Course Description: Exceptional Summer Pre-College Engineering Program for Teenagers at Cambridge University Campus

🛠 Pre-College Engineering Summer Program

Location: Cambridge or Oxford University Colleges

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📖 Course Description

This award-winning academic summer school is designed for ambitious students aged 13–15 who are curious about engineering and its real-world applications.

• Gain academically rigorous content to expand your knowledge and love for STEM.

• Experience 30 hours of academic sessions over two weeks.

• Complete an individual “Personal Project” — an essay or presentation delivered on the final day, with personalized tutor feedback.

• Discover how engineering combines mathematical accuracy, creativity, and problem-solving.

• Learn about career pathways and the global importance of engineering in innovation and technology.

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📚 Academic Experience

• 30 hours of expert-led sessions taught by tutors from Oxford and Cambridge.

• Small class sizes for personalized guidance.

• Final-day Personal Project presentation with feedback.

• Focus on both theory and practical work.

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🛠 Academic Skills Workshops

Alongside the engineering curriculum, students join workshops designed to:

• Unlock potential and improve study skills.

• Prepare for university-style learning.

• Build transferable skills: critical thinking, teamwork, presentations.

Past workshops have included:

• Productivity Tips for Students

• 21st-Century Technology Skills

• Critical Thinking & Analysis

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📝 Sample Modules

Module 1: Industrial Revolutions

• Trace the history of engineering across four industrial revolutions.

• Explore key breakthroughs and their lasting impact.

• Discuss future prospects for engineering innovation.

Module 2: Telecommunication Engineering

• Study how telephones, radios, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth systems work.

• Learn AM/FM radio theory.

• Build and test your own radio receiver.

Module 3: Control and Automation Engineering

• Explore signals, systems, and proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control systems.

• Debate ethics in AI through a moral machine simulation.

• Develop research and debate skills.

Module 4: Engineering a Solution

• Work in pairs to solve a real-world problem.

• Apply learned engineering principles to design a prototype.

• Present and defend your idea to peers.

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🎭 Activities & Excursions

Beyond academics, the social program is a highlight:

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

• Excursions:

• Day trip to Oxford and its historic colleges.

• Optional day trip to London for sightseeing & shopping.

• If not joining London, enjoy a traditional afternoon tea in Cambridge.

🎩 Formal Hall

Experience a traditional candlelit Formal Dinner at Cambridge or Oxford colleges:

• Students attend two formal dinners during the program.

• 👔 So remember to bring some smart clothes!

All events are supervised by dedicated mentors focused on wellbeing and fun.

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🏛 Accommodation & Meals

• Historic university colleges (many over 500 years old).

• Rooms:

• Single occupancy bedrooms (some twin options).

• Shared bathrooms (1 per 4 students).

• Limited ensuite facilities (priority for medical needs).

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

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily in College Halls.

• Special diets & religious needs accommodated with advance notice.

• Wi-Fi available throughout.

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✈️ Transportation & Arrival

• Arrival: Between 2 pm–5 pm on the first Sunday (rooms ready at 3 pm).

• London Heathrow Transfers:

• Shared chaperoned service from Heathrow Terminal 3.

• Pick-up times: 11:00, 14:00, 17:00.

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

• Fee: £180 each way.

• Alternative arrival instructions in the Welcome Pack.

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🎓 What’s Included

• 13 nights’ accommodation in an Oxford or Cambridge college.

• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily.

• 30 hours of engineering tutorials with Oxford & Cambridge tutors.

• Carefully designed study materials.

• Mentor program & social activities.

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

• Two formal dinners.

• Graduation ceremony & certificate.

• Detailed tutor evaluation.

• Comprehensive summer school insurance.

• Notebook & pen.

• Mentor family photograph.

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💷 Fees & Pocket Money

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

• Recommended Pocket Money: £80 per week (for lunches, souvenirs, and extras).

• ATMs widely available; Visa & Mastercard accepted