Physics Summer Courses in Cambridge
Explore the fundamental principles that govern the universe, investigate how matter, energy and forces interact, and develop your scientific problem-solving skills with Atlas Summer Courses. Our two-week Physics summer courses in Cambridge, available for students aged 13–15 and 16–17, give you the opportunity to explore physics beyond your usual studies while developing your mathematical reasoning, analytical thinking and ability to approach challenging scientific problems.
Through small-group teaching and independent study, you'll investigate physical principles, tackle problems 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 Physics 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 Physics in Cambridge
Our Physics summer courses in Cambridge give students aged 13–15 and 16–17 the opportunity to spend two weeks exploring the principles that help us understand the physical world as part of an Atlas Summer Courses summer experience.
Physics seeks to explain how the universe behaves, from the motion of everyday objects to phenomena occurring at extremely small and vast scales. It combines observation, experimentation, mathematics and theoretical thinking to investigate patterns and develop models of how physical systems work.
Across the course, you'll be encouraged to look beyond simply applying equations. You'll consider why physical relationships work as they do, how mathematical models can represent real phenomena and how evidence can be used to test scientific explanations.
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 Physics 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 physics, from mechanics and energy to waves, electricity, matter or ideas from modern physics.
You might consider questions such as:
- How can forces explain and predict the motion of objects?
- How do energy and momentum help us understand physical systems?
- How can mathematics be used to describe the physical world?
- What can waves tell us about phenomena such as light and sound?
- How do scientists develop and test models of physical systems?
- What happens when observations don't match our predictions?
- How can physics help us investigate phenomena at scales far beyond everyday experience?
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 areas, theories or topics you'll study.
How You'll Learn on Your Physics Course
How you'll study Physics 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 physical principles through interactive discussions, problems, case studies and activities. You'll be encouraged to make predictions, apply mathematical and scientific reasoning and consider different approaches to solving unfamiliar problems.
12 hours of private study
You'll complete a small amount of work for each seminar. Depending on the course, this might involve solving physics problems, reading about a scientific concept, researching a question or preparing a presentation. 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 physical principles and challenging problems through discussion, mathematical reasoning 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 problem sheet or other academic work you've been completing, explain and defend your approach and receive detailed feedback.
Around 20 hours of private study
You'll complete reading and preparation for seminars and work independently on problem sheets or other academic work for each tutorial.
Across both age groups, you'll be encouraged to participate actively, question assumptions and become more confident using mathematical and scientific reasoning to approach physics problems.
Your Summer Experience in Cambridge
Your time with Atlas Summer Courses extends beyond your Physics 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 Physics Summer Courses in Cambridge For?
Our Physics summer courses in Cambridge are designed for students aged 13–15 and 16–17 who are curious about how the physical world works and want to explore scientific ideas in greater depth.
The course may particularly appeal to you if you enjoy Physics and Mathematics, like solving challenging problems, are curious about how scientific theories explain observable phenomena or are considering studying Physics, Engineering or another STEM subject in the future.
You don't need to know which area of physics interests you most before joining. The course gives you the opportunity to encounter different ideas and discover the questions and areas of the subject that most capture your interest.
You'll develop transferable skills including mathematical reasoning, scientific thinking, analytical problem-solving, interpreting evidence, independent study and communicating technical 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 Physics summer courses in Cambridge may explore different physical principles, theories and approaches to scientific 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 Physics Take You?
Physics develops the ability to use mathematical and scientific reasoning to understand complex systems, analyse evidence and solve challenging problems.
Students interested in Physics may go on to study the subject itself or related areas such as engineering, astrophysics, mathematics, computer science, materials science or other STEM disciplines.
The quantitative, analytical and problem-solving skills associated with Physics can also support future paths across engineering, technology, energy, research, data science, computing and many other scientific and technical fields.
A Physics summer course in Cambridge gives you the opportunity to explore the subject before making longer-term academic decisions and discover which areas of physics 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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Choose from over 40 subjects taught through flexible, age-appropriate programmes. Our tutors adapt their teaching methodologies to different age groups and shape course content around students’ interests, rather than following a fixed curriculum.
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