Exceptional Pre-College History Program for High Schoolers at Cambridge University
Student exploring paintings fitz william museum tour cambridge
University of Cambridge Campus, UK

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

age icon 16-18 years old

time icon 2 weeks

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 History Program for High Schoolers at Cambridge University Campus

📜 Pre-College History Summer Program (Ages 16–18)

Location: Cambridge University Colleges

***

📌 Key Facts

  • Age Group: 16–18 years old

  • Duration: 2 weeks (13 nights)

  • Academic Hours: 30 hours of history tutorials

  • Average Class Size: 7 students (max 12)

  • Tutors: Oxford, Cambridge & Harvard academics

  • 1:1 Career Coaching: Personal guidance for academic success

  • Accommodation: Single study bedrooms in Cambridge colleges

  • Meals: Breakfast & dinner included daily (lunch provided on excursions)

  • Special Feature: 2 Formal Dinners (👔 bring smart clothes!)

  • Pocket Money Recommendation: £80 per week

  • Transfer Service: London Heathrow, £180 each way

  • English Requirement: Upper-intermediate (B2)

***

📖 Course Description

This History Summer Camp in Cambridge University is the perfect gateway for ambitious 16–18-year-olds who want to immerse themselves in the past while preparing for the future.

In its 800-year history, Cambridge has welcomed great thinkers like Oliver Cromwell, Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Francis Bacon, Stephen Hawking, Rosalind Franklin, Florence Nightingale and many more. Studying history in this setting is truly inspiring — surrounded by stunning architecture and a tradition of intellectual excellence.

On this advanced pre-university course, you’ll go beyond A-level/IB material and dive into:

  • The performative nature of medieval courts.

  • The socio-political conflicts shaping the modern world.

  • Best practices in historical study and essay writing.

This program is designed for students who are considering studying History or related disciplines at university level.

***

🎓 Academic Experience

  • 30 hours of expert-led teaching in small groups (average 7 students).

  • Delivered by inspiring academics from Oxford, Cambridge, and Harvard.

  • Learn through discussions, debates, and interactive sessions.

  • Develop advanced skills in research, historiography, and analysis.

***

🛠 Academic Skills Workshops

Workshops are designed to unlock your academic potential by:

  • Boosting study, research, and essay-writing skills.

  • Preparing you for university-level history study.

  • Building confidence through presentations, debates & collaboration.

Past workshop themes include:

  • Productivity Tips for Students

  • 21st-Century Technology Skills

  • Critical Thinking & Research Methods

***

📝 Sample Modules

Module 1: Science and Discovery

  • Explore science in the 15th century.

  • Debate whether this period constituted a scientific revolution.

  • Evaluate existing historiography.

Module 2: Gender and Witch Hunting

  • Explore the rise of gender history.

  • Critically analyze gender roles through the lens of witch-hunting.

  • Work with primary and secondary sources.

Module 3: Court Festivals

  • Study court pomp and ceremony across Western Europe.

  • Explore symbolism, performance, and the legitimization of power.

Module 4: Essay Presentation

  • Produce an essay on a historical topic of your choice.

  • Apply best practices in historical method and analysis.

  • Strengthen your academic writing and research skills.

***

🎭 Activities & Excursions

Outside of lessons, enjoy a busy and diverse social programme:

  • Punting on the River Cam 🚣

  • Zorb football ⚽

  • Games night 🎲, quiz night ❓, movie night 🎬

  • Talent show 🎤 & murder mystery night 🕵️

Excursions:

  • Day trip to Oxford and its historic colleges.

  • Optional London trip (sightseeing & shopping).

  • If not going to London, enjoy afternoon tea in Cambridge.

All activities are guided by our friendly mentors, who ensure safety, fun, and support throughout.

***

🎩 Formal Hall (Highlight!)

Twice during your stay, you’ll experience Cambridge’s iconic candlelit Formal Hall:

  • Dine in historic dining halls.

  • Dress up and feel like a true Cambridge student.

  • 👔 Remember to bring smart clothes!

***

🏛 Accommodation & Meals

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

  • Rooms: Single bedrooms (shared bathrooms, 1 per 4; limited ensuite available).

  • Meals:

  • Breakfast & dinner daily.

  • Lunch included during excursions.

  • Wi-Fi available throughout.

  • Colleges are traditional, designed for study (not luxury), but rich in atmosphere.

  • All dietary & religious requirements catered for with advance notice.

***

✈️ Transport & Arrival

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

  • Heathrow Transfers:

  • Escorted transfer from Terminal 3.

  • Departures: 11:00, 14:00, 17:00.

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

  • Cost: £180 each way.

  • Alternative arrival details included in your Welcome Pack.

***

💷 Fees & Pocket Money

  • Transfer Fee: £180 each way.

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

  • ATMs available, Visa & Mastercard widely accepted.

***

✅ What’s Included

  • 13 nights’ accommodation in a Cambridge University college.

  • Breakfast & dinner daily.

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

  • Carefully designed lecture & study materials.

  • Mentor program & student wellbeing support.

  • 2 formal candlelit dinners.

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

  • Optional London day trip.

  • Comprehensive summer school insurance.

  • Graduation ceremony & certificate.

  • Detailed tutor evaluation.

  • Notebook & pen.

  • Mentor family photograph.

***

✨ This program offers the perfect blend of rigorous academic study and unforgettable cultural immersion — giving you the knowledge, skills, and inspiration to pursue History at university and beyond.

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: Science and Discovery

  • Explore the significance of scientific exploration in the 15th century
  • Evaluate historiography, debate narrative of a 15th-century scientific revolution

Module 2: Gender and Witch Hunting

  • Discuss the rise of gender history and its context
  • Analyze gender roles through the lens of witch-hunting
  • Develop understanding of gender roles and their changes

Module 3: Court Festivals

  • Study 15th-century Western European court ceremonies
  • Understand the symbolism and performative nature of these events
  • Explore how power and authority were legitimized in the Early Modern period

Module 4: Essay Presentation

  • Create an essay on a chosen historical topic
  • Incorporate best historical practices and research skills
  • Analyze primary and secondary sources

Sample timetable Academic insights 2024

Sample Tutors

Richard M:

  • Experience: Tutor at University of Cambridge

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

Watch the video to have a sneak peek for your child’s adventures!

Do you need help?

Can't find what you're looking for? That's okay. Our advisors are here to help 😊 You can schedule a Zoom call or message our advisors for free guidance!