InvestIN Art & Design Summer Experience in London

The programme is built around hands-on career simulations rather than lectures. Students sketch some of London's most iconic landscapes guided by a professional illustrator; work through a series of artistic masterclasses covering life drawing, screen printing and textiles; develop an animated short with an award-winning animator; try spray painting at one of London's graffiti walls; and curate an exhibition of their own work at a real London gallery space. No prior study of art or design is required to attend.

The school offers a special discount - ask us for details. Three options are published: a first-week taster, the full two-week experience, and a two-week enhanced package. Every option includes hands-on career simulations, programme materials and equipment, a digital certificate, on-site safeguarding and pastoral care, time on the UCL campus and excursions to professional workplaces. The enhanced package adds more contact hours with professionals, an assessment centre with feedback on core skills, and bespoke professional development with application and interview coaching. Each option can be taken with or without the residential package.

Residential students stay in a private, single, ensuite bedroom at university halls of residence in central London. The residential package includes breakfast and dinner in the accommodation canteen, evening and weekend social activities, and round-the-clock safeguarding and pastoral support from a designated pastoral and activity leader, house parents, centre managers and a medical office. Non-residential students arrange their own accommodation and attend the daytime programme only.

Breakfast and dinner are served in the accommodation canteen for residential students as part of the residential package. Meals for non-residential students are not included.

Excursions to professional workplaces, venues and an iconic London gallery are part of the programme. Residential students also take part in organised social activities on evenings and at weekends.

Teaching is based at University College London and the surrounding University of London campus, with certain days held at other key industry locations in London, including a gallery space where students exhibit their work. Residential students are housed in university halls of residence in central London.

Students are coached through the simulations by working artists, designers, illustrators and animators, and attend private networking sessions with them. Career coaching covers work experience, extra-curricular activities, applications and interviews. Work completed on the programme can be assessed for a Level 3 Award in Work Experience and Career Planning, worth 8 UCAS points; participants receive a personalised certificate and an industry reference letter after the online assessment. Around half of students come from outside the UK, and the programme is delivered by native English speakers.