For students who want stronger academic English. Lessons build the writing, discussion and presentation skills used for study.
AGES 14–17
Cambridge Summer School
Dukes Cambridge is a pre-university summer school in the centre of Cambridge, UK. Choose from six courses, each with residential and day places.
Child not aged 14–17? Find a course for their age →
- No.1 UK multi-campus summer school
- British Council accredited
- 155 nationalities (since 2008)
At a glance
- Fees from
- £4,495 per 2-week English course · £4,995 per 2-week subject course residential
- Ages
- 14–17 One programme, six courses
- Start dates
- From 28th June 2027 2- and 4-week sessions, 2027
- Class size
- 15 max Students per class
- English level
- B1+ All six courses
- Academic hours
- 20 hrs Lessons per week
- Location
- Cambridge Sancton Wood School
What’s included: tuition, accommodation (residential option), meals, excursions, social programme, student report, certificate and student insurance. Transfer service available for an additional fee.
Dukes Cambridge is based at Sancton Wood School, a Dukes Education school. Summer Boarding Courses is independent of, and not affiliated with or endorsed by, the University of Cambridge.
Find your course
Six courses. One campus in the centre of Cambridge.
Students choose one course and study it for two or four weeks. All six courses need B1 (intermediate) English or above.
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Faculty of Business
View BusinessBuild English through strategy, marketing and starting a business. Students develop ideas in teams and present them.
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Faculty of Medicine
View MedicineBuild English through anatomy, clinical reasoning and medical ethics. Students work on real case studies together.
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Faculty of Science & Technology
View Science & TechnologyBuild English through physics, chemistry, biology, computing and engineering. Students look at evidence and solve problems.
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Faculty of Art & Design
View Art & DesignBuild English through art and design. Students explore drawing, visual thinking and how designers work.
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Faculty of Global Leadership
View Global LeadershipBuild English through politics, diplomacy and world issues. Students debate, practise public speaking and lead team projects.
Why Cambridge
A famous student city, made for exploring
Cambridge is a small, historic city with a long history of learning. The colleges, museums, parks and the river are close together, so students can explore on foot.
Dukes Cambridge is based at Sancton Wood School, a Dukes Education school in the city. Residential students live at Tripos Court, a short walk away. They study, eat and relax in the city every day.
- Classes of 15 or fewer
- Students from many countries in every group
- Residential and day places on every course
- A reference letter from your tutor at the end of the course
Features
Learning beyond the classroom
Every Dukes Cambridge course mixes lessons with projects and real experiences. Here are three of them.
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All six courses
Industry experience and fieldwork
Students take part in guided visits and real work scenarios, such as business simulations, medical workshops or creative briefs. This helps them see how their subject works outside the classroom.
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All six courses
Time to Shine
Each week ends with a team project. Students plan it, build it and present it in English. Time to Shine gives students a chance to bring together what they have learned during the week and the English they have practiced. Working in teams, students choose a topic or challenge, develop their ideas and prepare to share them clearly with an audience.
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Optional extras
Rowing Academy and university guidance
Students can add the Rowing Academy (£295) and learn to row on the River Cam with qualified instructors. They can also book a private consultation with Oxbridge Applications, part of Dukes Education (£395). Both cost extra and places are limited.
Activities
The social programme helps students make friends and relax after lessons. Here are some of the activities you may find.
- Arts & Crafts
- Badminton
- Ball Games
- Basketball
- Creative Writing
- Cricket
- Fashion Show
- Fitness Class
- Football
- Karaoke
- Photo Challenge
- Quiz Night
- Rounders
- Secret Cinema
- Tennis
- Trashion Show
- Yoga
Excursions
Each two-week course includes two full-day trips. Recent groups have visited London and Cambridge. Excursions vary by session.
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London
See famous landmarks, visit world-class museums and cultural attractions, take epic photos, shop some big-name stores, and soak up London's unforgettable energy.
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Cambridge
Students will be able to take the day to explore the iconic city of Cambridge in detail, with a range of activities designed around discovery and recovery from an intense academic week.
Safeguarding & welfare
Safe days, settled nights
A summer school in a city is a big step towards independence. So we start with your child’s wellbeing, and build everything else — lessons, activities, boarding life — around it.
- 24/7 On-site pastoral support
- 1:6 Staff-to-student ratio
- 100% DBS-checked, trained residential staff
Independently recognised
Checked by inspectors. Ranked by the EL Gazette. Rated by families.
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No.1
The UK’s No.1 multi-campus summer school
EL Gazette Centre of Excellence 2018–2027
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Accredited
Accredited by the British Council
British Council
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Great
Rated by families on Trustpilot
Why SBC
Trusted, accredited and part of Dukes Education
Dates & fees
Two options. Six Cambridge courses.
Your child can board with us or go home each evening. Prices depend on the course. The lowest Cambridge prices are below.
Residential
From £4,495
per 2-week English course · £4,995 per 2-week subject course
- Full board — all meals and accommodation included
- Multi-activity programme
- Evening activities and excursions
- 24/7 pastoral care
Non-residential
From £3,495
per 2-week English course · £3,995 per 2-week subject course · 09:00–21:30 daily
- Same academic programme as residential
- Lunch and evening meal included
- Activity programme and excursions
- Return home in the evening
2027 dates
Course length
2 or 4 weeks
Course start dates
28 June, 12 July and 26 July 2027
English and subject courses have different prices. Places are limited, so check availability before you plan.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
No. Summer Boarding Courses (SBC) is an independent summer school and part of Dukes Education. Dukes Cambridge is based at Sancton Wood School, a Dukes Education school in Cambridge. SBC is independent of, and not affiliated with or endorsed by, the University of Cambridge.
Dukes Cambridge is for ages 14–17. For younger children, we run three summer schools in Oxford: Camp Dragon (ages 8–12), Camp Headington (ages 10–14) and Headington Oxford (ages 12–16). See all of them on our Oxford summer schools page, or take our 2-minute quiz. Our team can also help you choose.
All six Cambridge courses need B1 (intermediate) English or above. Your child takes a placement test after booking, so we can put them in the right class.
| Residential Programme | Day Programme | |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | ✓ | Not Included |
| Meals* | All meals | Lunch + Evening Meal |
| Tuition | ✓ | ✓ |
| Course materials | ✓ | ✓ |
| Sports, social activities and events | Daytime and evening | Daytime and evening |
| Standard excursions, including entry costs | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wi-Fi | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weekly laundry | ✓ | Not Included |
| Graduation certificate and academic progress report | ✓ | ✓ |
| Student insurance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Flights | Not Included | Not Included |
| Airport and Train Transfers | Not Included | Not Included |
| *We will do our best to meet all dietary needs, for example vegetarian, vegan and Halal. | ||
Choose a course, then fill in the booking form (Make a Booking) or send us an enquiry. The Student Experience team will contact you to check the details. You then pay a £700 deposit to secure the place, and we email you a booking confirmation.
Yes. All six Cambridge courses offer day places. Day students join the programme from 09:00 to 21:30 and go home each evening.
Residential students live at Tripos Court, in purpose-built accommodation a short walk from Sancton Wood School. Rooms are single or twin, and most have an en-suite bathroom.
We offer a transfer service for an extra fee. The details are different for each campus. Please ask your the Student Experience team about transfers to Cambridge.
We do our best to meet dietary needs, for example vegetarian, vegan and halal diets. Please tell your the Student Experience team when you book.
You can choose to pay at the point of booking. Bookings without payment will require a £700 deposit to secure your place. Our Student Experience team can send you an invoice and a secure Flywire payment link post-booking to complete the deposit or payment in full.
Please refer to our Terms and Conditions for information relating to the cancellation of a programme.
It depends on your child’s nationality. Please use the UK government visa checker. Many students from other countries need a Standard Visitor visa, which can take about 3–4 weeks. Please email us a scan of your child’s passport and visa. We may cancel a booking if we do not receive the visa at least 4 weeks before arrival.
Yes, but not at the same time. For example, your child can book two courses one after the other. Please talk to the Student Experience team.
Yes. Please contact the Student Experience team.
Every student receives a certificate, a progress report and a reference letter from their tutor at the end of the course. Each course ends with a graduation party.
It is a chance to study a subject in more depth, practise English every day and make friends from many countries, in a famous student city. Our team can help you decide if it is right for your child.
IGNITE YOUR SPARK
Arrange a free consultation
Our friendly Student Experience team are happy to answer any questions, big or small, and help you find the best summer experience for your child — no pressure, ever.
What happens after you enquire
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Step 1
We read it personally.
A member of our Student Experience team reviews your enquiry.
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Step 2
You’re matched with an advisor.
Someone who knows the Cambridge programme and can answer your questions.
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Step 3
We arrange a call.
Phone or video, at a time that suits you, to talk through dates, options and any concerns.
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Step 4
You decide — no pressure.
We help you find the right fit. You book when you're ready.
From our families
Angelika
Parent · Cambridge College · Germany
SBC has taught my child to be bolder and more confident
Elena
Parent · Cambridge College · Montenegro
I am so happy that I made the decision to send my son to this summer program!
Farah
Parent · Cambridge College · Bangladesh
155+
Nationalities represented since 2008
21,000+
Alumni since 2008
№1
UK multi-campus summer school (ranked by EL Gazette)