How Much Summer Camp Cost in 2027: UK & International Fees Explained
Last updated: 5 October 2026
Short answer: How much summer camp cost is the first thing every parent wants to know, and the honest figure is wide: a residential academic summer camp in the UK runs roughly £3,595 to £12,590 for one 2027 session. Day programmes, where your child isn’t boarding, come in £1,000–£3,000 lower for the same course. The overseas campuses we place students at, run by Immerse at universities such as Columbia, Sydney and Tokyo, start at about £5,995.
That’s the headline. The gap between those numbers is wide because four things move the price: which country, boarding or day, how many weeks, and which course. Below we break each one down using real 2027 rates from our partner schools.
How much summer camp cost by programme tier
Based on our partner rate sheets for 2027, here’s the spread for residential (boarding) programmes:
We currently list 56 courses with established UK providers (SBC, Whitgift, Downe House and Oswestry) and 8 Immerse campus locations in total. Of those Immerse campuses, 3 are in the UK (London, Cambridge, Oxford) and 5 are overseas: New York/Columbia, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo and Toronto. The overseas Immerse campuses start at about £5,995 (Toronto), with most sitting at £7,495.
What changes how much summer camp cost
Boarding or day. Boarding covers tuition, campus meals, housing and supervision, which is why most international families pick it. Day students attend classes and on-site activities but go home at night, so the fee drops a lot. For example, SBC Dulwich is £5,495 residential for the two-week programme, while the day option for the same course comes in well below that. Always check which one you’re quoted.
How many weeks. Longer stays cost more in total, but the per-week rate usually falls. If you want the experience without the full bill, 2–3 weeks is the sweet spot we point most first-timers to.
Age and subject. Younger groups, say 8–12, tend to be theme or language camps and sit at the lower end. Secondary students doing IELTS, leadership or academic prep sit in the middle. Sixth-formers on named subjects at famous campuses sit at the top.
What the fee includes, and what it quietly doesn't
Usually included: tuition and materials, campus accommodation with meals (if boarding), supervised activities and weekend trips, 24-hour safeguarding, and a completion certificate.
Rarely included, and this is where budgets blow up:
- International flights and airport transfers
- Visa and insurance (see the UK Standard Visitor visa guidance)
- Pocket money, laundry, tips
- Optional paid excursions, private tutoring, exam fees
- Some campuses require a uniform or specific kit
A worked cost example: SBC Dulwich, 2 weeks boarding
Families fixate on the tuition and forget the rest, so here’s a proper tally using a real 2027 quote, the SBC Dulwich (Dulwich College) two-week residential programme at £5,495:
The tuition is only around 70–80% of what you’ll actually spend. This is the clearest way to see how much summer camp cost really adds up once travel is in. We’ve lost count of the parents who budgeted the fee and forgot the flight home.
UK vs overseas: how much summer camp cost differs
Our usual advice: try the UK entry tier first to keep risk low. Once a student has a clear target country or university, the overseas campus makes sense.
How to choose without overspending
- Decide the goal before the budget. Boost grades, try a subject, or prep for university? They cost differently.
- Book early. Most schools discount for early registration, and the popular campuses fill up months ahead.
- Compare the per-week rate, not the headline total.
- Add flights and visa to the fee before you commit, using the example above.
- Match the age band and English level, or you risk paying to repeat a level.
- Get the refund policy in writing. Visas get refused and plans change; ask what you get back and in what timeframe. This is the one line families skip and regret.
Common questions about how much summer camp cost
Q: What is the cheapest summer camp cost?
Around £3,595 for a two-week boarding programme (SBC at Earscliffe), or less if you take the day option. It depends on country and length.
Q: Does the fee include flights?
No. Flights, visa and insurance are almost always separate. Check the “not included” list above.
Q: Can my child do just one week?
Some courses allow it, but the per-week rate is higher and the experience is thinner. Two weeks tends to be the minimum worth booking.
Q: Is a UK or US summer camp more expensive?
At the same level, the overseas campuses (Columbia, London and similar) cost more, and you add a longer flight and higher local costs. The UK entry tier is the friendliest on price.
Q: If a visa is refused, do I get the fee back?
It varies by school. Confirm the refund terms in writing before paying. This is the easiest place to lose money without realising it.
Talk to us
A summer camp isn’t “the dearer the better,” it’s “the better the fit.” Pick the country and age band first, match it to the table above, then add flights and visa to the tuition.
Want a 2027 fee sheet built around your child’s age and destination? Email hello@summerschool-uk.com or visit summerschool-uk.com and we’ll compare options with you one to one.
About SummerSchoolUK
SummerSchoolUK helps families choose and apply to academic summer schools in the UK and abroad. Our current partner list covers 56 courses with UK-based providers and 8 Immerse campus locations (3 in the UK, 5 overseas). All fee figures come from our partner schools’ official rate sheets, and our guidance is reviewed by the SummerSchoolUK admissions team before publication. Where a number looks off, the school’s confirmed quote always wins, and we’re happy to be corrected.
Disclaimer: prices, dates, age bands and visa details on this page are drawn from 2027 rate-sheet samples and may shift with each school’s final policy. Nothing here is a binding quote; confirm with the school before you book.
