Join us
Applications for 2026 are now closed.
Thank you for all the interest in the UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2026.
Japanese high schools should refer to the join us page in Japanese, as the application process and the fee structure for participants from Japanese high schools are different from those of the UK-based participants.
The UCL-Japan Youth Challenge welcomes pre-university students from UK sixth form colleges (individuals) and Japanese high schools (school groups with their teachers) every year.
Application overview
1
Check eligibility
2
Apply
We reply to all applications
3
Payment
Your place will be confirmed once the fees have been paid in full
4
Preparation
Check the programme details, do the homework and pack what you need
5
Join us!
Eligibility
Pre-university students who have finished:
-
Years 11–13 (in England and Wales)
-
S4–S6 (in Scotland)
-
Years 12–14 (in Northern Ireland)
at the time of participation in July.
We may consider applicants outside these years on a case by case basis, as long as they are pre-university students.
We may also consider international applications (applicants who attend schools outside the UK, except Japan) on a case by case basis only, at our sole discretion.
We are unable to consider applicants who have already started their university studies.
UK-based participants
If you go to school or college located in the UK, you will be a ‘UK-based participant’.
All UK-based participants participate in the UCL-Japan Youth Challenge individually.
All participants must attend Day 1 at Rikkyo School in England and Days 4–8 at UCL.
Accommodation is optional throughout the programme.
We offer four accommodation options.
Participants from Japanese high schools
Participants from Japanese high schools participate in the UCL-Japan Youth Challenge with their school teacher/leader, forming school groups.
Each school group has approximately three participants plus one teacher/leader.
All participants and teachers/leaders from Japanese high schools arrive prior to the first day (Day 1) and stay at our accommodation throughout the programme.
Fees
The fees below cover full participation in the UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2026 and lunch each day.
Please note that accommodation and transport costs are not included.
To secure your place on our summer school programme, you will need to pay your fees in full.
£800
* Additional fees will apply if you require accommodation.
We will send details (accommodation options and additional fees) to you once we receive the application.
Details of how to pay your fees will be provided via email after your application.
You will receive an invoice with bank details to make a payment by bank transfer.
We will not accept any other payment methods.
Accommodation options
Participants must choose one of the four accommodation options listed below.
We are unable to offer any alternative accommodation arrangements.
Participants from Japanese high schools participate in the UCL-Japan Youth Challenge with their school teacher/leader, forming school groups.
Each school group has approximately three participants plus one teacher/leader.
All participants and teachers/leaders from Japanese high schools arrive prior to the first day (Day 1) and stay at our accommodation throughout the programme.
Option 1
All accommodation
(8 nights in total):
- Rikkyo School in England (1 night)
- University of Cambridge (2 nights)
- UCL (University of London) (5 nights)
Included transport:
- From Rikkyo School in England
to the University of Cambridge - From the University of Cambridge
to UCL (University of London)
You must arrange your own transport to Rikkyo School in England on Day 1: Saturday 25th July.
You attend:
- Day 1: Saturday 25th July
—at Rikkyo School in England - Days 2 & 3: Sunday 26th & Monday 27th July
—at the University of Cambridge - Days 4–8: Tuesday 28th July–Saturday 1st August
—at UCL
Your final day:
- Day 9: Sunday 2nd August
—Departure
You will need to make your own way home.
Option 2
Accommodation
(3 nights in total):
- Rikkyo School in England (1 night)
- University of Cambridge (2 nights)
No accommodation:
- UCL (University of London)
Included transport:
- From Rikkyo School in England
to the University of Cambridge - From the University of Cambridge
to UCL (University of London)
You must arrange your own transport to Rikkyo School in England on Day 1: Saturday 25th July.
You will need to make your own way home on Day 4: Tuesday 28th July.
For Days 5–8: Wednesday 29th July–Saturday 1st August, you must arrange your own transport to and from UCL each day.
You attend:
- Day 1: Saturday 25th July
—at Rikkyo School in England - Days 2 & 3: Sunday 26th & Monday 27th July
—at the University of Cambridge - Days 4–8: Tuesday 28th July–Saturday 1st August
—at UCL
Your final day:
- Day 8: Saturday 1st August
—at UCL
You will need to make your own way home.
Option 3
Accommodation
(5 nights):
- UCL (University of London) only (5 nights)
No accommodation:
- Rikkyo School in England
- University of Cambridge
No transport is included.
You must arrange your own transport to and from Rikkyo School in England on Day 1: Saturday 25th July.
You must also arrange your own transport to UCL on Day 4: Tuesday 28th July.
You attend:
- Day 1: Saturday 25th July
—at Rikkyo School in England - Days 4–8: Tuesday 28th July–Saturday 1st August
—at UCL
Optionally you may attend:
- Day 3: Monday 27th July
—at the University of Cambridge
If you attend, you must arrange your own transport to and from the University of Cambridge.
Your final day:
- Day 9: Sunday 2nd August
—Departure
You will need to make your own way home.
Option 4
No accommodation is included.
No transport is included.
You must arrange your own transport to and from Rikkyo School in England on Day 1: Saturday 25th July.
For Days 4–8: Tuesday 28th July–Saturday 1st August, you must arrange your own transport to and from UCL each day.
You attend:
- Day 1: Saturday 25th July
—at Rikkyo School in England - Days 4–8: Tuesday 28th July–Saturday 1st August
—at UCL
Optionally you may attend:
- Day 3: Monday 27th July
—at the University of Cambridge
If you attend, you must arrange your own transport to and from the University of Cambridge.
Your final day:
- Day 8: Saturday 1st August
—at UCL
You will need to make your own way home.
Application form
Applications for 2026 are now open.
You can apply through the following online application form.
Applications close on Tuesday 30th June 2026 at 11.59pm BST, however applications may close early if the programme is full.
Applications for 2026 are now closed.
Thank you for all the interest in the UCL-Japan Youth Challenge 2026.