Q Education - 2025 Pre-University Programmes Guide & Day Camps in London
Pre-university
Pre-university programmes are a proactive way for older students to prepare for higher education during the summer holidays. Allowing them to further their knowledge of an academic subject, experience university-style teaching, and develop independent study skills.
These courses are particularly beneficial for those exploring their university aspirations –helping them to make an informed decision ahead of pursuing an undergraduate degree.
From residential courses at Russell Group universities to pre-college programmes at Ivy League schools – this guide contains a shortlist of enriching opportunities in the UK and the US for students aged 14–18.
For more information or support with applying for summer opportunities, contact Quintessentially Education.
And if you have younger children, our summer camps guide 2025 is available here.
The different types of programmes
United Kingdom
University of the Arts London – Short Courses for Teenagers
University of Edinburgh – Pre-University Summer School
King’s College London – Pre-University Summer School
University of St Andrews – Summer Academic Experiences Courses
University of Warwick – Pre-University Summer School
United States of America
Brown University – Summer@Brown
University of California, Berkeley – Berkeley Pre-College Scholars
Cornell University – Summer Residential Program
University of Pennsylvania – School of Arts and Sciences Pre-College Programs
Tufts University – Summer Intensives
How to
The application process
*Programmes are recommended based on extensive research and prior student experiences. We welcome further feedback from past attendees at any time and refine the above selection on an annual basis.
The different types of programmes
There are a wide range of pre-university programmes to choose from, and below, we outline five of the most common programme types, which are often delivered in combination. All programmes are equally valuable for personal development and for the submission of university applications.
Academic
These programmes offer students firsthand experience in a diverse range of undergraduate courses. From humanities to the social sciences – these options will guide future higher education aspirations.
Credit-bearing
Students will receive college or university credits after completing these programmes and can add this experience to the ‘Education’ section of their university applications.
Enrichment
Students will take part in experiences that will enrich their academic journey and personal development. These programmes encourage students to learn new skills in a wide range of extracurricular activities.
Leadership
These programmes will develop your child’s teamwork and leadership skills through interactive team-building exercises, collaborative group projects, and insightful workshops.
Portfolio-building
These programmes guide students in creating a portfolio of work that they can use for applications to undergraduate degrees in the arts.
United Kingdom
These programmes will provide students with an insight into what it’s like to study at some of the UK’s top-ranking institutions.
From esteemed campus universities in Scotland to Russell Group universities in the capital – students will attend lectures, seminars, and workshops led by professors in a subject of their choice.
They will also take part in a full calendar of social activities – a unique and exciting opportunity for prospective students.
University of the Arts London (UAL)
Short Courses for Teenagers
Subjects: Art and Design, Fashion Design, Fine Art, Graphic Design, Illustration, and more.
Location: London (on campus) or online
Ages: 11–18
Dates: Various in June, July, and August
Duration: Various, 1–3 weeks
Application deadline: Rolling admissions
Type of programme: Academic, Enrichment, Portfolio-building, and Leadership
Competitiveness: Non-competitive
The Guardian UK 2025 University Ranking: 13
Website
University of Edinburgh
Pre-University Summer School
Subjects: Design, Humanities, Science, Social Sciences, and more.
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland (on campus)
Ages: 16–18
Dates: 30th June–11th July
Duration: 2 weeks
Application deadline: 20th May
Type of programme: Academic, Enrichment, Portfolio-building, and Leadership
Competitiveness: Competitive
The Guardian UK 2025 University Ranking: 15
Website
King’s College London
Pre-University Summer School
Subjects: Business Management, Engineering, International Relations, Law, Medicine, Politics, Psychology, and more.
Location: London (on campus)
Ages: 16–17
Dates: 30th June–25th July
Duration: 1–4 weeks
Application deadline: 28th March
Type of programme: Academic, Enrichment, and Leadership
Competitiveness: Competitive
The Guardian UK 2025 University Ranking: 28
Website
University of St Andrews
Summer Academic Experience Courses
Subjects: Computer Science, Creative Writing, Economics, Mathematics, Medicine, Sustainable Development, and more.
Location: St Andrews, Scotland (on campus)
Ages: 16–18
Dates: 12th July–2nd August
Duration: 3 weeks
Application deadline: Rolling admissions
Type of programme: Academic, Enrichment, and Leadership
Competitiveness: Highly competitive
The Guardian UK 2025 University Ranking: 2
University of Warwick
Pre-University Summer School
Subjects: Economics, Engineering, English, Finance, Life Sciences, Mathematics, Politics, Theatre, and more.
Location: Coventry (on campus)
Ages: 16–17
Dates: 15th–25th July
Duration: 2 weeks
Application deadline: Rolling admissions until 31st May.
Type of programme: Academic and Enrichment
Competitiveness: Non-competitive
The Guardian UK 2025 University Ranking: 8
Website
United States
These programmes offer students an opportunity to experience renowned colleges and campuses across the US.
From an Ivy League school in New York to a prestigious university in California – these courses prepare students for the next steps in their educational journey.
Throughout each programme, students will have access to state-of-the-art facilities, a taste of campus life, and an opportunity to select credit-bearing courses.
Brown University
Summer@Brown
Subjects: Arts, Business, Economics, Engineering, History, Languages, Natural Sciences, Politics, Psychology, and more.
Location: Providence, Rhode Island (on campus) or online
Ages: 14–18
Dates: 16th June–25th July
Duration: 1–6 weeks
Application deadline: Rolling admissions until 9th May.
Type of programme: Academic, Enrichment, Leadership, and Portfolio-building
Competitiveness: Competitive
US News & World Report 2025 University Ranking: 13
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley Pre-College Scholars
Subjects: Anthropology, Art, Biology, Chemistry, History, Languages, Literature, and more.
Location: Berkeley, California (on campus) or online
Ages: 16–17
Dates: On campus: 22nd June–15th August | Online: 27th May–15th August
Duration: On campus: 6–8 weeks | Online: 3–10 weeks
Application deadline: Rolling admissions until 10th March for the Residential track and 2nd June for the Online or Commuter tracks.
Type of programme: Academic, Enrichment, and Credit-bearing
Competitiveness: Highly competitive
US News & World Report 2025 University Ranking: 17 Website
Cornell University Summer Residential Program
Subjects: Architecture, Computer Science, Fashion Design, Politics, and more.
Location: Ithaca, New York (on campus)
Ages: 16–18
Dates: 22nd June–12th August
Duration: 3–6 week
Application deadline: 1st May
Type of programme: Academic, Credit-bearing, Enrichment, and Portfolio-building
Competitiveness: Competitive
US News & World Report 2025 University Ranking: 11
University of Pennsylvania
School of Arts and Sciences Pre-College Programs
Subjects: Biology, Economics, History, Philosophy, and more.
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (on campus) or online
Ages: 16–17
Dates: On campus: 1st July–9th August | Online: 27th May–8th August
Duration: 6 weeks
Application deadline: Rolling admissions until 30th March or 27th April, programme dependent.
Type of programme: Academic, Credit-bearing, Enrichment, and Leadership
Competitiveness: Competitive
US News & World Report 2025 University Ranking: 10
Tufts University Summer Intensives
Subjects: Dentistry, Engineering, Fine Art, Medicine, International Relations, and more.
Location: Medford and Somerville, Massachusetts (on campus – Residential and Commuter)
Ages: 15–17, programme dependent.
Dates: Various, 23rd June–1st August
Duration: 1–3 weeks
Application deadline: Rolling admissions until 1st May.
Type of programme: Academic, Credit-bearing, Enrichment, and Portfolio-building
Competitiveness: Competitive
US News & World Report 2025 University Ranking: 37
How to decide
With numerous options available, it can often be difficult to decide which pre-university programme is the best fit for your child.
So, here’s a selection of factors to help guide your decision-making when choosing which programme to apply for:
Location
Qualification
Level
Funding
Get in touch with Quintessentially Education to discuss a personalised approach to pre-university programme opportunities or to explore further options.
The application process
Similar to the application process for undergraduate degrees, applying to pre-university programmes can be highly competitive.
So, we’ve compiled three top tips to help give a student’s application the best chance of being accepted.
• Apply to the programme as soon as possible because the most sought-after opportunities often fill up long before the deadline.
• Make sure to demonstrate a genuine interest in the subject by including reasons for enrolling in the programme.
• Seek guidance on the suitability of a course to ensure students are applying to a programme that aligns with future ambitions.
Ultimately, the hard work that students put into their application will be rewarded when they enrol in a truly inspiring experience. Get in touch today for further help navigating the application process.
Thank you
We hope you’ve found this guide both helpful and inspiring when considering pre-university programmes for this summer.
Contact Quintessentially Education education@quintessentially.com or phone +44 (0)20 3073 6839, and a member of our team will be delighted to assist you.
