Summer Schools
Faculty of Art & Design – Dukes Cambridge
Unleash your creativity, develop your English, and discover the possibilities of art and design in Cambridge.
Key Details
- Ages: 14-17
- Location: Cambridge
- Start dates: 28 June, 12 July & 26 July 2027
- English level: B1+ (intermediate or above)
- Duration: 2 weeks
Students from
countries around the world
We’re the UK’s
multi-campus summer school
We’ve welcomed
students since 2008
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of families
Discover the world of art and design
Take your imagination somewhere extraordinary
Have you ever wondered how a single image can tell a story, inspire an emotion, or change the way we see the world? The Faculty of Art & Design in Cambridge introduces students aged 14–17 to the power of visual communication, while developing their English.
On this art summer school, you’ll experiment with colour, composition, and creative techniques. Discover how artists express ideas, how designers influence audiences, and how visual choices shape the messages we encounter every day.
Analyse inspiring artworks. Respond to creative briefs. Develop and present your own designs. Along the way, you’ll nurture your creative thinking, learn to express your vision in English, and enjoy an unforgettable summer in the historic city of Cambridge.
Discover more about our Faculty of Art & Design and book your place today.
Our immersive summer schools are delivered by SBC, the UK’s number 1 multi-campus summer school for children aged 6-17.
Faculty of Art & Design – Dukes Cambridge
The Faculty of Art & Design gives creative students the opportunity to explore artistic expression, develop original ideas, and discover the power of visual communication.
During the two-week programme, you will:
– Explore how artists express ideas through colour, composition, and visual techniques
– Discover the principles of graphic design, branding, and visual storytelling
– Respond to briefs, experimenting with different approaches and refining your work
– Develop an original creative project and present your work to fellow students
You’ll study art theory and work on your own pieces in creative workshops. As you learn to explain the inspiration behind your work, you’ll also strengthen your English.
Plus, enjoy an unforgettable summer in Cambridge, discovering the city’s cultural attractions and making friends from around the world.
Book your place today and discover where your creativity could take you.
At a Glance
- Price
- Duration
- Location
- Ages
- Start Dates
- From £3,995
- 2 weeks
- Cambridge
- 14-17
- 28 Jun, 12 & 26 Jul 2027
Academic Overview
Discover what you’ll learn – and how you’ll learn – in the academic overview for this programme.
24/7
Pastoral support
From 100% DBS-checked, trained residential staff.
1:6
Staff-to-student ratio
Ensuring our focus is always on your child.
20 hours
Academic teaching per week
An immersive learning experience.
15/15
Areas of strength
In our most recent British Council inspection.
Course Modules
Discover how images tell powerful stories
What makes a piece of art memorable? Explore how artists use colour, line, form, and composition to express ideas and evoke emotions. You’ll examine different artistic styles, interpret visual meaning, and develop the vocabulary to discuss artworks and explain your own creative choices.
Create designs that capture attention
Discover how designers transform ideas into images that resonate with audiences. Explore everything from branding and illustration to photography and digital communication, considering how different design choices can influence what people think, feel, and understand.
Bring your creative vision to life
Take an idea from its first spark to a finished piece. You’ll tackle design briefs, experiment with different approaches, and refine your work through discussion and feedback. Then practise presenting your project, explaining the thinking and inspiration behind your artistic decisions.
Get started
Choose Your Date
Pick the start date that suits you and secure your place.
Expand Your Horizons
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Learning at Cambridge extends beyond the classroom, with opportunities for students to explore their subjects in greater depth, gain practical experience, and discover potential career paths.
Explore how your subject is applied in professional settings through industry-focused sessions. Students gain insight into different careers and discover how the ideas they study are used in practice.
Hear from experienced professionals who share insights into their work, career journeys, and areas of expertise. Students have the opportunity to ask questions and deepen their understanding of their chosen subject.
Take learning beyond the classroom by investigating your subject out in the field. Students explore new ideas first-hand, applying what they have learned in different settings.
Have a Question?
If you’d like to speak to us before you book, we’re happy to answer any questions you may have. Fill in the form and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible.
Our Campus
The Faculty of Art & Design is hosted at Dukes Cambridge, our Cambridge campus.
Ages 14-17
Dukes Cambridge
Our Cambridge campus, hosting pre-university summer schools for students aged 14-17. Lessons take place at some of Cambridge’s most prestigious schools and the historic university city is on your doorstep. Beyond the classroom, students enjoy supervised excursions in Cambridge and London. They live in comfortable, purpose-built modern accommodation.
- Price
- Duration
- Start Dates
- From £3,495
- 2 weeks
- 28 Jun, 12 & 26 Jul 2027
Life at Dukes Cambridge
A home from home
At Dukes Cambridge, students stay in one of six purpose-built accommodation blocks, all equipped with modern facilities and located just a short walk from Sancton Wood School.
Accommodation is available in single or twin bedrooms, most of which have en-suite bathrooms. A small number of rooms in the smaller blocks have shared bathroom facilities.
During their free time, students can relax and socialise in the on-site common rooms or explore the historic city centre of Cambridge.
Discover Cambridge and London
At Dukes Cambridge, you’ll explore the centre of the medieval university city of Cambridge: historic streets, colleges, museums, green spaces and gardens of one of the world’s most renowned centres of learning.
You’ll also spend a day in London, discovering its famous landmarks, museums, and cultural attractions, with plenty of time to see the sights.
Relax and have fun
Our evening activities programme gives students plenty of opportunities to unwind, make new friends, and enjoy life beyond the classroom. From sports and creative workshops to quiz nights, film screenings, and group challenges, there is something to suit every interest. Students can also take part in memorable experiences such as punting along the River Cam. With a varied programme of activities, evenings are a chance to have fun, try something new, and build friendships with students from around the world.
Safe days, settled nights
We understand that sending your child abroad is a big decision, which is why their safety and wellbeing are at the heart of everything we do. Our dedicated residential staff provide 24/7 on-site pastoral support, with a staff-to-student ratio of 1:6 to ensure every student receives the care and attention they need. All residential staff are fully trained and DBS-checked, creating a safe, welcoming environment where students can settle in, make friends, and enjoy their summer.
One summer, a lifetime of learning ahead
What Your Child Takes Away
After your child’s programme, they leave with recognition of their achievements and skills that set them up for their next steps.
A certificate recognising that your child has completed the Faculty of Art & Design programme.
A personalised letter acknowledging your child’s participation and their achievements during the programme.
Students broaden their creative vocabulary and learn to discuss artworks, explain their creative choices, and present their own ideas in English.
By tackling design challenges and creative projects, students gain experience experimenting with ideas, responding to feedback, and working with others. They’ll develop their ability to communicate a creative vision, from the initial concept to the final presentation.
Fees
Day or Residential?
Recommended
Residential
From £4,995
- Full board — all meals & accommodation included
- Multi-activity programme
- Evening activities & excursions
- 24/7 pastoral care
Day
From £3,995
- Same academic programme as residential
- Lunch & evening meals
- Activities and excursions
- Return home in the evening
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FAQs
Of course. Just fill out our enquiry form and a member of our admissions team will get back to you as soon as possible.
No prior study is required. Students should have an interest in the subject area but the course is designed to be flexible to different levels of knowledge and experience.
All workshop and project resources are provided. Students can choose to bring standard study items such as pens, notebooks, and a laptop or tablet for project work.
Yes. The programme includes simulations and hands-on workshops where you’ll try out tasks and challenges.
Although we cover lots content, our teachers are skilled at adapting the level of difficulty according to each student’s comfort with English and ability to absorb new information.
An intermediate level (B1) or above is recommended in order to participate effectively in this summer school.
All our residential staff are DBS-checked and trained. We have a high staff-to-student ratio and we offer 24/7 pastoral support.
No. This programme is designed and delivered by Summer Boarding Courses, which is part of Dukes Plus. Summer Boarding Courses contracts the use of these facilities and has no formal connection with the University of Cambridge or its colleges, and they do not deliver, partner in, or endorse our programmes.
Have a Question?
Fill out the form and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible.