Thank you for visiting UK Summer School.
We are very sorry that this course is not available for this summer. However, we do have alternative advanced study programmes at both Cambridge and Oxford University. We hope you will find the following programmes of interest to you.
>>> Cambridge University Advanced Academic Summer Courses (16-18)
>>> Oxford University Advanced Academic Summer Courses (16-18)
Cambridge Summer Advanced Study Program, modeled on the teaching system of Camridge University, is designed for elite high school students to experience study life as an Oxbridge undergraduate, and also gives students a real advantage in the competitive world of college applications.
What set Cambridge and Oxford apart is their distinct tutorial system! The tutorial and academic content of Cambridge Summer Advanced Study Program are closely modelled on the Cambridge University teaching system. It is designed for high-achieving international students to live and study like a Cambridge undergraduate. All students experience an academic and activity programme similar to Cambridge University undergraduates.
This prestigious Cambridge Summer Advanced Study Program is set in the stunning Magdalene College of Cambridge University. The course aims to help students bridge the challenging gap between high school and college, and is available to international students with advanced level of English and native English speakers. The course offers a range of advanced academic subjects taught by expert tutors in a small class between 1 to 8 students. The student-centred approach and small group tutorial system encourages interactions and direct feedback, which offers a high degree of personal attention, student involvement and constructive appraisal of ideas, and allows students to study selected subjects in greater depth.
Students choose two challenging academic subjects to study over a two-week course. Students staying for four or six weeks may study the same subjects for the duration of the course or change after two weeks. Students receive 2 x 1.5 hours tutorials every morning and two Oxbridge style 1:1 supervisions with each subject tutor at the beginning and end of the course. Students are expected to research independently to prepare for each seminar and tutorial. Tutors will often set assignments or reading for the following day which will need to be done outside of class, this helps develop many extremely useful transferable skills, including independent thinking, confidence, and self-reliance.
Apart from interactive tutorials structured around group discussions and debate, students will participate in creative Workshops and Master Classes, delivered by guest lecturers of Oxbridge professors and industry experts, in key skills essential for success in further education and future careers, and can also choose optional SAT or IELTS preparation modules at no extra cost. In addition, students will enjoy a full structured social and leisure programme, cultural visits and trips in and around London to complement the academic programme, and to network with like-minded, high-achieving students from around the world, including approximately 20-25% native speakers from countries such as the USA, Canada and UK. At the end of the course, all students will be invited to dress up and follow a special Cambridge tradition to enjoy a traditional Formal Hall meal – a three course, silver service evening meal in Magdalene’s stunning dining hall lit by candlelight, which lets students sample life as a real Cambridge student.
Course Essentials:
Cambridge Summer Advanced Study Program includes:
- In-depth Subject Tuition: 2 university-level subjects, 2 x 1.5 hours of in-depth tuition every morning taught by expert tutors in small group
- 1:1 Tutor Session: weekly on each chosen tutorial subjects as well as study reviews for further study.
- Creative Workshops: 9 hours over 2 weeks, including Entrepreneurship, Journalism, Drama, Film Production, Debating and Urban Sketching.
- Interactive Master Classes: three afternoons over two weeks, in key skills such as presentation, essay writing and interview skills.
- Independent Work: research and self-study on tutorial subjects.
- SAT & IELTS: optional preparation lessons, 2 hours per week.
- Formal Hall & Graduation Ceremony: Formal Hall meal before graduation ceremony.
- Excursions: 3 full day and 1 half-day excursions per two week to UK top destinations and attractions.
- Networking: periods of free time and guided tours and activities around the city for socialising with like-minded high achieving students from all over the world.
- Small Class: between 1 to 8 students
- Insurance & Airport Transfers (Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and St Pancras Rail Station between 10:00-20:00)
Tutorial Subjects:
Students choose two tutorial subjects to specialise in from the following list of academic subjects when applying the course.
- Business & Management Studies
- Civil & Mechanical Engineering
- Computer Science & Information Technology
- Environmental Science & Geography
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Medicine
- Psychology
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Workshop/Subject Insight Sessions:
Students receive one subject insight session per week for each of their two chosen subjects, which gives students ‘hands-on’ experience in the subject field. Students can choose from the following subjects.
- New technologies
- Health science
- Social science
- Business
- STEM
Master Classes:
In addition to subject insight sessions, master classes take place on three afternoons per two-week program. These sessions explore key skills essential for success in further education and future careers. A maximum of two classes per day are available.
- SAT Preparation
- Introduction to UCAS
- Personal Statements
- Interview Skills
- Presentation Skills
- Essay Writing Skills
- Study Skills
- IELTS Preparation
- UK Undergraduate Experience
- How to Choose a Degree
Social Programme:
Students will also enjoy a full social programme including 3 full day and 1 half-day cultural excursions and trips. Possible excursions include:
- Punting
- Buckingham Palace
- Houses of Parliament
- West End Musical
- Natural History Museum
- Hyde Park
- London Eye
- British Museum
- Southbank Walking Tour
- Oxford Street
- Stratford Upon Avon
- Warwick Castle
- Canterbury
- Oxford
- Ely & Ely Cathedral
- Thorpe Park
- Bury St Edmunds
- Bath
- Bristol
- Stonehenge
- Windsor Castle
The sample timetable below is a typical 2-week Cambridge Summer Advanced Study Program at Magdalene College of Cambridge University.
Students live, eat and study in Magdalene College, which is one of the most famous and beautiful colleges in Cambridge University. Magdalene enjoys the largest riverfront of any college with spectacular views along the River Cam. It is only a minute walk to the central shops of Cambridge.
Boarding:
The accommodation at Magdalene consists of single and twin bedrooms with shared bathrooms in separate male and female accommodation block. Porters’ Lodge entrances are manned 24 hours a day.
Meals:
Well balanced, nutritious cooked meals are provided. Packed lunches are provided for excursions.
All students will follow a special Cambridge tradition to enjoy a traditional Formal Hall meal – a three course, silver service evening meal in Magdalene’s stunning dining hall lit by candlelight, which lets students sample life as a real Cambridge student.
Facilities:
Large, modern auditorium. TV room & common area. Playing fields, including tennis courts, squash courts. Student computer room. Wi-fi access in common areas and hotpsots around college. Wired internet connection is available in every student room with Ethernet cable.
Laundry:
Coin operated washing and drying machines on college premises, paid by summer school.
The University of Cambridge, informally known as “Cambridge University” or simply as “Cambridge”, is the second-oldest university in the English-speaking world (after the University of Oxford) with over 800 years of rich history, and is considered to be one of the most prestigious institutions of higher education in the world which produced more Nobel Prizes winners than any other institution in the world.
Cambridge boasts hundreds of famous alumni in the making of our modern world. Among the most notable Cambridge alumni is Sir Isaac Newton on laws and motion, followed by Rutherford splitting the atom, Darwin on evolution, Turing’s prototypical computer, Crick and Watson with DNA, Keynes’s economy, and a sizeable number of notable alumni across all walks of life, including 10 Kings and Queens, 45 Presidents and Prime Ministers. As of 2020, 121 affiliates of the University of Cambridge have won 122 Nobel Prizes (more than any university or college in the world)
The University of Cambridge is routinely ranked among the world’s top five universities, and has sometimes been ranked as the world’s best. In 2023, the University of Cambridge is ranked No.2 in QS World University Rankings just behind the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). As of 2023, ARWU ranked Cambridge the best university in Europe and third best in the world behind Harvard and Stanford. Times Higher Education ranks Cambridge the third best university in the world (tied with Stanford) in its 2023 rankings.
In April 2022, the QS Rankings ranked Cambridge’s programmes among the world’s best. Cambridge’s Arts and Humanities program is ranked second-best in the world. The University of Cambridge’s Engineering and Technology program is ranked second-best in the world. Its Life Sciences and Medicine program is ranked fourth best in the world. Its Natural Sciences program is ranked third best in the world. Its Social Sciences and Management program is ranked fourth best in the world.
As one of the best universities in the world, Cambridge is a great place to be a student, yet it is one of the most selective of all universities. The university gives offers of admission to 33.5% of its applicants, the 2nd lowest amongst the Russell Group. The acceptance rate for students is usually 21.0%.While academic strength is a pre-requisite with the university’s standard offer for most courses being set at grade A*AA, with A*A*A for sciences courses for A-level qualifications or the equivalent in other qualifications, it does not guarantee acceptance. An interview performed by College Fellows, who evaluate candidates on unexamined factors such as potential for original thinking and creativity, is crucial for distinguishing between the most able candidates.
