Chemistry Summer Courses in Cambridge
Explore the substances that make up the world around us, investigate how and why chemical reactions occur, and develop your ability to approach scientific problems with Atlas Summer Courses. Our two-week Chemistry summer courses in Cambridge, available for students aged 13–15 and 16–17, give you the opportunity to explore chemistry beyond your usual studies while developing your scientific reasoning, analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Through small-group teaching and independent study, you'll investigate chemical concepts, examine evidence and become more confident applying scientific reasoning to unfamiliar questions while enjoying the wider experience of spending your summer in Cambridge with Atlas Summer Courses.
What's Included?
Your residential Chemistry summer course in Cambridge includes academic teaching, accommodation, meals, a certificate on completion, airport transfer and insurance.
Choose from Plus, Superior and Premier packages, with accommodation and additional benefits varying by package.
Study Chemistry in Cambridge
Our Chemistry summer courses in Cambridge give students aged 13–15 and 16–17 the opportunity to spend two weeks exploring matter, chemical reactions and the principles that explain how substances behave as part of an Atlas Summer Courses summer experience.
Chemistry investigates matter at the atomic and molecular level, helping us understand why substances have particular properties, how they interact and what happens when chemical reactions take place. Its ideas connect to fields ranging from medicine and materials science to energy, engineering and environmental science.
Across the course, you'll be encouraged to move beyond simply remembering chemical facts and equations. You'll consider the principles behind chemical behaviour, examine evidence and use scientific reasoning to explain observations and approach unfamiliar problems.
Outside your academic sessions, you'll experience the wider programme alongside other students, with time to enjoy Cambridge and take part in the social and cultural elements of your Atlas Summer Courses summer.
What Will You Study on a Chemistry Summer Course in Cambridge?
There is no prescribed syllabus that every student follows. Atlas Summer Courses tutors create their own syllabi, drawing on their expertise while taking the interests, abilities and learning needs of their students into account.
Depending on your tutor, group and age range, you could explore different areas of chemistry, potentially drawing on concepts from organic, inorganic and physical chemistry.
You might consider questions such as:
- How does atomic structure influence the properties of elements?
- Why do atoms form different types of chemical bonds?
- What determines how substances react with one another?
- How can chemists predict and explain the products of chemical reactions?
- What factors can influence the rate of a reaction?
- How can energy be transferred during chemical reactions?
- How can chemical principles help us understand challenges in areas such as medicine, materials or the environment?
The depth and approach will reflect the age group you're studying with, as well as your tutor's academic expertise and the interests of the group. Any syllabus shown on our website is an example from a previous course rather than a guarantee of the exact chemical concepts, reactions or topics you'll study.
How You'll Learn on Your Chemistry Course
How you'll study Chemistry depends on your age group, with each course with Atlas Summer Courses designed to provide an appropriate level of academic challenge and independence.
Ages 13–15
24 hours of small-group seminars
You'll take part in eight seminars where you'll explore Chemistry through interactive discussions, scientific problems, case studies and activities. You'll be encouraged to examine evidence, make connections between chemical concepts and explain the reasoning behind your conclusions.
12 hours of private study
You'll complete a small amount of work for each seminar. Depending on the course, this might involve solving chemistry problems, researching a scientific question, interpreting information or preparing work to discuss with your group. There will be opportunities to work independently as well as collaboratively with your peers.
Ages 16–17
18 hours of small-group seminars
You'll take part in six three-hour seminars, exploring chemical principles and problems through discussion, scientific research, problem-solving and other academic activities.
2 hours of tutorials
You'll have one tutorial each week, usually with your tutor and one other student. Tutorials provide a focused opportunity to discuss the essay, problem sheet or other academic work you've been completing, explain and defend your scientific reasoning and receive detailed feedback.
Around 20 hours of private study
You'll complete reading and preparation for seminars and work independently on an essay, problem sheet or other academic work for each tutorial.
Across both age groups, you'll be encouraged to participate actively, examine scientific evidence critically and become more confident applying chemical principles to unfamiliar questions.
Your Summer Experience in Cambridge
Your time with Atlas Summer Courses extends beyond your Chemistry course.
You'll spend two weeks living and learning alongside other students, combining your academic programme with the wider social and cultural elements of the summer experience.
Outside your academic sessions, you'll have opportunities to spend time with other students, enjoy Cambridge and take part in the activities and experiences included within your programme.
Accommodation and additional programme benefits vary according to the package you choose, so you can compare the available options before applying.
Explore the summer experience in Cambridge.
Who Are Our Chemistry Summer Courses in Cambridge For?
Our Chemistry summer courses in Cambridge are designed for students aged 13–15 and 16–17 who are curious about the substances that make up the world and want to understand more about how and why chemical processes occur.
The course may particularly appeal to you if you enjoy Chemistry and other sciences, like solving problems, are interested in understanding phenomena at an atomic and molecular level or want to explore scientific questions beyond those you usually encounter at school.
You don't need to know which area of Chemistry interests you most. The course gives you the opportunity to encounter different chemical ideas and discover the types of questions and problems you find most engaging.
You'll develop transferable skills including scientific reasoning, analytical thinking, interpreting evidence, quantitative problem-solving, independent study and communicating scientific ideas clearly.
Learn from Expert Tutors
Atlas Summer Courses tutors are experienced educators and subject specialists active across academia, research, industry and education.
They bring their own academic expertise and interests into their teaching and have the freedom to shape their syllabus around both their specialism and the students in their group. This means different Chemistry summer courses in Cambridge may explore different chemical concepts, scientific questions and approaches to problem-solving.
Tutors are confirmed closer to the summer, so profiles on our website are examples of tutors who have previously taught with us rather than confirmation of who will teach your course.
Where Can Chemistry Take You?
Chemistry develops the ability to understand processes at an atomic and molecular level, analyse scientific evidence and approach complex problems systematically.
Students interested in Chemistry may go on to study the subject itself or related areas such as medicine, biochemistry, pharmacology, chemical engineering, materials science, environmental science or other natural sciences.
The scientific, quantitative and analytical skills associated with Chemistry can also support future paths across pharmaceuticals, healthcare, biotechnology, energy, materials, environmental research, engineering and other science-related fields.
A Chemistry summer course in Cambridge gives you the opportunity to explore the subject before making longer-term academic decisions and discover which areas of chemistry interest you most.
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FAQs about Our Cambridge Courses
Atlas Summer Courses offers a range of summer courses in Cambridge across subjects including sciences, medicine, technology, humanities, social sciences, business and creative disciplines. Course availability varies by age group and dates, so students can explore the subjects available for their age when choosing what to study.
Our summer courses in Cambridge are available across age groups including 13–15, 16–17 and, for selected subjects, 18–24. The academic approach varies according to age, giving students an appropriate balance of small-group teaching, independent study and academic challenge.
Our residential summer courses in Cambridge combine academic teaching with accommodation, meals and a wider programme of social and cultural experiences. Exact inclusions and accommodation vary by package, allowing students and families to compare the available options before applying.
No. Atlas Summer Courses is an independent summer course provider and is not part of, affiliated with or endorsed by the University of Cambridge. Our summer courses in Cambridge are organised and delivered by Atlas Programmes, with the focus on our academic courses and the wider Atlas Programmes summer experience.
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