Exceptional Creative Writing and Film Program for High Schoolers at University College London
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University College London Campus, UK

Exceptional Summer Pre-College Film Studies Program for High Schoolers at University College London Campus

age icon 15-18 years old

time icon 2 weeks

book icon Weekly hours: 20

See Dates

Session Dates

Choose your preferred session from the options below and submit your details in order to complete your booking.

June - Day

Start 6/28/2026
End 7/11/2026
Duration 2 Weeks
Price £5,995

June - Boarding

Start 6/28/2026
End 7/11/2026
Duration 2 Weeks
Price £7,495

July - Day

Start 7/12/2026
End 7/25/2026
Duration 2 Weeks
Price £5,995

July - Boarding

Start 7/12/2026
End 7/25/2026
Duration 2 Weeks
Price £7,495

July - Day

Start 7/26/2026
End 8/8/2026
Duration 2 Weeks
Price £5,995

July - Boarding

Start 7/26/2026
End 8/8/2026
Duration 2 Weeks
Price £7,495

Course Description: Exceptional Summer Pre-College Film Studies Program for High Schoolers at University College London Campus

🎬 Film Studies Summer Programme | University College London | Ages 15–18

Explore Film & Screenwriting in the Heart of London ✨

This career-focused Film Studies programme at University College London is the perfect gateway for students aged 15–18 who dream of a career in film, television, or media.

Through interactive workshops, scriptwriting projects, and industry visits, students will develop practical skills in screenwriting, criticism, and storytelling while building a portfolio to showcase their creative work.

***

📚 What You’ll Learn

Example Modules

  • Storytelling & Craft ✍️

    Learn what makes the perfect story for the screen by exploring structure, genres, and storytelling techniques that form the foundation of great scripts.

  • The History of Screenwriting 🎥

    Trace screenwriting from Georges Méliès’ 1902 silent film A Trip to the Moon to modern cinema. Analyze influential scripts and compare their written form with the finished films.

  • Film & TV Criticism 🎞️

    Critically analyze productions, explore how audiences interpret media, and study feminist and post-modern film theories. Apply these insights to your own reviews.

  • Exploring Genres 🎭

    Dive into screenwriting across genres such as drama, comedy, thriller, fantasy, and more, discovering which suits your creative vision.

  • Scriptwriting Foundations 📖

    Learn the formatting, rules, do’s & don’ts of scriptwriting for film and TV. Build strong foundations for professional-level scripts.

  • Portfolio Project – Script Development 📝

    Develop your own film or TV script from idea to polished draft. Workshop with peers, get tutor feedback, practice script readings, and learn how to submit scripts to competitions or agents.

***

🎬 Unique Industry Insights

Students gain direct access to world-leading institutions and professionals, including:

  • 🎞️ The British Film Institute (BFI) – Research iconic contributions to film

  • 🎥 The Cinema Museum – Explore cinema’s history and inspirations for period drama projects

  • 🎬 Published authors & screenwriting professionals – Exclusive insight into how scripts become screen productions

These visits allow students to network directly with professionals and see their classroom learning come alive in real-world settings.

***

🎓 Career Development

  • ✅ 1:1 Career Coaching with personalised advice

  • ✅ Detailed Career Development Plan for each student

  • ✅ Portfolio creation showcasing creative work, perfect for university or job applications

  • ✅ Small classes (average 7, max 12 students)

  • ✅ Professional development workshops with industry mentors

***

🌍 Activities & Excursions

An exciting cultural and social programme is included:

  • 🏛️ Visit iconic London landmarks

  • 🌙 Explore a world-famous museum after dark

  • 🎭 Watch an award-winning West End show

  • 🛹 Learn new skills at an indoor skate park

  • 🏟️ Visit the Olympic Park

  • 🍴 Formal dinner at Hard Rock Café

  • 🎉 Graduation party & prizes

Evenings feature fun social activities such as ice-breaker games, quiz nights, game shows, football/tennis matches, and talent shows.

***

🏡 Accommodation – Live in Central London

Students will stay at Astor College, UCL’s residence in Fitzrovia:

  • Modern single bedrooms (standard & en-suite)

  • Communal lounges, outdoor courtyard, and dining areas

  • 🍽️ Breakfast & dinner provided daily (dietary needs catered for)

  • Pool tables, quiet study spaces & social common rooms

  • Year-round residence for University of London students

***

✈️ Travel & Transfers

  • Arrival Day: Sunday, 2–4 pm check-in

  • Heathrow Airport Transfers:

  • Pickups at 11:00, 14:00, 17:00 on arrival day

  • Return transfers at 07:00 & 12:00 on final Saturday

  • Escorted by the pastoral team from Heathrow to campus

  • Fee: £100 each way (bookable post-enrolment)

  • 🚖 Alternative Arrivals: Taxi service available via Addison Lee

💡 Pocket Money Advice: ~£80/week recommended for lunch & souvenirs.

***

🎯 What’s Included

  • 🏡 13 nights in central London accommodation

  • 🍴 Breakfast & dinner daily

  • 📚 30 hours of academic sessions from subject experts

  • 📝 Real-world project workshops

  • 🎬 Portfolio project – develop your own script

  • 🎓 1:1 Career Coaching & Career Development Plan

  • 🎞️ Industry visits to leading institutions

  • ✨ Full cultural & social programme

  • 🍴 Formal dinner at a top London restaurant

  • 🎉 Graduation ceremony & certificate

  • 📸 Mentor family photograph

  • ✅ Comprehensive summer school insurance

***

🔥 This Film Studies Summer Programme is the ultimate launchpad for ambitious students dreaming of careers in screenwriting, directing, or film production.

Activities

  • Ice-Breaker Games
  • Quiz Night
  • Game Show
  • Tennis/Football
  • Talent Show
  • Lates Dinner at Hard Rock Cafe
  • Graduation Party & Prizes

Accommodations

  • Students will reside at Astor College, UCL’s student accommodation in Fitzrovia, central London.

  • Astor College features modern communal lounges, an outdoor courtyard, and open plan dining areas.

  • Provides a comfortable base for attending workshops, industry visits, and social activities.

  • Accommodation includes single bedrooms, both standard and en-suite.

  • Access to common rooms and social spaces with pool tables and quiet study areas, perfect for downtime.

  • Breakfast and dinner provided by experienced catering teams in the accommodation.

  • Catering staff familiar with various dietary requirements.

  • Students with food allergies should speak to staff at mealtimes for allergen information.

  • Dietary information is shared with catering teams prior to student arrival.

  • During term time, the accommodation is used by University of London undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Excursions

  • Visit iconic London landmarks
  • Explore a world-famous museum after dark
  • Learn new skills at an indoor skate park
  • Catch award-winning theatre on the West End
  • Experience exceptional urban regeneration at the Olympic Park

Transportation

  • Arrival Time: Participants should arrive between 2 pm and 4 pm on the first Sunday of the program, with registration and accommodation showings upon arrival.

  • London Heathrow Airport Transfers: Shared airport transfer service available from Heathrow Terminal 3 directly to Cambridge/Oxford colleges. Pastoral team to meet participants at any Heathrow terminal and escort to Terminal 3.

  • Transfer departures at 11:00, 14:00, and 17:00 on arrival Sunday; return transfers to London Heathrow Airport depart at 07:00 and 12:00 on the final Saturday.

  • Transfer Fee: Available for booking post-enrollment at £100 each way.

  • Detailed information is provided closer to the program date, including contact numbers.

  • Alternative Arrivals: For those arriving at different airports or by other means, details are in the Welcome Pack sent after enrolment confirmation.

  • Optional taxi service available with Addison Lee (Travel to and from the program is not included in the participation fee.)

Lesson Plan

  • 40 hours of academic sessions from subject experts
  • Visits to leading industries
  • Real-world project workshops
  • 1:1 Career Coaching
  • Average class size of 7, maximum class size of 10 students
  • Detailed Career Development Plan from your personal coach

Develop Your Creative Portfolio

  • Create a portfolio showcasing creative work from your chosen subject.
  • Portfolios highlight skills and accomplishments, crucial for university applications.
  • Benefit from two 1:1 sessions with an expert tutor for portfolio development.
  • Receive personalized advice and feedback to enhance your portfolio.

Unique Industry Insights

  • Explore the history of cinema at The Cinema Museum and gather insights for period drama projects.
  • Visit the British Film Institute (BFI) to research significant art contributions to film.

Sample Modules

Module 1: Story Telling and Craft

  • Delve into crafting compelling stories for the screen.
  • Analyze elements of great storytelling across various genres for screenwriting development.

Module 2: The History of Screenwriting

  • Trace the evolution of screenwriting from early films to modern-day cinema.
  • Study influential scripts and their on-screen adaptations, enhancing critical thinking about film techniques.

Module 3: Film and Television Criticism

  • Focus on analyzing film and TV productions, interpreting stories and their impacts.
  • Encounter feminist and post-modern film theory criticism, applying these to film analysis.

Module 4: Exploring Genres

  • Broadly examine different genres in screen and TV writing.
  • Develop an understanding of basic components for writing in various genres.

Module 5: Scriptwriting

  • Learn the fundamentals of scriptwriting, including formatting and essential do's and don'ts.
  • Build a foundation for effective script production for film and TV.

Module 6: Script Development (Portfolio Project)

  • Apply skills in screenwriting to a personal scriptwriting project.
  • Workshop, receive feedback, and practice reading scripts aloud.
  • Gain insights into script editing, publishing, and entering competitions.
  • Receive expert evaluation and feedback on your script for further development.

Sample timetable Career insights 2024

Sample Tutors

Louis R:

  • Louis has a BA in Film Studies from King’s College London.

  • He earned an MSc in Cognitive and Evolutionary Anthropology from the University of Oxford, studying the impact of awe-inspiring experiences on human generosity.

  • His films have been showcased in prestigious venues across Europe, including Tate St Ives, the British Film Institute, and International Film Festival Rotterdam.

Guest Speakers from Previous Summers:

  • Abi Oyepitan - Former Olympian: A two-time Olympian and Commonwealth Gold and Silver winning track and field athlete.

  • Dr Lynda Shaw - Neuroscientist & entrepreneur: A journey in personal development - how to create your own set of tools to fast track success

  • Dr Nigel Warburton - Philosopher, author & journalist: How do great people find answers to deep and meaningful questions?​​

Extras

  • Transfer Fee: £100 each way.

  • Pocket Money Advice: Money we recommend that participants bring £80 per week to cover lunch each day, plus any souvenirs that they may wish to purchase. Various banks and ATMs are available throughout Cambridge, and Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted.

Security

  • This program is accredited by British Accreditation Council (BAC)

  • Meets global standards for academic provision and student welfare

  • Top priority for participant safety

  • Staff undergo enhanced background checks and safeguarding training

  • Participants assigned to a “Mentor Family” of 10 students

  • Mentors offer support, advice, and share their experiences

  • School management and supervision is managed by senior, experienced College Managers in Cambridge, Oxford, London, and Sydney

  • College Managers trained to Level 3 Safeguarding standards

  • Resident summer team and college personnel supervise sites 24/7

  • Encourage student independence within safe boundaries

  • Team supervision ensures safe and rewarding experience

Video

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