Cambridge Summer Schools 2027
A Cambridge summer school suits school groups that want a boarding-school campus set-up from a young age, or an academic college program for high school. Most students are aged 12-17; programs usually run 2-4 weeks, and some academic programs go up to 6. Standard junior programs typically cost about £1,220 – £1,673 per week (2026–2027); academic programs in university colleges cost about £3,498.
Quick facts
- Ages
- 8–18 (mostly 12-17)
- Program length
- 2-4 weeks (6 on some academic programs)
- Season
- Early July – mid-August
- Accommodation types
- Boarding-school campus, Historic university college, University campus residence
- Weekly price (approx.)
- £1,220 – £1,673 (2026–2027, approx.)
- Premium / academic (approx.)
- £3,498 (2026–2027, approx.): Academic programs in university colleges (usually 2 weeks)
Prices are approximate weekly "from" prices and should be read together with the season year.
What is a summer school in Cambridge like?
Cambridge is a small university city on the River Cam, known for its historic college courts and walkable centre. Summer programs run in three ways. Boarding-school campuses host programs from age 8, with lessons, sport and activities on a single site. There are also junior programs on a private college campus. For older students there are academic programs for ages 14-18 held in university colleges.
The campus set-up is reassuring, especially for younger students and those going abroad for the first time. Day trips usually go to nearby stops such as London, Oxford and Warwick Castle, while the riverside and college area are explored on foot.
A typical day
- Morning: breakfast and English lessons or academic seminars.
- Midday: lunch and a short break.
- Afternoon: sport, workshops, a city tour or a riverside activity.
- Evening: dinner, then a social activity on campus; rooms close at a set time.
- Weekend: day trips to London, Oxford or nearby historic sites.
Prices
Cambridge prices sit in the upper band of the UK. The difference usually comes from boarding-school campus versus academic college programs. Because fixed 2- and 4-week sessions are common in Cambridge, the weekly price can also vary with the length of session chosen. The table shows the two segments approximately.
| Location | Typical ages | Standard programs (weekly, approx.) | Premium / academic (weekly, approx.) | Season year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridge | Ages 8–18 (mostly 12–17) | £1,220 – £1,673 | £3,498Academic programs in university colleges (usually 2 weeks) | 2026–2027 |
| London | Ages 9–18 (mostly 12–17) | £950 – £1,607 | £2,595Academic junior programs on boarding-school campuses | 2026–2027 |
| Oxford | Ages 12–17 (mostly 13–17) | £998 – £1,025 | £3,498 (2027)Academic programs in university colleges (usually 2 weeks) | 2026–2027 |
| Brighton | Ages 8–18 (mostly 11–17) | £800 – £1,150 | – | 2026–2027 |
Weekly "from" prices compiled from 2026 and 2027 season price lists published on providers' own websites. Multi-week packages are divided per week. Tuition, accommodation, full board and activities are usually included; flights, visa, insurance and pocket money are not. Prices for school groups are quoted separately based on group size, dates and scope.
For a full price comparison across countries and cities, see the Summer school price guide page.
Cambridge for school groups
Cambridge is an easy city to manage for school groups: the centre is small and walkable, lessons and accommodation sit together on campuses, and London is close for day trips. The age range is wide, so middle and high school students can be served in the same city through different programs. Points to watch: prices are in the upper band of UK cities; fixed 2- and 4-week sessions are common, so your school calendar must fit the session dates; and academic college programs have limited places.
For a closed group we design the program ourselves, building lesson intensity, excursion days, teacher involvement and the daily flow around the age and goals of the group. We propose suitable campus and accommodation options, boarding-school campus or college, in the offer. Early enquiry matters for calendar fit.
Which age group is it for?
Programs in Cambridge cover ages 8-18, with a core of 12-17. For ages 8-12, boarding-school campuses offer a single-site set-up with close supervision. For 14-18, academic college programs are aimed at high school students who want to experience a university setting. A campus program usually suits middle school groups, and an academic program high school groups.
Accommodation options
Accommodation in Cambridge falls into three main types: boarding-school campus, historic university college and university campus residence. On boarding-school campuses rooms are shared, teachers stay on the same site, and lessons, meals and activities are all in one place. College accommodation gives students a real university setting. The type is stated in the offer according to group age and session dates.
Comparing with other cities
Cambridge's closest alternative is Oxford; for a bigger city and museum experience consider London, and for the seaside Brighton. Day trips from Cambridge to London and Oxford are also possible.
- Cities in the same country: London, Oxford, Brighton
- United Kingdom page
- Summer school programs
- Summer school price guide
Related guides
Useful reading for planning and budgeting.
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Read the guideFrequently asked questions about Cambridge summer schools
How long does a Cambridge summer school last?
Programs usually run 2-4 weeks, and some academic programs go up to 6. Fixed 2- and 4-week sessions are common.
How much does a Cambridge summer school cost per week?
Standard junior programs typically start at about £1,220 – £1,673 per week (2026–2027); academic programs in university colleges at about £3,498. Flights, visa, insurance and pocket money are normally not included. Prices for school groups are quoted separately.
Is it suitable for children aged 8-10?
Some boarding-school campus programs in Cambridge accept children from age 8. For school groups at this age, supervision and the daily routine are planned with particular care; details are set out in the offer.
What if our school calendar does not match the session dates?
Fixed-date sessions are common in Cambridge. Date flexibility for a closed group varies by program, so we recommend sharing your calendar early. If needed we can suggest another city or campus.
Is Cambridge safe and manageable for children?
The city is small and walkable, and on campus programs accommodation and lessons are on the same site, which makes supervision easier. Going-out times and rules are set in advance for each program.
Cambridge or Oxford?
Both offer an academic atmosphere. Cambridge also includes boarding-school campus options for younger ages; in Oxford homestay stands out. We decide together based on age group and budget.
Get an offer for Cambridge tailored to your school
Share your student numbers, age group and preferred period; we design the program and propose suitable campus and accommodation options in the offer.