Note (October 2026): An earlier version implied that the University of Cambridge itself runs the computer science summer course linked below and that it is for undergraduates. That course is run by the independent provider Immerse Education for students aged 13 to 18; the text has been corrected.
Studying computer science over the summer gives secondary school students two things: an early, low-risk taste of university-level computing, and a head start on deciding whether to apply for the degree. In Cambridge, paid courses for ages 13 to 18 are run by independent providers such as Immerse Education, while the University of Cambridge’s own free summer school is the Sutton Trust programme for UK state school students.
Key Takeaways
- Two reasons: a summer course lets students try university-style computing early (reason 1) and get ahead when choosing a degree (reason 2).
- Who runs it: Immerse Education is an independent organization that holds computer science courses in Cambridge and Oxford for two age groups, 13-15 and 16-18; its in-person courses last two weeks.
- Free option: the University of Cambridge runs free, subject-specific, five-day residential Sutton Trust Summer Schools for Year 12 students at UK state-maintained schools.
- The degree itself: Cambridge’s Computer Science course is a three-year BA (Hons) with an optional fourth year leading to an MEng; the minimum offer is A*A*A and all applicants take the TMUA admissions test.
- The history: Cambridge’s computer science department, founded as the Mathematical Laboratory on 14 May 1937, built EDSAC, which ran its first program on 6 May 1949.
Cambridge is one of the best universities globally and is renowned globally for its incredible reputation and historical graduates.
This university, in particular, is critical to the world of computer science. It offers a three-year BA (Hons) in Computer Science with an optional fourth year that leads to an MEng, and its computing department has contributed to some of the most significant moments in the history of the field, including building the EDSAC computer in the 1940s.
If you want to walk in the footsteps of incredible Cambridge graduates, like Alan Turing, the famous World War II codebreaker, a summer course is one way to get a first taste of the subject. The independent provider Immerse Education runs computer science summer programs for students aged 13 to 18 in Cambridge and Oxford; dates, prices and enrollment windows change each year, so check the provider’s current listings before planning.
Pre-University Computer Science Studying
Attending summer school is an excellent opportunity for high school students. It allows them to try out university ahead of time, giving them a clearer vision for their future and contributing to their current education.
Cambridge University is renowned globally for its incredible facilities, especially when it comes to computer science. Students aged 13 to 18 can study computer science in Cambridge over their summer break through independent providers such as Immerse Education, which hold courses in university settings in the city. These paid courses are not run by the University of Cambridge itself; the university’s own free summer school is the Sutton Trust programme described below.
Immerse Education’s computer science summer school is split into two age groups, 13-15 and 16-18, and its in-person courses last two weeks; online options are also offered.
Whether you are just beginning high school and want to see what opportunities will await you or are in the later years and planning your university life, these computer science summer courses offer an incredible, immersive opportunity for all.
The courses aim to introduce high schoolers to core computer science skills ahead of time through a range of topics chosen by the course provider.
Get Ahead Of Other Students
Pre-university computer science courses give high schoolers a chance to experience life in higher education ahead of time.
For motivated young people, a summer course is a practical way to test their interest in computing and see what studying in a leading university city is like during their summer break.
A short, focused course lets students see what studying computer science involves and whether it is the right option for them. A residential summer school can help build high school students’ confidence. They live on campus for the duration of the teaching and can explore Cambridge in all its glory.
Not only does the computer science summer school provide advancement in their learning, but many high school students also return to their current work more motivated after a glimpse into their possible future.
Summer school is a fun experience and provides an immersive taster course into what the future could be, following continued studies and hard work.
Not every school offers computer science teaching that goes beyond the syllabus, so a summer course can fill that gap for students who already know they enjoy the subject.
Who Runs Computer Science Summer Schools in Cambridge?
Computer science summer schools in Cambridge are run by two different kinds of organization. Paid courses for international and UK students aged 13 to 18 are run by independent providers such as Immerse Education, which describes its courses as held in historic university locations in Cambridge and Oxford. The University of Cambridge’s own free summer school is run in partnership with the Sutton Trust, an education charity.
The difference matters for families comparing options: a course held in Cambridge is not the same as a course run by the University of Cambridge, and attending a paid summer school is not part of the university’s admissions process.
Comparison of summer options
| Option | Run by | Who can attend | Length | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Immerse Education computer science course | Immerse Education (independent organization) | Ages 13-15 or 16-18 | Two weeks in person; online options too | Paid; prices are not listed on the course page, so check with the provider |
| Sutton Trust Summer School at Cambridge | University of Cambridge with the Sutton Trust | Year 12 students at UK state-maintained schools | Five-day residential | Free |
Is There a Free Cambridge Summer School?
Yes. The University of Cambridge runs Sutton Trust Summer Schools: free, subject-specific residential courses that combine academic teaching with social activities. According to the university’s undergraduate admissions website, they are for Year 12 students at state-maintained schools in the UK, and the residential part lasts five days.
The Sutton Trust’s own eligibility page says applicants must attend, and have always attended, a state-funded, non-fee-paying school or college, and be in Year 12 in England or Wales, Year 13 in Northern Ireland or S5 in Scotland. Priority goes to students who meet extra criteria, such as having been eligible for free school meals or being the first in their family to attend university. Subject streams change from year to year, so students should check whether computer science is offered in the current round before applying.
What Does Cambridge Require for a Computer Science Degree?
A summer course is a taster; admission to the degree is a separate process. As of October 2026, the University of Cambridge lists these requirements for its Computer Science course:
- Course length: three years for the BA (Hons), or four years for the MEng, which is awarded together with the BA.
- Typical offer: A*A*A at A level as the minimum, with colleges typically asking for an A* in Mathematics and/or Further Mathematics.
- Required subjects: Mathematics, plus Further Mathematics to AS or A level if the applicant’s school offers it.
- Admissions test: all applicants take the Test of Mathematics for University Admission (TMUA); applicants to Peterhouse or Trinity also take the Computer Sciences Aptitude Test (CSAT).
Students comparing universities can read our guide to the top universities for computer science and information systems.
Why Is Cambridge Important in Computer Science History?
The University of Cambridge’s Department of Computer Science and Technology began as the Mathematical Laboratory on 14 May 1937. It was renamed the Computer Laboratory in 1970 and took its current name on 1 October 2017.
Under Maurice Wilkes, the laboratory built EDSAC (Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Calculator). EDSAC ran its first programs on 6 May 1949, calculating a table of square numbers and a list of prime numbers, and Wikipedia describes it as the second electronic digital stored-program computer, after the Manchester Mark 1, to go into regular service.
Alan Turing studied mathematics at King’s College, Cambridge, from February 1931 to November 1934, graduating with first-class honours. He wrote his landmark paper “On Computable Numbers” in 1936, and during World War II he worked at Bletchley Park, where he headed Hut 8, the section that worked on German naval messages. For more on how the field developed, see our history of programming languages.
How to Get the Most From a Computer Science Summer
- Check who runs the course. Confirm whether a programme is run by a university or by an independent provider using university buildings.
- Compare cost and eligibility. Free university outreach schemes such as the Sutton Trust programme have strict eligibility rules; paid courses are open to more students but vary in price.
- Build basic coding skills first. Starting with a beginner language before the course helps students follow the teaching; our guide to introducing coding and programming concepts covers first steps.
- Keep learning at home if a course is not possible. See our tips on helping a child stay a motivated learner during the summer break and how summer learning programs give students an upper hand.
- Look at the degree requirements early. For Cambridge, that means Mathematics (and Further Mathematics where available) and preparing for the TMUA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the University of Cambridge run a computer science summer school for high school students?
The University of Cambridge’s own summer schools are the free Sutton Trust Summer Schools for Year 12 students at UK state-maintained schools. Paid computer science courses held in Cambridge for ages 13 to 18, such as those from Immerse Education, are run by independent providers.
How old do you have to be for a Cambridge computer science summer school?
Immerse Education’s computer science courses are split into two age groups, 13-15 and 16-18. The university’s Sutton Trust Summer School is for Year 12 students (Year 13 in Northern Ireland or S5 in Scotland).
Is the Cambridge Sutton Trust Summer School free?
Yes. The University of Cambridge describes its Sutton Trust Summer Schools as free, subject-specific residential courses, with a five-day residential component.
Does attending a summer school help you get into Cambridge?
A summer course can help a student decide whether computer science is right for them, but admission to Cambridge’s Computer Science degree depends on the published requirements, including a minimum offer of A*A*A, Mathematics and the TMUA admissions test.
What did Alan Turing study at Cambridge?
Alan Turing studied mathematics at King’s College, Cambridge, from February 1931 to November 1934 and graduated with first-class honours.
