15 Summer Courses for High School Students in Cambridge, England
- Stephen Turban
- 4 minutes ago
- 6 min read
If you are a high school student thinking about how to use your summer in a productive way, studying in Cambridge can be a strong choice.Â
What are summer courses? Why should I do a summer course in Cambridge?
Summer courses in Cambridge give you a chance to study subjects like science, business, law, or writing in an environment that works much like a real university. These courses usually last a few weeks and are designed to fit between school terms. You will get to use university classrooms, live or study near the campus, and experience what academic life looks like in one of the most respected education centers in the world.Â
Taking a Cambridge summer course can also help with your college applications. Completing one shows that you took initiative, managed a structured academic workload, and explored subjects beyond your school curriculum. Certificates from these courses can strengthen your application by proving that you are serious about learning and can handle university-style work.
With that, here is a list of 15 summer courses for high school students in Cambridge, England!
15 Summer Courses for High School Students in Cambridge, England
Location:Â Oxford, Cambridge, Singapore, Sydney, Toronto, and Boston
Cost: Varies according to program. Financial aid is availableÂ
Dates:Â 2 weeks during the summer
Application deadline:Â Rolling, with multiple summer cohorts throughout the year
Eligibility: Students aged 13–18 currently enrolled in middle or high school
The Academic Insights Pathway gives you a pre-university experience at well-known institutions like Oxford, Cambridge, and Harvard. You can choose from more than 20 subjects, such as architecture, medicine, computer science, law, or business. Classes are small, usually 4 to 10 students, and taught by university tutors. The learning format includes lectures, tutorials, and practical sessions where you take part in tasks like dissections, building a robotic arm, or mock court activities. You also complete an independent research project with one-on-one guidance and receive written feedback and a certificate when finished. The program helps you build confidence, think critically, and understand your chosen subject through a university-style approach. You can find more details about the application here.
Location: CambridgeÂ
Cost: £3,240 (2 weeks)
Dates: June 29–July 13
Application deadline: Typically rolling, early registration recommended
Eligibility: Students ages 14-17 (upper intermediate B2 level recommended)
The CATS Cambridge Summer School brings together STEM learning and English language development. You study science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through lectures, workshops, and lab sessions that focus on how these subjects work in practice. You explore topics like physics, robotics, and coding while building your English fluency and technical vocabulary to communicate your project ideas clearly. The program includes visits to places such as the Science Museum, the National Space Centre, and Bletchley Park, linking classroom learning with real-world examples. At the end, you receive a course certificate.
Location: St Andrew's College, Cambridge
Cost: £7,900
Dates: Session 1: June 28–July 19 | Session 2: July 22– August 12
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students ages 15–18
The Creative Writing Summer School at ISSOS in Cambridge is a three-week course that helps you develop your writing across fiction, poetry, and essays. You learn from published authors through 39 hours of focused teaching that builds structure, clarity, and expression through regular writing and feedback. The program encourages you to use your surroundings and experiences as inspiration to strengthen your creative voice. You also study the work of well-known writers and take part in workshops and group discussions that help you express ideas clearly and gain confidence in your writing.
Location: University of CambridgeÂ
Cost: Varies, check here
Dates: August 11–15
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students ages 14+
The Sutton Trust Summer Schools at the University of Cambridge offer a five-day residential program that gives you a clear view of university life and study at Cambridge. You take part in around 20 hours of academic learning led by Cambridge faculty through lectures, seminars, and supervisions in small groups. More than 30 subjects are available, including mathematics, medicine, history, and social sciences. The program also provides sessions on writing personal statements, understanding financial aid, and navigating the UK university application process. You stay in Cambridge colleges, attend formal dinners, and join social activities such as punting and exploring the city, giving you a full experience of student life at the university.
Location: University of CambridgeÂ
Cost: Ages 12–15: £4,995 | Ages 16–19: £5,495​
Dates: July 12–26
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students ages 12–19
The Performing Arts and Music Course is a two-week program that combines creative performance training with cultural learning. You take part in workshops led by teachers and guest artists who guide you through acting, music, vocal practice, and stage movement. The focus is on teamwork and performance as you prepare for a final student-led showcase. Mornings include lectures and structured sessions to build artistic discipline, while afternoons and evenings are for rehearsals, group work, and cultural trips. You stay in Cambridge college accommodation with full board, receive round-the-clock supervision, and get a certificate when you complete the course.
Location: University of CambridgeÂ
Cost: Ages 12–15: £4,995 | Ages 16–19: £5,495​
Dates: July 12–26
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students ages 12–19
The Sustainability and Marine Ecosystems Course at the Cambridge Summer Programme introduces students to environmental science and marine biology through both theoretical and practical study. You’ll explore global environmental challenges such as climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss while learning how ecosystems function and respond to human impact. The course combines lectures on sustainability and conservation with field research and lab-based marine biology sessions, including specimen analysis and water-quality testing. You will also participate in seminars led by ecologists and marine biologists, gaining insight into environmental policy and scientific activism.
Location: University of CambridgeÂ
Cost: Ages 12–15: £4,995 | Ages 16–19: £5,495​
Dates: July 12–26
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students ages 12–19
The Foundations of Computer Science course at the Cambridge Summer Programme introduces you to computing, programming, and digital innovation. You study algorithms, computational logic, and system design while practicing programming in languages such as Python or JavaScript. The course also covers topics in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and data ethics, helping you understand how technology affects industries and everyday decisions. You take part in coding labs, workshops, and group challenges that build problem-solving and teamwork skills.Â
Location: Cambridge
Cost: Available in the prospectusÂ
Dates: One week in the summer (exact dates mentioned in the prospectus)
Application deadline: Available in the prospectusÂ
Eligibility: Students ages 13–18
The Sidgwick Prize Summer Courses give you a week-long academic experience based on the teaching style of the University of Cambridge. The program is taught in collaboration with academics from Cambridge, Oxford, and other UK universities. You can choose one or more subjects from eight areas: Economics, Law, Philosophy, Politics, History, Theology, Psychology, and Art History, to create your own study plan. You attend seminars and one-on-one tutorials that mirror the undergraduate learning process. The course focuses on building essay writing, argumentation, and research skills in a university-style environment.
Location: Cambridge
Cost: Varies by course (check website for current pricing)
Dates: One Week: July 12 - July 19; Two Weeks: July 19 - August 2
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students of all ages
The Cambridge Scholars’ Programme, created by Cambridge University graduates, offers a summer experience focused on academics and culture. You can join for one or two weeks, or combine both for a longer stay. The program covers subjects across arts and sciences, taught by mentors from Cambridge, Oxford, and Harvard. You stay in Cambridge college accommodation, attend morning lessons, and take part in afternoon activities. There are trips to castles, museums, and historic sites across the UK, along with evening events that encourage interaction among students from different countries.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
Image Source - University of Cambridge logo