How to make the most of the summer break

Author
Darcy Nathan, Editor
Posted
May, 2025

Whether you're planning to rest, travel, work, or study, being proactive and organised during the summer holiday is the best way to set yourself up for a successful year ahead

When do universities break up for summer?

The summer holiday at university typically begins after the final exams of the academic year. At most UK universities, this is around late May to mid-June, depending on your course and exam schedule.

The break usually lasts until late September, just before the autumn term begins. That gives you up to 12-16 weeks of free time.

Get work experience

Summer is an ideal time to explore career options and gain hands-on experience that can inform your future goals and enhance your employability. A short internship or part-time job - whether in your chosen field or in a completely new area - can help you:

  • build industry connections
  • gain practical, real-world insight
  • strengthen your CV
  • test out different career paths.

If you're interested in a specific field, consider reaching out directly to small businesses with speculative applications. Don't forget to use your university's careers service to find a suitable position - they often have access to exclusive opportunities you won't find elsewhere. For guidance, see our example speculative cover letter.

Roles outside your long-term career plans can still offer valuable experience. For instance, a retail job might not seem directly related to a future in management consulting, but speaking with a regional manager could provide insight into operations and leadership - experience you can draw on in future interviews. For tips on how to showcase your experience, see the top 5 customer service skills to mention on your CV.

If in-person roles are limited or you're looking for flexibility, explore virtual internships and insight programmes. These short-term, often project-based opportunities give you a behind-the-scenes look at specific industries or companies. Many organisations now offer remote options, allowing you to gain experience from anywhere.

A great place to start is Springpod, which offers free online opportunities across a range of industries.

Find out more about work experience and internships.

Enrol in a summer school

Learning outside of your course is an excellent way to deepen your knowledge or explore a new subject, all while making productive use of your break. You can attend a summer school at your own university, another UK institution, or even take the opportunity to study abroad.

Many universities offer short, intensive courses in areas like:

  • coding
  • cybersecurity
  • design
  • entrepreneurship
  • foreign language learning
  • international relations
  • public speaking and presentation skills.

These programmes offer several key benefits, such as:

  • enhancing your subject knowledge
  • networking with students from around the world
  • gaining valuable experience and boosting your confidence.

For example, the ten-day Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Society summer course at the University of Southampton explores topics including AI in law, art, music, politics, and global governance. Open to students aged 18+ who have completed at least one year of undergraduate study, the course costs £1,250 (or £2,221 with accommodation).

Other institutions offering summer schools include:

Search for summer school courses in the UK.

Another option to consider are microcredentials. These short, affordable courses offered by leading universities and professional organisations are a flexible way to upskill and strengthen your CV. For more details, see our guidance on continuing professional development (CPD).

Travel

Whether through volunteering abroad or working overseas, travel helps you grow in independence, initiative, and global awareness - qualities that not only enhance your personal development but also improve your graduate employability.

One popular option is working at a summer camp in the USA through programmes like Camp America or BUNAC. Roles such as camp counsellor or camp lifeguard can help you to build skills that employers value, including:

  • confidence - organising activities
  • cultural awareness - supporting the wellbeing of all campers
  • leadership - managing groups.

Another rewarding option is attending a language school - either to learn a new language or to teach English as a foreign language (TEFL). Both pathways strengthen your communication skills, deepen cultural understanding, and can boost your academic performance or give you a clearer idea of your career direction.

Volunteer

Demonstrating your proactivity and enthusiasm, volunteering is a powerful way to gain experience and contribute to your community.

Whether you're helping out at a local charity shop, mentoring younger students, or assisting with community projects such as food banks or environmental clean-ups, volunteering allows you to make a real, tangible difference.

It's also a great way to show future employers that you:

  • are committed - show reliability and dedication over time
  • are socially responsible - awareness of and concern for wider societal issues
  • take initiative - act without being prompted.

There are opportunities in a variety of areas, including:

  • volunteering with animals - in a rescue centre or on a conservation project.
  • festivals - working behind the scenes at cultural or music events, gaining insight into event planning and operations
  • performing arts - volunteering with local theatre groups, helping with costumes, sets, or ushering
  • sports - coaching youth teams, assisting with events, or helping run inclusive activities
  • teaching - supporting in classrooms, running after-school clubs, or offering literacy tutoring.

Start a personal project

If you have a passion that you don't have time for while you're studying, the summer break is the perfect time to bring it to life.

Not only do personal projects help you build and refine your skills, but they also give you something concrete to showcase in job applications and interviews. They reflect your ability to take initiative and turn ideas into action - an impressive trait in any field.

Your project can be tailored to your career goals or simply reflect a hobby you're passionate about. Here are some career-related examples:

For more ideas, see side hustles for students.

Prepare for the next academic year

Using part of your summer to prepare for the upcoming year can help you feel more confident and in control when the new term begins.

To make sure you're getting the most out of lectures and seminars, start by reviewing your notes from the previous year to refresh key concepts and identify any areas you'd like to strengthen. If you already know next year's modules, take time to read ahead or gather recommended resources - buying textbooks in advance can help spread the cost and give you a head start.

It's also a good time to organise your finances, whether that means budgeting for rent and living expenses or applying for part-time work or student loans. If you're approaching your final year, begin thinking about potential dissertation topics.

Consider honing your academic skills through online free or low-cost courses on essay writing, critical thinking, and research methods. Examples include:

You could also explore the Royal Literary Fund Fellowship Scheme, which provides expert guidance on structuring arguments and refining your writing style.

Finally, reviewing your university's referencing handbook can help you develop a more consistent and academically appropriate tone in your work.

Find out more

Written by Darcy Nathan, Editor

Prospects · May 2025

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