Exceptional Pre-College Coding Program for High Schoolers at Cambridge University
Computer science 2023 laptop
University of Cambridge Campus, UK

Exceptional Summer Pre-College Coding Program for High Schoolers at Cambridge University Campus

age icon 16-18 years old

time icon 2 weeks

book icon Weekly hours: 20

See Dates

Session Dates

Choose your preferred session from the options below and submit your details in order to complete your booking.

June - Day

Start 6/28/2026
End 7/11/2026
Duration 2 Weeks
Price £5,995

June - Boarding

Start 6/28/2026
End 7/11/2026
Duration 2 Weeks
Price £7,495

July - Day

Start 7/12/2026
End 7/25/2026
Duration 2 Weeks
Price £5,995

July - Boarding

Start 7/12/2026
End 7/25/2026
Duration 2 Weeks
Price £7,495

July - Day

Start 7/26/2026
End 8/8/2026
Duration 2 Weeks
Price £5,995

July - Boarding

Start 7/26/2026
End 8/8/2026
Duration 2 Weeks
Price £7,495

Course Description: Exceptional Summer Pre-College Coding Program for High Schoolers at Cambridge University Campus

💻 Pre-College Coding & Computer Programming for High Schoolers at Cambridge University Campus

This fantastic pre-university course in Coding is the perfect gateway for ambitious students aged 16–18 who want to explore computer programming, coding languages, and software development while living and studying at the historic Cambridge University campus.

Throughout this summer school, you’ll gain valuable academic insights, enjoy a unique university residential experience, and explore whether pursuing coding and computer science at university is the right path for you.

***

🎓 Academic Experience

  • 30 hours of academic sessions led by expert tutors from Oxford, Cambridge, and Harvard.

  • Small class sizes: average 7, maximum 12 students, ensuring personal attention.

  • Carefully designed syllabus covering core coding, algorithms, Python, Java, web development, and mobile app design.

  • Learn directly from highly qualified academics with teaching experience at world-class universities.

  • 1:1 career coaching sessions and professional development workshops to prepare you for your next steps.

***

📘 Academic Skills Workshops

Our workshops are geared towards unlocking participants’ potential, giving them the tools to prepare for university-level study.

  • Enhance study skills & productivity.

  • Learn 21st-century technology skills.

  • Build academic confidence through engaging activities.

  • Go beyond traditional school learning and gain transferable skills for higher education success.

***

🖥️ Sample Modules

Module 1: Introduction to Coding

  • Learn coding fundamentals and why coding is integral to industries worldwide.

Module 2: Introduction to Python

  • Explore the world’s most popular programming language.

  • Build a simple app applying Python knowledge.

Module 3: Introduction to Game Design

  • Learn coding for custom game behaviours.

  • Study key concepts: variables, loops, branching, events.

Module 4: Java Coder

  • Understand coding logic with flowcharts & pseudocode.

  • Write efficient Java code independently.

Module 5: Coding Languages

  • Compare and explore different programming languages.

  • Learn their applications and efficiency trade-offs.

Module 6: Web Development Masterclass

  • Dive into JavaScript, Angular, React, and Node.js.

  • Apply frameworks to a personal web development project.

Module 7: Coding for Mobiles and Apps

  • Learn mobile coding principles.

  • Develop a more complex mobile app project.

Module 8: Design & Analysis of Algorithms

  • Understand problem-solving strategies in programming.

  • Explore graph theory, sorting, and Complexity Theory basics.

***

🏛️ Accommodation

  • Stay in a Cambridge University College – central, historical, and unique.

  • Rooms are single occupancy, with shared bathrooms (1 per 4 students). Limited ensuite rooms available for additional needs.

  • Separate male and female accommodations; Wi-Fi available throughout.

  • Buildings are historic (500+ years old) and designed for study, not luxury – no air conditioning.

  • Rooms are secured with locks; housekeeping has maintenance access.

***

🍽️ Meals

  • Breakfast and dinner daily in College Hall (lunch included for ages 13–15).

  • All dietary and religious requirements can be accommodated – let us know in advance.

  • Formal Hall dinners: two special evenings of traditional Cambridge dining.

    Remember to bring some smart clothes for these occasions!

***

🎉 Activities & Excursions

  • Social activities: punting on the River Cam, zorb football, quiz night, games night, talent show, murder mystery night, and movie night.

  • Two excursions:

  1. Day trip to Oxford University & colleges.

  2. Optional day trip to London (landmarks + shopping). If you opt out, enjoy traditional afternoon tea in Cambridge.

  • All activities are led by our friendly mentors, dedicated to ensuring you have a safe and enjoyable experience.

***

✈️ Arrival & Transfers

  • Arrival: Sunday between 2 pm–5 pm (accommodation ready by 3 pm).

  • Heathrow Transfers: £180 each way. Shared service from Heathrow T3 with departures at 11:00, 14:00, 17:00. Return transfers at 07:00 and 12:00 on the final Saturday.

  • Our pastoral team meets all students at Heathrow (any terminal) and escorts them to T3.

  • Alternative arrival details will be in your Welcome Pack.

***

💡 Key Facts

  • Age: 16–18 years old

  • Duration: 13 nights

  • Average class size: 7

  • Maximum class size: 12

  • Location: University of Cambridge College

  • Hours of teaching: 30 hours academic sessions

  • Graduation ceremony & certificate at the end of the course

***

💷 Pocket Money

  • Recommended: £80 per week for souvenirs, snacks, or additional activities.

  • ATMs available in Cambridge; Visa and Mastercard widely accepted.

***

✅ What’s Included

  • 13 nights Cambridge University accommodation

  • Breakfast & dinner daily in College Hall

  • 30 hours of academic teaching from expert tutors

  • Carefully designed lecture & study materials

  • Academic skills workshops

  • Mentor program & dedicated support

  • All excursions, including Oxford trip, London trip, punting, croquet, and Formal Halls

  • Graduation ceremony & certificate

  • Comprehensive summer school insurance

  • Detailed evaluation written by your tutor

  • Notebook & pen

  • Mentor family photograph

Activities

  • Outside of lessons, enjoy a busy and diverse social program including punting on the River Cam, zorb football, games night, movie night, quiz night, talent show and a murder mystery night at the college.
  • All activities and excursions are led by our team of friendly mentors, dedicated to maximizing your enjoyment.

Accommodations

  • College allocation based on dates and subject choice, assigned a few weeks before arrival.

  • All colleges are central, historical, with unique culture and character.

  • Accommodations designed for study, not luxury; many buildings over 500 years old, no air conditioning.

  • Accommodation requests for friends/siblings considered where possible.

  • Separate male and female accommodations in each college; wi-fi available throughout.

  • Single occupancy rooms with shared bathrooms (one per four participants); some ensuite facilities available, prioritized for additional needs.

  • Mixed-gender corridors for ensuite facilities; gender-separated corridors for shared bathrooms.

  • Welcome Pack includes possible college details for program dates.

  • Rooms secured with locks, housekeeping access for maintenance.

  • Breakfast and dinner included on campus

  • Host venues accommodate all dietary requirements, special attention to religious observances and medical needs (Please let us know if you need to follow any particular religious observances or have any medical requirements that we need to know about.)

  • As a student, you will experience formal dinner three times during your stay: once per week in Cambridge and at an Oxford University college on the excursion day, making formal hall a memorable occasion, so remember to bring some smart clothes!

Excursions

  • Two excursions offered: a day trip to visit Oxford and its colleges, and an optional day out in London to see famous landmarks and enjoy shopping.
  • If you opt out of the London trip, you're invited to afternoon tea in Cambridge.

Transportation

  • Arrival Time: Participants should arrive between 2 pm and 5 pm on the first Sunday of the program, with registration and accommodation showings upon arrival (accommodation ready by 3 pm).

  • London Heathrow Airport Transfers: Shared airport transfer service available from Heathrow Terminal 3 directly to Cambridge/Oxford colleges. Pastoral team to meet participants at any Heathrow terminal and escort to Terminal 3.

  • Transfer departures at 11:00, 14:00, and 17:00 on arrival Sunday; return transfers to London Heathrow Airport depart at 07:00 and 12:00 on the final Saturday.

  • Transfer Fee: Available for booking post-enrollment at £180 each way.

  • Detailed information is provided closer to the program date, including contact numbers.

  • Alternative Arrivals: For those arriving at different airports or by other means, details are in the Welcome Pack sent after enrolment confirmation.

Lesson Plan

  • 40 hours of academic sessions from Oxford University and Cambridge University tutors
  • Carefully designed study and lecture materials
  • Mentor program and access to support material

Academic Skills Workshops:

  • Unlock participants’ potential, giving them the tools to prepare for the next steps of their education and future goals.
  • Focus on enhancing study skills
  • Support for university-level learning
  • Diverse and enriching range of topics – past examples have ranged from ‘Productivity tips’ to ’21st Century Technology Skills’.
  • Unique learning experience outside traditional schools

Sample Modules:

Module 1: Introduction to Coding

  • Learn basics of coding, the computer language for specific actions
  • Explore coding's integral role in various industries

Module 2: Introduction to Python

  • Delve into Python, a widely used programming language
  • Interpret error messages, read basic syntax
  • Create a simple app applying Python knowledge

Module 3: Introduction to Game Design

  • Learn coding for game design
  • Understand programming concepts: variables, branching, looping, events
  • Build foundational game design skills

Module 4: Java Coder

  • Introduction to Java Coder
  • Examine coding logic with flowcharts and pseudo code
  • Develop efficient coding processes, write code independently

Module 5: Coding Languages

  • Overview of various computer programming languages
  • Learn differences, applications, and machine-friendly languages

Module 6: Web Development Masterclass

  • Explore JavaScript and frameworks like Angular, React, Node JS
  • Apply these tools in web development projects

Module 7: Coding for Mobiles and Apps

  • Understand coding in mobile technology and app development
  • Create complex mobile apps using programming concepts

Module 8: Design and Analysis of Algorithms

  • Learn about algorithm design and analysis in computer programming
  • Study designing strategies, graph theory, sorting methods
  • Basic understanding of Complexity Theory and its coding applications

Sample timetable Academic insights 2024

Sample Tutors

Younesse Kaddar:

  • PhD candidate at the University of Oxford

  • Previous studies at the University of Cambridge and Paris-Saclay

  • Research focus is making machine learning more "algebraic" and explainable

  • Specialization on categorical semantics and programming language theory in probabilistic programming semantics

Guest Speakers from Previous Summers:

  • Abi Oyepitan - Former Olympian: A two-time Olympian and Commonwealth Gold and Silver winning track and field athlete.

  • Dr Lynda Shaw - Neuroscientist & entrepreneur: A journey in personal development - how to create your own set of tools to fast track success

  • Dr Nigel Warburton - Philosopher, author & journalist: How do great people find answers to deep and meaningful questions?​​

Extras

  • Transfer Fee: £180 each way.

  • Pocket Money Advice: Money we recommend that participants bring £80 per week to cover lunch each day, plus any souvenirs that they may wish to purchase. Various banks and ATMs are available throughout Cambridge, and Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted.

Security

  • This program is accredited by British Accreditation Council (BAC)

  • Meets global standards for academic provision and student welfare

  • Top priority for participant safety

  • Staff undergo enhanced background checks and safeguarding training

  • Participants assigned to a “Mentor Family” of 10 students

  • Mentors offer support, advice, and share their experiences

  • School management and supervision is managed by senior, experienced College Managers in Cambridge, Oxford, London, and Sydney

  • College Managers trained to Level 3 Safeguarding standards

  • Resident summer team and college personnel supervise sites 24/7

  • Encourage student independence within safe boundaries

  • Team supervision ensures safe and rewarding experience

Requirements

  • This program is designed for students with at least an upper-intermediate level of English (B2). If you are unsure if you meet this requirement, please contact with our advisor.

Video

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