You like drawing, designing, making or developing visual ideas and want opportunities to experiment with different approaches.
College Pathways
AGES 14–17
Faculty of Art & Design at Dukes Cambridge
Spend two weeks developing your English through art, design and visual communication. Explore how images, colour, composition and creative choices communicate ideas while building confidence discussing and presenting your work.
- No.1 UK multi-campus summer school
- British Council accredited
- 155 nationalities (since 2008)
At a glance
- Fees from
- £5,995 2-wk residential · Day Programme £3,995
- Ages
- 14–17 College Pathways tier
- Start dates
- 29 June, 13 & 26 July Two-week sessions, 2027
- Class size
- 15 max Students per class
- English level
- B1+ Intermediate and above
- Academic hours
- 20 hrs Academic content 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.
Is this right for your child?
Explore art and design while developing your English
Art & Design is a two-week English-language programme for students interested in creativity, visual communication and the way ideas can be expressed through images and design. Students explore selected themes from art, design and visual culture while developing vocabulary and practising speaking, listening, reading and presentation skills.
Learning combines discussion, visual analysis, creative activities and collaborative project work. The emphasis is on developing and communicating ideas rather than specialist studio training or formal portfolio preparation.
- Develop English through art, design and visual ideas
- Explore colour, composition, audience and creative decision-making
- Build confidence discussing, developing and presenting visual ideas
What you'll study
Art, design and visual communication
Students explore selected themes from art and design while developing the English needed to describe visual work, compare interpretations, explain creative choices and present ideas clearly.
-
Module 01
Art & Visual Language
Explore how colour, line, form, composition and style can influence visual work. Students develop vocabulary for describing and comparing creative examples and discussing possible interpretations.
-
Module 02
Design & Communication
Consider how design choices can shape the way a message is understood. Activities may draw on areas such as posters, branding, illustration, photography or digital communication without requiring specialist technical training.
-
Module 03
Creative Development & Presentation
Develop ideas in response to creative prompts and practise selecting, refining and presenting a response. Students use English to discuss their process, explain choices and respond to questions or feedback.
The signature experience
Explore. Create. Communicate.
Throughout the programme, students develop an individual or collaborative response to a creative question or brief. They explore visual examples, generate ideas, make creative choices and consider how best to communicate their concept.
At Time to Shine, students share their completed work with peers and staff, bringing together creative thinking, collaboration and English-language communication.
- Creative project developed across the programme
- Presentation practice that builds confidence explaining visual ideas and creative choices
Is this programme for you?
Does this sound like you?
Students arrive with different creative interests, but many recognise themselves in at least one of these.
-
You enjoy being creative.
-
You're interested in how images communicate.
You notice colour, layout, style or imagery and want to explore how visual choices can influence meaning and audience response.
-
You want to talk about creative ideas more confidently.
You want to develop the English needed to describe visual work, explain your choices and present creative ideas clearly.
Sound familiar? This course was built for you
Outcomes
What your child leaves with
Art & Design combines English-language development with creative exploration, helping students become more confident discussing visual ideas, developing responses and communicating their thinking to others.
-
Certificate of Achievement
An SBC certificate recognising completion of the Art & Design programme.
-
Personalised Letter of Recommendation
A personalised written letter reflecting the student’s participation and engagement during the programme.
-
English for Art & Design
Practice using English to describe visual work, compare interpretations and explain creative decisions.
-
Creative Thinking & Collaboration
Experience developing ideas, considering different approaches, working with others and presenting a creative response.
Independently recognised
The UK's leading multi-campus summer school — inspected, ranked and reviewed to prove it.
-
No.1
Ranked the UK’s number 1 multi-campus summer school provider
EL Gazette
-
15 / 15
Areas of strength, including student welfare and safeguarding (2018 Inspection)
British Council
-
Excellent
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot by families
SBC STAFF
Meet some of the SBC team
SBC staff support students throughout their summer — in lessons, activities and daily life. They help students settle in, grow in confidence and make the most of their time with us, in a safe and friendly environment.
-
Natalia Mavromoustaki
MA Careers Guidance, BSc Psychology
As a tutor, Natalia teaches through discussion, activities and real examples. "It's rewarding to see someone grow in confidence or find a real passion. Summer schools let students learn outside the classroom, build confidence and meet new people."
-
Cas Slater
Office Coordinator
As Office Coordinator, Cas handles arrivals, departures, excursions and daily site running. "Watching students go from shy and overwhelmed to leading group presentations is inspiring. They get to know themselves, make friends for life and really come out of their shells."
-
Olivia Clark
Theatre & Performance · University of Warwick
As Activity Leader, Olivia runs the daily sports, arts and evening activities. She studies Theatre and Performance at Warwick. "Knowing I played a part in watching students have fun, learn and try new things is very rewarding. You will make friends from all over the world."
Features
Learning beyond the classroom
Time at Cambridge is about more than lessons. Students take part in activities that connect their learning to the real world and to each other.
-
Industry Experience
See how ideas work in the real world
Students take part in industry-focused sessions that connect their subject to real careers and workplaces.
-
Guest Speakers
Learn from people with real experience
Students hear from guest speakers who share their knowledge and answer questions, giving a real view of their subject and career.
-
Fieldwork
Take learning outside
Students take part in fieldwork linked to their subject, using visits and hands-on tasks to explore ideas beyond the classroom.
A day in the life
University-style days, Cambridge evenings
Seminars and projects by day, societies and campus evenings by night. Here’s how a typical day at the Faculty of Art & Design runs — and how each one quietly builds toward the Time to Shine Ceremony.
Roll over a moment in the timetable to see it — and what it’s really like.
Activities
- Arts & Crafts
- Badminton
- Basketball
- Board Games & Puzzles
- Circuit Training
- Creative Writing
- Cricket
- Film Festival
- Football
- Karaoke
- Murder Mystery
- Museums
- Photo Challenge
- Picnic in the Park
- Punting
- Rounders
- Silent Disco
- Taskmaster
- Trashion Show
- Volleyball
- Yoga
Excursions
A sample of what recent groups have done. Excursions vary by session.
-
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.
-
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
Sending your child abroad is a big decision. 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
- 15/15 British Council areas of strength met (based on 2018 inspection)
Accommodation & campus
Live and learn at Dukes Cambridge
Dukes Cambridge gives students a real experience of city university life. Lessons take place at Sancton Wood School, with students living a short walk away in modern, purpose-built student accommodation — comfortable rooms with communal social and study areas, kitchenettes and on-site laundry. The historic city of Cambridge is within walking distance, so students move through the city each day just as undergraduates do: a genuine bridge between school and university.
- Auditorium
- Laundry Service
- Modern Dining Hall
- Seminar Rooms
- Student Common Room
- Twin En Suite Rooms
- Wifi
Why SBC
Trusted, accredited and part of Dukes Education
Dates & fees
Two Options. One transformative fortnight.
Whether your child boards with us or returns home each evening, your fee covers everything in their programme. See what’s included with each option below.
Residential
From £5,995
per 2-week course · Boarding — full days plus evenings and weekends
- Full board — all meals & accommodation included
- Multi-activity programme
- Evening activities & excursions
- 24/7 pastoral care
Non-residential
From £3,995
per 2-week course · 09:00–21:30 daily · varies by campus
- Same academic programme as residential
- Lunch & evening meals included
- Full activity programme and excursions
- Return home in the evening
2027 dates
Flexible lengths
2 or 4-week options available
Programme start dates
29 June, 13 & 26 July
Places are limited and allocated on a first-come basis. Check availability before you plan.
Places can start to fill from spring — book early
Questions
Frequently asked questions
No previous experience is required. The programme is open to all students with an interest in art, design or making.
All studio materials and project resources are provided. Students can choose to bring standard study items such as pens, a notebook or a sketchbook if they prefer.
Yes. Students work on studio tasks and a creative project, and put together a small portfolio of pieces during the programme.
The course offers a level of challenge, but tutors can vary the degree of difficulty depending on the group’s overall proficiency.
Participants should have a level of B1 to gain the maximum benefit from the course.
All residential staff are DBS-checked and trained, with a high staff-to-student ratio and 24/7 pastoral support.
No. This is a Summer Boarding Courses programme. The course is designed and delivered by Summer Boarding Courses. Summer Boarding Courses contracts the use of these facilities and has no formal connection with the University of Cambridge or its colleges, and they do not deliver, partner in, or endorse our programmes.
Explore before you enquire
Take the detail home
No call, no pressure. Just the documents that help you decide — sent straight to your inbox.
Academic Overview
Every module, the learning outcomes and how the programme builds over the fortnight.
Free PDF download
Sample Timetable
A full fortnight, hour by hour — lessons, activities and excursions. Please note that timetables are given as an example and are subject to change.
Free PDF download
Dates & Fees
Full pricing, what's included, and when the programmes take place
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
-
Step 1
We read it personally.
A member of our Student Experience team reviews your enquiry.
-
Step 2
You're matched with an advisor.
Someone who knows this course and can answer your specific questions.
-
Step 3
We arrange a call.
Phone or video, at a time that suits you, to talk through dates, options and any concerns.
-
Step 4
You decide — no pressure.
We help you find the right fit. You book when you're ready.
One student's summer
Mauricio
Student · Oxford College · Brazil
…I loved it!
Kabir
Student · India
My son had a wonderful time in Cambridge
Angelika
Parent · Cambridge College · Germany
155+
Nationalities represented since 2008
21,000+
Alumni since 2008
№1
UK multi-campus summer school (ranked by EL Gazette)