Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge
Experience an award-winning Cambridge summer school for ages 16–17, hosted in one of the city’s most centrally located and characterful colleges. Grow your confidence, deepen your subject knowledge, and prepare for future study in a truly inspiring setting.
Our Approach to Summer Learning
At Oxford Summer Courses, we believe that where you learn matters. That’s why we host our programmes in some of the most prestigious and inspiring college settings in Oxford and Cambridge—giving students the chance to live and learn in world-renowned academic environments.
Unlike traditional programmes, we don’t follow a fixed curriculum. Instead, our courses are shaped by our students. Our expert tutors tailor the experience based on each group’s interests, goals, and curiosity, creating a learning journey that’s as personal as it is powerful. To make our programmes even more flexible, we offer a range of tiered pricing options—so you can choose the experience that’s right for you, from accommodation preferences to extra support and services.
Pricing
Payment plans are available, and you can apply for more than one course to extend your stay. For more details on what’s included, visit our what’s included page.
Studying at Sidney Sussex College
Our Cambridge summer school for ages 16–17 is hosted at Sidney Sussex College, a small but historic institution founded in 1596 and located in the very heart of the city. Just moments from the bustling market square, cafés, and cultural sites, Sidney Sussex offers the ideal balance of academic focus and city-centre convenience. The college’s intimate layout, beautiful green spaces, and quiet gardens create a calm environment behind its central location.
Sidney Sussex has a fascinating history—perhaps most famously as the college of Oliver Cromwell, whose head is believed to be buried in the chapel. Today, the college continues to offer a peaceful yet academically driven space for students to engage with new ideas and grow in confidence and independence during their summer learning experience.
Discover our available summer courses and prepare for the learning experience of a lifetime.
apply for a 2025 course
Who Studies Here and How They Learn
Our courses at Sidney Sussex are designed for students aged 16–17 who are beginning to think seriously about university and want to take their subject interest to the next level. Each course welcomes around 15 to 40 students and encourages a collaborative, open learning environment where everyone’s voice matters.
We use a tutorial-style teaching model inspired by Oxford and Cambridge. Students join small seminar groups (maximum 8 students), complete two pieces of independent work during the course, and then discuss their ideas in detail during 1:1 or 2:1 tutorials with an expert tutor. This structure builds academic confidence, nurtures critical thinking, and helps students learn how to articulate their perspectives clearly—skills that will benefit them well beyond the summer.
Accommodation and Facilities
Students stay in single bedrooms on the main college site, ensuring a safe and convenient base within close reach of classrooms and common spaces. Bathrooms are shared between 4–5 rooms unless an ensuite upgrade has been selected. Bed linen and towels are provided. Kitchens are not accessible to students in line with college regulations, but catering is fully managed by our team on-site.
Facilities include a laundry room with pay-as-you-go machines (via the Circuit app), a student canteen offering snacks and drinks, and a welcoming Junior Common Room (JCR) available throughout the day. With a Sainsbury’s and several cafés just outside the college gates, students are ideally placed to enjoy both quiet college life and the buzz of central Cambridge.
FAQs about Venues and Tier Options
Sometimes. If you’re applying for a Junior (9–12), Eton (12–14), or Spain (15–17) course, your venue is fixed: Harrow School, Eton College, or Resa Vallehermoso in Madrid.For Oxford and Cambridge, your venue is assigned based on your age, subject, dates, and pricing tier. After you apply, an advisor will contact you to confirm the details — including your venue — and help with any questions before you confirm your place.
For Oxford and Cambridge courses, you can choose from four pricing tiers: Classic, Plus, Superior, and Premier. All tiers include teaching, meals, and activities, with higher tiers offering extras like ensuite rooms, airport transfers, and more flexibility. Junior, Eton, and Spain courses have one fixed price that includes everything you need for a safe, structured, and rewarding experience.
All tiers include your course, meals, activities, and support throughout your stay. Higher tiers add benefits like private ensuite rooms, return airport transfers, travel insurance, premium merchandise, and more flexible booking terms. You can compare all tiers on our Prices and Dates page.
You’ll be told your assigned venue after you apply. One of our admissions advisors will contact you directly to confirm your course details — including where you’ll be staying. This is your chance to ask any questions or discuss options before you accept and pay your deposit.
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