course with Dukes Plus

Ambitious to become a political leader? Join us this summer on our politics summer school.

You’ll have an unmatched opportunity to experience a range of political careers. From hitting the US campaign trail, to visiting the Houses of Parliament and broadcasting from a working radio station, you’ll immerse yourself in everything that modern politics involves.

Learn from elected politicians, civil servants, and political pundits. Receive a public speaking masterclass from a communications expert. And get personal career coaching on how to break into politics.

Discover more about our politics 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 Politics Summer School

Are you curious about the political forces shaping our world? The International Politics Summer Experience is an immersive summer school crafted for students aged 15–18 who are passionate about global affairs. Over two weeks, you’ll experience first-hand what a career in politics involves:

– Immerse yourself in the life of a political professional
– Design and run an election campaign
– Tour the Houses of Parliament
– Create a political news broadcast from the Sky studio

You’ll be taught by experienced political professionals 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.

International Politics Summer Experience

  • Price
  • Duration
  • Location
  • Ages
  • Start Dates
  • From £2,290
  • 1-2 Weeks
  • UCL, London
  • 15-18
  • 19 Jul 2027

View Brochure

To learn more about our politics summer school, view the programme 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 Politics Summer School?

With 25+ hours of academic teaching per week from our expert teaching staff, you’ll undergo an intensive crash-course in the fundamentals of politics. Plus, you’ll have the chance to network with elected politicians, civil servants, and political pundits – providing you with a 360-degree view of the modern political landscape.

You have the option to gain a UCAS-accredited qualification on completing the politics summer school. This will provide you with UCAS points to support your application to university.

On our politics summer school, you’ll experience transformative site visits to the world-famous Houses of Parliament in Westminster. At the mother of parliaments, you’ll enter into a parliamentary debate with your peers as you immerse yourself in the thrilling world of politics.

Through a mixture of seminars, site visits, and dynamic projects, you’ll develop the skills needed to forge a successful career as a politician or political advisor. Whether you’re receiving a public speaking masterclass from a communications expert, drafting a manifesto, or designing a campaign strategy for the US presidential election, you’ll master negotiation, leadership, and rhetoric.

Throw yourself into the practical life of politics with an array of fascinating career simulations. From a simulated UN session to a debate in the Houses of Parliament, or from hitting the US presidential campaign trail to reporting on politics at a working radio station, you’ll receive an unparalleled opportunity to experience a range of political careers.

Testimonials

“InvestIN helped me with my university application, such as personal statement tips and how to network for more work experience. The programme gave me the belief that I could pursue a career in politics.”

International Politics Summer Experience

Student

Our Politics Summer School Campus

Learn more about where you’ll be studying on our politics campus.

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

Our summer schools are about more than lectures and workshops. A varied programme of social activities, excursions, and special events gives students time to relax, make friends, explore London, and celebrate their achievements.

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.

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 Politics Professionals

Students are coached by professionals in politics, giving you first-hand experience of what it’s like to work in the sector. Meet some of our tutors from recent years.
Justin Placide, former Head of Net Zero Governance and Fiscal Events Team from The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, and politics professional on the International Politics Summer Experience

Justin was formerly Head of Net Zero Governance and Fiscal Events Team from The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. His team worked on strategic governance, fiscal events, briefing, ministerial engagement and corporate planning. He led his team on delivering the benefits outlined in the Net Zero Strategy.

  • Justin Placide
  • Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
  • Head of Net Zero Governance and Fiscal Events Team
Matthew Offord, former MP and politics professional on the International Politics Summer Experience

Matthew was elected as the Conservative Member of Parliament in the Hendon constituency in 2010. He stood down ahead of the 2024 General Election. Prior to this, he was deputy leader of Barnet council, the largest local authority in London and a committee member of the North London Waste Authority and London Council’s Transport Committee. In this role Matthew introduced the UK’s first compulsory recycling scheme.

  • Matthew Offord
  • Hendon
  • Member of Parliament
Paul Richards, speechwriter and former Special Adviser, and politics professional on the International Politics Summer Experience

Paul has enjoyed a 30-year career in and around the UK political system, as a candidate, parliamentary researcher, chair of a think tank, and special adviser to 2 Cabinet ministers. He has written 4 books, as well as articles for the Times, Guardian, Independent and more. He writes speeches for MPs and teaches speech-writing.

  • Paul Richards
  • Speechwriter and Special Adviser
Minnie Stephenson, reporter and politics professional on the International Politics Summer Experience

Minnie is an award-winning reporter for Channel 4 News covering domestic and international stories. Minnie previously worked for 5 News & ITV News. Minnie regularly reports on Channel 4 News’ Uncovered series on Facebook. She has written for the Guardian, Huffington Post & Stylist.

  • Minnie Stephenson
  • Channel 4 News
  • Reporter
Natascha Engel, former MP, CEO of Palace Yard, and politics professional on the International Politics Summer Experience

Natascha was Labour MP for North East Derbyshire from 2005-2017, setting up and chairing the Backbench Business select committee and sat as Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons. After several years as Partner at Public First, she is now CEO of the cross-party think tank Palace Yard.

  • Natascha Engel
  • Palace Yard
  • CEO
Shadia Edwards-Dashti, political correspondent and politics professional on the International Politics Summer Experience

Shadia is a political correspondent reporting over 1000 times on international events, foreign affairs, geopolitical issues and internal politics for UK television and global outlets. She is an avid human rights campaigner and activist for social justice issues.

  • Shadia Edwards-Dashti
  • Political Correspondent

Tutors may change from year to year

Course Content

What Will I Learn?

On our politics summer school, you’ll receive an incredible induction into a range of aspects of political life – through mock election campaigns, debates in the Houses of Parliament, and coaching from seasoned professionals.

Step into the role of a national representative in a Model UN crisis. You’ll negotiate on issues such as international stability, trade, and alliances, while learning how diplomacy, development strategy, and UN decision-making work.

Design and run your own election campaign, from writing a manifesto to delivering speeches and building voter support. You’ll explore political strategy, persuasive communication, and how politicians adapt their message for different audiences.

Work as part of a media team to produce a political news broadcast in a professional studio setting. You’ll examine how political messaging, legal constraints, and crisis management can shape media coverage, with feedback from experienced media professionals.

Explore how lobbying and campaigning can influence political decision-making. You’ll develop a campaign around an international injustice, consider how to build public support, and present your ideas to professionals working in international politics.

Explore how parliamentary politics works through a simulated House of Commons debate. You’ll form a government and opposition, take on senior political roles, and respond to a developing political crisis through debate and collective decision-making.

Build a stronger understanding of your future academic and career options through dedicated professional development sessions. You’ll work on your CV, LinkedIn profile, and personal brand, explore your strengths and motivations through psychometric profiling, and 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.

19 July 2027

1-2 weeks

Places available

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

Participants will explore diplomacy, policymaking, international relations, public speaking, campaign strategies, and the relationship between politics and the media. Students will also have the opportunity to engage in hands-on career simulations and debates.

The programme is hosted at UCL, London, offering students access to world-class facilities and opportunities to visit iconic political institutions like the Houses of Parliament.

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.

You need to have a minimum English level of B2 (intermediate) to attend this course.

Yes, we have residential options available for our politics 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.

We do not have an application process. Bookings for our politics summer school are taken on a first come, first served basis.

No. We do not expect any of our students to have any prior knowledge, simply a keen interest in politics and global affairs!

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.

Have a Question?

Fill out the form and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible.