Downing College International Specialist Programme (15-17 years)

Applications for the 2026 Specialist Programme are now closed.

SPECIALISE IN YOUR FIELD. ENHANCE YOUR SKILLS.

The original international summer school at a University of Cambridge College

A four week academic programme consisting of two weeks of online learning followed by a two week residential programme in Cambridge, delivered by world-class academics and researchers in the iconic Downing College. 

 

What to expect

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. During the residential, students attend four academic sessions per day, covering a range of topics taught by subject specialists. This is an academically rigorous course providing around 60 contact hours, comprised of workshops, lectures and field trips. In addition, students will have the opportunity to work on a research project which will develop their independent study skills. 

Fundamental skills course (two weeks online)

A precursor to the residential programme, students will attend virtual classes related to their chosen subject, providing 20 hours of learning. This builds the fundamental knowledge required to engage with our advanced in-person curriculum after they arrive in Cambridge.

The virtual courses on offer are:

Theme Residential Course Online Course
    Maths Critical Thinking Research Methods Essay writing  
Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics Biological & Medical Sciences

X

  

X

  
Engineering

X

  

X

  
Mathematical Sciences

X

  

X

  
Physical Sciences

X

  

X

  
Humanities & Social Sciences Art & Literature

 

X

 

X
Economics

X

X

 

 
Education & Psychology

 

X

 

X
Human, Social and Political Science & Law

 

X

 

X

Online learning will consist of pre-recorded sessions, hosted on our bespoke learning 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.

The online course will be available to students four weeks prior to the on-site programme. The online learning will take around two hours to complete each day. If students choose to complete the lessons over 2 weeks, it would be two hours per day over 10 working days, however they can also complete more lessons per day over fewer days if preferable. We allow students additional time to complete this content to ensure they are able to manage this workload around their current schedule. 

The aim of the online portion of the programme is to develop core academic skills in advance and help to bring students up to the same fundamental level for when they arrive for residential at Downing. 

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.

For more information about the course, please visit the Subjects page.

Teaching hours and timetable

Students will attend four 90-minute classes per day, each taught by a range of Academic Tutors. This means a regular day on the programme comprises 6 hours’ class time, for a total of 60 hours of class time with subject specialists and academics over the two-week course.

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.

Research project

As part of their daily classes, students will spend time completing a research project in their field of interest, guided by a specialist Academic Tutor. 

Over the two-week course, students will be guided through the process of producing a written report or essay using their own academic research. Students will be expected to complete this written report as well as a 10-minute presentation which is given at the end of the programme and is graded by their Academic Tutor. 


For further information, please visit the Research Project page. 

 

Programme dates and fees

Dates
Programme B 11 July – 24 July 2027 Online Course opens 14 June 2027
Programme C

 		 25 July – 7 August 2027 Online Course opens 28 June 2027

Applying to the Downing College International Programme is straightforward. Students begin by completing an online application form, providing details of their academic background and interests.

Following this, each applicant will take part in a short interview with College staff, designed to assess their English proficiency and motivations for joining the programme.

Students who meet the required standard in the interview will be made an unconditional offer to join the Downing College International Programme for 2026.

This offer will be sent in the form of an email and will contain a payment link for the programme fees. Payment of all fees must be made within 4 weeks of receiving the offer email, or the offer will be considered to have lapsed.

Once payment is made, students will receive regular updates from the College team including reminders of key dates, group travel offers, online course details, and other important information. 

Programme fees

This is an all-inclusive programme, keeping the process simple, cost-effective, and safe for students.

The cost for attending the two-week programme is £9,000 GBP.

What's included in the fee

 

  • Two weeks of in-person subject teaching
  • Continuous academic and pastoral support
  • Cambridge University formal hall dinner following Programme graduation
  • College accommodation with bed linen, towels, and cleaning services
  • Full board catering (three meals per day)
  • Evening social activities (BBQ, bowling, trivia, sports, and more)
  • Accompanied day trips to London (Covent Garden, National Gallery, British Museum, Trafalgar Square)
  • Cambridge excursions (guided punting, Fitzwilliam Museum, Rowing Tank, Cambridge Tour)
  • Access to Downing College facilities
What's not included in the fee

 

  • Flights and travel to Cambridge
  • Visa applications
  • Airport transfers (options available separately)
  • Travel insurance
Travel and additional information

For guidance, please see our Visa Information page. 

Terms and Conditions 

Before you apply, please ensure you have read and understood our Terms and Conditions.

 

The online course will open to students no later than 4 weeks before the beginning of the residential programme. Details of the online course will be shared with students well in advance.

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.