International Relations Summer Career Camp in London for Ages 15-18

Course Description: International Relations Summer Career Camp in London for Ages 15-18

Course Description: International Relations Summer Career Camp in London 🌍

Explore global politics and diplomacy on this International Relations Summer Career Camp in central London for students aged 15 to 18. You study how governments and international organisations tackle the biggest issues of our time, including climate change, conflict, migration, security, trade and human rights, and the theories that explain how nations behave.

Two-week students take part in a full Model United Nations: researching a country's position, drafting resolutions, lobbying other delegates, delivering opening statements and debating on the floor. Along the way you build critical thinking, communication, leadership and teamwork skills, with support for politics and international relations degree applications.

No previous experience is needed. The programme suits curious beginners as well as students already studying related subjects at school.

Location 📍

The camp takes place in central London, with sessions and visits across the city. Residential students stay at Ramsay Hall, part of the University College London (UCL) campus, and experience life as a university student in one of the world's great capitals.

Lesson Plan 📚

Choose a 1, 2 or 3 week programme. Teaching is delivered through practical workshops, industry visits and sessions led by working professionals.

Week 1: Global Issues, Governance and Theory

• Introduction to International Relations

• Current Global Issues

• Global Governance, Conflict and Peace Studies

• Nuclear Weapons and International Relations

• Industry visit

• Theoretical Approaches to International Relations

• International Law Applied

• UCAS Applications, Careers and Pathways

Week 2: Human Rights and Model United Nations

• Human Rights

• Old Westminster Walk

• Model UN: Introduction and Research

• Model UN: Resolutions and Lobbying

• Model UN: Opening Statements

• Model UN: Resolution Debate and Vote

• Debate: Human Rights

Week 3: Related Career Week

Three-week students complete both international relations weeks, then add a related career week and professional networking.

Small Class Sizes 👩‍🏫

There are no more than 12 students in each programme group, so every student gets small group teaching, one-to-one mentoring and personalised feedback.

Meet Your Mentors

Sessions are led by academics, political researchers and international relations specialists. Dr Jastine Barrett is a human rights consultant, international lawyer and academic with over 15 years in the human rights sector and a PhD in Law from the University of Cambridge. Katherine Batista is a lawyer specialising in human rights and democracy, with an LLM in International Affairs. Professor Gary Armstrong is a criminologist from St George's, University of London. Judith C., an accredited UCAS adviser and former Head of English, Head of Creative Arts and Head of Sixth Form in Kent grammar schools, runs the UCAS and personal statement sessions.

Skills You Will Take Away

• Explain the main theoretical approaches to international relations

• Analyse current global issues such as conflict, security and climate change

• Research and represent a country's position in a Model United Nations

• Draft a resolution, lobby other delegates and debate it on the floor

• Discuss international law and human rights with confidence

• Prepare a strong application for politics and international relations degrees

A Day in the Life: Daily Routine ⏰

Teaching runs from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday. A typical first week looks like this:

• Monday: Introduction to International Relations, lunch, Current Global Issues. Evening: bowling

• Tuesday: Global Governance, Conflict and Peace Studies, lunch, Nuclear Weapons and International Relations. Evening: arcade

• Wednesday: Industry visit, morning and afternoon. Evening: Covent Garden

• Thursday: Theoretical Approaches to International Relations, lunch, International Law Applied. Evening: group restaurant dinner

• Friday: UCAS Applications, lunch, Careers and Pathways, graduation, then check-out for residential students

Dinner and evening activities are for residential students only. Timetables may be subject to change, and students receive their finalised timetable by the end of May.

Accommodation at UCL Ramsay Hall 🛏️

Residential students stay at Ramsay Hall, part of University College London (UCL) in central London. Day students attend all sessions and return home each day.

• Move-in: Sunday before the start date, from 3:00 pm. Arriving between 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm is advised, to join dinner with the cohort and the evening activity

• Move-out: Friday, the last day of the programme

• Rooms: private single rooms with shared bathrooms, or upgrade to a private ensuite room

• Bathrooms: shared, typically used by up to three students

• Bedding and towels: sheets and towels are included

• Supervision: 24/7 building security and safeguarding, with on-site guardians living in the accommodation (1:10 ratio)

• Student safety: boys and girls are housed on separate floors

Meals 🍽️

• Residential students: breakfast, lunch and dinner daily

• Day students: lunch is provided

• Students may bring a few snacks for the day, which must be nut free

• Bring a refillable water bottle

Activities and Evening Programme 🎳

Residential students enjoy a social programme every evening. Recent examples include bowling, an arcade night, theatre trips, an evening in Covent Garden and a group restaurant dinner. All residential evening activities are covered by the fee.

Excursions and Industry Visits 🚍

• An industry visit during the first week

• An Old Westminster walk taking in the Houses of Parliament for two-week students

• Sessions with human rights and international law specialists

• Weekend activities for residential students staying two or three weeks. Previous excursions have included a day trip to Cambridge, shopping in London and London sightseeing

Transportation ✈️

• Transport to different venues and excursions during the programme is covered

• Travel to and from the programme is not included in the fee

• Optional arrival or departure car service from London Heathrow: £300

Dates and Fees 📅

Programme Start Dates: Summer 2027

Programmes begin on a Monday, with weekly start dates across the summer:

• 28 June

• 5 July

• 12 July

• 19 July

• 26 July

• 2 August

• 9 August

Fees

• £1,799 for 1 week of the programme (day)

• £2,999 for 1 week of the programme plus residential package (all meals, lodging)

• £2,999 for 2 weeks of the programme (day)

• £5,499 for 2 weeks of the programme plus residential package (all meals, lodging)

• £3,999 for 3 weeks of the programme (day)

• £7,499 for 3 weeks of the programme plus residential package (all meals, lodging)

Extras

• Arrival or departure car service from London Heathrow: £300

• Extra night of accommodation: £100, subject to availability

• Ensuite upgrade: £250 per week

What Is Included in the Programme Fee ✅

• Residential accommodation at UCL Ramsay Hall in a private single room (residential package)

• 24/7 security and safeguarding

• Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner daily for residents; lunch for day students

• 60 hours of career-focused learning over 2 weeks

• Interactive workshops and guest speakers

• Industry visits to leading companies

• Expert UCAS admissions coaching

• Personal mentor (Oxford, Cambridge, UCL or Imperial graduate)

• Weekend excursions and London activities

• Evening social programme

• Certificate of completion

• Personalised letter of reference from your programme mentor

Certificates and Awards 📜

• Certificate recognising your participation, ideal for your CV and university applications

• Personalised letter of reference from your programme mentor

• Opportunity to fulfil the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Residential requirement

• Model United Nations and debating experience to reference in your university applications

How Fluent Do I Need to Be in English? 🗣️

All teaching and workshops are delivered in English. Students should have a basic level of spoken and written English so they can follow instructions, join discussions and take part in group activities comfortably. International students are welcome and supported throughout the programme.

What Should I Bring? 🎒

• A notepad and pen, or a device to write on

• A water bottle

• Nut-free snacks if wanted

• Some spending money for residential students, especially on two-week programmes

A packing list and preparation materials are sent by mid June.

Safety and Support 🛡️

All sessions take place in a secure, structured environment. Staff are DBS-checked and follow strict safeguarding policies. Students with additional learning needs or disabilities are welcome; share any requirements in advance so adjustments can be arranged.