Winchester College Academic Summer Courses

12-17 year olds
English level: B2/Upper Intermediate  – Advanced

As the very first of the original “Big Seven” public schools, along with others like Eton, Harrow, Charterhouse,  Winchester College carries immense prestige, intellectual gravitas, and a reputation for producing influencial scholars and leaders, attracting global elites for its strong emphasis on intellectual curiosity and leadership development. Winchester College Academic Summer Courses provide an exclusive opportunity to experience the exquisite study life of this world famous public school.

Taught by Winchester College teachers, this interdisciplinary academic course is ideal for ambitious and intellectually curious students aged 12-17 who are eager to explore big ideas across disciplines. It’s particularly suited to those who enjoy discussion, debate, and creative problem-solving, and who want to experience an academic environment that challenges them to think deeply and independently.

Over two weeks, students immerse themselves in subjects from science and philosophy to artificial intelligence and ethics. The course follows a structured arc. Each day blends interactive workshops, Socratic discussion, and collaborative challenges, encouraging students to question, debate, and apply their ideas in real-world contexts. The journey culminates in a capstone project presentation, where students showcase their thinking, teamwork, and communication.

The catalyst programme gives students a taste of university-level study – encouraging independent thought, interdisciplinary learning, and academic curiosity. Through the Capstone Project and daily seminars, students develop the skills top universities and employers value most: critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and confident communication. This experience not only strengthens their personal statements and interview readiness but also helps them articulate their interests and ambitions with clarity and purpose.

• Programme
• Modules
• Accommodation
• School Profile

• Course Essentials:

  Winchester College Academic Summer Courses consist of a well-balanced programme of tuition, activities, sports and excursions. It includes:

  • 40 hours of academic tuition
  • Topics include science, philosophy, economics, technology, AI and ethics
  • Daily choice of afternoon activity programme
  • Varied evening social programme
  • 3 full-day excursions
  • Certificate and detailed transcript report from tutors
  • Maximum class size is 15
  • International student travel insurance
  • Airport transfers are NOT included (£135/way for Heathrow/Gatwick Airport; £165/way with Unaccompanied Minor Service)

  Timetable:

  Below is a typical two week sample programme and a typical day of Winchester College Academic Summer Courses.

  

  

  

  Activities:

  Outside classroom, students will improve language skills through a broad range of sporting, cultural and entertaining activities, such as:

  • Basketball
  • Badminton
  • Tennis
  • Volleyball
  • Swimming
  • Touch Rugby
  • Rounders
  • Zumba

  • Yoga
  • Drumming
  • Painting
  • Clay Modelling
  • Jewellery Making
  • Poetry
  • Drama
  • Music

  • Fashion Show
  • Mission Impossible
  • Casino Night
  • Disco
  • Talent Show
  • Lip Sync Challenge
  • Team Trials
  • Treasure Hunt

  Excursions:

  Excursions are a vital part of the summer experience for international students to gain a cultural understanding of the UK alongside English language learning. Students will have 3 fully day excursions to experience the rich cultural heritage of Britain. The choices include:

  • London Eye
  • Buckingham Palace
  • Big Ben and Houses of Parliament
  • The National Gallery
  • House Guards
  • Covent Garden Market

  • Shopping at Oxford Street
  • Thorpe Park
  • Oxford
  • Cambridge
  • Hampton Court Palace
  • Windsor Castle

• Week One:

  

  Week Two:

  

• Boarding:
  Students stay in Winchester College’s newest boarding houses, designed by Staunton Williams and completed in 2026. Each house features modern en-suite bedrooms, bright communal areas, and peaceful gardens. A team of friendly staff will stay with the students within the boarding houses and are available at all times to provide assistance and a high level of supervision.

  Meals:
  Well balanced, nutritious three cooked meals a day with a wide range of salads and hot dishes are provided in the historic College dining halls. Vegetarian meals are always available and are clearly labelled. Packed lunches are provided for excursions.

  Facilities:
  Winchester College boasts exceptional, diverse facilities blending historic grandeur with modern amenities, including a state-of-the-art Sports Centre (gym, courts, dojo), extensive playing fields, a boathouse, observatory, and new purpose-built boarding houses, all set within a beautiful 250-acre campus. Wi-Fi is available throughout the school.

  Laundry:
  Laundry is done once a week. All bed linen is provided and is laundered once a week. Towels are not provided.

• Winchester College is one of England’s oldest and most prestigious public schools, famously part of the original seven “Clarendon Schools,” alongside Eton, Harrow, Rugby, Shrewsbury, Westminster, and Charterhouse, known for its rigorous academics and elite status, attracting top students globally for its strong emphasis on intellectual curiosity and leadership development. 

  Founded in 1382, Winchester has the longest continuous history of any school in England. It embodies the quintessential, highly selective, historic English public school experience, focusing on all-boys full boarding for ages 13-18, with a mixed Sixth Form. 

  The school is academically ambitious for all pupils, and consistently ranks among the most prestigious and academically selective schools, with exceptionally high A-Level results and placements at elite universities worldwide. In 2025, 75% A*-A grades at A-Level and 93% for 9-7 grades at GCSE, plus strong Oxbridge offers (39 in 2024/2025), highlighting its top-tier academic performance in the UK independent school sector

  Well-known for its distinctive “Div” system, encouraging independent thought, for nearly 650 years, Winchester has offered more than academic excellence in a beautiful setting. Div is the intellectual root of Winchester education, where pupils are immersed in an environment where original thought is celebrated, curiosity is encouraged, and they are prepared to lead lives of purpose.