Summer programme
27 July to 7 August 2026
Two-week programme dates; one-week option begins on the same start date.
In-person Programme
The Young Architect Summer Experience
by InvestIN
A practical architecture work-experience programme where students develop, present and receive feedback on design projects with architects.
Last verified: 31 Jul 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy
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Young Architect Experience at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility
Current status
Recently closed
Eligibility
Students aged 15-18
Age range / Year group
Ages 15-18
Location / Region
London
Cost
£2,225; £3,275; £4,400
Duration
1 week or 2 weeks
Format
In-person
ArchitectureDesign
Accommodation: Residential or day option
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Certificate / outcome: Certificate and reference
Contact time: 25 to 65 hours
Campus experience: UCL campus
Young Architect Experience summary
The Young Architect Summer Experience is a practical London programme from InvestIN for students exploring architecture as a future course or career.
Students tackle design briefs, visit architecture firms, make models and present proposals to architects.
It suits students who want structured exposure to architectural practice, including teamwork, design communication and feedback.
What is The Young Architect Summer Experience?
The Young Architect Summer Experience is an in-person architecture work-experience programme run by InvestIN Education in London. It places students in design simulations, site research and professional settings while they learn how architects develop ideas into proposals.
Students work on briefs, sketch and model concepts, visit an architecture firm and pitch finished work to architects. The programme is based around UCL and University of London campus spaces, with selected activity at industry locations.
Why Succeed highlights Young Architect Experience
It gives students repeated chances to turn research and sketches into physical models and presentations.
Firm visits and architect-led feedback make the career exploration more concrete than a classroom-only taster.
The two-week route includes an exhibition, reference letter and physical certificate.
Residential and day-student formats make the London experience workable for different families.
The programme makes sustainable design and urban research visible parts of the experience.
Who is Young Architect Experience for?
Best for
Students who are curious about architecture and want to test design, model making and presenting ideas in a professional context.
Not ideal if
You only want a low-cost or fully online introduction, or prefer an academic lecture course without group project work.
Is Young Architect Experience worth it?
For a student who is seriously considering architecture, this is a strong way to experience the workflow behind the profession: interpreting a brief, researching a site, developing a model and defending a proposal. The firm visit and critique format can provide useful material for later reflection in applications.
The main limitation is cost, especially with the residential package, and a short programme cannot replace sustained portfolio development. It is most worthwhile when a student follows up by building their own work and researching architecture courses.
A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.
Cost and what is included
£2,225; £3,275; £4,400; includes Programme materials, equipment and resources are included., Hands-on career simulations are included., On-site safeguarding and pastoral care are included., A digital certificate follows the programme assessment., Residential packages include a private ensuite room, breakfast and dinner, and activities..
Accommodation
Residential or day option
Meals
Breakfast and dinner
Supervision or safety information
The residential package includes breakfast and dinner, activities and 24/7 safeguarding and pastoral support.
Provider details
Review the InvestIN provider page and official sources before making a final decision.
Dates and logistics
1 week or 2 weeks; London.
What to check before committing
Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what 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 Young Architect Experience need?
Effort level
Moderate to high.
Best started
Plan several months before a summer intake for travel, accommodation and funding decisions.
Main challenge
Turning research and creative ideas into clear, defensible design proposals.
Typical preparation
Practise explaining a building or public space you admire, including who it serves and why.
Bring a small sketchbook habit: draw plans, details or spatial observations from everyday places.
Research an architecture firm and prepare thoughtful questions about design briefs and collaboration.
Useful if
You want to test whether architecture's mix of creativity, analysis and teamwork suits you.
What do students do on Young Architect Experience?
The programme follows an architectural project process, combining observation, design development, making and presentation. Students work with architects and peers while exploring London sites and professional practice.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Learn the design process through research, collage, concept design and presentation boards.
- 2
Receive a brief, analyse client needs and investigate an urban site.
- 3
Develop sketches, physical models and design proposals with peer feedback.
- 4
Visit an architecture firm and take part in a professional Q&A.
- 5
Present final work to architects, receive feedback and exhibit projects.
Young Architect Experience dates and deadlines
Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.
Reference date
Programme start
27 July 2026
Published intake start date.
2026 availability
Summer 2026
The published intake was sold out.
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Summer programme | 27 July to 7 August 2026 | Local | Reference date | Get next-cycle reminder |
Programme start | 27 July 2026 | Local | Reference date | Get next-cycle reminder |
2026 availability | Summer 2026 | Local | Reference date | Get next-cycle reminder |
Eligibility and requirements
Aged 15-18.
No prior architecture knowledge required.
B2 upper-intermediate English minimum.
Students aged under 15 can contact InvestIN.
Students over 18 cannot attend.
How much does Young Architect Experience cost?
One-week programme
£2,225 — 25 hours with professionals.
Funding or discounts
- Two-week programme: £3,275 — 50 hours with professionals.
- Two-week Premium: £4,400 — 65 hours with professionals.
- Residential package total: From £3,725 — Depends on programme length.
- Bursary places: Free — Available for financially eligible students.
What's included
Programme materials, equipment and resources are included., Hands-on career simulations are included., On-site safeguarding and pastoral care are included., A digital certificate follows the programme assessment., Residential packages include a private ensuite room, breakfast and dinner, and activities.
How to apply to Young Architect Experience
- 1
Choose the architecture summer experience, preferred length and available date online.
- 2
Register and pay in full, or use the stated deposit option where available.
- 3
Complete the mandatory student enrolment form with emergency, medical and travel information.
- 4
Read the pre-arrival pack for your final venue details, timings and personalised agenda.
What does Young Architect Experience cover?
The programme covers the following focus areas.
Architecture studio
Learn the design process, drawings, scale, sketching and presentation boards.
Site and brief research
Analyse a client brief, visit a site and develop a concept with your team.
Models and sustainable design
Create physical models and investigate materials, systems and environmentally friendly urban spaces.
Professional presentation
Build presentation boards, pitch proposals and respond to architect feedback.
Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.
What is a typical day on Young Architect Experience?
A typical day during the programme.
Morning sessions
Studio work, firm visits, site research or design activities.
Afternoon sessions
Workshops, design development, coaching and project presentation.
Weekday cadence
The summer experience runs across weekdays, with a break between standard weeks.
Residential evenings
Social activities such as games, film, wellness and quiz nights.
Who teaches on Young Architect Experience?
Students are coached through the experience by senior architects from firms working across residential, commercial and urban design. The programme also includes architecture firm visits, professional Q&As and networking opportunities.
Students work in groups of around 6-10 across InvestIN programmes.
Where do students stay on Young Architect Experience?
Residential plan
- Residential choice: Students can choose residential or non-residential attendance.
- Private ensuite room: Students are allocated single ensuite rooms in central London university halls.
- Meals: Breakfast and dinner are provided at the accommodation canteen.
- Pastoral support: The package includes 24/7 safeguarding and pastoral support.
- Campus and social life: Evening and weekend activities are offered alongside university-campus living.
Airport transfers are available as an optional add-on; accommodation availability is first come, first served.
What happens after Young Architect Experience?
After completing this programme, participants often pursue:
Use design briefs, models and presentation work as evidence of subject exploration.
Receive a personalised digital certificate after the post-programme assessment.
Two-week students receive a physical certificate and industry reference letter.
Work towards a Level 3 Award in Work Experience and Career Planning on eligible options.
Use architect feedback to guide future portfolio development.
A short experience is strongest when followed by sustained independent portfolio work.
Where does Young Architect Experience take place?
The programme is based at UCL and the surrounding University of London campus in London. Selected days take place at architecture firms and other industry locations, giving students a mix of university and workplace settings.
Residential students are housed in central London university accommodation.
Young Architect Experience FAQs
No prior architecture knowledge or experience is required. The programme introduces the subject through guided projects and workshops.
Students explore design development, sketches, models, site research, firm visits, sustainable design and pitching project work.
It is based at UCL and the surrounding University of London campus, with some days at London industry locations.
Yes. Residential and non-residential options are available. Residential students stay in central London university halls in private ensuite rooms.
The residential package includes breakfast and dinner, activities and 24/7 safeguarding and pastoral support.
Students who complete the post-programme online assessment receive a personalised digital certificate. Two-week students also receive a physical certificate and industry reference letter.
Alternatives to Young Architect Experience
These options offer related architecture, design or engineering exploration for students comparing in-person and online formats.
Alternatives to Young Architect Experience
Academic Insights – Architecture
Recently closed
University-style architecture and design study in Cambridge
Architecture
26 Jul 2026
From £5995
13-18
Cambridge
In-person
Best for
Students wanting an academic summer school.
Career Insights – Architecture & Design
Recently closed
Career-focused architecture and design experience in London
Architecture
25 Jul 2026
From £5995
15-18
London
In-person
Best for
Students comparing London design experiences.
Mentored engineering research programme delivered online
Engineering
Check official page
From £2995
13-18
Online
Online
Best for
Students needing an online format.
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 & verification
Source types reviewed
- International Students – InvestIN Education
- Gain a Qualification in Work Experience – InvestIN Education
- English as a foreign language – InvestIN Education
- 404 Not Found – InvestIN Education
- Book A Consultation With Us – InvestIN Education
- Download Programme Brochure
- Explore Our Summer Experiences - Download Your Brochure – InvestIN Education
- InvestIN FAQs: Everything to Know About Our Career Experience Programmes – InvestIN Education
- How to make your university application stand out – InvestIN Education
- Architecture Work Experience in London for Year 10-12 – InvestIN Education
Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.
What we verified (on 31 Jul 2026)
Official programme page checked
Programme brochure reviewed
Dates reviewed
Fees reviewed
Eligibility reviewed
Accommodation reviewed
Safeguarding information reviewed
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