If you’re considering joining our Cambridge summer school programme, you’re probably wondering exactly where these programmes take place.

Immerse Education partners with several of the University of Cambridge’s historic colleges to host participants each summer. These are authentic, world-renowned academic settings, where you’ll live, dine, and study like a real Cambridge student.

Each year, a selection of different colleges open their doors for our programmes. This means that while no two summers look identical, the essence remains the same: a chance to fully experience the culture and learning environment of the University of Cambridge.

In this guide, we’ll introduce you to the colleges where programmes are typically hosted, explain what makes each location unique, and cover the practicalities of accommodation and age group separation.

6 Cambridge Colleges That Have Hosted Immerse Education

Each summer, Immerse partners with a selection of colleges. Here’s a closer look at the most frequently used venues and what you can expect from them.

1. Christ’s College

Founded in 1505, Christ’s College is one of Cambridge’s oldest and most distinguished colleges. For over 500 years, it has been home to a diverse academic community, with famous alumni including Charles Darwin, John Milton, and Thomas Hobbes.

Walking through its historic gates, you’re surrounded by tradition and scholarship that continues to inspire new generations.

The college’s gardens are among the most beautiful in Cambridge, offering peaceful spaces for reflection, while the “Zen Garden” within the Immerse quarters provides a dedicated chill-out area for participants.

Immerse has hosted programmes at Christ’s since 2021, typically hosting up to 180 participants across two sessions each summer. Rooms range from single bedrooms with shared facilities to ensuite options, spread across staircases and modern blocks.

Academic sessions are held in versatile spaces like the Blyth Building, the Lloyds Room, and the Youssef Hamied Theatre, which also hosts community events such as Welcome Talks and Graduation.

Meals are served in the historic dining hall and cafeteria, immersing you in authentic Cambridge tradition.

2. Corpus Christi College

The Guild of Corpus Christi and the Guild of the Blessed Virgin Mary founded Corpus Christi College in 1352. It is the sixth-oldest Cambridge college and remains one of the smallest, giving participants an intimate and historic environment.

The college was once called St Benet’s. Today, it preserves its rich history while fostering a close-knit and welcoming community.

Immerse hosted programmes at Corpus in 2024. Since then, the college has proudly hosted participants for our Summer Residential Programme.

The college allocates up to 240 beds across three sessions. Participants stay in single rooms within Old Court and New Court.

Participants learn in a variety of spaces, including tutorial rooms and the McCrum Lecture Theatre, where staff host ceremonies.

Social activities fill distinctive college venues. The Pelican Bar provides a vibrant space, and Immerse once hosted a silent disco.

At the heart of the college stands its Gothic Dining Hall. Portraits and historic designs inspire participants as they share meals.

Located on Trumpington Street near King’s Parade, Corpus offers tradition and accessibility. It provides an inspiring home for one of our Cambridge Summer Schools.

3. Magdalene College

Magdalene College, founded in 1428 as a Benedictine hostel, later became Buckingham College before its refoundation in 1542.

Its riverside location beside Magdalene Bridge offers peaceful lawns and punts on the Cam, creating a serene backdrop for participants.

The Pepys Library, housing Samuel Pepys’ diaries, highlights the college’s historic prestige and inspires curiosity in all who visit.

Cripps Court hosts participants, offering single rooms with many ensuite options across summer sessions.

Participants learn in classrooms, converted study rooms, and the modern Cripps Auditorium, which also hosts Welcome Talks and Graduation.

Meals take place in the Denis Murphy Gallery and occasionally in the Old Dining Hall, a candlelit historic venue.

Magdalene blends history, calm, and community. It offers an inspiring environment for growth, friendships, and discovery during a Cambridge summer school.

4. Queens’ College

Queens’ College, founded in 1448 by Margaret of Anjou, stands as one of Cambridge’s historic “old colleges” with lasting heritage.

The iconic Mathematical Bridge connects its buildings across the River Cam, surrounding participants with water, greenery, and centuries of tradition.

Immerse has hosted Cambridge summer schools at Queens’ since 2020. Since then, the college regularly hosts our 13–15 age group summer school programmes.

In 2024, Queens’ provided up to 450 single rooms across three sessions, with limited ensuite options reserved for special needs.

Participants learn in Conservatory rooms, seminar spaces, and Fitzpatrick Hall, a modern theatre where staff host Welcome Talks and Graduation.

Meals take place in Cripps Hall for large gatherings, or in Old Hall, a candlelit 15th-century dining room.

Queens’ is perfect for those who want to experience the unique blend of tradition and modern student culture that Cambridge is known for.

5. St Catharine’s College

St Catharine’s College, founded in 1473 as Katharine Hall, combines elegant Georgian architecture with a central Cambridge location.

Immerse has hosted Cambridge summer schools at St Catherine’s since 2020. The college now regularly hosts our Summer School participants each year.

In 2024, St Catharine’s provided 270 single rooms. Most were shared-bathroom, with limited ensuite reserved for managers and medical needs.

Accommodation was spread across Bull Block, E Staircase, G Staircase, and Woodlark, offering participants comfortable, historic surroundings.

Participants study in Wolfson classrooms, seminar rooms, and the McGrath Lecture Theatre, used for Welcome Talks, Graduation, and evening events.

The McGrath Bar hosts social activities, including icebreakers, black-tie events, and graduation parties, offering a vibrant community hub.

Meals take place in the refurbished Dining Hall, seating up to 180 people, creating an inspiring environment for shared meals.

For summer participants, this means days filled with academic discovery followed by evenings spent enjoying a safe, supportive college environment.

6. Sidney Sussex College

Sidney Sussex College, founded in 1596 by Frances Sidney, offers a hidden, tranquil atmosphere just steps from Cambridge’s busiest streets.

The college now regularly hosts our Summer School participants across multiple summer sessions.

In 2024, Sidney provided 326 single rooms. Most had shared bathrooms, while Blundell Court offered ensuite spaces for special requirements.

Teaching takes place in main-site classrooms and satellite rooms on Jesus Lane. Larger gatherings and lectures happen in William Mong Hall.

Participants dine daily in the cafeteria dining hall. Formal Dinners are held in the Rococo College Hall with portraits.

The balance of peaceful surroundings and accessibility makes Sidney a wonderful place to stay, fostering focus, friendships, and fun throughout the programme.

Living and Learning in Cambridge

Staying in a Cambridge college is far more than simply having a place to stay — it’s an experience that shapes every part of your journey. Each day, you’ll step into spaces where centuries of scholars have studied, dined, and debated, and you’ll quickly begin to feel like part of that tradition yourself.

Here’s what you can expect during your summer in Cambridge:

  • Academic Sessions: You’ll learn in historic classrooms and lecture theatres, guided by tutors from world-leading universities. Lessons are small, interactive, and designed to spark curiosity and critical thinking.
  • Dining Experiences: Meals are held in centuries-old dining halls, beneath vaulted ceilings and surrounded by portraits of distinguished alumni. These meals become opportunities to connect with friends and continue conversations from your sessions.
  • Cultural Immersion: Beyond the classroom, the city itself becomes part of your education. From punting along the River Cam to exploring museums, libraries, and galleries, every day brings opportunities to discover more.

What sets the University of Cambridge summer programme apart isn’t just the teaching, it’s the setting. Cambridge is alive with history and tradition:

  • Walk through cobblestone streets and ivy-clad quads, each with its own story.
  • Cycle across the city to your next seminar, following in the footsteps of Nobel Prize winners, poets, and innovators.
  • Experience evenings filled with debate and discussion, where peers from around the world share their ideas long after formal sessions end.

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A Note on Logistics

We carefully design the logistics of our summer school in Cambridge to ensure comfort, safety, and a sense of belonging for all participants.

  • Age Groups: Younger participants (ages 13–15) and older participants (ages 16–18) are housed in separate colleges. This helps us tailor the experience to your specific stage of academic and personal development.
  • Shared Facilities: Where bathrooms are shared, genders are separated. This ensures everyone feels comfortable and supported during their stay.
  • Mentor Support: Current or recent Cambridge students act as mentors. They guide you through your daily schedule, support your wellbeing, and run social activities, helping you feel at home in your college community.

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FAQs

Which college will I be placed in?

Placements vary each year, as not all colleges host programmes every summer. You’ll be notified in advance of your allocated college.

Do all colleges offer the same facilities?

While each college has its own character, all provide comfortable accommodation, secure facilities, and access to study spaces.

Will I share a room?

All participants stay in single occupancy bedrooms.

How close are the colleges to each other?

Cambridge is a compact city. Even if participants are placed in different colleges, they’re usually just a short walk or cycle ride apart.

Conclusion

Attending a summer school means much more than studying a subject you love. It’s about experiencing life in a world-leading university setting, living in historic colleges, and being part of an inspiring community.

No matter which college you’re placed in, the experience will ignite your curiosity, foster lifelong friendships, and give you a taste of academic excellence.

By joining Immerse, you’re not just preparing for the next step—you’re shaping your future in the same surroundings that shaped some of history’s greatest minds.

If you’re ready to discover where your potential can take you, explore the complete range of our Cambridge summer schools today.