13 Programs in Cambridge, England for High School Students
If you are a high school student looking to explore academics beyond the classroom, structured programs can offer a useful way to deepen your interests and experience a more advanced learning environment. These programs often include subject-focused sessions, discussions, and guided activities that help you build skills such as critical thinking, communication, and independent learning. You may also interact with mentors, instructors, and peers from different backgrounds, which can broaden your perspective on academic and career pathways.
Why should you attend a program in Cambridge, England?
Cambridge is home to various universities and organizations that offer programs for high school students. You can experience college-style teaching through lectures, small-group discussions, and subject-specific workshops while staying in or near historic college settings. This environment allows you to better understand how different subjects are studied at a higher level while engaging with an international community of students.
To help you get started, we’ve put together 13 programs in Cambridge, England, for high school students.
If you’re looking for programs in England, check out our blog here.
1. Christ's Summer School
Location: Christ’s College, Cambridge, UK
Cost: Free to attend; accommodation and meals included.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not spcecified
Dates: Strand A: 18-20 August | Strand B: 27-29 August:
Application Deadline: Applications open in late spring/early summer
Eligibility: Students currently in Year 12 in England/Wales, Year 13 in Northern Ireland, or S5 in Scotland, who meet all the eligibility criteria here
Experience Christ’s Summer School is a residential program that introduces high school students to academic study and student life at Cambridge. Over a few days, participants attend subject-specific sessions led by academics, covering topics ranging from the humanities and social sciences to engineering and the sciences. The program also includes workshops on university applications, financial support, and career pathways, as well as opportunities to interact with current Cambridge students. Students stay overnight in college accommodation and take part in both academic sessions and social activities, offering a structured introduction to the Cambridge environment.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling basis; varies by cohort
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students passionate about artificial intelligence. If you're new to AI, ML, and data science, the AI Scholars program is a good fit. Over 10 sessions, you'll learn the basics of AI and data science and get to work on real-world projects. For those who are more experienced with AI concepts and Python, there's the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase, where you’ll work one-on-one with mentors from top universities on a unique project. You’ll also have access to the in-house publication team to help you get your work published in high school research journals. You can apply to the program here.
3. Sutton Trust Summer Schools
Location: Multiple partner universities across the UK, including The University of Cambridge; check here
Cost: No cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple courses between June and August
Application Deadline: February 12 for the University of Cambridge Summer Schools; March 5 is the main deadline
Eligibility: Students who have always attended state schools, and are in Year 12 in England and Wales, S5 in Scotland, or Year 13 in Northern Ireland
Sutton Trust UK Summer Schools offer a free, week-long opportunity for high school students interested in experiencing university life at one of the Trust’s partner institutions across the UK. You will live in student accommodation, attend lectures, and spend time on campus to understand what studying at university actually looks like. You can select one subject from over 40 options, including Archaeology, Anthropology, Veterinary Medicine, and more. Be prepared to dedicate more than 15 hours to undergraduate-level study. The program also offers structured support for university applications, including UCAS guidance, personal statement workshops, and details on student finance and bursaries.
4. Immerse Education’s Academic Insights Pathway
Location: Oxford, Cambridge, Singapore, Sydney, Toronto, and Boston
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Multiple summer cohorts with rolling admissions.
Eligibility: Students aged 13-18 currently enrolled in middle or high school
The Academic Insights Program provides school students with an opportunity to take undergraduate-level classes at universities around the world. Participants work with academics from universities like Oxford, Cambridge, and Harvard in classes of 4-10 students. They attend university-style lectures and 1:1 weekly sessions with their tutor. The program includes practical experiences such as dissections in medicine, robotic arm building in engineering, or moot courts for law. Students can choose from over 20 subjects, including architecture, artificial intelligence, business management, computer science, economics, medicine, philosophy, and more. By the end of the program, they complete a personal project and receive written feedback and a certificate of completion. You can find more details about the application here.
5. ISSOS – Creative Writing Summer School Course
Location: St Andrew's College, Cambridge
Cost: £7,900
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment
Dates: Session 1: June 28 – July 19 | Session 2: July 22 – August 12
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students ages 15–18
The Creative Writing Summer School at ISSOS in Cambridge is a three-week course for high school students interested in developing writing skills across fiction, poetry, and essays. As a participant, you’ll engage in 39 hours of learning from published authors through regular writing and feedback. You will learn to use your surroundings and experiences as inspiration for your writing and to strengthen your creative voice. Throughout the program, you will study the works of renowned writers, participate in workshops, and engage in group discussions, all of which will help you develop your writing and communication skills.
6. St Giles Juniors, Cambridge
Location: St Mary’s School, Cambridge
Cost/Stipend: £1,407 per week (residential), Day only: £844 per week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not disclosed; average class size is 15 students
Dates: July 5 – August 9
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students aged 8-17
St Giles Juniors Cambridge is a residential summer camp for students aged 8–17, hosted at St Mary’s School in Cambridge. You will attend 20 lessons per week in small classes, focusing on practical language development alongside collaborative activities. Outside the classroom, you will engage in daily sports, evening social events, and at least one full-day plus three half-day excursions each week. Excursions may include cultural sites in Cambridge, theme parks, museums, and major attractions.
7. Mander Portman Woodward Summer School – Cambridge Campus
Location: MPW campus, Cambridge
Cost: £4,200; Day only fees: £2,150
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Maximum class size of around 8 students; may vary
Dates: Sessions start in late June – mid-August
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students aged 14-17
The Mander Portman Woodward Summer School combines academic study with skills-focused workshops, enrichment activities, and a structured social programme for high school students. You’ll choose one academic stream to study over two weeks, with options ranging from medicine and sciences to psychology, law, business, and computing. The course includes a “My Path; My Way” section with a focus on practical life skills, including critical thinking, communication, emotional intelligence, and self-awareness, taught through interactive lessons and applied exercises. You will attend enrichment lectures from academics at the University of Cambridge, as well as participate in university preparation workshops that cover admissions and next steps. You will also participate in cultural outings and social activities, such as museum visits, theatre trips, punting, and group events, alongside an international cohort that fosters collaboration and cultural exchange.
8. Cambridge Centre for Languages – Senior Summer Course
Location: St. Mary’s, Cambridge
Cost/Stipend: Fee varies depending on the type of accommodation; check here
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small class size, maximum 16 students
Dates: Multiple 2-week and 4-week courses in July and August
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students aged 13-17 years
The Cambridge Centre for Languages' Senior Summer Course at St Mary’s School in Cambridge combines English-language instruction with structured exposure to British life and culture. You will study for around three hours each weekday, focusing on reading, writing, listening, and speaking. You will also attend sessions on modern British society and history. You will also choose a project track in coding, performing arts, or entrepreneurship, and complete a hands-on project. The program also includes museum visits and punting on the River Cam.
9. IGNITE Young Minds Summer Programme
Location: Cambridge Judge Business School, Cambridge
Cost: £4,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not disclosed
Dates: July 19 – 25
Application Deadline: January 30
Eligibility: Students aged 15-18 years
The IGNITE Young Minds Summer Programme is a one-week immersive experience for high school students interested in studying entrepreneurship and leadership. You will participate in lectures and workshops focused on innovation, develop practical problem-solving skills, and explore digital entrepreneurship. Collaboration with peers on business challenges will be a key part of the experience. In addition to academic activities, you'll experience UK university life through organized social events and excursions. The program's affiliation with the Cambridge Judge Business School offers early insights into Judge’s teaching methods and provides opportunities to connect with industry professionals.
10. Cambridge Leadership Academy Discovery Programme
Location: Cambridge
Cost: Approximate fee is £2,250
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not disclosed
Dates: July 26 – August 1
Application Deadline: Earlybird registration ends in December (tentative); main deadline is in April
Eligibility: Students aged 14 - 20
The Cambridge Leadership Academy Discovery Programme is a short leadership programme designed for students aged 14 to 20 who want to build confidence, self-awareness, and practical leadership skills. Over six nights, you will participate in guided sessions and group exercises focused on goal-setting, decision-making, and personal growth. You also receive one-on-one coaching with an experienced mentor to reflect on your strengths and plans. The programme includes interviews and conversations with entrepreneurs and leaders, giving you direct exposure to different career paths and leadership styles. You will also spend time exploring Cambridge and connecting with students from around the world who share similar ambitions.
11. Cambridge Summer Programme – Performing Arts and Music Course
Location: Cambridge
Cost: £5,495
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 12 – 26
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students ages 16–19
The Cambridge Summer Programme Performing Arts and Music Course is a short, practice-focused introduction to acting, music, and performance. You’ll take part in workshops on acting, voice, stage movement, and ensemble music-making, with an emphasis on collaboration and confidence-building. You will learn through an activity-based approach, with a focus on learning through rehearsal, improvisation, and group work. Over 14 sessions, you’ll work toward a final group showcase.
12. Cambridge Summer Programme – Sustainability and Marine Ecosystems Course
Location: Cambridge
Cost: £5,495
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 12 – 26
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students ages 12–19
The Sustainability and Marine Ecosystems Course at the ILG Summer Programme introduces high school students to environmental science and marine biology. Through a combination of theory and lab work, you’ll explore global environmental challenges, including climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. You will attend lectures on sustainability and conservation, engage in field research, and participate in lab-based marine biology sessions, including specimen analysis and water-quality testing. Scheduled seminars led by ecologists and marine biologists will help you gain insight into environmental policy and scientific activism. You will also work in a team on a sustainability project and design a solution for an environmental problem.
13. CATS Cambridge Summer Programs
Location: CATS Cambridge School, Cambridge
Cost: £3,340
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Maximum class size of 15
Dates: Two-week course starting from June 28
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students aged 14-17
The STEM and English for Science Summer Programme at CATS Cambridge is a two-week course designed for students seeking to enhance their scientific thinking and academic English skills. You’ll attend lectures and workshops covering topics including physics, coding, robotics, and applied engineering. A parallel English for Science track focuses on scientific vocabulary, grammar, and presentation skills. The program includes guest lectures and educational visits to museums or research centers. You will work in small groups on projects that require problem-solving and teamwork, culminating in a final presentation delivered in formal scientific English.
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