Exceptional Pre-College Creative Writing Program for High Schoolers at Cambridge University
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University of Cambridge Campus, UK

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

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✍️ Creative Writing Summer Program (Ages 16–18)

📖 Course Description

The camp is an award-winning academic summer school hosted at prestigious Oxford and Cambridge colleges.

It offers programs for students aged 16 to 18, with 30 hours of academic sessions over two weeks, designed to expand participants' knowledge, sharpen their writing, and give them a taste of university-level study.

Students complete an individual “Personal Project” — typically an essay, short story, or presentation — delivered on the final day. Tutors provide written and verbal feedback, which may form part of the final assessment.

The Creative Writing program focuses on developing advanced writing skills, encouraging experimentation with techniques, and producing a diverse portfolio. By the end, participants will have created a collection of excerpts or short stories, demonstrating range and creativity.

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📚 Academic Experience

  • 30 hours of intensive academic sessions over two weeks.

  • Learn directly from Oxford and Cambridge tutors.

  • Develop advanced creative writing techniques through lectures, workshops, and guided assignments.

  • Complete a Personal Project (essay, novella, or presentation) presented at the end of the course.

  • Receive detailed written and verbal feedback from tutors to aid future development.

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🛠 Academic Skills Workshops

Alongside subject modules, students attend dedicated workshops to strengthen transferable skills for future study:

  • Unlock your full academic potential.

  • Improve time management, productivity, and research skills.

  • Prepare for independent university-level learning.

  • Explore diverse topics — past sessions have included:

  • Productivity Tips for Students

  • 21st-Century Technology Skills

  • Critical Thinking & Argumentation

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📝 Example Modules

Module 1: An Introduction to Creative Writing

  • Challenge assumptions of writing in the 21st Century.

  • Discuss writing methods, goals, and overcoming writer’s block.

Module 2: The Importance of Character

  • Explore how great characters drive great fiction.

  • Assess clichés and tropes in literature.

  • Analyze how characters influence tone and plot.

Module 3: Learning the Industry: The Basics

  • Understand the publishing world and its options.

  • Explore competitions, magazines, e-books, self-publication, and film writing.

Module 4: Written Portfolio

  • Develop a portfolio of creative writing or a novella.

  • Present a short piece, receive tutor and peer feedback.

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🎭 Activities & Excursions

Outside lessons, participants enjoy a diverse social program, including:

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

  • Formal Dinners: two memorable formal hall dinners in different Cambridge Colleges (bring smart clothes!).

  • Excursions:

  • A full-day trip to Oxford and its colleges.

  • An optional day in London (sightseeing & shopping).

  • If opting out of London, enjoy afternoon tea in Cambridge.

All activities are led by friendly mentors dedicated to student enjoyment and wellbeing.

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🏛 Accommodation & Meals

  • 13 nights in a central Oxford or Cambridge college.

  • Historic buildings (500+ years old), no air conditioning, designed for study not luxury.

  • Single occupancy bedrooms with shared bathrooms (1 per 4 students).

  • Some ensuite rooms available (priority for medical needs).

  • Gender-separated corridors for shared bathrooms; mixed-gender allowed for ensuite corridors.

  • Rooms secured with locks; housekeeping access for maintenance.

  • Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner daily (Lunch included only for ages 13–15).

  • Special dietary and religious requirements catered for (advance notice required).

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✈️ Transportation

  • London Heathrow Airport Transfers:

  • Shared transfer service from Heathrow Terminal 3 to Oxford/Cambridge colleges.

  • Pastoral team greets participants at any Heathrow terminal and escorts them to Terminal 3.

  • Departure times: 11:00, 14:00, 17:00 on arrival Sunday.

  • Return transfers: 07:00, 12:00 on final Saturday.

  • Fee: £180 each way (booked post-enrolment).

  • Alternative arrivals (other airports/trains): guidance included in the Welcome Pack.

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🎓 What’s Included

  • 13 nights’ accommodation in a central college.

  • Breakfast & dinner (lunch included for 13–15 group).

  • 30 hours of academic sessions.

  • Carefully designed study & lecture materials.

  • Mentor program and access to support materials.

  • Two formal dinners at Cambridge Colleges.

  • All excursions (Oxford trip, punting, croquet, etc.).

  • Comprehensive summer school insurance.

  • Graduation ceremony & certificate.

  • Detailed tutor evaluation.

  • Notebook & pen.

  • Mentor family photograph.

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💷 Fees & Pocket Money

  • Transfer Fee: £180 each way (optional).

  • Recommended Pocket Money: £80 per week (to cover lunch & souvenirs).

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

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: An Introduction to Creative Writing

  • Challenge assumptions of 21st-century writing
  • Discuss writing methods, goals, and overcoming writer's block

Module 2: The Importance of Character

  • Examine the role of characters in fiction, from clichés to complex traits
  • Analyze character-driven shifts in tone and plot

Module 3: Learning the Industry: The Basics

  • Understand the publishing industry and various options
  • Explore traditional publishing, e-books, self-publication, and film writing

Module 4: Written Portfolio

  • Develop a portfolio of creative writing or a novella
  • Receive personalized written and verbal feedback for future development as a writer

Sample timetable Academic insights 2024

Sample Tutors

George M:

  • Lecturer in Medieval English at St Anne's College and St Hilda's College, Oxford

  • BA in English Literature from Durham University

  • MSt in English (650-1550) from Mansfield College, Oxford

  • DPhil (PhD) from St Anne’s College, Oxford

  • Doctoral thesis on anger in Old Norse-Icelandic Íslendingasögur (Sagas of Icelanders)

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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