An initial payment of £500 should be made to secure your booking, and the final payment is due at least five weeks before your summer camp starts.

Once paid, fees are non-refundable. Please refer to our Term and Conditions for more information.

Booking Changes: If you find the need to modify your booking, a £50 administrative fee will apply.  

Arrival and Departure Transfers: Our published arrivals and departures are designed to optimise your experience.  Should you arrive or depart outside our advertised transfer window, or to an airport other than Heathrow, please be aware that transfer fees will apply as follows:

Luton/Stansted/Gatwick: £510 each way

Heathrow (out of transfer window): £410 each way

Bristol Airport: £120 each way

Bristol Train Station: £120 each way.

Arriving or departing directly to campus out of hours/not Sunday: £150

Arriving at Heathrow Airport before 9.00 on a Sunday: £150

Unaccompanied Minors (arriving/departing outside of our transfer window): £50

Contact our team for more information.

Extra nights: £150 (subject to availability, transfer not included)

Weekend trips: £125 (days students or those attending the trip on arrival/departure day)

Group Horse Riding: £60 per hour lesson

Day fees: £875 per week for Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday (8.30 to 17.30). Lunch is included

You can make a payment easily and securely using TransferMate. Simply visit our dedicated payment portal at https://academicsummer.transfermateeducation.com.

For step-by-step guidance, please see:

• Agent TransferMate Instructions
• Student TransferMate Instructions

If you need any assistance, feel free to contact us at info@academiccamp.org.

All our boarding students are covered by student travel insurance offered through Guard Me. This insurance is included in the Academic Summer Camp student fees. It covers students worldwide, except in their country of origin. Therefore, students are not covered under the insurance if they attend our camps in their country of residence. Academic Summer Camps does not provide insurance for day students attending our camps.

The key features of the Guard Me insurance policy are:

Protection against cancellation or curtailment, including visa refusals

Medical expenses: £10,000,000 (public and private treatments and hospitals)

Digital Doctor giving 24/7 medical doctor telephonic and video support

24-hour helpline for medical emergencies

Baggage, personal money and travel documents

Third-party liability: £2,500,000

No excess

Trip Rearrangement Fee Coverage

Once the student fees are received, the insurance coverage will commence, and Guard Me will email the insurance certificate to your contact email address. 

This is the link to the insurance information offered by Guard Me.

This is the link to the full policy wording. You can find a summary of the cover and claims contact numbers at the front of the booklet via this link.

Questions can also be answered via the Student Help Centre on the Guard Me website. 

Here is your step-by-step guide to making Academic Summer your reality:

1.  Choose your programme, location and dates that align with your interests and schedule.  Should you have any questions, our friendly admissions team is here to help
2. Review the important details:  Take a moment to read our terms and conditions.  By signing the application form, you are indicating your agreement. Make sure you understand the programme you are signing up to
3. Complete the booking form: Fill out our user-friendly online booking form, and don't forget to inform us about any medical or dietary concerns we should be aware of. Safety is our top priority. When you book a place, you will create a login to our portal, where you can go back and add information later
4. Reserve your place:  It's time to make your initial payment of £500 to secure your spot.  This will be offset against your total fees
5. Request your visa letter: You can apply for your visa up to three months before the start of the course.  We advise applying as early as possible.  We will supply you with a letter to support your application
6. Familiarise yourself with the parental portal:  You can add any extra information about yourself, upload a photograph, and when the time comes, check out the student handbook, view your timetable and read your reports
7. Customise your curriculum:  Handpick your academic camps or subjects based on your chosen programme
8. Book your travel arrangements: Book your flights and add the details to the portal.  We want to make your arrival seamless, so please check our airport transfer requirements before making any arrangements
9. The countdown begins:  Five weeks before your course, it's time to make your final payment.  We'll email you a reminder!
10. Take the English assessment: consider this a friendly quiz to ensure we can communicate effectively and have a fantastic time together.  Our teachers will use the results to plan their lessons with you in mind!
11. Verify everything:  Log into your online portal to confirm that you have sent us all the necessary documents and information
12. Pack your bags: Consult our Student Handbook to ensure you've packed everything you need.  And, of course, don't leave home without your sense of adventure!
13. Bon Voyage!

At Academic Summer Camp, we prioritise convenience and comfort for our students.  As part of your all-inclusive package, we provide airport transfers from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) on our published arrival and departure days.  Your flight should arrive or depart between 09.00 and 17.00 on these days.

How do we make transfer days better?

• We rent a dedicated function suite at Hilton Terminal 4, Heathrow Airport, to streamline your arrival and departure experience
• Students can enjoy a comfortable waiting area with amenities, including snacks, a hot lunch, Wi-Fi, and fun entertainment, ensuring a relaxed start to their summer camp. Students have a chance to get to know people before they arrive at school
• Scheduled transport by coach to ensure that you can seamlessly transition to and from our camps

Bristol arrival dates:

Sunday 5 July 2026

Sunday 19 July 2026

Sunday 26 July 2026

Sunday 2 August 2026

Bristol departure dates:

Sunday 19 July 2026

Sunday 2 August  2026

Additional Information:

• If you're meeting us at the airport, please come to Hilton Terminal 4, Hounslow, TW6 3AF, for drop-off and pick-up. Enjoy a coffee with us
• Should you arrive or depart outside our advertised transfer window or to an airport other than Heathrow, please be aware that transfer fees apply
• Your flight should arrive or depart between 09.00 and 17.00 on our published arrival and departure days
• If you arrive at school directly, please arrive between 15.00 and 17.00 on the arrival Sunday. Do not arrive before 15.00 as we are getting your room ready and preparing
• If you arrive direct to school on a non-arrival Sunday you should arrive around 18.00 for dinner at 19.00. If you arrive on another day please contact us to arrange a suitable time
• If you depart directly from school, please depart before 11.00 on the departure Sunday
• On departure day, the final coach for Heathrow will leave the school before 10.00, and students with a later flight will be able to enjoy the amenities at Hilton Terminal 4 until their check-in

Arriving at times outside our transfer window

Our published arrivals and departures are designed to optimise your experience.  Should you arrive or depart outside our advertised transfer window, or to an airport other than Heathrow, please be aware that transfer fees will apply as follows:

Luton/Stansted/Gatwick: £510 each way

Heathrow (out of transfer window): £410 each way (If you have a later flight on departure day, the charge is £250 as you can travel on our coach to Heathrow. We will feed you and look after you at Heathrow - however, be prepared for a long wait!)

Bristol Airport: £120 each way

Bristol Train Station: £120 each way

Arriving or departing directly to campus out of hours/not Sunday: £150. Suitable arrangements must be discussed with us

Arriving at Heathrow Airport before 9.00 on a Sunday: £150

Unaccompanied Minors (arriving/departing outside of our transfer window): £50 each way

Contact our team for more information

Sidcot School, Oakridge Lane, Winscombe, BS25 1PD

UK visas, eVisas and ETAs for Academic Summer students

If you are coming to the UK from another country to join an Academic Summer programme, you may need a Standard Visitor visa, an eVisa or an ETA.

The type of permission required depends on nationality, passport, age, travel plans and the purpose of the visit. Families should always check the official GOV.UK guidance before making travel arrangements.

You can check what type of visa or travel permission is needed here:
https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa

When using the GOV.UK checker, select the purpose of the visit as Tourism.

What is the difference between a visa, an eVisa and an ETA?

A Standard Visitor visa is required for some students before travelling to the UK. It allows eligible visitors to come to the UK for up to six months, including for short study at an accredited institution. (GOV.UK)

An eVisa is not a separate type of visa. It is a digital record of a visa or immigration status. This means there may be no visa vignette or sticker in the passport. Instead, the visa is held electronically in the UK Visas and Immigration system. (GOV.UK)

An ETA, or Electronic Travel Authorisation, is for visitors who do not need a visa for short visits but still need digital permission to travel to the UK. Most visitors now need either a visa or an ETA, depending on nationality and reason for travel. (GOV.UK)

From April 2025, visitors from many countries, including European countries, need an ETA before travelling to the UK if a visa is not required. The ETA application process opened for European nationals on 5 March 2025 for travel to the UK from 2 April 2025. (GOV.UK)

An ETA currently costs £20. It is usually valid for multiple journeys to the UK for up to two years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. Each person travelling needs an ETA, including children and babies. (GOV.UK)

Step 1 – Apply to Academic Summer

Complete the Academic Summer booking form here:
www.academiccamp.org/book-now

To secure a place, please make the initial payment of £500.

Once the booking and initial payment have been received, families can request a visa support letter from Academic Summer if this is needed for the visa application.

Step 2 – Check whether a visa or ETA is needed

Before applying for a visa, please check the official GOV.UK guidance:
https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa

Some students will need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa before travelling.

Some students will not need a visa but will need to apply for an ETA before travelling.

Some students may already hold valid UK immigration permission, for example through a Child Student visa connected to a future boarding school.

Even when a visa is not required, students should still travel with supporting documents, including confirmation of a place at Academic Summer and evidence that the programme has been paid for.

Step 3 – Request a visa support letter from Academic Summer

Once the initial payment has been received, Academic Summer can provide a visa support letter.

This letter will confirm key details about the student’s Academic Summer programme, including dates, location and accommodation arrangements.

For students under 18, the UK authorities may ask for evidence of parental consent. GOV.UK guidance for visitors under 18 explains that students may need written consent from a parent or guardian, details of where the student will stay and information about the person or organisation responsible for care during the visit. (GOV.UK)

Parents or guardians should usually prepare a consent letter including:

Parent or guardian contact details
Consent for the student to travel to the UK
Consent for the student to attend Academic Summer
Details of where the student will stay
The name, date of birth, address and relationship of the person or organisation responsible for the student in the UK
Consent for the student to stay in the stated accommodation
Details of airport transfers and travel arrangements, where available

Academic Summer will email the visa support letter without charge.

If an original visa support letter is requested by courier, there is a charge of £75. Please note that an original letter is not normally required by UK Visas and Immigration, as electronic documents are usually accepted.

Please check the visa support letter carefully as soon as it is received. Any incorrect details should be reported to Academic Summer immediately.

Step 4 – Apply for a Standard Visitor visa if required

If a student needs a visa, the application should normally be made for a Standard Visitor visa.

A Standard Visitor can study in the UK for up to six months at an accredited institution, including English language courses. (GOV.UK)

Visa applications can usually be made up to three months before the planned travel date to the UK.

Visa processing times vary by country and time of year. Families should apply as early as possible, as Academic Summer cannot refund fees because a visa is not received in time.

More information about visiting the UK as a Standard Visitor is available here:
https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor

For English language courses lasting more than six months and up to 11 months, a Short-term Study visa may be required. Academic Summer programmes are normally shorter than six months, so most students who require a visa will usually apply as Standard Visitors. (GOV.UK)

Step 5 – Academic Summer visa support

Academic Summer is accredited by the British Accreditation Council, known as BAC, which allows us to support visa applications for international students.

Academic Summer can provide a visa support letter for students to use when applying for a visa at a Visa Application Centre in the student’s country of residence.

If the visa application process is unfamiliar, we strongly recommend seeking advice from a qualified immigration specialist or an experienced Education Travel Agent in the student’s country. Please contact Academic Summer if a recommendation is needed.

Step 6 – Apply for an ETA if a visa is not required

Students who do not need a visa may still need an ETA before travelling to the UK.

Apply for an ETA here:
https://www.gov.uk/eta

An ETA is linked digitally to the passport used in the application. The same passport must be used for travel.

GOV.UK states that an ETA decision can take up to three working days, although some decisions may be quicker. Families should not leave the application until the last minute. (GOV.UK)

Each traveller needs a separate ETA, including children.

How to use a UK eVisa for travel to Academic Summer

Some students are now issued with a UK eVisa. This means there is no visa vignette or sticker in the passport. Instead, the visa is held electronically in the UK Visas and Immigration system.

Once the visa has been approved, please follow the steps below carefully.

Step 1 – Create a UKVI account

Create a UKVI account using the instructions in the visa decision email.

Official GOV.UK guidance:
https://www.gov.uk/evisa/set-up-ukvi-account

To create the account, the following may be needed:

The same passport used in the visa application
Access to the email address used for the application
The visa application reference, known as the GWF number
A mobile phone for identity verification, if required

A UKVI account is needed to access an eVisa and manage online immigration status. (GOV.UK)

Step 2 – Access and check the eVisa

Once the UKVI account has been created, log in to view the eVisa.

Official GOV.UK guidance:
https://www.gov.uk/evisa/view-evisa-get-share-code-prove-immigration-status

Please check carefully that:

The name and passport number are correct
The visa category is correct, for example Child Visitor – Unaccompanied
The visa validity dates are correct.

If there is an error, report it immediately through the GOV.UK eVisa error reporting service.

Official GOV.UK guidance:
https://www.gov.uk/evisa/report-error-evisa

GOV.UK advises eVisa holders to report incorrect personal details or immigration status through the eVisa error reporting service. (GOV.UK)

Step 3 – Make sure the passport is linked to the UKVI account

This is very important for travel. The passport used for travel must be linked to the UKVI account.

Airlines and other carriers use passport details to check permission to travel. GOV.UK advises travellers with an eVisa to check that the passport or travel document is up to date in the UKVI account before travel. (GOV.UK)

Step 4 – Print supporting documents before travel

Although the visa is electronic, Academic Summer strongly recommends printing copies of the following documents before travelling:

Visa grant email or decision letter
Screenshot or printout showing eVisa status, if available
Academic Summer confirmation letter
Academic Summer visa support letter, including accommodation and care arrangements
Parental consent letter for unaccompanied travel
Return flight details
Airport transfer details, if arranged

This is especially useful for a student travelling as an unaccompanied minor.

Step 5 – Boarding the flight

At airline check-in, the carrier should normally verify immigration status electronically using the passport details.

If airline staff ask questions, the student can show:

Passport
Visa decision email
Supporting documents listed above

A share code can also be used as additional proof of immigration status. GOV.UK explains that an eVisa holder can use the online service to view immigration status and get a share code. (GOV.UK)

Step 6 – UK Border Control in London

Parents should not worry if there is no visa sticker in the passport. UK Border Force officers can see the eVisa electronically.

At the UK border, the student should present:

Passport
Visa decision email, if requested
Supporting documents listed above

As the student is travelling as an unaccompanied minor, border officers may ask routine questions, such as:

Purpose of visit, for example study or summer school
Where the student will stay
Who is meeting the student at the airport
When the student will leave the UK

This is normal and does not mean there is a problem.

Important note about eVisa activation

There is no separate visa activation process beyond creating the UKVI account and checking the eVisa details. Once the visa has been granted, the permission is already in place electronically.

Long-term study in the UK after Academic Summer

Academic Summer is not a Child Student sponsor and cannot issue a CAS.

If a student plans to study at a UK boarding school immediately after the Academic Summer programme, please tell us as early as possible. In some cases, the student may be able to attend Academic Summer using a Child Student visa sponsored by the future school.

A Child Student visa is for students aged 4 to 17 who will study at an independent school in the UK. (GOV.UK)

Some partner schools may be able to include the Academic Summer programme on the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies, known as the CAS, as a pre-sessional course. The Child Student visa may then cover both the Academic Summer programme and the full-time studies at the independent boarding school.

Families must check this directly with the sponsoring school before travel.

Police registration and BRP collection

The police registration scheme has ended. Students no longer need to register with the UK police, even if older visa documents or previous guidance mention police registration. (GOV.UK)

Biometric Residence Permits, known as BRPs, have now been replaced by eVisas. GOV.UK confirms that all BRPs have expired and have been replaced by eVisas as digital records of identity and immigration status. (GOV.UK)

This means most students should follow the eVisa instructions above rather than expecting to collect a BRP after arrival.

Final travel checklist for parents

Before travel, please check that the student has:

A valid passport
A valid visa, eVisa or ETA, depending on nationality
Access to the UKVI account, if an eVisa has been issued
The correct passport linked to the UKVI account or ETA
Academic Summer confirmation letter
Academic Summer visa support letter, if issued
Parental consent letter for students under 18
Accommodation and care arrangement details
Return flight details
Airport transfer details
Emergency contact numbers
Printed copies of important documents in hand luggage

Families should keep digital copies of all important documents as well as printed copies.

Need help?

Academic Summer can provide supporting documents for confirmed students and can recommend an Education Travel Agent or immigration specialist where appropriate.

For official immigration advice, families should always refer to GOV.UK or a qualified immigration adviser.

These are our recommended levels:

Adventurers:  A2

Explorers:  B1

Engagers:  B2

Remember to take your free CLIL test before arrival.  You can log into the portal using your unique test link.

Travelling to the UK – ETA Guidance

If your child is travelling to the UK to attend one of our summer camps, you may need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before they travel.

The ETA is a new entry requirement for visitors from many countries and it’s quick, simple and affordable to apply.

Who needs an ETA?

Citizens of several countries—including many European nations such as Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Poland, and others such as Qatar, the UAE and Saudi Arabia—are now required to obtain an ETA before travelling to the UK.

You can find out if your child needs an ETA by using this official government tool:
 Check if you need a UK visa

How do you apply?

1. Visit the official ETA application page: gov.uk/eta
2. Complete the form online – it takes just a few minutes.
3. Pay the £16 fee using a debit or credit card.
4. Receive a decision within 3 working days – often much quicker.
5. The ETA will be electronically linked to the passport and is valid for multiple visits over 2 years.

What you’ll need:

• A valid passport
• A recent digital photo
• Payment method (credit/debit card)

We recommend applying at least one week before travel to allow enough time for approval.

If you need any help with the ETA process, please don’t hesitate to contact us at info@academiccamp.org – our team is happy to support you.

12-year-olds: Adventurers or Explorers

Ask yourself:

Supervision: are you comfortable with your child having some independence, exploring various locations and enjoying free time without constant staff supervision?

Academic confidence: is your child confident in a classroom setting?

Maturity: are they at ease around older students?

Experience: Are they already in secondary school or still in primary school? Have they been to summer school before?

Devices: Are you happy for them to have more use of their mobile?

Engagers or Explorers?

Explorers is specifically designed for learners aged 12-14 to prepare them for what is yet to come.

Engagers is for students age 15+.  Engagers is the right programme for you whether you are about to start your final year of GCSE or your first year of A Levels / IB.  We cover core topics from the GCSE syllabus to ensure the programme is relevant and stimulating. Having a good knowledge of key GCSE topics will help you prepare for A Levels to ensure you have a strong foundation for the next stage.

We always have dedicated staff on duty, ensuring supervision during breaks, in the evenings and on weekends.  Supervision is 24/7.  Students are not allowed out without a member of staff in the evenings. During trips, you will have free time and will be given space to explore with your campmates. There will always be a staff member close by at a designated meeting point who is contactable by phone should you need them.  Adventurers are never left unsupervised. 

Last year we welcomed students from over 60 different nationalities to our programmes from countries including UK, Italy, France, Switzerland, Ghana, Canada, Japan, China, Ukraine, and many more!