University trips and fly-in programmes
Trips, summer schools and winter schools turn academic interest into real-world experience. Each one is designed to support career exploration, motivation, personal growth and university readiness.
Fly-in and fam trips
What fly-in and fam programmes are
Fly-in programmes are fully funded campus-visit programmes run by universities. They are mostly in the US, the UK, Europe and other countries. They bring selected high school seniors, education agents, counsellors or advisors to experience a university campus.
A university fam trip (familiarisation trip) is a hosted visit, often free or discounted. It is designed for education agents, counsellors or advisors. They see the campus, facilities and surrounding area first-hand.
Why they matter
Why trips and schools matter
Well-designed programmes allow students to:
- Gain first-hand exposure to universities, campuses and academic settings
- Understand career pathways through company visits, workshops and expert talks
- Build independence, responsibility and global awareness
- Strengthen university applications with verified experiences and reflections
- Build confidence in international settings
These programmes are especially useful for students in IB, Cambridge and international school systems, where all-round development matters.
Value for applications
Educational value for university applications
Taking part:
- Shows initiative and curiosity
- Supports personal statements and essays
- Strengthens interview performance
- Gives verified experiences for digital portfolios on Cidentify
- Helps students gain career clarity and make informed decisions
Trips and summer schools are part of individual career action plans, university preparation roadmaps, student portfolios and progress tracking, and parent reporting and counselling reviews. Each experience ends with reflection, evaluation and next-step planning.
Who and how
Who they are for and how they run
They suit individual students and school groups, and regional and international cohorts.
They can be delivered as:
- Stand-alone experiences
- Part of an annual career programme
- Part of a school's career guidance strategy
Programme types
Types of programme
University Discovery Trips (Years 8 to 13)
Structured visits to leading universities across Europe, the UK and beyond. They include:
- Campus tours and faculty meetings
- Admissions briefings and programme overviews
- Student life and accommodation insights
- Country-specific study and visa guidance
Career Exploration and Industry Visits (Years 8 to 13)
Trips that link school subjects to real professions. They include:
- Company and organisation visits
- Career talks with professionals
- Workshops in fields such as Business, Medicine, Engineering, AI and Law
- Reflection and career mapping sessions
Academic Summer Schools
Subject-focused programmes hosted by universities or partner institutions. Fields include:
- Medicine and Health Sciences
- Engineering and Technology
- Business, Economics and Finance
- Law and International Relations
- Computer Science, AI and Data Science
Outcomes: academic exposure beyond the school curriculum, participation certificates and portfolio-ready experiences.
Skills, Leadership and Personal Development Camps
These strengthen transferable skills. Focus areas:
- Leadership and teamwork
- Communication and public speaking
- Critical thinking and problem-solving
- Cultural intelligence and self-management
Cultural and Educational Immersion Programmes
These mix education, culture and global awareness. They include:
- Language exposure
- Cultural institutions and city tours
- History, innovation and society modules
- Guided reflection and learning journals
Longer programmes
Winter schools, volunteer trips and internships
| Programme | Duration | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Winter Schools | 5 to 14 days | Years 10 to 13 |
| Volunteer Trips | 1 to 3 weeks | Years 9 to 13 |
| Internships | 2 to 8 weeks | Years 10 to 13 and gap year |
Winter Schools
Purpose: targeted improvement during school breaks. Includes subject intensives, university preparation bootcamps, SAT, IELTS and admissions workshops, and career clarity and personal statement labs. Outcomes: skill acceleration, application readiness and strategic academic progress.
Volunteer Trips
Purpose: social impact and character development. Includes community service projects, environmental and sustainability programmes, education, health or social initiatives, and cultural immersion and ethical leadership activities. Outcomes: verified volunteering hours, reflection reports and strong evidence of values and impact for applications.
Internships
Purpose: real-world exposure and career testing. Includes local and international internships, industry placements, mentored work experience and project-based learning. Fields: Business, Medicine, Engineering, Law, AI, Design and Social Sciences. Outcomes: professional references, verified experience, interview-ready stories and career confidence.
Dates, destinations and costs are shared on enquiry. A summer schools list and travel coordination support are available on request.
Questions
Common questions
What is the difference between a fly-in programme and a fam trip?
A fly-in programme is a fully funded campus visit for selected high school seniors, agents, counsellors or advisors. A fam trip is a hosted visit, often free or discounted, for agents, counsellors or advisors.
Which year groups can join the university discovery trips?
University Discovery Trips and Career Exploration and Industry Visits suit Years 8 to 13.
Can a school book a trip for a group?
Yes. Programmes suit individual students and school groups, and can be stand-alone or part of a school's annual career programme.
Talk to us about this
Prices depend on your school or situation. Start with a free call and you will get a clear answer.
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