Exceptional Pre-College Philosophy Program for High Schoolers at Cambridge University

For a better future

Christ_s college cambridge

Course Description

Philosophy is a broad subject that permeates many fields across the humanities and social sciences. Students interested in pursuing philosophy will gain an insight into what philosophy at university level entails: from the introduction of new material, writing excellent essays, to forming and defending an argument. The programme, designed and taught by experts from the world’s leading universities, not only introduces the historical context and areas of philosophical discussion but also the theories of famous philosophers who have shaped the thinking for centuries after them.

Location

Cambridge is internationally renowned for its academic excellence, its beautiful college architecture and its prestigious and rich history. Your time at our school includes experiencing living in actual student accommodation in historic University of Cambridge colleges.

  • Magdalene College

  • Queens' College

  • Christ's College

  • St. Catharine's College

  • Sidney Sussex College

  • Fitzwilliam College

What's Included

- 13 nights accommodation in a central college of the University of Cambridge/Oxford in an individual bedroom

- Breakfast and dinner in College Hall

- 40 hours of academic sessions from Oxford University and Cambridge University tutors

- Carefully designed study and lecture materials

- Mentor programme and access to support material

- All excursions- including formal dinner at Cambridge/Oxford colleges, punting, croquet

- Comprehensive summer school insurance

- 2 coach excursions including a trip to London

- Graduation ceremony and certificate

- Detailed evaluation written by tutor

- Notebook and pen

- Mentor family photograph

- Free premium membership to UniPrepare's 'Nurture' plan

Starting From

£5,495.00

Age Range 16-18 Years
Duration 2 Weeks
Weekly Course Hours 20 hours

Outside of lessons, we are proud to offer a busy and diverse social programme to help you get the most out of your time in Cambridge. This includes activities such as punting on the River Cam, zorb football and a murder mystery night in the college. There are also two excursions during the programme, one day trip to visit Oxford and its constituent colleges, as well as an optional day out in London, seeing the city’s most famous landmarks as well as some free time for shopping. Those who choose not to travel to London are invited to afternoon tea in Cambridge. Activities and excursions are run by our team of friendly mentors – whose main job is to maximise your enjoyment.

Immerse education krashball activity

Activities

All participants attending our Cambridge/Oxford programmes will reside in central colleges of Cambridge/Oxford University.

All rooms are single occupancy with shared bathroom facilities, typically at a one bathroom ratio per four participants. Some ensuite facilities are available, with priority given to participants with additional needs.

Where bathroom facilities are shared, participants are accommodated by gender on separate corridors. Where ensuite facilities are provided, corridors may be mixed gender.

The accommodation is used by undergraduate students during term time and is therefore designed to support study, rather than cater to luxury. Many of the buildings are over 500 years old and therefore predate air conditioning quite significantly.

All accommodation is secured with a lock, and your key will be provided during registration. Housekeeping staff also have access to your room to replace towels etc.

*A few weeks before their arrival, all participants will be assigned to a college based on their dates and topic preferences.

Meals

As a student, you will experience formal dinner three times during your stay – once per week in Cambridge, as well as in an Oxford University college on the excursion day.

Formal hall is truly a memorable occasion, so remember to bring some smart clothes!

Pocket Money

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.

Student room sidney sussex cambridge

Accommodations

Outside of lessons, we are proud to offer a busy and diverse social programme to help you get the most out of your time in Cambridge. This includes activities such as punting on the River Cam, zorb football and a murder mystery night in the college. There are also two excursions during the programme, one day trip to visit Oxford and its constituent colleges, as well as an optional day out in London, seeing the city’s most famous landmarks as well as some free time for shopping. Those who choose not to travel to London are invited to afternoon tea in Cambridge. Activities and excursions are run by our team of friendly mentors – whose main job is to maximise your enjoyment.

Students on tour immerse education

Excursions

Participants should arrive between 2 pm and 5 pm on the first Sunday of the programme. Our team will be ready and waiting to welcome you, register you, and show you to your accommodation. Please note that your accommodation may not be ready until 3pm. 

If you are arriving at London Heathrow Airport, we are able to offer a shared airport transfer service. This is a chaperoned service departing from London Heathrow Airport Terminal 3 and travelling directly to the colleges in Cambridge/Oxford. Do not worry if you will be arriving to any other Heathrow terminal - our dedicated pastoral team will be there to meet you and escort to Terminal 3 for departure to your college

The transfers depart at 11:00, 14:00 and 17:00 on the Sunday of arrivals. On the final Saturday of the programme, the transfers to London Heathrow Airport depart at 07:00 and 12:00. This will be available to book for a fee per journey after enrolment.

Specific details, such as contact numbers, are shared with participants nearer the time of the programme.

If you are arriving at another airport, or by alternative means, further details about arrivals and departures are shared in your Welcome Pack, sent with your confirmation of enrolment.

To book the shared airport transfer service, which will cost £90.00 each way,

yellow school bus

Transportation

Lesson Plan

Philosophy is a broad subject that permeates many fields across the humanities and social sciences. Students interested in pursuing philosophy will gain an insight into what philosophy at university level entails: from the introduction of new material, writing excellent essays, to forming and defending an argument. The programme, designed and taught by experts from the world’s leading universities, not only introduces the historical context and areas of philosophical discussion but also the theories of famous philosophers who have shaped the thinking for centuries after them.

Learn directly from expert academics from world-class universities

You will explore novel concepts and share ideas in small groups of like-minded and ambitious peers from around the world. In small class sizes averaging 7 students, you will be guided by expert tutors who have honed their expertise through teaching undergraduate students at world-class universities, including the universities of Cambridge, Oxford, and Harvard. Our rigorous vetting process guarantees that all participants are taught by engaging and supportive educators who are, most of all, enthusiastic about sharing their expertise to ensure our summer school teaching is of the highest quality. It is an unrivalled academic experience.

Boost your confidence and develop key attributes in academic skills workshops

Our workshops are geared towards unlocking participants’ potential, giving them the tools to prepare for the next steps of their education and future goals. Build upon existing study skills to support future university-level learning. These workshops explore a diverse and enriching range of topics – past examples have ranged from ‘Productivity tips’ to ’21st Century Technology Skills’. We’re sure that you’ll learn something completely new. Unlike traditional schools, it allows you to learn beyond the traditional curriculum. This programme is designed for students with at least an upper-intermediate level of English (B2).

Example Modules

Origins The Presocratics: In this module, you'll examine the so-called Presocratics, Greek philosophers at the foundation of Western philosophical thought. Instead of relating to god-like entities in Ancient Greece, they looked to the four elements - water, air, fire, and the earth - to explain the nature of existence.

Beyond Truth and Morality Nietzsche: For Friedrich Nietzsche humanity is anything but innocent. In this module you will examine Nietzsche's notion that what fundamentally drives us is our ‘Will to Power’, our desire to dominate, even to enslave our fellow men. You will also examine how Nietzsche’s views were distorted by 20th century Nazi propaganda.

The Unconscious Freud: Sigmund Freud claimed that our actions and thoughts are motivated by unconscious plans and desires. In this module, you will explore his belief that one could access the unconscious mind through dream analysis and verbal slips, as well as his tripartite structure of the mind - the id, ego and superego.

Personal Project: This is one of the most exciting parts of the course. In this module, you will get the opportunity to give a presentation on an area of interest in the philosophy programme, engage in discussions with your peers, and receive important feedback from your tutor, an expert in the field of philosophy.

Key Facts

  • Average class size is 7
  • Maximum class size of 10 students
  • 1:1 Career Coaching
  • Personal support and guidance for success
  • Professional development workshops
  • Building essential skills for success
  • World-class experience

Extras

-Shared airport transfer service, which will cost £90.00 each way,

Gallery

Video

Session Dates

Good news, more sessions will be available soon! Leave us your contact to stay informed about dates and prices.

Our Clients Speak

We have been working with parents and children around the world

They want to repeat

They were happy. They want to repeat, they have done friends from all over the world, good quality, opened their minds and enjoyed a lot. Thanks for helping me selecting these camps! I'm grateful!! 🙏🙏🙏

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Santiago

Father of 4 from Argentina

The kids are having such a great time

Hey Best Parents - The kids are having such a great time and I am resting well in beautiful St. Gallen. This has been excellent all around. Thanks again 🙏

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Lily

Mother of 2 from USA

Mindblowing Service

Yes my son enjoyed his program very much. We will definitely continue to work with Best Parents in the future. As my son gets closer to college we need your support in enrolling my son in programs that will enhance his changes of getting accepted into top universities.

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Hakim

Father from Egypt