Offered to 15 to 18-year-olds from across the globe, this programme is designed to broaden international students’ horizons, providing a true academic challenge, and offering a glimpse into life as a typical undergraduate student at the University of Cambridge. Think world-class education, laboratory and museum visits, academic enrichment, applied learning, and cultural immersion.

The College’s four-week course consists of a two-week online fundamental skills course and two weeks’ subject-specific residential study at Downing College in the University of Cambridge. 

Fundamental Skills Course (two weeks, online)

A precursor to the residential programme, students will attend two weeks of virtual classes related to their chosen subject. This builds the foundational knowledge required to engage with our advanced in-person curriculum after they arrive in Cambridge.

The virtual courses on offer are Pure Mathematics and Research methods, to be taken by Mathematics & Computer Science, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Engineering students; and Applied Mathematics and Essay Writing, to be taken by Pschology & Neuroscience, HSPS & Law, and Economics students.

Virtual lessons are a mix of live and pre-recorded sessions on our bespoke online platform, giving students the flexibility to attend and engage with course content as their schedule allows. Students will also be set a number of assessed assignments over the two-week period.

In addition to grading coursework, Academic Tutors will be available to answer any questions that may arise from the lesson.

Subject-specific study (two weeks, in-person)

Following completion of the virtual programme, students will attend a two-week course living and studying at Downing College, University of Cambridge. As a member of the International Programme at the College, students will have unparalleled access to our world-class teaching facilities, as well as a unique Cambridge College experience.

Students will have 34 contact hours per week, for a total of over 60 hours of class time with subject specialists and academics over the two-week programme.

All course curricula and materials have been developed to reflect the teaching style at the University of Cambridge, and will challenge students to their academic limits.

All students will be expected to complete a research project of their choice, producing a written report or essay as well as a 15-minute presentation that is graded by their Academic Tutor. 

The two-week residential programme dates for 2025 are:

• Programme A: 13 July - 26 July (online course 30 June – 11 July)
• Programme B: 27 July - 9 August (online course 14 – 25 July)
• Programme C: 10 August - 23 August (online course 28 July – 8 August)

Note: Students interested in studying more than one subject may choose to attend two or three consecutive residential sessions. In this case, they will select additional programme dates and subjects in their application.