Succeed
    Online Programme

    TED Virtual Summer School

    by Immerse Education

    TED Virtual Summer School is a two-week online public-speaking programme from Immerse Education and TED, combining live small-group classes with self-paced learning to develop a TED-style talk.

    Last verified: 24 Jul 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens
    TED Virtual Summer School

    Key facts

    Current status

    Upcoming

    Eligibility

    Motivated communicators

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 14-18

    Location / Region

    Online

    Cost

    £2,495

    Duration

    2 weeks

    Format

    Online

    Next deadline

    Not announced · Upcoming cycle

    Get next-cycle reminder
    Public SpeakingWriting

    Sessions / cadence: Daily live sessions; self-paced work

    Main output: TED-style talk

    Latest verified cycle: June-August 2026

    Time-zone model: 09:00 or 17:00 BST

    TL;DR

    TED Virtual Summer School is a two-week online communication programme created by Immerse Education in partnership with TED.

    Students combine practical live classes with structured self-paced tasks to turn an idea into a TED-style talk.

    It suits teenagers who want guided public-speaking practice, storytelling development and international peer discussion.

    What is TED Virtual Summer School?

    TED Virtual Summer School is an online programme from Immerse Education, delivered in partnership with TED. It centres on developing an idea that matters to the student and communicating it with greater clarity and confidence.

    Students take part in daily small-group live sessions alongside flexible platform-based tasks. The programme builds towards a final TED-style talk after two weeks of practising structure, storytelling and delivery.

    Why Succeed highlights this

    • It gives students a concrete public-speaking outcome rather than only theory.

    • Daily live practice and personalised feedback make the format more active than a self-paced course.

    • The final TED-style talk creates a clear piece of work for a personal portfolio.

    • Global cohort options can make live participation more practical across time zones.

    Who should consider this?

    Best for

    Students aged 14-18 who want to develop an original idea, practise public speaking and gain confidence presenting in English.

    Not ideal if

    You want a subject-specialist academic course, a fully asynchronous format, or a lower-cost introduction to speaking practice.

    Is it worth it?

    It can be worthwhile for students who value structured live practice and want to finish with a polished talk. The combination of small-group sessions, self-paced development and a final showcase gives the programme a focused arc.

    The main limitation is price: it is a premium online programme. Its value is strongest when a student will actively use the feedback, engage with peers and build on the final talk afterwards.

    Effort and preparation

    Effort level

    Moderate to high.

    Best started

    Two to four weeks before the chosen session.

    Main challenge

    Turning a broad interest into a clear, memorable talk.

    Typical preparation

    • Choose an idea you genuinely care about and note why it matters to an audience.

    • Practise explaining that idea aloud in two minutes before the programme begins.

    • Set aside time outside live classes for platform tasks and talk development.

    Useful if

    You are ready to practise delivery and act on feedback.

    What you actually do

    Students develop a TED-style talk through live discussion, delivery practice and structured independent tasks. The programme ends with each participant presenting the talk they have refined.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Join daily live online classes for discussion and practical delivery work.

    2. 2

      Explore TED-curated content and complete structured platform tasks.

    3. 3

      Develop an idea and shape it into a coherent talk.

    4. 4

      Practise delivery and exchange personalised feedback.

    5. 5

      Present your completed TED-style talk in the final showcase.

    Key dates and deadlines

    June session

    15 June-26 June 2026

    09:00-11:00 BST cohort.

    Past

    July session

    6 July-17 July 2026

    17:00-19:00 BST cohort.

    Past

    July session

    20 July-31 July 2026

    09:00-11:00 BST cohort.

    Active
    Save deadline

    August session

    3 August-14 August 2026

    17:00-19:00 BST cohort.

    Upcoming
    Save deadline

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Be aged 14-18.

    • Be confident discussing and presenting in English.

    • Bring curiosity and enthusiasm for developing speaking skills.

    • No prior public-speaking experience is required.

    Cost, funding, and what's included

    Programme fee

    £2,495 — 40-hour online option.

    Funding or discounts

    • Financial Aid: Needs-based support — Full or partial awards may be available.

    What's included

    Daily small-group live online sessions., Structured self-paced platform tasks., Personalised feedback during live practice., A final TED-style talk for a personal portfolio.

    How to apply

    1. 1

      Open the online enrolment module with a parent or legal guardian.

    2. 2

      Complete personal details, academic background and parent or guardian information.

    3. 3

      Pay the £995 deposit to secure a place.

    4. 4

      Wait for enrolment confirmation by email.

    Learning format

    The programme combines daily small-group live online sessions with flexible self-paced learning on a dedicated platform. Live classes support discussion, delivery practice and feedback, while structured tasks develop the talk step by step.

    Two global cohort time options are offered across the listed sessions.

    Mentorship and feedback

    • Learn from experienced educators and communication specialists.

    • Practise delivery in daily live sessions.

    • Give and receive personalised feedback.

    • Use expert guidance alongside independent platform work.

    Time-zone considerations

    • Study from anywhere in the world.
    • Choose from two global cohort time options.
    • Listed live sessions run 09:00-11:00 BST or 17:00-19:00 BST.
    • Use flexible self-paced work around the live-session schedule.

    Tech requirements

    • Access the dedicated online learning platform.

    • Join daily live online sessions.

    • Complete structured online tasks.

    Assessment style

    Progress is built through practical delivery work, personalised feedback and a final TED-style talk.

    • Practise delivery during live classes.
    • Give and receive personalised feedback.
    • Complete structured tasks that develop the talk.
    • Present the refined talk in the final showcase.

    Portfolio / outputs

    Main deliverable / output

    The main output is a TED-style talk presented at the end of the programme.

    • A developed and refined TED-style talk.

    • A portfolio addition for future applications.

    • Practical communication, storytelling and presentation evidence.

    Frequently asked questions

    It helps students develop meaningful ideas and express them with clarity and confidence through public-speaking practice.

    Students combine daily live online sessions with flexible self-paced tasks on a dedicated platform.

    Live classes focus on discussion, practising delivery and giving and receiving personalised feedback.

    Each student presents a developed TED-style talk at the end of the two weeks. It can be added to a personal portfolio.

    No. The programme welcomes students with curiosity and enthusiasm for developing their speaking skills.

    Students should be confident holding discussions and giving presentations in English.

    Needs-based Financial Aid may be available for students who require full or partial support with programme fees.

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    Sean Stevens

    Content reviewed by

    Sean Stevens

    Co-founder, Succeed | Founder, Immerse Education (2012–2026)

    Sean works at the intersection of academic enrichment, programme quality and university preparation, with expertise in evaluating pre-university experiences for ambitious secondary school students.

    View author page

    Sources & verification

    Source types reviewed

    • Terms & Conditions - Immerse Education
    • Immerse Education - Enrolment
    • Financial - TED Summer School
    • FAQ - TED Summer School
    • Book Consultation
    • Virtual Programmes

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 24 Jul 2026)

    • Programme format checked

    • Session dates reviewed

    • Age eligibility reviewed

    • Price checked

    • Financial aid reviewed

    • Application process 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.