Exceptional Pre-College Psychology Program for High Schoolers at Cambridge University
Psychology Bret Kavanaugh _af0_qah4k4 Unsplash
University of Cambridge Campus, UK

Exceptional Summer Pre-College Psychology 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 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.

***

🏛 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.

***

🍽 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!

***

🎉 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.

***

🚌 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.

***

✈️ 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.

***

✅ 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.

***

💰 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.

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: An Introduction to Psychology

  • Explore the study of mind and behavior
  • Examine thinking, feeling, decision-making, unconscious processes, and neural mechanisms

Module 2: Behavioural Genetics: Nature vs Nurture

  • Investigate the genetic and environmental influences on psychological traits
  • Understand the impact of biotechnological advances on the study of behavior and genes

Module 3: Cognitive Psychology: Seeing and Remembering

  • Study cognitive illusions and the brain's interpretation of senses and memories
  • Explore the discrepancy between perception and reality

Module 4: Personal Project

  • Present a chosen topic within the psychology program
  • Engage in discussions, receive feedback from tutor and peers

Sample timetable Academic insights 2024

Sample Tutors

Benjamin F:

  • PhD Candidate and undergraduate supervisor at the Department of Psychology at the University of Cambridge.

  • Doctoral thesis is entitled "Evidence, Bias and Replication in Animal Intelligence" and examines the process by which researchers generate facts about animal minds.

  • Published 5 articles in international peer-reviewed journals and given invited lectures at the American Psychological Association and the Stockholm Cultural Evolution Symposium.

  • Has taught on a range of undergraduate courses at Cambridge from the Natural Sciences and Psychological and Behavioural Sciences Triposes.

  • Graduated from the University of Cambridge with a 1st Class degree in Natural Sciences.

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.

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