Exceptional Game Design Program for High Schoolers at University College London
Copy of london ucl 20 july career insight 80
University College London Campus, UK

Exceptional Summer Pre-College Software Development and Gaming 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 Software Development and Gaming Program for High Schoolers at University College London Campus

🎮 Game Design Summer Programme | University College London | Ages 15–18

Turn Your Passion for Gaming into a Career 🚀

This career-focused Game Design programme at University College London is the perfect gateway for ambitious 15–18-year-olds who want to transform their love of gaming into real-world skills.

With the global gaming industry valued at £95 billion (expected to grow to £169 billion by 2025 💡), this programme gives students the chance to learn coding, design mechanics, and build their own games—all while networking with industry professionals.

Based in central London, students will live at UCL’s Astor College, just minutes away from innovation hubs, cultural landmarks, and professional opportunities.

***

📚 What You’ll Learn

Example Modules

  • Introduction to Game Design 🎨

    Learn the principles of game creation: design characters, mechanics, genres, and publish your own playable game using Construct 2.

  • Introduction to Coding 💻

    Master coding basics, from simple commands to complex game narratives—an essential skill not just for games, but for industries like healthcare, business, and tech.

  • Roblox Coding 🕹️

    Create your own worlds in Roblox using Lua. Explore loops, conditionals, and variables while building multiplayer game environments.

  • Unity Game Development 🏗️

    Dive into the world’s most widely-used game engine. Build 2D & 3D models, apply light/shadow effects, and use C# scripting to bring your ideas to life.

  • Introduction to Python 🐍

    Discover how Python powers game design. Learn syntax, error handling, and build your own Python-based games like Tic-Tac-Toe or Hangman.

  • RPGMaker Masterclass 🎭

    Design 2D role-playing games without heavy coding. Build maps, characters, and environments with this accessible yet powerful tool.

  • Scratch Game Design 🧩

    Perfect for beginners, Scratch introduces visual coding to design interactive prototypes and animations.

  • Coding Languages Overview 🌐

    Compare different programming languages, understanding which are best for speed, efficiency, and design flexibility.

***

🎬 Unique Industry Insights

Students gain hands-on exposure through exclusive visits, such as:

  • 🎮 Otherworld VR – Experience cutting-edge VR gaming and its potential in the industry.

  • 🕹️ National Videogame Museum – Learn how games are made and discover industry insights from leading professionals.

These opportunities take learning beyond the classroom—offering networking, inspiration, and real-world application.

***

🎓 Career Development

  • ✅ 1:1 Career Coaching with personalised action plans

  • ✅ Career Development Plan for every student

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

  • ✅ Professional workshops to prepare for university or a career in tech/gaming

  • ✅ Feedback from experienced project leaders

***

🌍 Activities & Excursions

Students will also enjoy a vibrant social and cultural programme:

  • 🏛️ Visit iconic London landmarks

  • 🌙 Explore a world-famous museum after dark

  • 🎭 Watch an award-winning West End show

  • 🛹 Try out skills at an indoor skate park

  • 🏟️ Visit the Olympic Park regeneration site

  • 🍴 Formal dinner at Hard Rock Café

  • 🎉 Graduation party with prizes

Evenings include ice-breaker games, quiz nights, game shows, football/tennis matches, and a talent show.

***

🏡 Accommodation – Live in Central London

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

  • Single rooms (standard & en-suite available)

  • Modern lounges, outdoor courtyard, and social spaces

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

  • Pool tables, study areas, and quiet common rooms

  • Centrally located—minutes from London’s best attractions

***

✈️ Travel & Transfers

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

  • Heathrow 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

  • Fee: £100 each way (booked after enrolment)

  • 🚖 Optional taxi transfers available via Addison Lee

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

***

🎯 What’s Included

  • 🏡 13 nights in UCL student accommodation

  • 🍴 Breakfast & dinner daily

  • 📚 30 hours of academic sessions from experts

  • 🎮 Real-world project workshops

  • 🎓 1:1 Career Coaching + Career Development Plan

  • 🎞️ Industry visits to gaming & VR hubs

  • ✨ Cultural & social programme with excursions

  • 🍴 Formal dinner at a top London restaurant

  • 🎉 Graduation ceremony & certificate

  • 📸 Mentor family photograph

  • ✅ Comprehensive summer school insurance

***

🔥 This Game Design Summer Programme is perfect for aspiring coders, designers, and creators who want to explore the gaming world and build skills for a future in one of the fastest-growing industries.

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

Unique Industry Insights

  • Experience VR gaming at Otherworld VR and understand its potential.
  • Visit the National Videogame Museum to learn about game creation and industry insights.

Sample Modules

Module 1: Introduction to Game Design

  • Learn foundational game design principles and apply them in real-world game creation.
  • Design scenarios, characters, mechanics, and use Construct 2 for game development.

Module 2: Introduction to Coding

  • Master coding basics, essential for game design and various industries.
  • Learn coding fundamentals and their application in game narrative progression.

Module 3: Roblox Coding

  • Practice coding in Roblox using Lua language.
  • Learn basics of Lua, variable manipulation, user data storage, and simple game programming.

Module 4: Unity

  • Explore Unity, the popular game creation platform.
  • Understand Unity's interface, create 3D/2D models, and apply lighting and shadow effects.

Module 5: Introduction to Python

  • Discover Python's role in game design.
  • Learn Python programming concepts, syntax, and error interpretation for game creation.

Module 6: RPGMaker Masterclass

  • Utilize RPGMaker for 2D role-playing game development without extensive coding.
  • Learn RPGMaker environment, game structure, map and character creation.

Module 7: Scratch Game Design

  • Use Scratch for visual programming and animated story creation.
  • Develop games with Scratch, focusing on functional prototype creation and problem-solving.

Module 8: Coding Languages

  • Overview of various coding languages for game design.
  • Understand the appropriateness and efficiency of different languages in game development.

Sample timetable Career insights 2024

Sample Tutors

Yasmin Fathy:

  • Research Fellow, Engineering Department, University of Cambridge

  • Fellow, UK Higher Education Academy

  • Former roles: Software Development Engineer at EMBL-EBI, Research Associate in IoT and Machine Learning at Cambridge University, KTP Research Associate at UCL

  • PhD in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Surrey

  • MSc in Applied Science and Engineering, AI Lab, Vrije Universiteit Brussel

  • Research interests are machine learning, data analytics, IoT

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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