A close up of the facade of a Cambridge college.

Applying

How to apply

Before applying, please ensure that you have read the programme requirements (including who can apply, English language requirements and visa guidance) and that you have understood our terms and conditions. Please also ensure that your application is completed in English.

To apply online and pay by credit or debit card, use our secure online booking system, which will open once the programme launches. There you can set up an account using your email address and will be taken through the application process step by step. 

If your preferred courses are full at the time of applying you can add yourself to a waiting list and must select a second choice. You will be notified, by email, if a place becomes available. We recommend that you apply early to avoid missing out.

As part of the application process, you will need to submit a recent colour photograph of yourself (head and shoulders only). For example, a passport photo where you are facing forwards, looking straight at the camera would be suitable. This is for office use only and is not shared elsewhere.

Application deadline

Applications will be accepted until 2 weeks before the start of the International Summer Programme.

What happens after you apply?

Once you have completed your online application you will receive:

an email to acknowledge that your application has been submitted (NB: this is not confirmation of acceptance onto the International Summer Programme)
a payment receipt email to confirm your registration fee has been received (15% of your fee or closer to 16% if you are attending for multiple weeks)

If you meet all of the requirements and have provided all of the relevant information your application will be processed and accepted.

NB: If you are applying via your University or Institution, please liaise with your group contact. We will check names and payment details against the list provided by your group contact.

If your application is incomplete (e.g. missing information about your language proficiency) you will receive an email from the team requesting this information, and your application will be held as 'submitted' until this is received.

Once your application has been accepted you will receive:

an email to confirm your place on the International Summer Programme
an email containing a PDF of your acceptance letter including allocated courses and accommodation if applicable. This letter can be used as supporting documentation for visa applications

You will also be emailed login details for the VLE (from February onwards), where you can access the Student Handbook, Course Materials and resources and information about your College accommodation.

What happens if I haven't received the above emails?

Some emails sent from our office and booking system are occasionally redirected to junk or spam folders. Please ensure that you check these folders regularly once you have applied.

Balance of payment deadline

The balance of payment date for the International Summer Programme is due 8 weeks before the start of the International Summer Programme. If the full fee is not paid by this date the University reserves the right to cancel your application and allocate places to those who may be on waiting lists for courses.

Guidance on requirements

To ensure that all learners can enjoy studying with us, you will need to be confident understanding and following discussions presented in written and spoken English at University level. You will also need to demonstrate an appropriate level of English language proficiency.

If English is not your first (native) language, you will need to meet our English language requirements, by providing evidence of one of the following tests. These results should have been achieved in the same sitting, and no more than 4 years before the date of your application.

If you have already attended the University of Cambridge International Summer Programme(s) you are deemed to have already met this requirement and will not need to provide further proof of English language proficiency.

Qualification	Required Score
IELTS (Academic), IELTS for UKVI Academic or IELTS Indicator	Minimum overall band score of 6.5 or above, with no less than 6.0 in a maximum of one of the four components
C1 Advanced CAE (Cambridge English Advanced)	Overall score of 180, with no element lower than 176 Grade A or B or 176 points overall on the Cambridge English Scale
C2 Proficiency CPE (Cambridge English Proficiency)	Overall score of 200, with no element lower than 185 Grade C or above or 200 points overall on the Cambridge English Scale
TOEFL iBT or TOEFL Home Edition	Overall score of 92 (with no individual element below 22)

If you have 'narrowly missed' the minimum required levels in one of the accepted English Language tests you will be offered a video call with one of our team to determine whether your language level is sufficient.

If you have undertaken all or part of your education in English and/or have extensive experience using English on a regular basis in your professional life you might be eligible to apply for the programme without the above tests. Please provide evidence to support this: an employer recommendation or reference, your CV, a link to your LinkedIn page, an article or website that shows your work.

It’s important you are aware of immigration requirements to study on the International Summer Programme. In line with Home Office policy, the University will be required to confirm you have the correct immigration permission to study in the UK at the start of the International Summer Programme.

Please read this section even if you have attended the International Summer Programmes for a number of years.

If you already have immigration permission in the UK, please inform us so we are able to confirm whether this allows you to study on the International Summer Programme.

Visitor route

If you do not already hold immigration permission in the UK that permits study, you may enter the UK as a visitor in order to attend the International Summer Programme.

As status as a visitor in the UK has the following restrictions:

You cannot take employment in the UK (including part-time or full-time vacation employment);
You cannot undertake a work placement/internship (paid/unpaid) as part of the course of study;
You cannot work on a self-employed basis in the UK or be involved in business activities;
You cannot extend your stay in the UK;
You must demonstrate you have the funds to support yourself during your studies in the UK.

Applying for a visitor visa

Whether you need to apply for this visa in advance (prior to travelling to the UK) or whether you can request entry as a visitor at immigration control on arrival in the UK depends on your nationality.

Visa nationals

Students from certain countries, i.e. visa nationals, are required to apply for, and obtain, a visitor visa before travelling to the UK. The list of visa nationals is outlined in the Immigration Rules.

Information on the application, including the required supporting documents, is outlined on the Home Office website.

The visa letter issued by the University of Cambridge Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) should be submitted as a supporting document with the application.

A standard visitor visa is usually granted for 6 months.

Non-visa nationals

If your country is not included on the list of visa nationals, you are not required to apply for a visa in advance of travelling to the UK but will need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) prior to travelling to the UK. The government has produced a YouTube video on how to apply for an ETA. The cost is £16.

You may need to explain to a Border Force Officer the reasons for your stay in the UK and provide the acceptance letter issued by us. You will receive an entry stamp in your passport to reflect your visitor permission.

Students from the EEA, Switzerland, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and the USA can use the eGates on arrival in the UK and have automatic entry as a visitor if they do not already hold alternative UK immigration permission.

If you use the eGates you will not need to speak to Border Force or receive a stamp in your passport. You will be required to provide evidence of date of entry to the UK (eg your boarding pass or flight ticket) on the registration day in order to verify your immigration status before commencing your studies.

Further guidance

For further information on using the visitor route for short periods of study, visit the International Student Office website.

Queries should be directed to us in the first instance via our Contact us form, but we may refer your query to the International Student Office if specific advice is required.