Exceptional Pre-College Engineering Program for Teenagers at Cambridge University
Engineering Cambridge
University of Cambridge Campus, UK

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

🛠 Pre-College Engineering Summer Program (Ages 13–15)

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.

***

🎭 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.

***

✈️ 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.

***

🎓 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.

***

💷 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

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: Industrial Revolutions

  • Trace engineering history across four industrial revolutions
  • Discuss engineering breakthroughs and their impact
  • Explore future prospects in engineering

Module 2: Telecommunication Engineering

  • Understand the mechanics of telephones, radios, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AM and FM systems
  • Theoretical study followed by creating a radio receiver

Module 3: Control and Automation Engineering

  • Study signals, systems, and proportional-integral-derivative control systems
  • Explore AI ethics with a "moral machine" simulation and debate

Module 4: Engineering A Solution

  • Solve a real-world problem in pairs using engineering principles
  • Present and demonstrate a working prototype, answer peer questions

Sample timetable Academic insights 2024

Sample Tutors

Mudassar A:

  • PhD scholar at the University of Cambridge, and is a a trained engineering supervisor with industrial experience at a Fortune 100 company.

  • Regularly teaches Engineering undergraduates, and has previously won Cambridge University's prestigious Trinity Bradfield prize for a 3D-printed tool he created.

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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