Applications closed
Closed
The Summer 2026 form no longer accepts applications.
Online Programme
Leaf Summer 2026 Cohort: Five Week Online Program
by Leaf
An online academic cohort combining self-paced subject exploration, facilitator-led discussions, expert Q&As and practical weekly activities.
Last verified: 28 Jul 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy
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Leaf Online Cohort at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility
Current status
Applications open
Eligibility
Pre-university students
Age range / Year group
Ages 15-19
Location / Region
Online
Cost
Free if needed
Duration
5 weeks
Format
Online
Artificial IntelligenceBiologyHistoryMathematicsPolitics
Sessions / cadence: 5 hours weekly; evening or weekend calls
Mentor model: Facilitators, experts and alumni
Assessment style: Quizzes and weekly activities
Main output: Track-specific weekly activities
Certificate: Completion certificate
Scheduling model: UK and US time zones
Latest verified cycle: Summer 2026
Leaf Online Cohort summary
Leaf combines independent online learning with a weekly facilitated discussion, small-group breakouts and track-specific activities.
Students choose from mathematics, biology, social sciences or artificial intelligence, with each course connecting academic ideas to practical questions about positive impact.
It suits curious students who enjoy challenging ideas, thoughtful peer discussion and learning beyond the school curriculum.
What is Leaf Summer 2026 Cohort: Five Week Online Program?
Leaf's cohort is a subject-based academic programme designed to help talented teenagers connect their interests with ways to improve the future. Students choose The Mathematics of Morality, Biology for a Better Tomorrow, Power, Policy and Progress, or Dilemmas and Dangers in AI.
Each track combines independent exploration with facilitated group discussion, practical weekly work and optional expert Q&As. The experience is designed around critical engagement rather than passive content consumption, with opportunities to discuss difficult questions and plan meaningful academic or career next steps.
Why Succeed highlights Leaf Online Cohort
The four tracks connect familiar school subjects with substantial ethical, social and career questions.
Weekly facilitated discussions give students a structured space to test ideas with motivated peers.
The programme combines self-paced flexibility with regular activities and live interaction.
Tiered tuition, including free participation when needed, makes access less dependent on family finances.
Strong participants may receive referrals, mentorship, funding opportunities and continued alumni support.
Who is Leaf Online Cohort for?
Best for
Curious, self-motivated students who enjoy independent exploration, nuanced discussion and connecting academic interests with real-world impact.
Not ideal if
You want a conventional taught class, a purely technical course or an experience with little independent work and debate.
Is Leaf Online Cohort worth it?
For students drawn to one of the four subjects, the programme offers a thoughtful mix of structured resources, peer discussion and exposure to unusual academic and career questions. Its accessible tuition model also reduces the financial risk of trying an enrichment course.
The value depends on active participation: much of the learning is self-directed, and the programme's impact-focused framing will not suit everyone. Finalist selection is competitive, while Independent Learner participation offers fewer supported components.
A practical overview of cost, time commitment, provider details, student outcomes and online support to review before deciding.
Cost and what is included
Free if needed; includes Full five-week cohort experience for accepted Finalists, Free self-paced online course access for every applicant, Weekly facilitator-led discussion calls for Finalists, Interactive online resources and weekly activities, Optional expert talks and Q&As, Certificate after completing the relevant requirements.
Dates and time commitment
5 weeks; 5 hours weekly; evening or weekend calls.
Provider details
Review the Leaf provider page and official sources before making a final decision.
What the student gains
Potential output: The main output is a set of weekly activities tailored to the chosen subject track.. Check whether feedback, certificate, recommendation or application evidence is included.
Online support and safeguarding
Finalists join the supported five-week cohort, including weekly staff-led discussion calls. Independent Learners receive self-paced platform access without the other cohort components.
What to check before committing
Confirm current dates, session schedule, payment terms, cancellation rules, support expectations and what output or certificate is included with the provider.
Compare this programme with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.
Compare with similar programmesHow much preparation does Leaf Online Cohort need?
Effort level
Moderate and consistent.
Best started
Join the mailing list now and begin preparing two to four weeks before the next application window.
Main challenge
Keeping pace with interconnected content alongside school commitments.
Typical preparation
Review the four course descriptions and choose the subject that genuinely interests you most.
Think of examples showing intellectual curiosity, honesty and action taken to help others.
Set aside a regular weekly study window and identify suitable evening or weekend call times.
Useful if
You can explain your curiosity, altruistic motivation and willingness to act.
What do students do on Leaf Online Cohort?
Students explore one subject track through online resources, discussions and practical weekly work, then connect what they learn with possible academic, project and career pathways.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Choose one primary course from the four subject tracks.
- 2
Work through interactive videos, readings, questions and quizzes independently.
- 3
Join a weekly facilitator-led discussion call with small-group breakouts.
- 4
Complete the activity set for your track, such as problem sheets, position papers, projects or exploration sheets.
- 5
Attend optional expert Q&As, peer sessions and community conversations.
- 6
Reflect on potential degrees, careers, projects and other next steps.
Leaf Online Cohort dates and deadlines
Closed
Summer cohort
12 July-16 August 2026
Latest verified five-week course run.
Applications open
August 2026
Expected opening for a future cohort.
Next cohort
October-November 2026
Expected timing; exact dates are not announced.
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Applications closed | Closed | Local | Closed | Save programme |
Summer cohort | 12 July-16 August 2026 | Local | Active | Save deadline |
Applications open | August 2026 | Local | Upcoming | Save deadline |
Next cohort | October-November 2026 | Local | Upcoming | Save deadline |
Eligibility and requirements
Aged 15-19
Not yet started university
Gap-year students welcome
Any schooling background accepted
No subject-specific school course required
International students must attend UK or US time-zone events
Curiosity and commitment expected
How much does Leaf Online Cohort cost?
Programme fee
Free if needed — Tiered tuition; most families contribute around £150/$200.
Funding or discounts
- Independent Learner access: Free — Automatically offered to all applicants.
What's included
Full five-week cohort experience for accepted Finalists, Free self-paced online course access for every applicant, Weekly facilitator-led discussion calls for Finalists, Interactive online resources and weekly activities, Optional expert talks and Q&As, Certificate after completing the relevant requirements
How to apply to Leaf Online Cohort
- 1
Join Leaf's mailing list for notice of the next application opening.
- 2
Review the four subject tracks and choose your primary course.
- 3
Submit one cohort application when the form opens.
- 4
Indicate whether you would be equally interested in other courses.
- 5
Complete all application questions honestly without prohibited external or AI assistance.
- 6
Wait for a Finalist decision or Independent Learner invitation.
Learning format
Most core content is self-paced, using an online learning platform with interactive videos, readings, questions, quizzes and other activities. Finalists also join a weekly one-hour facilitated discussion with small-group breakouts, while optional expert Q&As and peer-led sessions add live interaction.
Leaf offers several discussion-call options and usually schedules calls during evenings or weekends.
Mentorship and feedback
Weekly discussions are led by a Leaf facilitator.
Small-group breakouts support critical peer discussion.
Staff and peers give feedback on weekly activities.
Experts contribute optional talks and Q&As.
Top participants may receive custom follow-on mentorship.
Leaf staff remain available for support and direction.
Time-zone considerations
- Courses serve UK and US time zones.
- International applicants must attend UK or US time-zone events.
- Calls usually take place during evenings or weekends.
- Multiple weekly discussion-call options are normally offered.
- Most core learning can be completed independently.
Assessment style
Progress is based on engagement with online content, weekly activities and discussion participation rather than a published formal examination.
- Interactive quizzes appear within the online course content.
- Each track sets practical weekly activities.
- Staff and peers provide activity feedback.
- Finalists must submit at least four of five weekly activities for certification.
- Finalists must attend at least four of five discussion calls for certification.
Portfolio / outputs
Main deliverable / output
The main output is a set of weekly activities tailored to the chosen subject track.
Completed online course content
Track-specific weekly activity work
Personal degree and career pathway plan
Completion certificate when requirements are met
Leaf Online Cohort FAQs
The cohort includes The Mathematics of Morality, Biology for a Better Tomorrow, Power, Policy and Progress, and Dilemmas and Dangers in AI.
No. Leaf says curiosity and commitment matter, and students do not need to take the subject in their A-Levels, APs or equivalent studies.
Finalists join the supported five-week cohort, including weekly staff-led discussion calls. Independent Learners receive self-paced platform access without the other cohort components.
Yes, provided they can attend events scheduled for UK and US time zones.
Most core content is self-paced. Calls usually run during evenings or weekends, with multiple discussion-call options offered where possible.
Leaf asks participants to attend as much as possible but can accommodate an unavoidable missed call when notified in advance. Self-paced content can be caught up later.
Yes. Finalists must attend at least four of five discussion calls and submit four of five weekly activities; Independent Learners have a separate certificate.
Yes. Leaf reports accepting approximately 15% of applicants as Finalists, while offering Independent Learner access to all eligible applicants.
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Save this programme in Succeed to compare it with similar programmes, dates, costs and formats in one place.
Compare with other programmesContent reviewed by
Ben Stacy
Co-founder, Succeed | Former secondary teacher and educational leader
Ben works at the intersection of education, technology and school adoption, with expertise in how secondary schools evaluate data-driven tools and how education technology is used in practice.
Sources and verification
Source types reviewed
- Leaf Summer 2026 Application
- Info for parents | Empower Young Talents – Get Involved — Leaf
- Dilemmas and dangers in AI — Leaf
- Power, Policy, and Progress — Leaf
- Biology for a Better Tomorrow — Leaf
- The mathematics of morality — Leaf
- Frequently Asked Questions — Leaf
- Leaf
Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.
What we verified (on 28 Jul 2026)
Official course pages checked
Application status checked
Eligibility reviewed
Schedule reviewed
Costs cross-checked
Certificate requirements checked
Safeguarding information reviewed
How Succeed uses this information
We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.
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