5 reasons to do a short course this summer
- Written byCarys Thomas
- Published date 26 June 2026
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Make this summer one to remember with an inspiring short course.
Whether you want to try something new, refine your skills or start building your creative career, a short course can help you get there.
From building a portfolio to meeting new people, here are 5 reasons to get creative this summer.
1. Meet people from across the world
Our short courses attract students, professionals and creative enthusiasts from many different countries and backgrounds.
One of the benefits of a summer short course is the opportunity to immerse yourself in a truly international learning environment.
Whether you’re collaborating on creative projects, sharing ideas or just going for lunch together, you’ll be able to make connections that will last long after the course ends.
This is something that former Fashion Marketing student Denise particularly enjoyed. "I think one of the best things [is] to share different points of view," she says. "There are classmates from China, Japan, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, which is amazing to see."
2. Experience summer in the capital
We know we're biased, but summer really is the best time of year to be in London. Think bustling street food markets, picnics, live music and world-class museums and galleries.
Each UAL college is well-connected and part of a unique London neighbourhood. Central Saint Martins, for example, is located in the vibrant King’s Cross area, where you'll find a great selection of shops, restaurants, parks, galleries and theatres all within walking distance. Read more about what you can expect on our student information hub.
To make things easier, UAL also offers affordable and convenient summer accommodation for short-term summer stays. Learn more about short stays at Sketch House.
3. Share the experience with friends and family
If you're thinking about joining us for a short course this summer, why not consider sharing the experience with friends or family?
Short courses can be a great activity to enjoy with the people closest to you. Friends and family can enrol on the same course to learn something together while creating memories or opt for different courses to explore personal interests.
Marta came to UAL with her two sons for a week during the summer to study together at Central Saint Martins. Marta chose our Patternmaking Level 1 course, while her sons went for portfolio preparation and fashion business.
"We decided to come here because we love creativity and London," says Marta, "it was an opportunity to be in one of the most important schools in fashion and to spend some days with my family." Watch Marta’s family interview on YouTube.
4. Learn a new skill
Summer is the perfect time to step away from your everyday routine and explore your interests in a supportive environment. A short course can help you gain hands-on experience, build confidence and make real progress in a short space of time.
You might discover a new passion, finally get your ideas onto paper or just start thinking about the possibilities for future creative projects you can get excited about.
The best thing about learning a new skill is that you never know where it might take you. A creative writing course led to a book deal for Veronika, while Samira took our interior design module courses and now runs her own professional design business.
5. Build a portfolio
Portfolios are super important in creative industries because they help provide evidence of your range of skills for potential employers and clients.
"Your portfolio should visually communicate your skills, your process, your personality and your potential," says graphic designer and UAL Short Courses tutor Rachel Kirk.
It can be hard to know where to start when it comes to building a portfolio, but our expert tutors can guide you through the creative process with one of our portfolio preparation short courses.
Create new portfolio pieces with exciting practical projects, gain technical skills and learn about the software that can help you produce higher-quality work.
Get inspired with a short course this summer. Take a look at what's coming up.
Have a question? Our customer service team are here to help you find the right course for you. Get in touch via our enquiry form to start planning your learning journey.
