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

🩺 Pre-College Medicine Summer Program

📍 Cambridge University Campus | Ages 16–18

The Pre-College Medicine Summer Program welcomes teens to explore the fascinating world of medicine, gaining in-depth insights into both the theory and practice of this competitive field. Over two weeks, you’ll be guided by expert tutors from world-leading universities while living the authentic Cambridge student experience.

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🔬 Why Choose This Program?

• 👩‍🏫 Academic insights into Medicine in small class sizes (average 7, maximum 12).

• 🎯 1:1 tutorials with Cambridge & Oxford tutors to explore your passion.

• 📚 Academic & Future Skills Workshops on topics like personal branding, interview skills, and academic writing.

• 🙌 Mentorship from current Oxbridge undergraduates.

• 🎓 Certificate of attendance + detailed personal evaluation from your tutor.

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📚 Course Description

• Learn directly from tutors who have taught undergraduates at Cambridge, Oxford, and Harvard.

• Share ideas in small groups of ambitious peers from around the world.

• Develop practical skills including:

• How to suture

• Measuring blood pressure

• Performing dissections

• Explore medical theory through lectures and seminars, then apply your knowledge in practicals.

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🔑 Sample Modules

1. Medical Research: “From Bench to Bedside”

• Explore Nobel Prize-winning medical breakthroughs.

• Revisit the scientific method and stages of medical research.

• Discover the importance of interdisciplinary approaches.

1. Cardiovascular & Respiratory Physiology: “Rhythm of Life”

• Understand how breathing and 3 billion heartbeats sustain life.

• Study cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.

• Learn emergency treatments like CPR and AED for heart attacks.

• Tackle questions: Why do some people get mountain sickness? Is snoring bad for you? What does an asthma inhaler do?

1. Neuroscience & Neuropsychology: “I Think, Therefore I Am”

• Overview of neuron microanatomy and physiology.

• Analyse how neurons produce electrical signals.

• Explore the placebo effect and sensory illusions (optical, auditory, tactile).

1. Science Conference

• Participate in a mini-science conference.

• Present your assigned research topic.

• Critically evaluate peers’ work and ask follow-up questions.

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🏛 Accommodation & College Life

• 13 nights in a central Cambridge college (allocation confirmed a few weeks before arrival).

• 🏰 Colleges are historic, central, and rich in tradition (many over 500 years old; no air conditioning).

• 🛏 Bedrooms are single occupancy:

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

• Limited ensuite facilities available, prioritised for additional needs (mixed-gender corridors).

• 📶 Wi-Fi throughout the colleges.

• 🔒 Secure, lockable rooms; housekeeping provides maintenance access.

• 👫 Requests to stay near friends/siblings considered.

• 🍴 Breakfast & dinner daily in college dining halls.

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🍽 Formal Hall Experience

• Dine in historic Cambridge dining halls during two Formal Dinners.

• ✨ A unique tradition with candlelight, elegance, and academic history.

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

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🎉 Social & Cultural Activities

• Enjoy a packed social programme including:

• 🚣 Punting on the River Cam

• ⚽ Zorb football

• 🎲 Games night

• 🎥 Movie night

• ❓ Quiz night

• 🎤 Talent show

• 🕵️ Murder mystery night in college

• All activities and excursions are organised by our friendly mentors to maximise fun and wellbeing.

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🚌 Excursions

• 🌟 Full-day trip to Oxford and its colleges.

• 🏙 Optional London trip to explore landmarks & shopping.

• 🍰 Students who opt out of London will enjoy afternoon tea in Cambridge.

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✈️ Travel & Arrival Details

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

• 🚐 Heathrow Transfers: Shared chaperoned service (£180 each way):

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

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

• Pastoral team available at all Heathrow terminals.

• 📦 Alternative arrivals: Full details provided in the Welcome Pack sent after enrollment confirmation.

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✅ What’s Included

• 🏛 13 nights in a Cambridge (or Oxford) college.

• 🍴 Breakfast & dinner daily (lunch included for ages 13–15).

• 📚 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 Formal dinners in Cambridge colleges (bring smart clothes!).

• 🧾 Comprehensive summer school insurance.

• 🎓 Graduation ceremony + certificate.

• 📝 Detailed evaluation from tutor.

• 📔 Notebook & pen.

• 📸 Mentor family photograph.

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💰 Pocket Money Advice

We recommend ~£80 per week for lunches, souvenirs, and personal expenses. Banks and ATMs are widely available, and Visa/Mastercard are accepted throughout Cambridge.