Exceptional Architecture Program for Teenagers at Cambridge University
Architecture student activity
University of Cambridge Campus, UK

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

age icon 13-15 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 Teenagers at Cambridge University Campus

🏛 Pre-College Architecture Summer School (Ages 13–15)

Location: Cambridge University, United Kingdom

***

📌 Key Facts

  • Age Group: 13–15 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: Supportive and engaging, tailored to student interests

  • Personal Project: Theoretical design project with on-site sketches & presentation

  • Workshops: Future & Academic Skills (academic writing, productivity, technology skills, personal branding, interview skills)

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

  • Meals: Breakfast & dinner included daily

  • Formal Dinners: 2 (👔 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

Step into one of the world’s architectural wonders — Cambridge University itself — and explore the history, theory, and practice of Architecture.

This program introduces young learners to the fundamentals of architectural theory, history, and design. Through small tutorials, guided tours, and hands-on projects, you’ll explore the foundations of architectural styles, practice drafting, and even develop your own theoretical design project.

Alongside academic work, you’ll live in a Cambridge college, join peers from across the world, and experience life as a future university student.

***

🎓 Academic Experience

  • Small-group tutorials with leading academics.

  • Explore both historical foundations and modern architectural theory.

  • Hands-on design & drafting exercises.

  • Develop sketching, planning, and presentation skills.

  • 1:1 tutorials for tailored feedback.

***

🛠 Academic Skills Workshops

Alongside Architecture tutorials, you’ll join Future & Academic Skills Workshops designed to prepare you for higher education. Topics include:

  • Academic writing & research ✍️

  • Personal branding & interview skills 🎤

  • Time management & productivity ⏳

  • 21st Century Technology Skills 💻

***

📝 Sample Modules

Module 1: Introduction to Architecture & Tour of Cambridge

  • Learn what it’s like to study Architecture at university.

  • Gain insight into current architectural practices.

  • Guided tour of Cambridge to sketch architectural details.

Module 2: Foundations of Architecture

  • Study early historical examples.

  • Understand architectural elevations.

  • Create your own elevation of a found object.

Module 3: Architectural Styles Through Time

  • Explore the evolution of theory from the 16th to 19th centuries.

  • Focus on Palladian architecture & Gothic Revival.

  • Practical drafting of architectural plans with correct line weights & notations.

Module 4: Theoretical Design Project

  • Present work on a chosen topic.

  • Visit the design site with your tutor to review the brief.

  • On-site sketching of contextual ideas & design proposals.

***

🏛 Accommodation & Meals

  • Stay in historic Cambridge University colleges, many over 500 years old.

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

  • Meals: Breakfast & dinner daily in college halls.

  • Formal Hall Dinners: 2 candlelit banquets at Cambridge colleges (👔 bring smart clothes).

  • Wi-Fi access throughout.

  • Dietary, religious & medical needs catered for.

***

🎭 Social Activities & Excursions

Outside lessons, join a fun and varied social calendar run by Cambridge mentors:

  • Punting on the River Cam 🚣

  • Zorb football ⚽

  • Murder mystery night 🕵️

  • Quiz night ❓, games night 🎲, movie night 🎬

  • Talent show 🎤

Excursions:

  • Day trip to Oxford University.

  • Optional day in London (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 Cambridge colleges.

  • Breakfast & dinner daily.

  • 30 hours of Architecture tutorials with Oxford/Cambridge tutors.

  • Study materials.

  • Personal design project & presentation.

  • Future & Academic Skills workshops.

  • 2 formal candlelit dinners.

  • Full social program & excursions.

  • Graduation ceremony & certificate.

  • Tutor’s detailed written evaluation.

  • Comprehensive summer school insurance.

  • Notebook & pen.

  • Mentor family photograph.

***

✨ The Cambridge Pre-College Architecture Summer School is a unique chance to live, study, and create in the very buildings that shaped centuries of design. From Gothic Revival to modern drafting, this program blends theory with practice — inspiring the next generation of architects.

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 or twin 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
  • Average class size of 7, maximum class size of 10 students
  • 1:1 tutorials: Supportive, challenging and engaging

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 Architecture/Tour of Cambridge

  • Overview of architecture at the university level and current practices
  • Tour of Cambridge for sketching architectural details

Module 2: Foundations of Architecture

  • Explore early historical examples of architecture
  • Study and create architectural elevations, referencing styles in Cambridge

Module 3: Architectural Styles Through Time

  • Trace architectural theory evolution from the 16th to 19th centuries
  • Focus on Palladian architecture and Gothic Revival
  • Practical exploration of architectural plans using line weights and drafting notations

Module 4: Theoretical Design Project

  • Present work on a chosen topic
  • Visit design project site for tutor-led discussion and design brief
  • On-site sketching of ideas and contextual elements

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 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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