Discover International Summer School through the eyes of our students
- Written byCody O'Connor
- Published date 31 October 2025
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This summer, students from across the world joined our UAL International Summer School for 16 to 18 year olds Short Course. This three-week course takes place at Chelsea College of Arts and invites students to develop their interest in art and design in a collaborative art school environment.
We also offer an International Summer School course for 11 to 15 year olds, which shares a similar focus on creativity and experimentation. Students have the opportunity to develop their portfolios, meet like-minded young people and learn from expert tutors. International Summer School is a unique short course, as it is 3 weeks long with teaching spread across each day.
The course includes research, drawing, sketching, mark-making, 2D and 3D collage, model making, and explores graphic design, fashion, textiles and theatre. Activities include experimenting with different mediums in the classroom, such as painting with charcoal and creating a sculpture out of paper.
Creative experimentation
Sarah is a student from New Mexico who took part in this year’s International Summer School for 16 to 18 year olds. "I picked this 3-week course because I want to be more involved with how UAL teaches, and I was attracted to the idea of having a broad experience on the course."
Sarah has particularly enjoyed the aspect of experimentation within the course, and the processes that the students have followed to create their work. She continues, "I’ve been able to immerse myself in everything, and learn how I want to develop as an artist."
New perspectives
Greg is a student from Pennsylvania who also travelled from America to attend UAL’s International Summer School this year. "For me, the three-week format was the best option to do, you really get the full experience. You make friends, you have more time to experience London, and you become a better artist."
Students can visit galleries and museums to learn more about art during the course. They can also enjoy a social life with other young people, Sarah explains, "you can go out in London and explore with people who know about the city. I’ve met a lot of people here and had a lot of fun."
Joining a global class
The format of International Summer School gives students a taster of what it would be like to study in London. Greg shared his experience, "as an international student, I’d never been to London, and I was really interested in studying at UAL, and I’ve learnt so much."
Learning in an international environment allows you to meet others with similar interests and career aspirations. Sarah says, "I’ve been able to connect with people on the same pathway that I want to take, which is very enriching because we all come from different backgrounds."
International Summer School is structured similarly to an art foundation course and gives students the opportunity to discuss their next steps with tutors from portfolio advice to discussions about careers and further education. Greg explains, "it’s the perfect amount of time to build your portfolio, understand yourself better as an artist and form connections with people."
Insights from tutors
Sarah has also enjoyed the interpretative style of art school teaching that invites students to ask questions and investigate their interests. "The tutors will come up to you and ask about what you’re doing and make suggestions. You get to have the experience of someone who has been in the field for years and get feedback from them."
The 16 to 18 year old course is run by Noon Mitchelhill, who is an Associate Lecturer on the Art and Design Foundation at Chelsea, Camberwell and Wimbledon colleges at UAL. Noon has been a practicing jeweller for over 25 years and has exhibited her work globally.
The International Summer School for 11 to 15 year olds year olds is taught by Joey Bloss, who has over 20 years of experience as a lecturer in art and design. "The teachers are great, they really push you to think deeper and understand where you’re coming from as an artist and how to further your practice, which is awesome," shares Greg.
Broadening horizons
Sarah has used the course to consider her next steps, "the tutors have been very open to us talking to them about our portfolios and degrees, or doing a foundation, which has been really helpful. It has opened up my perspective on how I want to develop after graduating high school."
Greg is also planning his creative journey after attending the International Summer School. "It’s definitely allowed me to understand the way my mind works a lot better. And it’s helped me to become a better artist by doing experiments, seeing what I like and what I don’t like, and pushing me to make really cool things."
If you would like to grow as an artist, develop your interest in art and design, and experience life as an international summer school student at UAL, sign up to one of our short courses for 16 to 18 year olds or 11 to 15 year olds today.
