MascotGO Blog: A Summer College Tour at Cambridge University

Timeless Colleges, Global Connections, Unforgettable Learning

Students praise Cambridge’s blend of centuries-old tradition and cosmopolitan vibrancy, noting how its collegiate system fosters tight-knit communities within a globally renowned research powerhouse. Many compare Cambridge’s lived history to Oxford’s Gothic spires, yet emphasize Cambridge’s riverside charm and entrepreneurial energy.

The International Summer College Programme offers in-person courses as personalized experience over one to four weeks as standout entry point for prospective students. With many week-long courses spanning everything from Global Leadership to Quantum Foundations, visiting students appreciate small-group tutorials led by Cambridge Fellows—the same format beloved by full-time undergraduates. Compared with Harvard’s House system or Stanford’s quarter-long sessions, Cambridge packs intensive, interactive learning into compact summer modules.

Cambridge University is the 3rd oldest university in the world

Cambridge’s historic architecture and waterfront setting on the River Cam emerge as major draws. Prospective visitors rave about punting tours through the Backs (the row of college gardens backing the river), walking under the Bridge of Sighs, and exploring the 12th-century Great St Mary’s tower for panoramic views. While Oxford touts its dreaming spires, students say Cambridge’s verdant quads and riverside colleges “feel more alive” during summer events and open-day festivities.

St. John's College, Trinity College, Kings College and Fitzwilliam Museum

Global networking opportunities stand out. Summer Tour attendees come from 80+ countries, creating cross-cultural study groups and lifelong connections. Many note that informal “formal halls” (evening college dinners in gowns) foster conversation with visiting scholars, European Erasmus students, and participants from Asia and Latin America—all within a single dining hall. In contrast, summer offerings at MIT or Imperial College are seen as more technocentric, whereas Cambridge’s mix of humanities, sciences, and social sciences attracts a broader international cohort.

Cambridge’s city-wide cultural scene further amplifies its appeal. Beyond campus, students explore the Fitzwilliam Museum’s art collections, catch Shakespeare performances at the Cambridge Arts Theatre, or join river-bank sunset concerts. Compared with other tour destinations—like New Haven’s Yale or Berkeley’s California Summer Sessions—students say Cambridge offers a uniquely compact “town-and-gown” adventure under one historic skyline.

Many prospective undergraduates use the summer tour as a proving ground before applying. They value early exposure to Bow and Stern time management, supervisions, and college rivalries (e.g., the annual May Bumps races) as a way to gauge fit. Students report that after a week in Cambridge’s authentic academic setting, they feel better prepared to choose between Cambridge, Oxford, and other global elites.

Whether you’re drawn by ivy-clad courtyards, world-class lecturers, or a summer immersed in global student life, Cambridge’s summer program continues to set the gold standard for honoring tradition while inspiring tomorrow’s leaders.

Literary Locations in Cambridge, Museums in Cambridge and a Sculpture Tour of Cambridge