The Reach Cambridge Program - Should You Apply?

If you’re a high school student looking to pursue academics outside the classroom and dive deeper into subjects, a pre-college program could be a great way to learn more and prepare for higher education. Pre-college programs investigate topics usually not covered in school, giving you new insights into subjects and practical experience that can help you make informed career choices. Many such programs take place on college campuses where you receive instruction from renowned faculty and can sample college life. 

What’s more, participating in a pre-college program can significantly enhance your student profile by demonstrating sustained interest in a subject, a trait highly valued by college admissions boards. 

In this blog, we will review the Reach Cambridge Program, including information on what it is about, eligibility, fees, curriculum, coursework, and more. We will also weigh the pros and cons of the program to help you decide whether to apply!!

What is the Reach Cambridge all about?

Reach Cambridge is a pre-college summer program for high school students held in Cambridge, U.K. Here, students can choose between two-, four-, and six-week programs covering STEM, architecture, English literature, international relations, psychology, and many more subjects. Students participating in the program live in Cambridge, U.K., a prestigious university town home to 31 colleges. 

One of the program’s unique selling points is that it welcomes students from around the world, boasting a diverse and global cohort of young learners. Class sizes vary according to the subject but are generally kept small to encourage students to actively participate in group discussions and develop strong connections with their peers.

The program is accredited by the British Accreditation Council, which assesses programs based on nationally determined education standards. The teaching body includes fellows, professors, researchers, post-graduates, and specialists in their field, and the academic staff are working or studying at academic institutions such as Cambridge, Oxford, or London universities.

How is the program structured?

During the summer program, a typical weekday would begin with breakfast and morning classes. You will receive 20 hours of academic tuition per week, attend guest lectures by leading academics on global themes and university life, and participate in practical workshops including leadership, interview skills, and public speaking. Lessons finish in time for lunch, at which point you will be free to explore the city of Cambridge or the campus grounds.

Afternoons and evenings are set aside for engaging activities like sports, painting, photography, or drama, allowing you to connect with your peers, explore diverse cultures, and even prepare an international act for the talent show. During the weekends, you will have the opportunity to discover parts of the UK outside Cambridge through fully guided trips to London, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Ely, and more. 

At the end of the program, there will be a graduation celebration where you’ll receive a course certificate and a course report including a suggested academic reading list for the future.

Who can apply for Reach Cambridge and what’s the application process like?

Reach Cambridge is open to all students globally aged 14-18. There is no minimum grade requirement or any other criteria for admission. Students opting for the English Language course may be asked to sit for a level test. 

To apply, you have to write a personal statement detailing your motivation for the program, academic background, and career goals. In some cases, the admissions board may ask students to submit academic transcripts.  

What are the key dates and application deadlines?

The courses offered have multiple sessions during the summer. The program dates for 2025 are as follows:

• Two-week course: July 6–July 19 | July 20–August 2 | August 3–August 16

• Four-week course: July 6–August 2 |July 20–August 16

• Six-week course: July 6–August 16 

The early bird application deadline is August 31, 2024. No final deadline has been declared yet.

How much does the program cost?

Through the program, you can opt for a two--, four-, or six-week course, letting you study one, two, or three subjects, respectively. The two-week course costs £5,595 (approx. $7,232), four-week £11,695 ($15,116), and the six-week option costs £17,795 ($23,000). This price covers housing, meals, excursions, extra-curricular activities, and travel insurance for international students, among other essentials. The add-on ''Taster Courses'' is priced at £395 ($506) each.

Note: If you apply for the program after August 31, the price increases by £700 ($905) for each course.

Cambridge Reach offers limited scholarships for deserving students to attend the program through its Scholarship Essay Competition. More information on the scholarship will be available in the Fall and can be accessed here.

What can I study at Reach Cambridge?

The program offers 20 subjects to choose from, spanning History, politics, STEM, Geography, Psychology, and other disciplines. Some of them are:

• Architecture: This program introduces students to the main theories of architecture and how this field developed throughout human history. You will learn to sketch, make architectural models, and do other activities that simulate an architect’s profession. The practical component includes walking tours of Cambridge and other nearby U.K. cities to learn about different styles and concepts implemented.

• Biotechnology: Topics covered in this course include genetics, drug resistance, pharmaceutical science, biotechnological devices, and drug design. You will learn how this discipline has the potential to change food production, disease treatment, and medicine manufacturing. Lab work is included in this course, and you will benefit from lectures by professionals and other experts. 

• Computer Science: Through this course, you will develop your coding, programming, and mathematical skills while covering topics like algorithms, computational system design, information and coding theory, and programming language theory. You will also learn about the research and development involved in releasing a new product in the market.

• Engineering: You will gain the fundamental skills and knowledge required by learning about topics like force, pressure, strength, stress, materials, aerodynamics, and fluid mechanics, and their effect on machines and engineering structures. You will undertake projects like building a bridge and assembling electric circuits, giving you hands-on experience and linking theory to practice.

• Global Leadership: This course focuses on essential skills, teaching how to communicate more effectively, create a persuasive argument, prepare for interviews, and express ideas. Students interested in developing community-oriented projects and turning ideas into action should consider opting for this course.

You can access the full list of courses available for the year 2025 here.

You can also opt for “taster courses” that cover topics like economics, robotics, music, and creative writing. These last four to six hours and are additional to your chosen coursework. 

What are the pros and cons of Reach Cambridge?

Now that we know the program’s salient features, let’s dive into why you might want to opt for this program (and why another program may be a better fit for you!):

Pros:

1. You will be part of a truly international cohort

Reach Cambridge prides itself on attracting students from different corners of the world. The cohort is quite diverse: you can expect to study alongside students from the U.S., South Africa, India, Australia, the U.K., Singapore, and many other countries. Sharing life and experiences with them would broaden your worldview.

2. You get to experience life in Cambridge

With its 31 colleges, Cambridge is one of the world’s premier college cities and is renowned for its quality of education. Studying and living here will allow you to have many new life experiences, including sampling college life and living in the U.K. 

3. You can choose to study several interesting courses that will help your academic and personal development

Reach Cambridge offers 20 courses, and you can opt for up to three. These include topics like biotechnology, leadership, STEM, law, literature, SAT prep, psychology, journalism, and more.

Cons:

1. The program is quite expensive

You will pay between $7,000 and $23,000, depending on how many courses you opt for. This cost is especially steep, even when compared to paid programs offered by Ivy League colleges in the U.S. (approximately $5,000–$6,000 for three/four-week programs). Scholarship, while available, is limited. 

2. You do not earn academic credit

None of the programs, except the ENG 4U Canadian Credit, offer academic credits that can be used in high school or college. The ENG 4U credit is only valid for grade 12 English in Canadian high schools, limiting its value. 

3. The program has limited prestige

Considering the cost of the program, there is limited prestige associated with attending it. Selectivity, while not mentioned explicitly, is likely low considering that there is no minimum grade requirement and students only have to submit a statement of purpose. 

Our review — should you apply?

Although the Cambridge Reach Program helps students prepare for life after high school, they are not affiliated with the University of Cambridge, and their focus is not on getting students into the University. Some obvious benefits of Reach Cambridge include its wide catalog of course offerings and the opportunity to immerse yourself in an international setting, learning and sharing life with peers from different countries and cultures. However, the program is expensive and has limited prestige. If you’re an ambitious high school student, it might make more sense to consider other, more rigorous, and selective programs.

One other option - the Lumiere Research Scholar Program

If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, you could also consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.

Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!

Kieran Lobo is a freelance writer from India.