Advanced Summer Research Programme in Economics and Politics for Older Teens at Cambridge

Course Description: Advanced Summer Research Programme in Economics and Politics for Older Teens at Cambridge

Economics and Politics Advanced Research Programme is an advanced and research-focused intensive programme which welcomes individuals with strong academic background to extend your research interest. It offers an opportunity to strengthen and showcase your ability with the guidance from the best scholars. The programme comes with a wide array of advantages:

• Experience the pinnacle of intellectual discourse with the advanced lectures and talks, featuring esteemed Cambridge Professors*.​

• Be engaged in hands-on learning through workshops and supervision led by current Cambridge scholars*.​

• Discover the latest and most important research on specific subjects. Learn about the most up-to-date discoveries and developments in a chosen field by renowned professors.​

• Compose a customised research proposal by applying the knowledge from the tremendous resources of the University Library.

• Opportunity to be invited to submit a research paper and included in the Conference Proceeding (subject to performance and quality).​

• ​​Study and live like a Cambridge student with other like-minded individuals from around the world in the traditional and world-leading academic atmosphere in Cambridge and the UK.

Student Intake:

This programme represents a higher tier of admission standards compared to the other research programmes, as it is limited to a selected group of 20-25 students.

Certification & Rewards

This Provider takes immense pride in celebrating the achievements of students who complete our programme. As a recognition of the dedication and hard work, here are the rewards and benefits that participants will receive:

• Recommendation Letter from Cambridge Professor for the top 50%

For those who excel and rank in the top 50% of the programme will receive a recommendation letter from the Cambridge Professor who delivers the academic lectures in the programme. This letter will not only acknowledge outstanding performance but also open doors to future academic and professional opportunities.

• Programme Recommendation Letter from Programme Director at Cambridge

A reference letter from our Programme Director at Cambridge will highlight students’ participation and accomplishments during their time in the programme, serving as a valuable addition to the academic portfolio.

• Certificate of Attendance

Students will receive an official Certificate of Attendance, co-issued by a Cambridge College and This Provider, to recognise their commitment to academic excellence.

• Programme Report Card

A report card to reflect a comprehensive evaluation of students' learning progress achieved during the programme with individual feedback.

• Reviewed Research Proposal

Students’ research proposals will undergo a thorough review, providing valuable feedback and insights from our experienced faculty. Completing a full research paper based on the research proposal is available through our optional continuation programme, if interested.

• UCAS Points

Completion of the Advanced Research Programme will award students 8 UCAS points, providing a meaningful boost to their university applications.

• University Application Guidance

We offer students professional advice and guidance from Cambridge professors and existing Cambridge students to help them prepare for university applications, especially Cambridge, Oxford and other top universities.

Academic Content

Leading Professor:

Prof. Matthew Elliott

• Professor of Economics, Faculty of Economics, University of Cambridge

• Faculty Executive Director of Research, University of Cambridge

• Fellow of Jesus College, University of Cambridge

This course introduces how economic incentives and political institutions shape real-world choices and public policy. It begins with decision-making and markets, highlighting when they work well and when they fail. Students then study evidence-based policy, learning how data can and cannot answer causal questions. Next, they explore strategic interaction through game theory and compare voting systems to understand representation, fairness and institutional design. The course concludes with a policy lab on growth, inequality, trade and climate, encouraging critical evaluation of competing objectives and outlining future study and career pathways in economics, politics and public policy.

Lectures:

Lecture 1: Game Theory Applied to Business Decision Making

Business choices are strategic: what you do depends on what others do. This session introduces game-theoretic thinking through accessible cases such as pricing wars, negotiations, market entry, and competitive signalling. Students explore best responses, credible commitments, coordination versus conflict, and classic dilemmas where rational strategies can still produce weak outcomes. By the end, they can explain how to 'map the game' and choose actions that improve results in real business settings.

Lecture 2: Networks and Economic Fragility

Economies run on networks: supply chains, finance, logistics, and information. This session shows how the structure of connections can create resilience or vulnerability, and why small shocks sometimes trigger large cascades. Using examples such as single suppliers, highly connected firms, and interlinked banks, students learn how concentration, bottlenecks, and feedback loops amplify risk. The session builds intuition for managing fragility through diversification, buffers, and smarter system design.

Lecture 3: International Trade and Economic Power

Trade is about more than efficiency: it shapes influence, security, and bargaining power. This session explains why countries trade, how global value chains work, and where tensions arise through tariffs, sanctions, and strategic industries. Students discuss who gains and who loses from trade, how firms adapt to policy shifts, and how governments use trade tools to pursue economic and geopolitical objectives. The focus is on linking trade concepts to real-world power dynamics.

Lecture 4: Preferences, Choices and Consumption

Why do people choose one option over another, and how do prices, income, and context shape consumption? This session introduces the foundations of consumer choice, focusing on trade-offs, constraints, and how economists model preferences. Students connect theory to everyday decisions: subscriptions, bundles, discounts, brand effects, and digital choice environments. They also examine behavioural patterns such as framing, defaults, and social influence to understand how choices are shaped in practice.

Lecture 5: Economic and Financial Contagion

Crises often spread through hidden linkages and shifting expectations. This session explores how shocks move across firms, banks, markets, and countries through mechanisms such as leverage, liquidity stress, interdependence, and panic dynamics. Students work through simplified examples of bank runs, credit freezes, and spillovers across sectors to see why contagion accelerates. They finish with a clear framework for thinking about prevention, stabilisation, and risk management.

Lecture 6: The Theory of Social Choice

How can a group combine many individual preferences into one collective decision? This session introduces social choice theory through voting rules, fairness criteria, and the limitations of “perfect” aggregation. Students compare systems such as majority voting, run-offs, and proportional approaches, and explore strategic voting, agenda setting, and paradoxes that show why outcomes can be unstable. The session equips students to evaluate decision procedures in committees, elections, and organisational governance.

Small Group Supervisions:

Supervision is a unique feature of the Cambridge education system. It provides students with the opportunity to explore the subjects more deeply by discussing the work process and receiving regular feedback from their supervisors, including feedback on the preparation for the final projects at the end of the programme.

Research Skill Sessions:

Research Planning & Topic Selection

• Gain understanding about the research and related details

• Select a topic for the research presentation with the support of the supervisor

Presentation Structure & Literature Review

• Familiarise presentation structure

• Acquire knowledge on literature review

• Select and refine research methodology and data collection strategies

Data Analysis and Interpretation

• Know the difference between analysis and interpreting data

• Analyse and interpret collected data

Academic Skill Workshops:

Team Building

• Learn effective communication strategies to ensure clear, open, and respectful dialogue within the team.

• Develop skills for working collaboratively, including active listening, sharing responsibilities, and leveraging diverse strengths.

• Understand techniques for resolving conflicts constructively and maintaining a positive team dynamic.

Academic Writing

• Learn to structure your writing with clear sections and logical flow.

• Master techniques for building strong, evidence-based arguments.

• Understand how to write clearly and formally, and improve through revision and editing.

Presentation skills

• Learn how to structure your presentation with a clear introduction, main points, and conclusion to ensure a logical flow and coherent message.

• Master the use of voice modulation, body language, and eye contact to engage your audience and convey confidence.

• Understand how to effectively use visual aids, such as slides and handouts, to enhance your presentation and reinforce your key points.

Master Talks:

This Provider invites a number of world class scholars and academics from various disciplines to give seminars on their specialities to promote academic interests. The speakers include world famous researchers, policymakers, industrial leaders, societies, associations, professional bodies and individuals.

Instructional Model

Economics and Politics Advanced Research Programme goes beyond simply teaching research techniques; as it fosters an unyielding enthusiasm for exploration. Our small, exclusive classes are where serious discussions thrive, and ideas are shared among the best and brightest. This tailored approach allows students to focus their efforts and delve deeper into a specific area of study, fostering a more immersive and fulfilling educational experience.

Professor & Supervisor Total Contact Time 45+ hours 

Research Lecture by Cambridge Professor 12 hours

Subject Revision by Cambridge Scholar 6 hours

Project and Proposal Supervision by Cambridge Scholar 8 hours

Research & Academic Workshop by Cambridge Tutor 8 hours

Proposal Writing Session by Cambridge Supervisor 8 hours

Master Talk by Profound Scholars 2 hours

Subject Presentation 3 hours

Cultural & Social Activities 12 hours

London / Oxford Excursion 2 days

Evaluation

The evaluation for our Advanced Research Programme ensures a comprehensive and fair assessment. Experienced lecturers and dedicated supervisors evaluate participants, allowing them to showcase their learning and enhance their presentation skills and research proposal:

• 15-minute group presentations for research evaluation

• Participants must submit a minimum 2000-word research proposal as a programme requirement

• Assessments by Cambridge Professor and dedicated supervisors

• Emphasis on critical findings, methodologies, and effective communication

• Valuable feedback and constructive criticism provided

• Encourages academic growth and excellence in the programme

Admission Requirements

This programme is suitable for

• The High School students who possess excellent academic ability and want to extend research interest with the guidance from the leading scholars at the University of Cambridge

• Age 16 to 18

Accommodation & Dining *�️

To deliver a comprehensive and enriching experience in Cambridge, participants are accommodated in different colleges within the University of Cambridge. Full board dining is provided throughout the programme, with meals served in the college dining halls (apart from weekend trips).

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Living and dining in these iconic settings not only offers a taste of traditional Cambridge life but also enhances the participants' research and academic learning. The immersive environment fosters a deep connection with the university's rich academic heritage, making their time at Cambridge both intellectually and culturally enriching.

Cambridge Colleges

Some of the collaborating Colleges are:

• Clare Hall, University of Cambridge

Clare Hall was founded in 1966 on the initiative of Clare College. It was envisaged as a college with three main classes of members: university teaching officers whose principal focus was research; visiting academics who would stay in Cambridge for between six months and a year; and graduate students. The President, Fellows, Visiting Fellows and graduate students together make up an integrated academic society that is not constrained by hierarchy and is consequently a culturally rich and intellectually diverse environment for advanced study.

• Sidney Sussex College, University of Cambridge

Sidney Sussex College was founded on St. Valentine's Day in 1596 by the legacy of Lady Frances Sidney, Countess of Sussex. The College is in the historic heart of Cambridge, and its beautiful buildings and gardens are home to a dynamic and diverse academic community. Our students, Fellows and staff come from all backgrounds and all over the world, drawn by the University of Cambridge's world-class reputation and Sidney Sussex's commitment to excellence in teaching and research.

• Murray Edwards College, University of Cambridge

Murray Edwards College was founded in 1954 as New Hall, later renamed in 2008 to honor Dame Rosemary Murray, its first President, and benefactor Ros Edwards. The college is known for its modernist architecture, featuring the iconic Dome, and a large collection of contemporary art. Academically, it offers a wide range of disciplines with a strong emphasis on supporting women in STEM fields. The college structure includes dedicated tutorial systems, research opportunities, and a library that caters to various academic needs. Murray Edwards fosters a collaborative environment, encouraging intellectual growth, leadership, and social responsibility, aiming to empower women to excel in their respective fields.

What Is Included:

• Accommodation for 13 nights in a College of the University of Cambridge*.

• Daily breakfast, lunch and dinners (except for weekend days), with a memorable distinctive formal dining experience in the Cambridge tradition on the day of the graduation ceremony.

• All academic activities, such as lectures, supervisions, revisions/seminars, master talks with world-class speakers, final group presentations, and access to teaching venues.

• A rich social and cultural schedule, including excursions to London and Oxford.

• Programme awards as outlined in the programme details.

Application Procedure:

1. Gather Necessary Documents

2. Fill and Submit Application Form

3. Receive Conditional Offer

4. Attend Interview (if applicable)

5. Pay Deposit

6. Receive Offer Letter and Invoice

7. Pay Programme Fee (deducted deposit)

8. Receive Programme Invitation Letter and Accommodation Letter (for visa purpose)

9. Receive Pre-arrival Pack 

10. Study Aboard

Airport Transfers

We can arrange a private airport pick-up/drop-off transfer between London Heathrow Airport and Cambridge at a price of £200 per way, per person.