Exceptional Architecture Program for High Schoolers at Cambridge University
Architecture students group work
University of Cambridge Campus, UK

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

🏛 Pre-College Architecture Summer Program (Ages 16–18)

Location: Cambridge University, United Kingdom

***

📌 Key Facts

  • Age Group: 16–18 years

  • Duration: 2 weeks (13 nights)

  • Academic Hours: 30 hours of Architecture tutorials

  • Average Class Size: 7 students (max 12)

  • Tutors: Oxford, Cambridge & Harvard academics

  • 1:1 Tutorials: Personal feedback & guidance

  • Personal Project: Create and present your own architectural design idea

  • Workshops: Future & Academic Skills (academic writing, productivity, technology, branding, interviews)

  • Accommodation: Single study bedrooms in Cambridge colleges (shared bathrooms, limited ensuite)

  • Meals: Breakfast & dinner daily, plus 3 Formal Hall dinners (👔 bring smart clothes!)

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

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

  • Transfer Service: London Heathrow, £180 each way

  • English Requirement: Upper-intermediate (B2)

***

📖 Course Description

If you are fascinated by design, buildings, and societies, or are considering pursuing a career in Architecture, this program is the perfect fit.

This summer, you’ll sketch the blueprint of your future by learning alongside peers from across the world, thriving through one-on-one tutorials with university experts, and immersing yourself in the academic and social life of Cambridge.

Through small class sizes, you’ll explore architectural history, styles, and design practice — developing your drawing and project presentation skills, while experiencing life as a Cambridge student.

***

🎓 Academic Experience

  • Explore university-level Architecture concepts with expert tutors.

  • Learn theoretical and historical foundations of design.

  • Develop hands-on drawing, sketching, and isometric/axonometric techniques.

  • Work towards a design project, culminating in A1 competition boards presented to tutors and peers.

  • Benefit from 1:1 tutorials tailored to your interests.

***

🛠 Academic Skills Workshops

Alongside Architecture tutorials, students join Future & Academic Skills Workshops designed to prepare them for higher education and future careers:

  • Academic writing & research ✍️

  • Personal branding & interview skills 🎤

  • Time management & productivity ⏳

  • 21st Century technology skills 💻

***

📝 Sample Modules

Module 1: Introduction to University-Level Architecture

  • What studying Architecture involves at university.

  • Overview of current architectural practice.

  • Guided Cambridge tour with on-site sketching of architectural details.

Module 2: Architectural Styles Through Time

  • Learn architectural foundations by exploring early examples.

  • Connect Cambridge’s architecture with theory and history.

  • Develop a framework for further analysis.

Module 3: Developing Sketching & Drawing Skills

  • Learn isometric and axonometric drawing (advanced techniques).

  • Create a set of technical drawings to build confidence & skills.

Module 4: Architecture Project – Presenting a Design Idea

  • Learn the practicalities of presenting designs to clients.

  • Build A1 competition boards of your proposal.

  • Present your project to tutors and peers.

***

🏛 Accommodation & Meals

  • Stay in historic Cambridge colleges (many over 500 years old).

  • Rooms: Single occupancy, shared bathrooms (1 per 4 students). Limited ensuite available (priority for special needs).

  • Meals: Breakfast & dinner daily in college halls.

  • Formal Hall Dinners: 3 formal candlelit dinners (👔 bring smart clothes).

  • Separate male/female corridors (except for ensuite).

  • Wi-Fi in all colleges.

  • Dietary, medical, and religious needs fully catered for.

***

🎭 Social Activities & Excursions

Led by Cambridge mentors (current undergraduates), the social calendar is full of fun and variety:

  • Punting on the River Cam 🚣

  • Zorb football ⚽

  • Murder mystery night 🕵️

  • Quiz night ❓

  • Movie night 🎬

  • Games night 🎲

  • Talent show 🎤

Excursions:

  • Day trip to Oxford University (with formal dinner).

  • Optional London trip (sightseeing + shopping).

  • Alternative: Afternoon tea in Cambridge.

***

✈️ Arrival & Transfers

  • Arrival Day: Sunday, between 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 final Saturday.

  • Cost: £180 each way.

  • Alternative Travel: Details provided in Welcome Pack after enrolment.

***

💷 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’ accommodation in a Cambridge college.

  • Breakfast & dinner daily.

  • 30 hours of tutorials with Oxford/Cambridge tutors.

  • All study materials.

  • Future & Academic Skills workshops.

  • Personal design project + presentation.

  • 3 Formal Hall dinners (👔 bring smart clothes).

  • Full social program & excursions.

  • 2 coach excursions (Oxford + London).

  • Graduation ceremony & certificate.

  • Detailed written evaluation from your tutor.

  • Comprehensive summer school insurance.

  • Notebook & pen.

  • Mentor family photograph.

***

✨ The Cambridge Pre-College Architecture Program (Ages 16–18) is your chance to explore architectural history, build design skills, and live as a Cambridge student while working towards your first professional-style design project.

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 University-Level Architecture

  • Explore architecture studies at university
  • Description of current architectural practice
  • Tour of Cambridge for sketching architectural details

Module 2: Architectural Styles Through Time

  • Learn architecture foundations through earliest examples
  • Connect architecture in Cambridge to theoretical and historical themes
  • Basis for further architectural discussion

Module 3: Developing Sketching and Drawing Skills

  • Focus on complex axonometric and isometric drawings
  • Produce a set of detailed drawings for architectural development and confidence

Module 4: Architecture Project: Presenting a Design Idea

  • Learn practicalities of presenting architectural designs
  • Construct A1 competition boards for design proposals
  • Present designs to peers and expert tutors

Sample timetable Academic insights 2024

Sample Tutors

Konrad H:

  • MArch I from Harvard GSD (2020), BSci in Architecture from UCL (2014) with First Class Honours.

  • Attended Harvard on a Merit Scholarship and as a Fulbright Flagship Scholar.

  • Worked at Snohetta Oslo, Kengo Kuma Tokyo, and KPF NYC.

  • Combined a broad work experience with a multi-disciplinary approach to architecture (having for example worked as an archeologist in Greece) which allowed him for teaching architecture as both a professional and theoretical subject that can allow for a broad range of interests.

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.

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