Why summer is a great time for teens to do a short course
- Written byCody O'Connor
- Published date 13 April 2026
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As the academic year ends, young people and teenagers have time to explore their creativity and build on interests they may have identified in school. Summer School at University of the Arts London (UAL) is an exciting time where students from across the world learn and build on their skills.
Short courses are a fun and informative way to find out more about subjects such as art and design, fashion design, textiles, graphic design, journalism, interior design and photography.
If you are using the summer break to consider your next steps, we offer a diverse range of courses focused on preparing portfolios for university applications and employment.
Summer School will run at UAL’s campuses across London, including Chelsea College of Arts, London College of Fashion and Central Saint Martins. We caught up with three summer school students to find out about their experiences.
A trip with a purpose
Olivia is a 17-year-old from Slovakia who took the Fashion Design CSM Short Course for 16 to 18 Year Olds at Central Saint Martins last summer. Olivia combined exploring London for the first time with learning more about the fashion industry, "I had never visited the UK before, so I thought it would be nice to do a family trip with my parents".
During the project-based course, Olivia created a garment that represents how one life has many different eras or episodes. "I did a lot of research and focused the theme of my work on how the environment that you grow up in can impact your identity".
Olivia found the structure of the course productive in what it inspired her to create. "I’ve learnt to loosen up and not focus so much on making my work perfect but trying to create under pressure. I’ve discovered that when I’m more limited with time, I can create different kinds of pieces that are more freestyle".
Students on the week-long course document their fashion illustrations and research in a sketchbook. They are encouraged to experiment and are given feedback in individual tutorials on how to develop new ideas. Olivia says, "The course is unique because you create a large workload in a limited time, while also meeting all kinds of new people".
Olivia is intending to apply to universities this autumn and has been preparing her portfolio for art school. "I’ve always been interested in fashion design, whether it's creating pieces or styling, fashion business or marketing. But taking this course, it’s made it clear to me that I want to do fashion design in the future".
Getting clarity about the future
Lily is a student from Brussels, Belgium who joined the Portfolio Preparation for 18 to 16 Year Olds Short Course. She took the course because she wanted more clarity about her future plans, "I wanted to see what direction I could go in, and now I have my answer. I know what I want to do and it’s in art." Lily enjoyed learning how to build a strong portfolio during the course, "I learned in detail what a portfolio is, and what I'm doing with mine, so I’m very happy".
Lily feels optimistic about the future, and the prospect of using her portfolio to apply to art college. "I have one more year in school, so I have a bit more time to think, and I’m going to continue to do art." She had fun spending time on campus over the summer and said that "the environment and the teaching is amazing; it was a very new experience - I found it really interesting". Feeling inspired about her future plans after visiting London, Lily explains "I think the city is great, I want to live here one day".
Building confidence
Anifatu is a parent whose son Shemi enrolled on the Art and Design for 11 to 15 Year Olds Short Course to help improve his existing drawing skills. During the course, students are taught about modern and contemporary artists and designers while exploring different creative processes to make artwork.
Anifatu describes how Shemi, "will soon be transitioning to senior school", where he will continue to focus on art. She wanted the course "to help Shemi become more confident and independent" ahead of the move. "It’s been his first time doing a course, and he’s loved it, he’s made new friends and improved his work."
Studying at UAL has been "an opportunity to give him teaching in a more structured environment", according to his mother Anifatu. During the course, Anifatu explains that he’s "been taught new techniques which is really good. He likes to draw with pencils, but here he’s been encouraged to use colouring pens and iPads too."
Taking a short course at a university can make further education feel more accessible for young people. "I saw there was a course here for his age group, and the idea that he would be learning in a university environment - it helps him to see that it’s not as intimidating to go to university". Shemi will be applying for scholarships at secondary school, and Anifatu says that "having a portfolio from UAL is a good addition to his profile." She concludes,"he’s loved the course, and he will definitely be coming again."
If you are interested in Summer School 2026, find out more about the courses available for under 18s.
Learn more about student’s summer experiences in our story: Discover International Summer School through the eyes of our students.
