Exploring my creative options at 16: Sofia’s short course experience
- Written byMimi Jones
- Published date 25 February 2026
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For many 16 to 18-year-olds, the transition from secondary school to university can feel like a giant leap into the unknown. It’s a time filled with big questions: What should I study? What is university life really like? How do I turn my passion into a career?
At UAL Short Courses, our Spring and Summer programmes are designed to help students navigate exactly these questions. Through a focus on portfolio development, technical skills and transferable knowledge, students gain first-hand experience of university-level learning while exploring the wide range of career pathways within the creative industries.
To understand the real impact of these courses, we spoke to Sofía, a 16-year-old student from Argentina who travelled to London to take part in the Introduction to the Fashion Industry for 16–18 Year Olds Short Course.
Exploring creative possibilities
At 16 years old, Sofía is already thinking carefully about her future. Currently studying in secondary school in Argentina, she knows she wants to pursue something creative — but like many students her age, she is still exploring exactly what that looks like.
“I’ve always been very interested in fashion, clothing and design,” she explains. “I also really like architecture and interior design, so I know I want to study something related to design. I’m just not completely sure which direction yet.”
Wanting to gain clarity, Sofía enrolled in the Introduction to the Fashion Industry for 16–18 Year Olds Short Course because of its broad approach.
“I wasn’t completely sure which area of fashion interested me the most. Since it was an introduction course, it covered many different areas in just one week. It felt like the perfect way to get a general overview of the industry.”
Learning inside and outside the classroom
Throughout the week, Sofía explored how different parts of the fashion world connect — from trend forecasting and brand strategy to marketing, merchandising, sustainability and business structure. Each day introduced new concepts and practical insights.
“It never felt boring or repetitive. In a short amount of time, we learned so much.”
One of the highlights of the course was a visit to the Victoria and Albert Museum.
“My favourite part was visiting the V&A. It helped connect what we were learning in class with real fashion history and design. Seeing everything in person made it much more inspiring.”
Learning how the fashion industry works
During the course, Sofía gained valuable insight into how the fashion industry operates. She was introduced to trend forecasting and how it informs business decisions, how fashion brands are structured, and how areas such as buying, merchandising, marketing and sustainability work together.
The class was also introduced to brand analysis, target markets and consumer behaviour — helping them understand how creative ideas are translated into commercial outcomes.
Gaining career clarity
Sofia's short course experience helped her better understand her interests and to start figuring out her career direction.
“I found the course very useful — not only because of everything I learned, but because it helped me understand which areas interest me the most. I realised that I’m more interested in the marketing and business side of fashion rather than garment design or buying itself.”
Although she hasn’t fully decided whether she will pursue fashion at university, she now feels more confident about her next steps.
“If I do choose to study fashion at college or university, many concepts will already feel familiar. ”
A global and personal learning experience
Beyond the course content, Sofía also enjoyed the learning environment at London College of Fashion.
“The class was quite small — around 10 students — which made everything feel much more personal. It was easy to ask questions and interact with the tutor. And you meet people from all over the world and make new friends.”
For Sofía, the course was more than just an introduction to the fashion industry. It was an opportunity to explore her creativity, clarify her interests and experience what studying in London could be like.
“I would definitely recommend this course to others — not only because of the content, but because of the experience as a whole.”
For young people ready to explore their creative interests, build their portfolios and take the first step towards their future, our short courses for teenagers offer the perfect place to start.
If you have any questions about which course is right for your teenager, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our Customer Service team. We’re here to support them on their creative journey and help them make the best choice for their future.
