Course Description: Exceptional Summer Pre-College Psychology Program for High Schoolers at Cambridge University Campus

🎓 Advanced Pre-University Course in Psychology

📍 Cambridge University Colleges

The Psychology Summer Programme allows you to explore some of the most fascinating areas of this multidisciplinary subject, from behavioural genetics to social psychology. Together with world-class tutors, you’ll study the mind, behaviour, and the motivations that make us unique — tackling big questions like: What shapes human differences? Why do we behave the way we do?

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📚 Academic Experience

• Learn from tutors at top universities including Cambridge, Oxford, and Harvard.

• Small class sizes averaging 7 students (maximum of 12), ensuring personalised learning and lively debate.

• All tutors are carefully selected for their expertise, enthusiasm, and ability to inspire students.

• Academic Skills Workshops designed to build confidence, strengthen study habits, and prepare you for university-level learning. Past topics include Productivity Tips and 21st Century Technology Skills.

• This programme is designed for students with at least upper-intermediate English (B2 level).

🔑 Sample Modules

1. An Introduction to Psychology

• Explore the study of mind and behaviour.

• Examine thinking, feeling, decision-making, unconscious processes, and neural mechanisms.

1. Behavioural Genetics: Nature vs Nurture

• Discover how much traits are influenced by genetics versus upbringing.

• See how biotechnology has advanced our understanding of genes and behaviour.

1. Cognitive Psychology: Seeing and Remembering

• Learn how memory and perception can mislead us.

• Study cognitive illusions, false perceptions, and the gap between reality and what our brains process.

1. Personal Project

• Research and present a psychology topic of your choice.

• Engage in discussions, receive tutor feedback, and refine presentation skills.

• 🎓 At the end, students receive a graduation certificate and a detailed written evaluation by their tutor.

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🏛 Accommodation & College Life

• Accommodation is allocated a few weeks before arrival, based on subject choice and programme dates.

• 🏰 Colleges are central, historic, and designed for study (many are over 500 years old, without air conditioning).

• 🛏 Bedrooms are single occupancy:

• Shared bathrooms (1 per 4 students) — gender-separated corridors.

• Limited ensuite facilities — prioritised for students with additional needs, located in mixed-gender corridors.

• 📶 Wi-Fi available throughout all colleges.

• 🔒 Rooms are secure with locks; housekeeping provides maintenance access.

• 👫 Requests for siblings/friends to stay nearby are considered.

• 🍴 Breakfast and dinner included daily on campus.

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🍽 Formal Hall Dining

• Experience Formal Hall — a traditional candlelit dinner in a historic Cambridge dining hall.

• Students attend two to three formal dinners during their stay, each in a different college.

• ✨ This is one of the most memorable traditions of Cambridge.

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

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🎉 Social & Cultural Activities

• A full programme of activities to balance academics with fun, led by our mentor team:

• 🚣 Punting on the River Cam

• ⚽ Zorb football

• 🎲 Games night

• 🎥 Movie night

• ❓ Quiz night

• 🎤 Talent show

• 🕵️ Murder mystery evening

• Friendly mentors are always on hand to ensure safety, enjoyment, and wellbeing.

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🚌 Excursions

• 🌟 Day trip to Oxford and its colleges.

• 🏙 Optional excursion to London for sightseeing and shopping.

• 🍰 If you choose not to go to London, enjoy afternoon tea in Cambridge.

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✈️ Travel & Arrival Details

• 🕑 Arrival: Sunday between 2 pm – 5 pm (rooms ready by 3 pm). Registration and college orientation upon arrival.

• 🚐 Heathrow Transfers: Shared service from Terminal 3 to Cambridge/Oxford colleges. Pastoral team meets students at all Heathrow terminals.

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

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

• Fee: £180 each way, bookable post-enrollment.

• 📦 Alternative arrivals supported — details included in the Welcome Pack.

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✅ What’s Included

• 🏛 13 nights’ accommodation in a Cambridge college.

• 🍴 Breakfast & dinner daily.

• 📚 30 hours of academic sessions.

• 📖 Carefully designed study & lecture materials.

• 👩‍🏫 Mentor programme & access to support materials.

• 🎉 Full social activity programme.

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

• 🍽 2–3 Formal dinners in Cambridge colleges (bring smart clothes!).

• 🧾 Comprehensive summer school insurance.

• 🎓 Graduation ceremony + certificate.

• 📝 Detailed tutor evaluation.

• 📔 Notebook & pen.

• 📸 Mentor family photograph.

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💰 Pocket Money Advice

We recommend ~£80 per week for lunches (ages 16+), souvenirs, and personal expenses. Banks and ATMs are widely available, and Visa/Mastercard are accepted everywhere.