St Andrews Session 1
28 June-19 July 2026
Three-week residential session.
In-person Programme
Art Summer Programme
by ISSOS
A hands-on art elective combining guided studio practice, creative experimentation and a final exhibition within ISSOS's residential summer school.
Last verified: 19 Aug 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy
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Art Summer Programme at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility
Current status
Recently closed
Eligibility
High-school students worldwide
Age range / Year group
13-18
Location / Region
St Andrews, Scotland
Cost
£7,900
Duration
3 weeks
Format
In-person residential
Art
Accommodation: St Salvator’s Hall
Meals: Full board
Outcome: Exhibition and completion certificate
Sessions / cadence: 3-hour classes, four afternoons weekly
Tutors: Working professional artists
Art Summer Programme summary
This practical art elective introduces traditional and contemporary techniques through guided studio projects and creative experimentation.
Students combine Art with an academic class and join the wider summer-school activities and cultural programme.
It suits curious young artists at any experience level who want personalised guidance, varied projects and the experience of exhibiting selected work.
What is Art Summer Programme?
The Art Summer Programme is ISSOS's practical art elective at its St Andrews residential summer school. Students pair it with an academic class while learning in an international community that also shares activities and cultural trips.
Working artists guide students through drawing, painting, sculpture, illustration and design projects. The emphasis is on experimentation, technique and self-expression, culminating in an exhibition of selected work for the summer-school community.
Why Succeed highlights Art Summer Programme
Professional working artists provide expert tuition and individual guidance.
The curriculum spans traditional and contemporary techniques across several media.
Small classes support personalised instruction for beginners and experienced students.
Students complete varied creative projects and present selected work in a final exhibition.
The art elective sits within a broader academic, cultural and residential experience.
Who is Art Summer Programme for?
Best for
Students who want hands-on creative exploration, professional guidance and the confidence-building experience of exhibiting their work.
Not ideal if
You need a specialist admissions portfolio course or want art without the accompanying academic, residential and activity programme.
Is Art Summer Programme worth it?
It can be worthwhile for a student who values structured artistic experimentation alongside an international residential experience. Professional tuition, personalised support, varied projects and a final exhibition give the elective more substance than a casual holiday art class.
The main limitation is its breadth: ISSOS explicitly says it is not designed to build a portfolio for outside applications or classes. Families should also value the complete summer-school package, because Art is paired with an academic option rather than sold as an isolated specialist course.
A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.
Cost and what is included
£7,900; includes Academic and elective tuition, Course materials and equipment, Campus accommodation with full board, Full-day and half-day cultural trips, Evening activities and Sunday workshops, Travel and medical insurance during the programme, Designated-airport transfers within scheduled arrangements, Academic report and completion certificate.
Accommodation
St Salvator’s Hall
Meals
Full board
Provider details
Review the ISSOS provider page and official sources before making a final decision.
Dates and logistics
3 weeks; St Andrews, Scotland.
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 Art Summer Programme need?
Effort level
Moderate, with sustained practical work across three weeks.
Best started
Begin six to eight weeks before applying, allowing longer for visa and travel planning.
Main challenge
Balancing experimentation, project completion and the wider residential timetable.
Typical preparation
Choose the academic option that you want to pair with Art before opening the application form.
Prepare the required student photo and school, teacher and parent or guardian details.
International families should check UK entry requirements early and plan travel around the designated airport arrangements.
Useful if
You enjoy trying unfamiliar media and responding constructively to individual guidance.
What do students do on Art Summer Programme?
Students develop practical art skills through guided projects, individual feedback and experimentation with different techniques. Their best work is selected for an end-of-session exhibition.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Explore line drawing, oil painting, sculpture and cartoon illustration.
- 2
Create projects such as canvas portraits, original sculptures and album-cover designs.
- 3
Experiment with unfamiliar styles and develop a more individual artistic approach.
- 4
Use personalised guidance to refine techniques and build creative confidence.
- 5
Select and display completed pieces in the final art exhibition.
Art Summer Programme 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
St Andrews Session 2
22 July-12 August 2026
Three-week residential session.
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
St Andrews Session 1 | 28 June-19 July 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
St Andrews Session 2 | 22 July-12 August 2026 | Local | Reference date |
Eligibility and requirements
Aged 13-18
Returning to high school after summer
Students of all nationalities may apply
No academic entry requirements
Art must be paired with an academic option
How much does Art Summer Programme cost?
Total programme fee
£7,900 — All-inclusive St Andrews residential programme.
Funding or discounts
- Registration fee: £500 — Non-refundable after a place is offered.
- Tuition fee: £7,400 — Due after a place is confirmed.
What's included
Academic and elective tuition, Course materials and equipment, Campus accommodation with full board, Full-day and half-day cultural trips, Evening activities and Sunday workshops, Travel and medical insurance during the programme, Designated-airport transfers within scheduled arrangements, Academic report and completion certificate
How to apply to Art Summer Programme
- 1
Open the official online application form.
- 2
Choose a St Andrews session, an academic option and Art as the elective.
- 3
Enter the student's details and upload a photo.
- 4
Provide school, teacher and parent or guardian information.
- 5
Submit the form for review by the ISSOS Head Office team.
- 6
Pay the registration fee when instructed to secure an offered place.
- 7
Pay the remaining tuition fee within 21 days of confirmation.
What does Art Summer Programme cover?
The programme covers the following focus areas.
Drawing and painting
Practise line drawing, oil painting and portrait work on canvas.
Sculpture
Develop original three-dimensional work through hands-on sculptural projects.
Illustration and design
Explore cartoon illustration and design briefs such as album covers.
Creative development
Experiment with styles, find inspiration and shape an individual approach.
Exhibition practice
Select and present completed pieces in the final art exhibition.
Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.
What is a typical day on Art Summer Programme?
A typical day during the programme.
Academic class
Students attend three hours of academic teaching each weekday.
Art elective
Art meets for three hours each weekday afternoon except Wednesday.
Activities and trips
Students join evening activities, clan events and cultural trips.
Who teaches on Art Summer Programme?
Working professional artists lead the Art elective and provide individual guidance to help students refine techniques and grow in confidence. Academic classes are taught by qualified teachers who are experienced professionals in their fields.
ISSOS highlights small classes and personalised instruction.
Where do students stay on Art Summer Programme?
Residential plan
- University residence: Students stay in St Salvator’s Hall, reserved exclusively for ISSOS.
- Full-board dining: Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in the hall's dining room.
- Residential support: The hall is presented as a safe and supportive student environment.
- Campus experience: Students use university facilities and join activities, trips and cultural events.
Room allocation considers age and sex where possible; single rooms are not guaranteed.
What happens after Art Summer Programme?
After completing this programme, participants often pursue:
Develop a varied collection of artwork across several media.
Present selected work in a final exhibition.
Receive an academic report after completing the programme.
Earn a certificate of completion through full participation.
Build confidence for further school or independent art practice.
The course is not designed as an admissions portfolio-building programme.
Where does Art Summer Programme take place?
The programme takes place at ISSOS's St Andrews campus in coastal Scotland, with accommodation in St Salvator’s Hall. Students experience a historic university setting and join organised cultural trips to nearby cities and towns.
Edinburgh Airport is the designated airport, approximately one hour and 15 minutes from campus.
Art Summer Programme FAQs
No. The programme welcomes students who are beginning art as well as those who have been making art for years.
No. Art is an elective within the ISSOS residential programme, and each student also chooses one academic class.
The elective runs for three hours on four weekday afternoons, with Wednesday excluded.
Published examples include line drawing, oil painting, sculpture, cartoon illustration, canvas portraits and design projects.
Yes. Students select their best pieces for a final exhibition shared with the summer-school community.
Students create a varied collection of work, but ISSOS explicitly says the elective is not a portfolio-building course for outside projects or classes.
Working professional artists lead the elective and provide individual guidance.
It includes tuition, materials, full-board accommodation, activities, cultural trips, insurance, qualifying airport transfers, an academic report and a completion certificate.
Alternatives to Art Summer Programme
Compare these in-person creative programmes if you want a different location, age range or balance of art and design.
Alternatives to Art Summer Programme
Two-week programme exploring creativity in practice.
Art
Deadline: Not announced
Cost not listed
11-16
Wimborne
In-person
Best for
Students seeking a dedicated creative programme for younger age groups.
Creative practice combined with critical thinking.
Art
Deadline: Not announced
Cost not listed
14-17
Cambridge
In-person
Best for
Older students comparing art and design in a Cambridge setting.
Art exploration alongside an English summer programme.
Art
Deadline: Not announced
From £1795
11-15
Brighton, UK
In-person
Best for
Younger students wanting art alongside English-language development.
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
- ISSOS - Summer School Application
- Procedures & Policies - ISSOS
- Travel and Visas for Summer School - ISSOS
- Arrival and Departure - ISSOS
- Summer School Application Process - ISSOS
- St Andrews Summer School - ISSOS
- Summer School Fees - ISSOS
- UK T&Cs 2023
- Art Summer School - ISSOS
Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.
What we verified (on 19 Aug 2026)
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Session dates verified
Fees cross-checked
Eligibility reviewed
Application process checked
Residential inclusions reviewed
Travel guidance checked
Policies 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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