Discover next-generation talent across London at free-to-attend graduate degree shows, performances and exhibitions from June 2026.
Household names like Tracey Emin, Stephen Graham, Stella McCartney, Jessie Buckley, Cynthia Erivo, Elton John, and James Dyson all started as students at London Higher Education institutions. And behind the scenes, many of the people powering the UK’s creative industries – from theatre producers to sound engineers and curators to videographers – honed their skills at London’s universities. Today’s graduates are tomorrow’s talent, and Londoners have a chance to discover them this summer.
London Higher, the voice of the higher education sector in the capital, has created a one-stop higher education events calendar to help guide the public to free and low-cost events showcasing students’ work at London’s universities, colleges and conservatoires this summer.
From June onwards, events include:
- 8 – 26 June: Making It Festival, Guildhall School of Music and Drama – an eclectic programme spanning music, opera, theatre, performance, installations and talks
- 11 – 19 June: See robots in action and explore interactive games at London Metropolitan University’s School of Computing and Digital Media Summer Show.
- 18 – 21 June: RCA’s Arts and Humanities Degree Show, featuring ceramics and glass, jewellery and metalwork, photography, print, sculpture and more.
- 24 June: glimpse the future of contemporary dance at the annual student showcase at The Place.
- 1 July: See Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s seminal masterpiece ‘Company’ performed by MA Musical Theatre students from the Royal Central School of Speech & Drama.
- 13-18 July: London College of Fashion’s Undergraduate Exhibition, featuring work from students of textiles, prosthetics, costume, footwear and other disciplines.
London’s Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries Justine Simons OBE said:
“We’re hugely proud that London is the world’s best city for culture and it’s the artists, performers, designers and creatives in our universities and colleges who will ensure the capital continues to thrive as a creative powerhouse. This summer’s graduate degree shows across the city are a brilliant opportunity for students to showcase their talent and for Londoners and visitors to see what’s next for our creative story.”
Liz Hutchinson, CEO of London Higher, said:
“London’s universities, colleges and conservatoires are some of the city’s greatest cultural assets, producing the next generation of creative talent and enriching communities across the capital. These summer degree shows give Londoners the chance to experience bold, imaginative work right on their doorstep – from emerging creatives taking their first professional steps, to the future artists, performers and innovators who may one day become household names. We want more Londoners to see their local university or college as a place to discover culture, creativity and new ideas, which is both open to, and part of, the community.”
Image credit: Central Saint Martins 2025 Shows, University of the Arts London. Photo by Paul Cochrane
