Exceptional Pre-College Philosophy Program for High Schoolers at Cambridge University
Philosophy lecture
University of Cambridge Campus, UK

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

🧠 Pre-College Philosophy for High Schoolers

📍 Oxford University Colleges | Ages 16–18

This fantastic pre-university camp at the Oxford University campus is the perfect gateway to Philosophy for curious and ambitious students.

Philosophy is a broad subject that permeates many fields across the humanities and social sciences. This advanced program introduces you to university-level philosophy, from exploring historical foundations and the works of famous philosophers to building strong academic skills in essay writing and argumentation.

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📚 Academic Experience

  • Learn directly from world-class academics from Oxford, Cambridge, and Harvard.

  • Small classes (avg. 7, max. 12 students) encourage discussion and debate.

  • Engage with the theories of philosophers who have shaped human thought for centuries.

  • Build academic confidence through workshops on critical skills like productivity and technology in learning.

  • Complete a Personal Project (essay or presentation), with feedback from your tutor.

  • Designed for students with at least upper-intermediate English (B2 level).

***

📌 Key Facts

  • 👥 Average class size: 7 students

  • 👩‍🏫 Maximum class size: 12 students

  • 🎓 1:1 Career Coaching included

  • 💼 Professional development workshops

  • 🤝 Personal support and guidance for success

  • 🌍 Study alongside ambitious peers from around the world

  • ⭐ Unrivalled academic experience led by expert tutors

***

🔑 Sample Modules

  1. Origins – The Presocratics 🏺
  • Study Greek philosophers at the foundation of Western thought.

  • Explore how they used the four elements — water, air, fire, earth — to explain existence.

  1. Beyond Truth and Morality – Nietzsche
  • Examine Nietzsche’s concept of the Will to Power.

  • Discuss his critiques of morality and the distortion of his ideas by Nazi propaganda.

  1. The Unconscious – Freud 🛌
  • Explore Freud’s theories of the unconscious, dreams, and verbal slips.

  • Understand the id, ego, and superego structure of the mind.

  1. Personal Project 🎤
  • Present your own philosophical research topic.

  • Engage in peer discussions and receive detailed tutor feedback.

***

🏛 Accommodation & Dining

  • 13 nights in a central Oxford or Cambridge college.

  • 🛏 Single bedrooms (shared bathrooms: 1 per 4). Limited ensuite facilities (priority for medical/additional needs).

  • 🔒 Rooms secured with locks; housekeeping available.

  • 📶 Wi-Fi throughout colleges.

  • 🍽 Breakfast and dinner provided in College Hall.

  • 🕌 All dietary needs supported (medical & religious).

  • Note: buildings are historic (500+ years old), designed for study not luxury. Most do not have air conditioning.

***

🍽 Formal Hall Tradition

  • Twice during your stay, attend Formal Hall — a traditional Oxbridge candlelit dinner.

  • ✨ A cultural highlight of the program.

  • 👔 So remember to bring some smart clothes for these occasions!

***

🎉 Social & Cultural Activities

  • A busy and diverse social program led by mentors, including:

  • 🚣 Punting on the River Cam

  • ⚽ Zorb football

  • 🎲 Games night

  • 🎥 Movie night

  • ❓ Quiz night

  • 🎤 Talent show

  • 🕵️ Murder mystery night

  • Designed to help you build lifelong friendships with peers from around the world.

***

🚌 Excursions

  • 🌟 2 full-day trips:

  • Visit Oxford University and its colleges.

  • Optional day trip to London (sightseeing + shopping).

  • 🍰 If you don’t go to London, enjoy a classic afternoon tea in Cambridge instead.

***

✈️ Travel & Arrival Details

  • 🕑 Arrival: Sunday between 2–5 pm (rooms ready by 3 pm). Orientation upon arrival.

  • 🚐 Shared Airport Transfers from London Heathrow (Terminal 3):

  • Departures at 11:00, 14:00, 17:00 on arrival Sunday.

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

  • Pastoral team meets students at all Heathrow terminals.

  • 💷 Transfer Fee: £180 each way (booked after enrollment).

  • ✈️ Alternative arrivals supported (details in the Welcome Pack).

***

✅ What’s Included

  • 🏛 13 nights in a Cambridge/Oxford college.

  • 🍴 Breakfast and dinner daily (lunch included for 13–15 age group).

  • 📚 30 hours of academic sessions with Oxford & Cambridge tutors.

  • 📖 Carefully designed study materials.

  • 👩‍🏫 1:1 Career Coaching + professional development workshops.

  • 🎉 Full social and cultural activities programme.

  • 🚌 2 excursions (Oxford + London/afternoon tea).

  • 🍽 2 Formal Dinners (bring smart clothes!).

  • 🧾 Comprehensive summer school insurance.

  • 🎓 Graduation ceremony + certificate.

  • 📝 Detailed tutor evaluation.

  • 📔 Notebook & pen.

  • 📸 Mentor family photograph.

***

💰 Pocket Money Advice

We recommend ~£80 per week for lunch, souvenirs, and personal expenses. ATMs and banks are widely available, and Visa/Mastercard are accepted everywhere.

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: Origins The Presocratics

  • Explore Presocratics, foundational Greek philosophers
  • Study their focus on elements - water, air, fire, earth - to explain existence

Module 2: Beyond Truth and Morality Nietzsche

  • Examine Friedrich Nietzsche's concept of 'Will to Power'
  • Discuss Nietzsche’s influence and misinterpretation by Nazi propaganda

Module 3: The Unconscious Freud

  • Explore Sigmund Freud's theories on the unconscious mind
  • Study dream analysis, verbal slips, and the mind's structure: id, ego, superego

Module 4: Personal Project

  • Present and discuss a chosen philosophical topic
  • Engage in peer discussions, receive tutor feedback

Sample timetable Academic insights 2024

Sample Tutors

Cathy M:

  • Lecturer in Philosophy at Wadham College, Oxford.

  • Teaches Ethics, Practical Ethics, Aesthetics and Political Philosophy.

  • Works primarily within virtue ethics and is particularly interested in Iris Murdoch.

  • In 2019, completed her PhD at Cambridge, titled 'Neglected Virtues: Love, Hope and Humility'. Whilst there she taught Metaphysics, Ethics, Epistemology, Political Philosophy, and Aesthetics.

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

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