Exceptional Pre-College Computer Science Program for High Schoolers at Cambridge University
Cs 2
University of Cambridge Campus, UK

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

💻 Pre-College Computer Science Summer Program (Ages 16–18)

Location: Cambridge University or Oxford University, United Kingdom

***

📌 Key Facts

  • Age Group: 16–18 years

  • Duration: 2 weeks (13 nights)

  • Academic Hours: 30 hours of Computer Science sessions

  • Average Class Size: 7 students (max 12)

  • Tutors: Oxford, Cambridge & Harvard academics

  • Personal Project: Essay or presentation, delivered at the end of the program

  • 1:1 Academic Feedback: Tutor evaluation + peer review

  • Academic Skills Workshops: University prep + future learning tools

  • Accommodation: Single bedrooms with shared bathrooms (1 per 4), limited ensuite

  • Meals: Breakfast & dinner daily, plus 2 Formal Hall dinners (👔 bring smart clothes!)

  • Excursions: Oxford trip + optional London visit (or Cambridge afternoon tea)

  • Pocket Money Recommendation: £80 per week (for lunch + souvenirs)

  • Transfer Service: Heathrow Airport, £180 each way

  • English Requirement: Upper-intermediate (B2)

***

📖 Course Description

This award-winning academic summer school is designed to give 16–18 year olds a rigorous and exciting introduction to Computer Science at a university level.

Over two weeks and 30 hours of tutorials, you will:

  • Gain a deeper understanding of computer science beyond the school curriculum.

  • Learn from Oxford, Cambridge, and Harvard academics in small, discussion-based classes.

  • Build practical programming skills with Python and explore cutting-edge topics like Big Data.

  • Undertake a Personal Project, which could be an essay or presentation delivered on the final day, with detailed feedback from your tutor.

By the end, you’ll leave with a solid foundation for university study, confidence in your academic ability, and clarity about the diverse degree paths available in computer science.

***

🎓 Academic Skills Workshops

Beyond subject teaching, you’ll attend Academic & Future Skills Workshops aimed at preparing you for university and beyond:

  • Productivity hacks ⏳

  • Academic writing & research ✍️

  • Presentation & personal branding 🎤

  • 21st Century Technology Skills 💻

  • Tools for self-directed learning and higher education success 🎯

***

📝 Sample Modules

Module 1: Programming with Python

  • Learn the fundamentals of Python.

  • Solve programming challenges.

  • Develop programmatic thinking and problem-solving skills.

Module 2: Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) with Python

  • Express components as objects with state and functionality.

  • Create efficient, reusable code.

  • Build layered systems with OOP structures.

Module 3: Databases & Big Data

  • Explore relational databases for efficient data storage.

  • Understand the challenges of managing massive datasets.

  • Learn how Big Data powers modern computing.

Module 4: Personal Project Presentation

  • Present your research or programming project.

  • Gain critical peer and tutor evaluation.

  • Solidify your knowledge and communication skills.

***

🏛 Accommodation & Meals

  • Stay in central Cambridge or Oxford colleges, many over 500 years old.

  • Rooms: Single study bedrooms, shared bathrooms (1 per 4). Limited ensuite available for special needs.

  • Separate male/female corridors (except ensuite).

  • Wi-Fi access throughout.

  • Meals: Breakfast & dinner daily in historic college halls.

  • Formal Hall Dinners: 2 candlelit formal meals in different colleges (👔 bring smart clothes!).

  • Dietary, medical, and religious needs fully catered.

  • Accommodation is designed for study, not luxury (no air conditioning).

***

🎭 Social Activities & Excursions

The program offers a lively and varied social calendar, helping you make lifelong friends from around the world.

Activities include:

  • Punting on the River Cam 🚣

  • Croquet on the lawns 🏏

  • Zorb football ⚽

  • Murder mystery night 🕵️

  • Games night 🎲

  • Movie night 🎬

  • Quiz night ❓

  • Talent show 🎤

Excursions:

  • Day trip to Oxford University.

  • Optional London trip (landmarks & shopping).

  • Alternative: Afternoon tea in Cambridge.

***

✈️ Arrival & Transfers

  • Arrival Day: Sunday, 2–5 pm (rooms ready from 3 pm).

  • Heathrow Transfers:

  • Chaperoned service from Terminal 3.

  • Departures at 11:00, 14:00, and 17:00.

  • Return transfers at 07:00 & 12:00 on the final Saturday.

  • Cost: £180 each way.

  • Alternative Travel: Information provided in Welcome Pack.

***

💷 Fees & Pocket Money

  • Transfer Fee: £180 each way.

  • Pocket Money: £80 per week (for lunch + souvenirs).

  • ATMs available; Visa & Mastercard widely accepted.

***

✅ What’s Included

  • 13 nights in a Cambridge or Oxford college.

  • Breakfast & dinner daily.

  • 30 hours of academic sessions with world-class tutors.

  • All study materials.

  • Academic & Future Skills Workshops.

  • Mentor support program.

  • 1:1 tutor feedback + written evaluation.

  • Personal Project assessment.

  • 2 Formal Hall dinners (👔 smart clothes required).

  • Full social calendar & mentor-led activities.

  • 2 excursions (Oxford + London).

  • Graduation ceremony & certificate.

  • Comprehensive summer school insurance.

  • Notebook & pen.

  • Mentor family photograph.

***

✨ The Computer Science Summer Programme (Ages 16–18) gives you the chance to learn coding, explore Big Data, experience university-level study, and live like a Cambridge or Oxford student while developing practical skills for your future.

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: Programming with Python

  • Learn Python, a popular object-oriented programming language
  • Tackle programming tasks and develop problem-solving skills

Module 2: Object-Oriented Programming with Python

  • Explore Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) concepts using Python
  • Create powerful, efficient, and reusable code with layered objects

Module 3: Databases and Big Data

  • Understand the management and utility of massive data sets
  • Learn about relational databases for efficient data storage

Module 4: Personal Project Presentation

  • Present work and findings from the computer science program
  • Receive critical evaluation from peers and tutors to reinforce learning

Sample timetable Academic insights 2024

Sample Tutors

Yasmin Fathy:

  • Research Fellow, Engineering Department, University of Cambridge

  • Fellow, UK Higher Education Academy

  • Former roles: Software Development Engineer at EMBL-EBI, Research Associate in IoT and Machine Learning at Cambridge University, KTP Research Associate at UCL

  • PhD in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Surrey

  • MSc in Applied Science and Engineering, AI Lab, Vrije Universiteit Brussel

  • Research interests are machine learning, data analytics, IoT

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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