Exceptional Artificial Intelligence Program for High Schoolers at Oxford University
Computer science
University of Cambridge Campus, UK

Exceptional Summer Pre-College Artificial Intelligence 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 - 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 Artificial Intelligence Program for High Schoolers at Cambridge University Campus

  • 🤖 Artificial Intelligence Summer Program (Ages 16–18)

📖 Course Description

This award-winning academic summer school is hosted in the historic colleges of Oxford and Cambridge University.

Students gain a unique insight into Artificial Intelligence (AI) through 30 hours of lectures, discussions, and workshops taught by expert tutors.

The program develops participants’ knowledge of AI, machine learning, and ethical debates, while encouraging critical thinking, research skills, and personal projects. Students present their work at the end of the course and receive detailed tutor feedback to support their academic journey.

***

📚 Academic Experience

  • 30 hours of academic sessions led by Oxford & Cambridge tutors.

  • Average class size: 7 (max. 12) for personalized attention.

  • 1:1 tutorials for extra guidance and support.

  • Develop a personal project or creative portfolio to present at the end.

  • Receive an individual written evaluation from your tutor.

  • Build key skills in academic writing, interview techniques, and presentations.

***

🛠 Academic Skills Workshops

Alongside core subject modules, students attend dedicated workshops to strengthen academic and transferable skills:

  • Unlock your full academic potential.

  • Improve study skills, research, and productivity techniques.

  • Prepare for independent, university-level learning.

  • Explore a diverse range of topics — past sessions have included:

  • Productivity Tips for Students

  • 21st-Century Technology Skills

  • Critical Thinking & Argumentation

***

📝 Sample Modules

Module 1: Ethics of AI

  • Debate ethical questions surrounding AI’s impact on society and employment.

  • Discuss AI’s role in spreading or combating fake news and misinformation.

Module 2: Applications of AI

  • Explore AI applications in medicine, social sciences, and other industries.

  • Learn about how AI creates new opportunities and jobs.

Module 3: AI and Machine Learning

  • Trace the history of AI research and early experiments.

  • Understand the probabilistic basis of machine learning and neural networks.

Module 4: Artificial Intelligence and Playing Games

  • Examine AI in gaming, including IBM’s defeat of chess grandmaster Garry Kasparov.

  • Study algorithms such as MiniMax, simulated annealing, and Monte Carlo methods.

  • Understand the role of AI in solving optimization problems.

***

🎭 Activities & Excursions

Outside of lessons, participants enjoy a busy and diverse social program, including:

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

  • Formal Dinners: twice during your stay, in two different Cambridge Colleges.

    👉 A memorable tradition — so remember to bring some smart clothes!

  • Excursions:

  • Full-day trip to Oxford and its colleges.

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

  • If opting out of London, enjoy afternoon tea in Cambridge.

All activities are led by friendly mentors dedicated to ensuring your enjoyment and wellbeing.

***

🏛 Accommodation & Meals

  • College Allocation: Assigned based on dates & subject choice a few weeks before arrival.

  • All colleges are central, historical, and unique — many buildings are 500+ years old.

  • Designed for study, not luxury (note: no air conditioning).

  • Accommodation requests (friends/siblings) considered where possible.

  • Rooms: Single occupancy bedrooms with shared bathrooms (1 per 4). Some ensuite facilities available (priority for medical needs).

  • Corridors: Mixed-gender for ensuite; gender-separated for shared bathrooms.

  • Wi-Fi available throughout.

  • Rooms are secured with locks; housekeeping access for maintenance.

  • Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner daily.

  • All dietary and religious requirements are catered for (advance notice required).

***

✈️ Transportation & Arrival

  • Arrival Time: Participants arrive between 2 pm–5 pm on the first Sunday. Registration and accommodation showings upon arrival (rooms ready by 3 pm).

  • London Heathrow Transfers:

  • Shared transfer service from Heathrow Terminal 3 to Oxford/Cambridge colleges.

  • Pastoral team meets students at any terminal and escorts them to Terminal 3.

  • Transfer times: 11:00, 14:00, 17:00 on arrival Sunday.

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

  • Fee: £180 each way (booked post-enrolment).

  • Alternative arrivals (other airports/train): full guidance in Welcome Pack.

***

🎓 What’s Included

  • 13 nights’ accommodation in a central Cambridge or Oxford college.

  • Breakfast & dinner on campus.

  • 30 hours of academic sessions with top tutors.

  • All study & lecture materials.

  • Personal project or creative portfolio presentation.

  • Mentor program & access to support materials.

  • Two formal dinners in Cambridge Colleges.

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

  • Comprehensive summer school insurance.

  • Graduation ceremony & certificate.

  • Detailed evaluation from tutor.

  • Notebook & pen.

  • Mentor family photograph.

***

💷 Fees & Pocket Money

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

  • Recommended Pocket Money: £80 per week (for lunches & souvenirs).

  • 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 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 £150 each way.

  • Detailed information is provided closer to the program date, including contact numbers.

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
  • Average class size of 7, maximum class size of 10 students
  • 1:1 tutorials: Supportive, challenging and engaging
  • All participants receive an individual report from their tutor
  • Develop a personal project or a creative portfolio to present at the end of the course
  • Interview skills, academic writing and presentation

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: Ethics of AI

  • Debate ethical questions surrounding AI's impact on society and employment
  • Discuss AI's role in spreading or combating fake news and misinformation

Module 2: Applications of AI

  • Explore AI's applications in various industries like medicine and social sciences
  • Learn about industries benefiting from AI and new job creation by AI

Module 3: AI and Machine Learning

  • Study the history of AI research and initial experiments
  • Understand the probabilistic basis of machine learning and neural networks

Module 4: Artificial Intelligence and Playing Games

  • Examine AI's role in gaming, including IBM’s defeat of chess grandmaster Gary Kasparov
  • Analyze algorithms like MiniMax, simulated annealing, and Monte Carlo methods
  • Explore the rationale and need for AI in optimization problems

Immerse lesson plan image

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 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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