You want to become more confident reading, writing, discussing and presenting ideas in English.
College Pathways
AGES 14–17
English Pathways at Dukes Cambridge
Spend two weeks developing the English needed for future academic study and international communication. Build confidence in writing, discussion, presentation and practical language use through interactive lessons and collaborative projects.
- No.1 UK multi-campus summer school
- British Council accredited
- 155 nationalities (since 2008)
At a glance
- Fees from
- £4,495 2-wk residential · Day Programme £3,495
- Ages
- 14–17 College Pathways tier
- Start dates
- 28 June, 12 & 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?
Build fluency, accuracy and confidence
English Pathways is a two-week English-language programme for students who want to strengthen their fluency, accuracy and confidence. Lessons combine speaking, listening, reading and writing with academic and practical communication.
Students use English through discussion, presentation, collaborative projects and written tasks, developing language that can support future study and international communication.
- Develop speaking, listening, reading and writing
- Practise academic and practical communication
- Build confidence discussing and presenting ideas in English
What you'll study
English for study and communication
Students develop English through interactive lessons and meaningful tasks, combining language accuracy with the ability to communicate ideas clearly in academic and everyday contexts.
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Module 01
Academic English
Develop approaches to reading and writing in more academic contexts, including organising ideas, understanding longer texts, using appropriate vocabulary and communicating information clearly.
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Module 02
Communication & Presentation
Strengthen spoken English through discussion, debate and presentation, with attention to fluency, clarity, pronunciation and responding confidently to other people.
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Module 03
Practical & Creative English
Use English for different real-world and creative purposes, which may include journalism, storytelling, interviews, collaborative writing or project-based activities.
The signature experience
Bring your English together at Time to Shine
Students work collaboratively on a final project or presentation, using English to develop ideas, organise material and prepare to communicate with an audience.
At Time to Shine, students share their project with peers and staff, bringing together the speaking, writing and presentation skills developed during the programme.
- Collaborative project developed in English
- Presentation practice that builds fluency and confidence
Is this programme for you?
Does this sound like you?
Students arrive with different strengths and goals, but many recognise themselves in at least one of these.
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You want stronger academic English.
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You want English you can use beyond exercises.
You want to work with real topics, collaborative tasks and different forms of communication rather than focusing only on grammar practice.
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You want to communicate confidently with an international community.
You want to use English as a shared language while learning and spending time with students from different countries.
Sound familiar? This course was built for you
Outcomes
What your child leaves with
English Pathways gives students regular opportunities to develop and use English for academic, practical and social communication.
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Certificate of Achievement
An SBC certificate recognising completion of the English Pathways programme.
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Personalised Letter of Recommendation
A personalised written letter reflecting the student’s participation and engagement during the programme.
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Academic English
Practice organising written ideas, understanding academic-style texts and communicating information clearly.
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Communication Confidence
Experience discussing, presenting and collaborating in English across a range of different contexts.
Independently recognised
The UK's leading multi-campus summer school — inspected, ranked and reviewed to prove it.
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No.1
Ranked the UK’s number 1 multi-campus summer school provider
EL Gazette
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15 / 15
Areas of strength, including student welfare and safeguarding (2018 Inspection)
British Council
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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.
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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."
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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."
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Olivia Clark
Activity Leader · 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.
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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.
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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.
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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 on Dukes English Pathways 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.
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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
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 £4,495
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 £3,495
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
28th June, 12th and 26th July 2027
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. The course welcomes students of all levels, from beginner to advanced. Lessons are tailored so everyone can make progress and feel challenged at the right level.
All workshop and project resources are provided. Students can choose to bring standard study items such as pens, notebooks, and a laptop or tablet for project work.
Yes. You’ll take part in group projects, presentations and creative tasks that let you practise English in real situations.
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
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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 this course and can answer your specific 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.
One student's summer
Emily
Student · Headington Oxford · United Kingdom
Every class is lots of fun and interesting
Alexander
Student · Russia
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)