SBC Cambridge Summer College (Ages 15-17)
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Offered by Summer Boarding Courses, the UK’s top ranked provider of summer courses for children and teenagers, Cambridge Summer College is an academic program for students aged 15 – 17 of extremely high quality. It takes place at Clare College of the University of Cambridge, where students will have the opportunity to live and study in the setting of this world famous, prestigious university. The program provides a truly international, academic and social environment and is just a short walk away from the Cambridge city center.
Clare College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge in Cambridge, England. The college was founded in 1326 as University Hall, making it the second-oldest surviving college of the University after Peterhouse. It was refounded in 1338 as Clare Hall by an endowment from Elizabeth de Clare, and took on its current name in 1856. Clare is famous for its chapel choir and for its gardens on “The Backs” (the back of the colleges that overlook the River Cam). Clare is consistently one of the most popular Cambridge colleges amongst prospective applicants.
Clare’s Old Court frames King’s College Chapel as the left border of one of the most celebrated architectural vistas in England. It was built between 1638 and 1715. The period spans the arrival of true classicism into the mainstream of British architecture, such that its progress can be traced in the marked differences between the oldest wing to the north, which still has vaulting and other features in the unbroken tradition of English Gothic, and the final southern block, which shows a fully articulated classic style.
The college’s chapel was built in 1763 and designed by Sir James Burrough, the Master of neighbouring Caius College. Its altarpiece is Annunciation by Giovanni Battista Cipriani.
The city of Cambridge was founded on the banks of the River Cam, 90 km northeast of London, and is located in the county of the same name (Cambridgeshire), of which it is the main cultural, commercial, and administrative center of Southwest England.
Cambridge dates back to pre-Roman times, and because of its strategic position on the river, it soon became one of the most important centers north of London, and at the beginning of the Thirteenth century, it was chosen as a university location in opposition to Oxford, Since then, it has rivaled Oxford for the title of the British capital of culture and study (as well as for the famous rowing title).
THE CAMBRIDGE SUMMER COLLEGE PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
- Location: Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Age Range: 15 – 17
- Maximum number of students per session: 100
- Maximum class size: 15
- Accommodation: Residential
- Course duration: 2, 4 or 6 weeks
- Number of full day excursions per week: 2
- Exclusive EtonX Future Skills Online Course Included
Cambridge Summer College: Clare College, Trinity Lane, Cambridge CB2 1TL, United Kingdom
“Nevermind the slick brochures and sales pitches of other schools. The EL Gazette and British Council have said it all about this one—Summer Boarding Courses, who offers this program at Clare College in Cambridge, is the number one provider of programs for children and teenagers in all of the United Kingdom. I’ll explain a bit how this ranking works: every four years, the British Council carries out an inspection of its 500 + member schools in the UK (nearly all reputable language schools in the UK are accredited by the British Council). During the inspection, in which two examiners inspect the school for days, they grade a school in 13 areas like teaching, care of students, accommodation, etc., and in 15 areas if the school also has programs for young learners. For each area, a school can receive a grade of “acceptable,” or it can exceed the expectations of the examiner. When the latter is the case, the school receives what’s called a “strength” in that area. As a result of these inspections, language schools typically receive about 3.5 strengths. On its last inspection in 2018, Summer Boarding Courses received 15 out of a possible 15!
Of the various programs offered by Summer Boarding Courses, there are several reasons that I like this one. To begin with, it takes place in Clare College in Cambridge, one of the most beautiful and iconic colleges of the University of Cambridge, in the type of atmosphere that people envision when they think of the famous British universities. The program offers academic subjects and is as much for native speakers of English, as it is for non-native speakers who would also like to improve their English while learning about things that truly interest them in the setting of one of the finest and most famous places of study in the world. Participants on the program will also be able to really enjoy studying, without the stress of a test or final grade at the end. Then, outside of class, the social activities are at the same very English (there are trips to London and other university cities), very “Cambridge-y” (for example, punting on the river running just behind this college, on Clare’s own punts (boats), and the University Challenge game) and overall, a lot of fun for students this age. Finally, like in all of my good programs, the number of participants of a single mother tongue are limited to just 10%, ensuring that students will speak English to each other also outside of class. For students who just need to improve their English, the program also offers the choice of a general or intensive English course (the programs on the Summer Boarding Courses all have a fantastic nationality mix.) Two full day excursions per week, airport transfers, insurance, and a high staff-to-student ratio complete this package, making it an excellent value for parents.”
Summer Boarding Courses Oxford and Cambridge College Program
Why choose the Summer Boarding Courses (SBC) Cambridge Summer College program?
- Summer Boarding Courses is the UK’s top ranked multi-campus summer school with locations in Oxford, Cambridge, London and other important cities.
- Summer Boarding Courses is the only school for children and teenagers to have been awarded a perfect score after its accreditation inspection by the British Council in 2019 (see “Rachel’s Take” below for an explanation of this extremely difficult accomplishment).
- Cambridge Summer College runs at Clare College of the University of Cambridge, where students experience boarding life on a university campus and thus become prepared for their next stage in life.
- The Cambridge Summer College program offers an extensive selection of popular academic study options including Business and Leadership, International Relations, Law and Medicine.
- The Cambridge Summer College programs include daily Social and Wellbeing activities in the afternoon and evenings, as well as weekly excursions to famous destinations in the U.K.
- Cambridge Summer College provides excellent standards of welfare and supervision.
The facilities
CLARE COLLEGE CAMBRIDGE FACILITIES AT A GLANCE
- Purpose built classrooms
- Common room
- Historic dining hall
- Music room
- Library
- Sport halls and pitches
MORE ON THE CAMBRIDGE SUMMER COLLEGE SERVICES
Welcome Club
The Welcome Club is available to students who book the Transfer Service from London Heathrow airport. It offers refreshments, entertainment and a place to unwind and to meet other students arriving for their courses before the journey to the school.
Student Welfare
The well-being of students on the Cambridge Summer College program is the top priority of Summer Boarding Courses, and the school’s dedicated staff are available 24 hours a day to assist with any needs that might arise during students’ stay.
Airport Transfers
Airport transfers to and from London Heathrow airport are included in the cost of the program. To organize the transfers, Marshall Language Services will need to furnish the participant’s flight information to Cambridge Summer College. If children are travelling as unaccompanied minors, Cambridge Summer College staff will receive them from the airline personnel, and when the program is over, accompany the participants back to the airport and hand over the children to airline staff.
The courses
ACADEMIC PROGRAM AND SAMPLE TIMETABLE
Cambridge Summer College offers a wide range of academic courses for students aged 15 – 17 to help them develop their subject knowledge, English language proficiency, and prepare them for university. A typical week includes 20 hours of tuition consisting of lessons, guest speakers, workshops, and one academic excursion every two weeks. All courses require a minimum B1 English level.
Courses offered:
Business and Leadership
SBC has developed their Business & Leadership course for the young business people of the future. Students will develop their English language and business skills, and acquire knowledge of the latest business practices. Subjects in Business & Leadership include: budgeting and finance, marketing, sustainability and growth, as well as the development of the English language skills necessary for success in business. As part of our Time to Shine project, students will develop a business plan for a new start-up company and deliver a product pitch to a panel of judges.
International Relations
SBC International Relations course will introduce students to global issues which form today’s political and humanitarian environment, as well as developing the English language skills necessary to understand them. Students will analyse how and why the international landscape looks as it does, by studying real-life political models and contemporary global issues. Our students will apply their understanding to a range of interactive and challenging role-play scenarios, to enhance their skills in presentation, negotiation and diplomacy.
Law
Law is the perfect course for the barristers, solicitors and judges of tomorrow. Our Law course will broaden students’ understanding of key legal concepts, as well as enhancing their ability to use legal argumentation in English. During the course, students will discover how law and lawyers function in different legal fields, and analyse a range of fundamental legal theories through interesting and engaging case studies. Students will have the unique opportunity to experience the English judicial system through our Academic Excursion to a real-life working court room.
Medicine
In SBC Medicine course, students will develop the practical skills, medical knowledge and English language ability as they start their journey to becoming a doctor, or work in the health industry. Additionally, students will receive practical advice on studying Medicine at university, as well as taking part in full First Aid training during the course. Beyond medical theory and practice, we look at the role of Medicine in a wider, ethical context to develop students’ critical thinking skills and understanding of important issues in public health.
The programs provide
- Pre-course assessment
- International classes
- 20 clock hours of tuition per week
- Maximum class size of 15
- Progress monitoring
- All educational materials
- Daily afternoon and evening activities
A sample timetable:
London Academic Excursion
The Cambridge Summer College program includes an academic excursion to London, where students will not only explore the city but participate in an academic talk or workshop. These afternoon workshops are designed to complement what the students have been learning at the college. Previous workshop destinations have included iconic locations such as the British Library, the Royal College of Physicians, Houses of Parliament, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and the Imperial War Museum.
EtonX Online
Summer Boarding Courses are working in cooperation with EtonX, a cutting-edge future skills online learning platform to offer its students the Future Skills Programme. This program is a series of short online courses (7-10 hours) focused on better communication, leadership and university preparation which develop soft skills, practical skills and an entrepreneurial mindset to help students succeed in life.
The courses include:
- Entrepreneurship
- CV Writing
- Interview Skills
- Creative Problem Solving
- Making an Impact
- Critical Thinking
- Writing Skills
- Public Speaking
- Research Skills
- Resilience
Benefits of EtonX
- End of course transcript/certificate on CV
- Attractive to leading universities & employers
- Real world skills to succeed in life
- English language development
- Increased confidence
RESIDENTIAL ACCOMMODATION
Cambridge Summer College students will be housed in comfortable twin bedrooms with private bathrooms in traditional university accommodation on campus. The campus facilities include a historic dining hall, communal areas, and free Wi-Fi.
Meals
Residential accommodation includes a full board meal plan with breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks.
Laundry
Bed linens are provided. A weekly laundry service is also provided.
Dates and Fees
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