Apply for the chance to study at a summer school at one of UAL’s partner universities. A variety of grants are available, depending on where you choose to study.
Take a look at the Arts Abroad Programme Guide (PDF 492 KB) for full information about grants available, eligibility, summer school opportunities, application process and important information to know before applying.
If you’ve sourced your own summer placement and are looking for funding, find out more about fees and funding.
Who can apply
You must be a home fee paying student studying on an undergraduate degree course at UAL. You should be in your first or second year of studies.
All eligible students are welcome to apply. However, UAL is committed to increasing access and participation among underrepresented and disadvantaged groups.
We’ll prioritise students who meet one or more of the following criteria:
- Your annual household income is £50,000 or less.
- You’re receiving Universal Credit or income-related benefits
- You’re a care leaver/care experienced.
- You’re a caregiver.
- You have been estranged from both parents for over 12 months without contact or financial assistance.
Where you can go
Below are the summer school options available in for Arts Abroad 2026. It is important you visit the partner's summer school information page to find out which programme is suitable for you.
The summer schools have a variety of start and end dates to suit you, between June and August 2026.
- Aalto University – Finland.
- EFAP University – France.
- European Innovation Academy (EIA) – Portugal
- EWHA Womans College – South Korea.
- Istituto Europeo di Design (IED) – Italy.
- LaSalle University (Architecture Workshop only)- Spain*
- Lorenzo de Medici Summer term programmes only) -Italy.
- Nanyang Technological University - Singapore
- Universitat der Kunste (UdK) – Germany.
Please note that the available summer schools are subject to change.
Available grants
The Arts Abroad Grant will provide funding towards accommodation (Approx. £70 per night) and full coverage of your Summer School tuition fee.
You’ll also receive a Turing Scheme grant, which provides a Cost-of-Living grant to use for subsistence needs.
Students meeting the eligibility criteria also receive a Travel Grant, up to a maximum amount depending on the country you visit. Please note, this is based on actual receipted costs.
Some additional costs (e.g. necessary vaccinations or any visa costs) can also be covered for students meeting the disadvantaged background criteria.
Note that some courses will require you to purchase additional materials for your course. This will not be covered by the Arts Abroad grant, so please read all requirements carefully before selecting your course.
Grant funding to support summer school opportunities is limited. We unfortunately will not be able to fund all who apply.
How to apply
Applications for Arts Abroad 2026 will open on 26 January 2026.
In the meantime, you can register your interest by contacting us at: internationalmobility@arts.ac.uk
Application deadline
The deadline to apply will be 20 February 2026. After the deadline we'll assess your application. We aim to provide you with an outcome within 2 weeks.
Next steps
Once your Arts Abroad grant is confirmed, you'll need to apply directly to your allocated summer school. The Global Mobility team will give you more information about this if you're successful with your Arts Abroad grant application. Don't book flights or accommodation until your summer school place is confirmed, if you are relying on the grant to support your studies.
If you plan to attend a summer school whether you get a grant or not, you can apply independently and make all your own arrangements. It's important you let us know you're doing this, so make sure to email us at internationalmobility@arts.ac.uk.
Important information
UAL is not responsible for any costs or losses incurred as a result of course cancellations, changes, or other decisions made by the partner institution. We strongly advise you to consider purchasing travel insurance and to make flexible travel and accommodation arrangements where possible.
You should review the latest travel advice issued by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) before making any travel plans. You should ensure you are aware of the risks and requirements associated with your destination. UAL cannot be held liable for any issues arising from failure to comply with FCDO advice or local regulations.
Related links
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Central Saint Martins student Eva Xiste on her placement in Switzerland | image courtesy of UAL
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Work by Liberty Lin, MA Designer Maker, Camberwell College of Arts, 2021.