Reach Cambridge Review: Is It Worth It for High School Students?

Reach Cambridge is a residential summer school in the heart of Cambridge, UK, welcoming ambitious 14–18-year-olds from around the world. 

For nearly two decades, it has combined academic study with college living, UK excursions, and a vibrant international community. 

Students choose from a wide range of subjects, add optional taster courses, and graduate with a certificate and report. Leaving with skills, friendships, and memories that last well beyond the summer.

Here’s a comprehensive guide to Reach Cambridge.

Course Breakdown

Note: Check their official website for their current pricing.

Why Choose Reach Cambridge?

Reach Cambridge offers students an authentic taste of academic and cultural life in one of the world’s most historic university cities. 

Participants live in University of Cambridge college accommodation, study in small classes, and explore the UK through excursions to Oxford, London, Stratford-upon-Avon, and other cultural landmarks.

Each week includes around 20 hours of structured tuition, delivered through seminars, practical sessions, and academic trips, alongside guest lectures from leading academics. Workshops on leadership, interview skills, and public speaking add valuable preparation for future university and career pathways.

A unique element is the Taster Courses: optional add-ons that allow students to sample extra subjects such as Creative Writing, Cybersecurity, Philosophy, or Pre-Hospital Medicine without changing their main course. This flexibility appeals to students eager to broaden their horizons and explore new interests.

What sets Reach Cambridge apart is its flexible duration model (2, 4, or 6 weeks), its extensive subject menu, and its balance of academic rigour with cultural immersion. 

Students also benefit from round-the-clock supervision and the opportunity to join an international cohort representing more than 50 countries.

However, students seeking smaller groups, closer mentorship, and greater academic intensity may find Immerse Education’s Cambridge Summer School the stronger choice. 

Immerse offers Oxbridge-style tutorials of 4–10 students, with 1:1 feedback from expert tutors and even Letters of Recommendation for top performers. Beyond subject mastery, programmes include Career Insights pathways plus masterclasses in university preparation, critical thinking, and essay writing.

Key Features of Reach Cambridge

Reach Cambridge programmes run in two, four, or six-week blocks each summer, with courses certified by the British Accreditation Council and taught by academics, professionals, and experienced teachers. 

Students select a main subject from Medicine, Law, and Engineering to Psychology, Economics, Creative Writing, and Computer Science, and can add up to two afternoon “Taster Courses” per two-week block to explore additional fields such as Philosophy, Cybersecurity, or Pre-Hospital Medicine.

The curriculum combines seminars, practical sessions, and guest lectures with skills workshops in leadership, public speaking, and university preparation. 

Students live in Cambridge college accommodation, with meals included (two per day, breakfast only on excursion days), and benefit from a 24/7 pastoral care system with excellent 1:12 staff-to-student ratios. 

Excursions to destinations like London and Stratford-upon-Avon, alongside evening activities, ensure a balance of academic and cultural immersion. Each programme concludes with a certificate and academic report, recognising both progress and achievement.

Advantages

• Flexible programme lengths: Unique 2, 4, or 6-week options let families choose the level of immersion, with longer stays allowing multiple subject combinations.
• Taster Courses flexibility: Students can add up to two tasters per two-week block, sampling extra subjects like Philosophy, Cybersecurity, Creative Writing, or Pre-Hospital Medicine without switching their main course.
• Diverse subject menu: From Medicine, Law, and Engineering to Psychology, Economics, and the arts, students can customise their academic pathway.
• Comprehensive package: Tuition, accommodation, meals, excursions, activities, international travel insurance, and 24/7 supervision are included, with optional extras like airport transfers and room upgrades.
• BAC accreditation: Accredited by the British Accreditation Council, providing assurance of academic quality and welfare standards.
• Strong pastoral care: Excellent 1:12 staff-to-student ratio, with 24/7 supervision, structured independence, and clear safeguarding protocols.

Disadvantages

• Meals not fully inclusive: Only two meals are provided daily, with breakfast only on excursion days.
• Taster costs add up: Each taster is £495, which can significantly increase fees for longer stays.
• Limited academic depth: Around 20 hours per week, with classes less personalised than Oxbridge-style tutorials.
• No college credit or accreditation options: Unlike other programmes, Reach Cambridge does not currently offer UCAS points or US college credits, limiting formal academic recognition.
• Independent of Cambridge University: Programmes use college facilities but are not officially run by the university.

Reach Cambridge vs Immerse Education

Is Reach Cambridge Worth It?

Reach Cambridge offers a structured and prestigious summer school in the heart of Cambridge. 

Students live in university college accommodation, join an international cohort, and combine academic study with excursions and social activities. Its flexible 2, 4, or 6-week model and optional Taster Courses give families choice and breadth, making it attractive for students who want both cultural immersion and subject variety.

That said, at £6,295–£18,495 plus extras, it is a premium investment. Meals are only partially included, taster courses cost extra, and the 20 hours of weekly tuition are less academically intensive than Oxbridge-style tutorials. With students aged 14–18 mixed together, class and social dynamics can also vary.

By comparison, the Immerse Education Cambridge Summer School offers a more personalised and academically rigorous experience. 

Students learn in small Oxbridge-style tutorials of 4–10, receive 1:1 feedback, and may even earn Letters of Recommendation from their tutors. 

Immerse also integrates Career Insights programmes, university preparation workshops (covering personal statements, critical thinking, and interviews), and a mentor family system led by Cambridge undergraduates to provide authentic insight into university life. 

Alternatives to Reach Cambridge

• Immerse Education – Academic Summer School: Oxbridge-style tutorial teaching in Oxford, Cambridge, and Sydney.
• Immerse Education – Career Insights: Industry-focused, project-based courses in London, Singapore, and Boston.
• Immerse Education – Online Research Programme: 1:1 research mentorship with PhD-level tutors, culminating in a research paper.
• Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS): Selective two-week residential at Yale with interdisciplinary tracks.
• Oxford Royale Academy: Global campuses with subject breadth and cultural immersion.

How to Apply for Reach Cambridge

1. Choose Your Programme – Select your subject, session dates, and duration (2, 4, or 6 weeks). Decide whether to add Taster Courses (£495 each / £895 for two).
2. Apply Online – Complete the form online, including student and parent/guardian details, subject choices, and accommodation preferences.
3. Secure Your Place – Pay the non-refundable £500 deposit per two-week block to confirm enrolment (balance due before the course begins).
4. Submit Documents & Forms – Provide a passport copy, medical and dietary info, travel details, and optional extras (e.g. airport transfers, room upgrades).
5. Prepare for Arrival – Arrange travel to Cambridge, review pre-departure materials, and check in on arrival day for orientation, induction, and settling into college accommodation.

Final Thoughts

Reach Cambridge delivers a well-established summer school in authentic Cambridge colleges, combining academics, cultural immersion, and a diverse international community. Its 2, 4, or 6-week flexibility and strong pastoral care make it a solid choice for students seeking structure and breadth.

For those wanting deeper academic preparation and personalised mentorship, however, Immerse Education stands out. 

With Oxbridge-style tutorials (4–10 students), 1:1 PhD mentorship, and career-focused programmes in Cambridge, Oxford, London, Sydney, and online, Immerse combines academic rigour with close guidance, helping ambitious students go beyond a typical summer school.