When you picture joining a University of Cambridge summer programme, you may think of the historic colleges, ivy-covered courtyards, or the chance to walk the same halls as some of the world’s greatest thinkers.

Yet what makes the experience unforgettable is not just the setting, it’s the people. At Immerse Education, our tutors and mentors form the foundation of your summer learning journey.

Tutors bring academic depth, holding postgraduate qualifications and PhDs from Cambridge, Oxford, and other world-leading universities. Meanwhile, mentors are current Cambridge students who guide you through daily life, offering both personal support and inspiration.

Together, they create a learning environment where you’re challenged to think critically while feeling part of a welcoming community.

Academic Tutors: Leaders in Their Fields

All tutors are Immerse Certified Tutors, meaning they have passed a rigorous six-step process to demonstrate academic expertise, teaching ability, and safeguarding knowledge.

All tutors hold PhDs, and many teach or conduct research at Oxford or Cambridge.

Cambridge & Oxford Tutors

  • Dr Iris (Medicine, University of Cambridge)
    A postdoctoral fellow at Cambridge’s Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Dr Iris introduces participants to advanced topics in molecular medicine and biomedical sciences. Her teaching reflects the latest breakthroughs in Cambridge’s labs, helping students explore what real research looks like.
  • Dr Bhatt (Medicine, University of Oxford and Harvard Medical School)
    With qualifications including MBBS, MS (General Surgery), MSc (Oxon), and MCH in Robotic Surgery, Dr Bhatt brings surgical expertise and international experience. She is uniquely positioned to show students how medicine bridges science, practice, and innovation.
  • Dr Mathias (Physics, University of Oxford)
    A researcher in Oxford’s Department of Physics, Dr Mathias is widely published and specialises in cutting-edge experimental science. His sessions challenge students to master critical thinking and problem-solving, mirroring the demands of top-level physics study.

Industry-Focused Tutors (Career Insights)

While academic tutors provide intellectual rigour, Career Insights tutors in the University of Cambridge summer programme are industry professionals who connect learning to real-world pathways.

  • Ilyssa Wexler (Fashion & Design, New York)
    CEO at Fashion4Futures and a former lecturer in Florence, Ilyssa empowers fashion students globally. She combines business expertise with creative insight, showing students how to thrive in one of the world’s most competitive industries.
  • Paolo Emilio Cassandro (Architecture & Design, London)
    A registered architect since 2004 and a graduate of the University of Florence, Paolo specialises in environmental planning and architectural restoration. His teaching balances creative design with sustainable practice.
  • Laila Faridoon (Computer Science, London)
    A technologist, public speaker, and author, Laila has more than 20 years of experience in corporate management and digital innovation. In 2023, she was recognised by The NYC Journal as one of the top 30 women leaders to watch.

By combining the expertise of academics and industry leaders, Immerse summer schools give participants both depth of knowledge and practical career insight.

Mentors: Your Guides Through Cambridge Life

While tutors lead your academic sessions, mentors are the everyday guides who make sure you feel supported, inspired, and connected during your stay at Immerse’s University of Cambridge Summer Programme.

All Immerse mentors are current or recent Cambridge students, carefully selected for their leadership skills and commitment to supporting young learners.

They form Mentor Families of about 10 participants each. This ensures that no matter where you’re from or what subject you’re studying, you’re part of a small, supportive group with a role model to turn to.

Cambridge Mentors You’ll Meet

  • Mihir Abbineni (Medicine Student, Christ’s College, Cambridge)
    Mihir first joined Immerse as a 100% scholarship participant in the Medicine programme. Now studying Medicine at Christ’s, he guides students with the empathy of someone who once stood in their shoes.
  • Lucy Quigley (Medicine Student, St Catherine’s College, Cambridge)
    Lucy combines her medical studies with a love for rowing. She often takes participants punting on the River Cam, introducing them to both Cambridge traditions and the realities of medical training.
  • Kaycee Barwell (Law Student, Emmanuel College, Cambridge)
    Kaycee specialises in pastoral care, having run shadowing and outreach schemes at her college. Her experience makes her particularly skilled at supporting younger participants and first-time travellers.
  • Clare Mulrooney (Law Student, Jesus College, Cambridge)
    Clare mentors disadvantaged students through seminars and outreach. Many of her mentees have gone on to win places at Cambridge, Imperial, and Edinburgh—a testament to her ability to inspire confidence.

Together, these mentors ensure that while you’re challenged academically, you never feel alone. They’re role models, friends, and the first people you can go to with questions or worries.

Economics

In-person

Develop advanced business acumen in Cambridge, where innovation...

Academic Insights
Provides a thorough introduction to diverse academic fields. Ideal for students beginning to contemplate their future academic paths and eager to explore various disciplines.
Ages: 13-15

Engineering

In-person

Push the boundaries of engineering in Cambridge, where...

Academic Insights
Provides a thorough introduction to diverse academic fields. Ideal for students beginning to contemplate their future academic paths and eager to explore various disciplines.
Two people experimenting on a robocar
Ages: 13-15

The Mentor Family System

One of the most unique aspects of Immerse summer schools is the Mentor Family system. Each participant belongs to a small group led by a mentor. This creates:

  • Belonging: You join a tight-knit group from day one.
  • Balance: Mentors help you manage your time between study, rest, and fun.
  • Connection: With participants from all over the world, you’ll experience cultural exchange in a safe environment.

For those attending a Cambridge summer school for under-18s, Mentor Families offer the reassurance of daily support and supervision, while older participants benefit from practical advice on applying to top universities.

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Guest Speakers: Inspiration Beyond the Classroom

Immerse also brings in guest speakers – leaders from across industries who share their journeys. These voices inspire students to think big about what’s possible.

  • Stacey Toussaint Murdock – Columbia Law graduate, founder of Inside Out, and expert in diversity and entrepreneurship.
  • Deryk Rhodes – Managing Director at Incapital, with senior leadership experience at Citigroup.
  • James Peach – Former Head of Brand at Uber UK and Global Brand Director at Vinted.
  • Sarah Outen MBE – Athlete, author, and adventurer, known for being the youngest woman to row solo across the Indian Ocean.

Hearing from such figures helps participants connect their learning to real-world ambition.

Why Tutors and Mentors Matter

The combined expertise of tutors and mentors is what makes Immerse’s Cambridge University summer school unique. Tutors give you access to advanced academic knowledge, while mentors provide day-to-day support and guidance. This balance ensures you can push your intellectual limits while enjoying the independence of life at Cambridge.

For parents, this dual structure provides reassurance: tutors are vetted academics, and mentors are carefully trained student leaders. For participants, it means you’ll always have someone to guide you, whether it’s mastering a complex concept, joining a social event, or adjusting to life in a new country.

Conclusion

The true value of Cambridge summer schools lies in its people.

Tutors like Dr Iris, Dr Bhatt, and Dr Mathias bring rigorous academic expertise, while industry-focused tutors like Ilyssa Wexler, Paolo Emilio Cassandro, and Laila Faridoon prepare you for future careers.

Mentors such as Mihir Abbineni, Lucy Quigley, Kaycee Barwell, and Clare Mulrooney provide the day-to-day encouragement that makes the programme so transformative. And guest speakers show you what success looks like in the real world.

Together, they create an ecosystem where you can challenge yourself, explore new perspectives, and grow in confidence.

If you’re ready to learn from the best, explore our University of Cambridge summer programme in full detail.