Exceptional Education Architecture and Design Program for High Schoolers at UC London
Architecture digital work 2023
University College London Campus, UK

Exceptional Summer Pre-College Architecture and Design Program for High Schoolers at UC 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 Architecture and Design Program for High Schoolers at UC London Campus

🏛️ Architecture & Design Summer Programme | University College London | Ages 15–18

Design the Future, Build Your Vision ✨

This career-focused Architecture & Design programme in the heart of London is the ideal opportunity for ambitious 15–18-year-olds who want to explore the world of design, sustainability, and creativity.

Students will gain hands-on experience with architectural modelling, digital illustration, interior design, and sustainable refurbishment—while learning from leaders at top London firms. From real-world projects to networking opportunities, this programme combines academic excellence with industry insight to give participants a true taste of life as an architect.

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📚 What You’ll Learn

Example Modules

  • Architectural Design Development 🏗️

    Learn principles like balance, rhythm, proportion, and scale while understanding how design connects to technology, the environment, and history.

  • Architectural Design Realisation 🎨

    Take your ideas to the next stage—transforming design concepts into detailed visualisations using professional software.

  • The Science of Materials 🧱

    Explore the materials used in architecture and construction, their scientific principles, and how they shape sustainable designs.

  • Sustainable Refurbishment 🌍

    Develop solutions to improve a building’s performance while tackling global warming challenges.

  • Free-Hand Architectural Design ✏️

    Master floor plans, sections, facades, and perspectives with professional drawing techniques.

  • Introduction to Interior Design 🛋️

    Design interiors from concept to execution—choosing materials, colours, textures, and lighting to bring a vision to life.

  • Digital Illustrations 💻

    Bring ideas to life with semi-realistic digital illustrations, bridging the technical and artistic sides of design.

  • Collaging 🎭

    Use collaging techniques to visually communicate design concepts, enriching your professional portfolio.

***

🏙️ Unique Industry Insights

Students go beyond the classroom with exclusive industry visits, such as:

  • The Building Centre – Explore exhibitions and create projects in a hub dedicated to the built environment.

  • E-Architect Walking Tour – Discover Canary Wharf’s architectural history with industry experts.

These visits allow participants to network directly with professionals and explore future career paths.

***

🎓 Career Development

  • ✅ 1:1 Career Coaching with a personal action plan

  • ✅ Career Development Plan for each student

  • ✅ Professional development workshops

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

  • ✅ Supportive educators passionate about their field

***

🌍 Activities & Excursions

The programme includes a vibrant social and cultural calendar:

  • 🏛️ Visit London’s most iconic landmarks

  • 🌙 Explore a world-famous museum after dark

  • 🛹 Learn new tricks at an indoor skate park

  • 🎭 Watch a West End theatre show

  • 🏟️ Discover the Olympic Park regeneration

  • 🍴 Enjoy a formal dinner at Hard Rock Café

  • 🎉 Graduation ceremony & party with prizes

Evenings are filled with ice-breaker games, quizzes, talent shows, football/tennis matches, and more.

***

🏡 Accommodation – Live in Central London

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

  • Comfortable single bedrooms (standard & en-suite available)

  • Modern lounges, outdoor courtyard & study areas

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

  • Pool tables, quiet spaces, and social common rooms

  • Perfectly located near iconic landmarks & industry hubs

***

✈️ Travel & Transfers

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

  • Heathrow Transfers:

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

  • Returns at 07:00 & 12:00 on final Saturday

  • Escorted by the pastoral team

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

  • 🚖 Optional Addison Lee taxi service available

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

***

🎯 What’s Included

  • 🏡 13 nights in UCL student accommodation

  • 🍴 Breakfast & dinner daily

  • 📚 30 hours of academic sessions led by experts

  • 🏗️ Real-world project workshops

  • 🎓 1:1 Career Coaching & personalised Career Plan

  • 🏛️ Industry visits & walking tours

  • ✨ Full cultural & social activity programme

  • 🍴 Formal dinner at a top London restaurant

  • 🎉 Graduation ceremony with certificate

  • 📸 Mentor family photograph

  • ✅ Comprehensive summer school insurance

***

🔥 This Architecture & Design Summer Programme is perfect for students ready to innovate, design, and imagine the future of our built environment.

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

  • Visit The Building Centre, a hub for the built environment, to explore exhibits and create projects.
  • Engage in E-Architect's walking tour of Canary Wharf to learn about key London sites' history and architecture.

Sample Modules

Module 1: Architectural Design Development

  • Learn key principles of architectural design including balance, rhythm, and contrast.
  • Understand the interplay between design, technology, environment, and historical context in architecture.

Module 2: Architectural Design Realisation

  • Advance creative skills to realize design concepts into technical details and visualizations.
  • Use architectural design software to bring ideas to life, challenging technical skills.

Module 3: The Science of Materials

  • Explore scientific principles of materials used in architecture and construction.
  • Build understanding of tools and considerations for material selection in design.

Module 4: Sustainable Refurbishment

  • Learn to identify refurbishment solutions for improved building performance.
  • Address global warming issues and create a sustainable refurbishment plan.

Module 5: Free-Hand Architectural Designs

  • Master free-hand drawing of architectural designs with basic graphical techniques.
  • Develop skills in drawing floor plans, sections, facades, and perspectives.

Module 6: Introduction to Interior Design

  • Develop an interior design project from conception to final project details.
  • Learn about measurements, proportions, material selection, lighting, colors, and textures.

Module 7: Digital Illustrations

  • Create semi-realistic digital illustrations to bring architectural ideas to life.
  • Focus on axonometric and pedestrian views for effective communication of project ideas.

Module 8: Collaging

  • Utilize collaging techniques to portray architectural spaces artistically.
  • Generate illustrated presentations of architectural projects, enhancing design portfolios.

Sample timetable Career insights 2024

Sample Tutors

Konrad H:

  • MArch I from Harvard GSD (2020), BSci in Architecture from UCL (2014) with First Class Honours.

  • Attended Harvard on a Merit Scholarship and as a Fulbright Flagship Scholar.

  • Worked at Snohetta Oslo, Kengo Kuma Tokyo, and KPF NYC.

  • Combined a broad work experience with a multi-disciplinary approach to architecture (having for example worked as an archeologist in Greece) which allowed him for teaching architecture as both a professional and theoretical subject that can allow for a broad range of interests.

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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