Exceptional Pre-College Computer Science Program for Teenagers at Cambridge University
Student sat at computer carousel
University of Cambridge Campus, UK

Exceptional Summer Pre-College Computer Science Program for Teenagers at Cambridge University Campus

age icon 13-15 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 - Boarding

Start 6/28/2026
End 7/11/2026
Duration 2 Weeks
Price £7,495

June - Day

Start 6/28/2026
End 7/11/2026
Duration 2 Weeks
Price £5,995

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 - Boarding

Start 7/26/2026
End 8/8/2026
Duration 2 Weeks
Price £7,495

July - Day

Start 7/26/2026
End 8/8/2026
Duration 2 Weeks
Price £5,995

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

💻 Pre-College Computer Science for High Schoolers at Cambridge / Oxford University Campus (Ages 13–15)

This award-winning academic summer school is designed for ambitious students aged 13–15 who want to explore the world of computer science while experiencing life at either the University of Cambridge or Oxford.

Over two weeks, you’ll take part in 30 hours of academic sessions, guided by expert tutors from Oxford and Cambridge, and explore what it feels like to study at a world-class university. Alongside classes, you’ll complete an individual “Personal Project” – an essay or presentation, assessed and presented at the end of the program.

Computer science blends creativity with logic, mathematical precision with innovation, and is one of the most in-demand fields worldwide. This program introduces participants to the fundamentals of programming, big data, and algorithms, while showing the multiple career and study pathways available in technology.

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🎓 Academic Experience

  • 30 hours of academic sessions with tutors from Oxford and Cambridge.

  • Small class sizes for maximum attention.

  • Emphasis on both theory and practical skills.

  • Personal Project: essay or presentation evaluated by peers and tutor on the final day.

  • Feedback from tutors included in your final assessment.

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📘 Academic Skills Workshops

Our skills workshops prepare you for future university-level study:

  • Productivity & study strategies.

  • 21st-century technology skills.

  • Critical thinking and confidence building.

  • Enrichment beyond traditional school learning.

***

🖥️ Sample Modules

Module 1: Programming with Python

  • Learn the basics of Python, one of the most popular coding languages worldwide.

  • Discover how to break down problems and tackle them programmatically.

Module 2: Object-Oriented Programming with Python

  • Explore how OOP simplifies code by packaging functionality into objects.

  • Build more powerful and reusable programs.

Module 3: Databases & Big Data

  • Learn how we manage 2.5 quintillion bytes of daily data.

  • Explore relational databases and their role in storing and analyzing massive datasets.

Module 4: Personal Project Presentation

  • Present your project to tutors and peers.

  • Receive feedback to reinforce your learning and boost academic confidence.

***

🏛️ Accommodation

  • Stay in a central Cambridge or Oxford college.

  • Single occupancy bedrooms with shared bathrooms (1 per 4 students). Limited ensuite rooms available (priority for special needs).

  • Separate male/female corridors (mixed gender possible with ensuite).

  • Buildings are historic (many 500+ years old), designed for study, not luxury.

  • Wi-Fi throughout; no air conditioning.

  • Rooms secured with locks; maintenance staff have access.

***

🍽️ Meals

  • Breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily in college dining halls.

  • Most dietary and religious requirements accommodated (please notify in advance).

  • Formal Halls: Three candlelit dinners across Cambridge and Oxford colleges.

    👔 Remember to bring some smart clothes for these special occasions!

***

🎉 Activities & Excursions

Outside lessons, enjoy a busy and fun social program:

  • Punting on the River Cam 🚣

  • Croquet on the college lawns

  • Zorb football ⚽

  • Movie nights 🎬, quiz nights ❓, talent show 🎤, murder mystery night 🕵️

  • Games & sports with new international friends 🌍

Excursions:

  • A full-day trip to Oxford University and its colleges.

  • Optional day trip to London (landmarks & shopping).

  • If not going to London, enjoy a traditional Cambridge afternoon tea.

All activities are guided by our friendly mentors, ensuring a safe and memorable experience.

***

✈️ Arrival & Transfers

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

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

  • Departures from Heathrow T3 at 11:00, 14:00, 17:00.

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

  • Pastoral staff meet students at any Heathrow terminal and escort them to T3.

  • Alternative arrivals (other airports/trains) detailed in Welcome Pack.

***

💡 Key Facts

  • Ages: 13–15

  • Duration: 13 nights

  • Location: University of Cambridge or Oxford

  • Hours of teaching: 30 hours

  • Personal Project & Final Presentation

  • Graduation ceremony & certificate

***

💷 Pocket Money

  • Recommended: £80 per week for souvenirs, snacks, or extra activities.

  • ATMs available in Cambridge & Oxford; Visa and Mastercard widely accepted.

***

✅ What’s Included

  • 13 nights in a Cambridge or Oxford college 🏛️

  • Breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily 🍽️

  • 30 hours of academic teaching 👩‍🏫

  • Study & lecture materials 📚

  • Academic skills workshops

  • Mentor program & support

  • 2 full-day excursions (Oxford & London/Tea in Cambridge) 🚌

  • Social program & Formal Halls ✨

  • Graduation ceremony & certificate 🎓

  • Detailed evaluation from your tutor ✍️

  • Summer school insurance

  • Notebook & pen 🖊️

  • Mentor family photograph 📸

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 or twin 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: Programming with Python

  • Learn Python, a popular object-oriented programming language
  • Discover how to break down problems and tackle them programmatically with Python

Module 2: Object-Oriented Programming with Python

  • Explore Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) using Python
  • Create layered objects for more powerful and reusable code

Module 3: Databases and Big Data

  • Understand the management and utilization of massive data sets
  • Learn about relational databases for efficient data storage

Module 4: Personal Project Presentation

  • Present work and findings from the computer science program
  • Receive peer and tutor evaluations to reinforce learning

Sample timetable Academic insights 2024

Sample Tutors

Yasmin Fathy:

  • Research Fellow, Engineering Department, University of Cambridge

  • Fellow, UK Higher Education Academy

  • Former roles: Software Development Engineer at EMBL-EBI, Research Associate in IoT and Machine Learning at Cambridge University, KTP Research Associate at UCL

  • PhD in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Surrey

  • MSc in Applied Science and Engineering, AI Lab, Vrije Universiteit Brussel

  • Research interests are machine learning, data analytics, IoT

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 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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