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KEY INFORMATION

Use code EARLY15 for 15% off our 2025 summer experience programme fees

Use code EARLY15 for 15% off our 2025 summer experience programme fees

The Young Artist Summer Experience

The Ultimate Work Experience in Art in London

InvestIN Education
InvestIN Education

The Young Artist Summer Experience

The Ultimate Work Experience in Art in London

Overview

Use code EARLY15 for 15% off our 2025 summer experience programme fees.

Are you an aspiring artist? Join our 2025 art summer school in London, designed for students aged 15-18. 

Over the course of 2 weeks, students will get to step into the shoes of an artist working in London, through a range of immersive career simulations and exclusive professional site visits. You’ll sketch the London skyline from the top of The Tate Modern, build your portfolio with a range of artistic masterclasses and exhibit your work at a real London gallery space.

By taking part in this InvestIN programme, students will expand their professional network and experience life at University College London (UCL). Our art summer school in London offers students the opportunity to experience their dream career, whilst strengthening their university applications.

Register now for a life-changing experience that will set you up for a future as a successful artist. 

Read all highights

Immersive Art Experiences:
  • Uncover art history at the Tate Modern, and take part in a guided fine art workshop sketching London's iconic skyline from an exclusive private room
  • Undertake a series of artistic masterclasses: life drawing, sculpting, print making, bookbinding and more 
  • Create contemporary art in a real artist's studio 
  • Develop an animated short with award-winning animators 
  • Create your own performance art with a professional performance artist 
  • Guided coaching in what it takes to build a stand-out portfolio, with optional 1-2-1 crits for those who want their work reviewed
  • Curate an exhibition of your work at an iconic London gallery space
Boost Your University Application:
  • Gain first-hand experience to add to your application that demonstrates your passion, commitment and potential to succeed in the world of art.
  • Complete the online assessment after the programme and receive a personalised certificate and industry reference letter outlining what you have achieved on the programme.  
  • Have your work assessed in order to receive a Level 3 Award in Work Experience, equating to 8 UCAS points. 
Meet Top Artists:
  • Be coached through the immersive experiences with artists specialising in fine art, graphic design, illustration, animation, performance art and more
  • Invite professional artists to your exclusive private view, allowing you to make connections vital to your future career
     
Career Coaching:
  • Receive training on how to land the most desirable jobs in art
  • Advice on subject choices, university selection, work experience, extra-curricular activities and more
World-Class Universities And World-Class People:
  • Meet talented and ambitious students from around the world who fly in for the Summer Experience, creating an invaluable lifetime network.
Design Your Own Summer Experience:

⦁    Choose from one of the following options:

1.    First Week Only (taster experience); or
2.    Two-Week Experience (the full programme); or
3.    Two-Week Premium Experience (the ultimate package with both weeks plus enhanced benefits)

Accommodation
You can choose either residential or non-residential. The accommodation is at UCL student halls in central London. We provide residential students with meals, guardianship and fun activities on evenings and weekends. Airport transfers are also available at checkout.

Coming from abroad?
  • To date, we have welcomed students onto InvestIN programmes from over 100 different countries. They often say that a huge motivation is to meet and befriend students from around the world, whilst taking their English language skills to the next level. 
  • Attending a summer programme is a fantastic way to experience London, one of the world’s most renowned capital cities for academic excellence, global commerce and vibrant culture. You can also select our residential package to truly experience life on-campus at a top UK university (UCL), by living in private ensuite rooms at university halls of residence. We can offer everything you need – from airport transfers to meals and a fantastic evening social programme.
  • For students learning English as a Foreign Language (EFL), attending an InvestIN programme facilitates real-world application of English. Students will be immersed in the language 24/7, whether that’s working in a team, writing a project proposal, presenting to a group, networking with professionals or socialising with peers. Our programmes are delivered and facilitated by native English speakers, whilst over 50% of our students are from the UK and the US, providing international students with the perfect opportunity to enhance their oral and written skills in a professional and social context. Find out more about the benefits for EFL students in our blog post here.
  • For information about visas and language requirements, please see our FAQs page here.
Coming from the UK?
  • You can choose to attend our programmes as a day student if you live locally. Otherwise, our residential package will give you a great flavour of life in student halls of residence before you apply to university in the future.
  • Around 50% of our students come from abroad, providing you with a unique opportunity to network with and befriend peers from a range of different backgrounds and cultures.

Immersive Experiences Days 1-5

The Tate Modern

  • Visit one of London’s top public galleries and delve into art history with an in-depth tour
  • Study the different techniques used by the world’s most influential artists
  • Sketch the London skyline from an exclusive private room, with guidance from an experienced artist
  • Discover curation and learn what goes on behind the scenes at an exhibition
  • Which price is right? Learn how artwork is priced based on the current market
  • Going…going…gone! Take part in a mock auction and guess the prices of famous works

Enter the Artist’s Studio

  • Try your hand at different mediums with a series of artistic masterclasses:
  • Learn to sculpt your own 3D self-portrait in a guided clay workshop
  • Experiment with different materials and techniques in an intensive life-drawing class
  • Explore the world of print and design by creating your own linocut print
  • Create your own sketchbook and learn DIY bookbinding
  • Receive feedback on your work from professional artists and critique the work of your peers

Illustration and Animation

  • Learn what it takes to be an illustrator: commercial clients, freelancing, procuring commissions and more
  • Develop your own unique style in a character design workshop led by an experienced illustrator
  • Learn the range of techniques deployed by top animators
  • Discover the animation process: from concept to film
  • Design a character and draw up a storyboard for your very own animation
  • Film your stop motion claymation using your own character designs

The Portfolio

  • Learn what top art schools look for in a portfolio
  • Try your hand at photography in a professional studio as you photograph your previous work for your portfolio
  • Create a physical portfolio cover using traditional water marbling techniques
  • Compile your work from across the summer experience into a portfolio to use in university applications, grant and awards applications!

This Summer Experience is for students aged 15-18 and you do not require any prior knowledge to attend.

The start date is the 28th July 2025.  You can choose to attend for either ‘First Week Only’, ‘Two Weeks’ or our ‘Two Week Premium’ package. You can also choose residential or non-residential. Pricing and details are set out below.

Click “Register Now” to book your place.

1 week 2-weeks 2-weeks Premium
Hours of contact time with professionals 25 hours 50 hours 65 hours
Hands-on career simulations
Programme materials, equipment & resources
Digital certificate
On-site safeguarding & pastoral care
Experience UCL campus
Excursions to professional workplaces/venues Up to 2 Up to 5 Up to 5
Assessment centre to improve on core skills & receive feedback
Graduation ceremony & physical certificate
Level 3 Award in Work Experience & Assessment for UCAS Points + £375
Experience LSE campus
Personalised professional development & university admissions coaching
Personality & situational judgement testing
Private Gala dinner & networking event with professionals
Programme fee £2,150 £3,150 £4,250
Residential package 1 week 2 week 2-week premium
Private, single, ensuite bedroom at university halls of residence 6 nights 13 nights 13 nights
Breakfast & dinner at accommodation canteen
Evening & weekend social activities
24/7 safeguarding & pastoral support, including a designated Pastoral & Activity leader, House Parents, Centre Managers & medical office
Programme fee + residential package total £3,550 £6,150 £7,250
Optional fee for London airport transfers (Heathrow return) + £300 return

Choose a location below:

In Person

Available dates:

  • 28th July 2025

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 location:

  • 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, en-suite.

Please find below some of our most frequently asked questions. If you have any other questions you'll be able to find our full FAQ list here and you are also welcome to reach out to us at info@investin.org and we'll be happy to help!

When is the deadline for registering for an experience?
Places on our programmes are allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis so we will close registration as soon as we reach capacity, because of this we would always recommend booking as soon as possible to ensure you do not miss the opportunity to attend.
Do I get a certificate?
All students are invited to complete a post-programme online assessment and upon completion, they will receive a digital, personalised certificate. Students attending 2-week programmes will also receive a physical certificate and an industry reference letter.
Who are your safeguarding team?
On each Summer Experience, we have safeguarding team members on-site 24/7 to promote the safeguarding and pastoral welfare of our students. Our team are security-vetted (enhanced DBS-checked) professionals who work in education full time and our team is made up of Academic Professionals / LSA, Safeguarding Officers, Nursing Professionals, and Mental Health Practitioners. Students will therefore always be able to easily contact a guardian, should they need any support.
Do you offer payment plans?
You can secure your place online with a non-refundable £950 deposit and pay the remainder at a later date. Please contact info@investin.org if you would like to discuss alternative payment plans.
Will there be any opportunities for rest days?
Programme hours take place Monday-Friday, with a break over the weekend. If you select the 2-Week Premium option, the weekend will feature exclusive professional development opportunities outlined in the timetable.
How do I get work experience in art?
As an aspiring artist, you can get work experience by completing internships or by volunteering. You can also take online courses, apply for residencies or take part in an immersive career experience. There are numerous ways to gain more experience in the art world, but one way to achieve this is by networking. You could attend events, go to gallery openings or connect with organisations on social media platforms. An immersive career experience is one of the best ways to advance your career, because you can meet top artists, visit studios and gain valuable career advice from industry professionals.
How do I become an artist?
There is no one route to becoming an artist. Often, artists will complete an undergraduate degree, such as a Fine Art course. Then, through this, they’ll start exhibiting their work, make connections and build a career. There are many jobs in the art world. For example, there are jobs as curators and archivists in galleries and museums. There are other jobs in creative industries like advertising and marketing, where you can work as an Art Director, for example. In these industries, there are volunteering and internship opportunities. These experiences will enhance your CV and can lead to permanent positions.

WHAT OUR STUDENTS SAY ABOUT US

Information for international & EFL students

We have a minimum English language requirement of B2 (upper-intermediate, CEFR). For students learning English as a Foreign Language (EFL), attending an InvestIN programme facilitates real-world application of English. Our programmes are delivered and facilitated by native English speakers, whilst over 50% of our students are from the UK and the US, providing international students with the perfect opportunity to enhance their oral and written skills in a professional and social context. Find out more about the benefits for EFL students in our blog post here.

 

Support

If you are trying to register and the registration box is not appearing it is likely because of firewall restrictions on your desktop device.

You may wish to try on your mobile device instead. Alternatively, please email info@investin.org with details of the programme you want to register for. We will reserve your place immediately and send you a link to pay by card online.