Cambridge University Study Abroad Programs: An Unforgettable Academic and Cultural Experience

Cambridge University, a name synonymous with academic excellence and historical significance, offers a range of study abroad programs that provide students with unique and transformative experiences. Immersing oneself in the rich intellectual atmosphere of Cambridge can be a pivotal moment in a student's academic journey, offering a blend of rigorous study, cultural immersion, and personal growth. These programs are designed to provide students with an unparalleled opportunity to study at one of the world's oldest and most prestigious universities, fostering intellectual curiosity and global awareness.

The Allure of Cambridge

Cambridge, more like a university with a city around it, is a university town with a winding river and leafy green meadows that has been home to prime ministers, writers, and scientists. The buildings have remained unchanged for centuries. Students and scholars cycle along cobblestone paths.

Unrivaled in its reputation for first-class education and scholarship, Cambridge is a remarkable place to live and learn. Studying at the University of Cambridge means attending the alma mater of Newton, Darwin, Byron and many other poets, politicians, and philosophers who’ve illuminated all branches of learning and enterprise.

Despite being in the heart of a busy tourist city, the Pembroke College grounds, with its peaceful open court and beautiful mature gardens, is a haven of calm. Pembroke has common rooms called parlors. The undergraduate Junior Parlor, or JP, is the perfect place to relax, play a little pool, and read on comfy sofas.

Cambridge itself is nestled in the green fields of England, with stone brick pubs and a beautiful river. Studying at Cambridge will be a challenging and invigorating experience in an inspiring environment. Students will be able to explore its many museums and famous historical buildings, and have the opportunity to see a comedy at the Corn Exchange. Aside from the arts, Cambridge takes pride in their football clubs, primarily Cambridge United F.C, as the whole city gathers to cheer on the home team.

Program Highlights and Unique Opportunities

Cambridge’s teaching style includes small groups intensely focused in classroom interaction, discussion, and personalized feedback. Lectures by visiting experts enhance your learning. Outside of class, play croquet and punt on the River Cam or attend film nights, including the open-air Shakespeare festival in the college gardens.

One of the most remarkable opportunities is study abroad at Cambridge University in England as part of Cambridge University’s International Summer Schools.

Students have the unique experience of studying at one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious universities, living on campus, and attending classes taught by Cambridge faculty.

Students become exposed to the British cultural heritage as well as, through informal daily interaction with classmates, to cultures of many different countries in the world. Special events that are part of the Cambridge Summer School experience-evening talks, concerts, plays, readings, social activities, trips-are as enriching as the courses themselves.

Eurocentres Abroad Program

Eurocentres abroad program, for example, helps each student individually by devising a personal plan and setting students’ clear goals in terms of their language development and immersion.

The Institute for Studying Abroad

The Institute for Studying Abroad has a full set of staff that are always willing to help students with anything from travel arrangements to housing conflicts.

Pembroke Summer Programme

The Pembroke Summer Programme provides a rare opportunity to enjoy outstanding small-group teaching in a beautiful and inspiring academic environment. The programme combines the intimacy of College life with the excitement of studying with over three hundred students from all over the world.

Program Structure and Academic Focus

The Cambridge University Program features:A two-week program at Cambridge University, UK, in July or August, depending upon courses chosen.

This two-week program offers courses in five areas:Creative WritingEnglish LiteratureHistoryShakespeareScience

Students choose an area of study, and (with the help of their Rockland mentor) they select specific topic courses. The Cambridge faculty determines reading and discussion topics for each subject class; however, students work with their RCC honors mentor to develop a course of reading and a research project.

Read also: Finding Accommodation in Cambridge

In addition to their classes, students attend daily plenary lectures and evening programs of poetry readings, lectures and concerts, as well as optional weekend excursions from Cambridge.

Required written work includes two summary critiques submitted while in Cambridge, and a research paper to be completed upon return to the US.

Courses Offered

Courses are offered for one or two semester hours credit; students must register for three or four classes (minimum of 5 credit hours; maximum of 7 credit hours). See the class schedule for class meeting times. No classes are scheduled on Friday, but there will be a group excursion to London on one Friday. Examinations will occur at the end of the term. Students are expected to attend all class meetings in the courses in which they are registered and to prepare for class diligently. All courses are graded on the 4.0 grading system used at the University of Mississippi School of Law. Students transferring credits to other law schools will usually find that grades of 2.0 or higher will be accepted for credit, but that the home law school will not average the Cambridge grades as part of the student’s overall GPA.

Course Descriptions

International Law (2 credits), Prof. Federica Paddeu: The basic introductory course in the field-the nature, scope, sources and jurisdiction of international law, the law of treaties, the doctrine of state responsibility, international dispute resolution and other topics.
International Perspectives on Defamation and Privacy Law (2 credits), Prof. Alex Long: This course will explore the common law and statutory rules relevant to defamation and privacy law in the modern age. New technology has also raised a host of new legal issues involving the right to privacy.
Comparative Cine-Law (2 credits), Prof. Ryan Sullivan: This course will offer a comparative exploration of legal concepts and the practice of law through American and international TV and film.
Comparative Employment Discrimination (2 credits), Prof. Blair Druhan Bullock: How do workplace protections against discriminatory behavior vary in different countries? This course will explore that question, surveying laws from throughout the world that protect employees from employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, and other protected categories.
Wrongful Convictions: A Domestic & Comparative Overview (2 credits), Prof. Tucker Carrington: This course will focus on causes of and solutions to wrongful convictions, as well as how wrongful convictions, or claims of post-conviction factual innocence, are conceived of and treated in various places other than the United States’ criminal justice system.
International Advocacy and Dispute Resolution (2 credits), Prof. Brendan Plant: This course aims to survey several of the most important methods available for settling international disputes today and to identify commonalities and differences in their procedures, substance, emphasis and effectiveness.
Law and Literature (1 credit), Prof. Will Berry: This is a course about the stories we tell at the intersection of law and literature. How do stories about law translate into fiction? How does our understanding of fiction shape our law? The focus of the class is primarily on cases and short stories related to criminal law, sports law, law and society, and the rule of law.

Faculty and Mentorship

Students meet with their Westchester Community College Faculty mentor prior to departure to outline their program of study at Cambridge. While students are at Cambridge, they continue meeting regularly with their Westchester Community College mentor (in person or on line) to address questions regarding the program, reflect on their cultural experience, and review their writing projects.

Current University of Cambridge students serve as Programme Assistants (PAs) to make you feel at home and help you get to know other students. Join the PAs for film nights, outings to local cafes, classic Cambridge sports such as croquet and punting, and more.

He and the Downing staff will be available to assist students with school-related or personal needs. The Head Porter and his staff in the Porters’ Lodge can usually resolve most day-to-day problems.

Accommodation and Living Arrangements

Your home for the Cambridge Summer Session will be in Downing College accommodations. You will have a private room with bathroom facilities shared with another student. Towels and linens are provided by the college, as are housekeeping services during the week.

Room and partial board at Downing is a package arrangement. It includes breakfast and lunch, Monday through Thursday during the program, as well as a reception on the first night of the program, and the semi-formal Final Dinner. It is not possible to obtain only a room or only partial board. All students are expected to live in Downing College, absent documented extenuating circumstances.

Costs and Financial Considerations

The anticipated cost of the 2026 Cambridge Programme is approximately $7000. This is an estimated cost subject to change. Program cost includes tuition (Cambridge and RCC); single dorm room; full breakfast and dinner; evening lectures, poetry readings, events. Courses and costs for summer are announced.

Consider these prices as a starting point.

Although Cambridge is an expensive city, it is not quite as expensive as London, so it is definitely a good option for students looking to study abroad in the UK. Luckily, Cambridge is one of the most walking friendly cities and almost anywhere can be reached by foot. This is great news for those trying to save money because transportation in Cambridge will not break the bank. Dining in Cambridge is somewhat expensive, but cheaper options do exist!

Cultural Immersion and Extracurricular Activities

Because of the wide variety of sights that Cambridge has to offer, students should have no trouble getting a feel for the English culture. Take a visit to King’s College Chapel, said to be one of the most recognizable symbols of the city. This huge chapel is built out of stone laid by Henry VI himself. Another place that is sure to impress the history buff is Fitzwilliam Museum. Because academics are such a huge part of the culture in Cambridge, abroad students must pay a visit to both Trinity College, the largest college in Cambridge, and of course the University of Cambridge. Another thing that abroad students in Cambridge must do is go punting on the River Cam. This is a great way to relax and explore the city with a view from the river. If you’re interested in touring the inner streets of the city, take a double-decker red Cambridge tour bus.

An amazing place to go to study, or even just relax, is the Cambridge University Botanical Gardens. With over 40 acres of beautiful gardens and glasshouses, it is the perfect place to get lost for the day. A great free thing to do is have a picnic at Mill Pond. Mill Pond is located at the bottom of Mill Lane and has a beautiful view of the river, so students will be able to watch punting while they dine. Visit Market Square to shop for anything from soap to fresh produce. On Sundays, Market square even features an arts and crafts market as well as food being sold at local farmers market stands.

Optional field trips and activities to introduce the local culture are available through your host university.

Application and Preparation

Once you’ve applied for a program, I’ll be your direct point of contact. From housing to course registration and everything in between, I’m here to help you prepare to study abroad. Once you’re accepted to your program, you’ll find even more detailed information about what you need to know before you depart in your Predeparture Guide.

This academic reference should be given to a professor who has been your teacher and knows you well enough to judge your academic qualifications for study abroad.

Health and Safety

With 75 years of experience, we are proud to set the standard for health and safety in study abroad. Our Chicago-based and on-site staff are all highly trained and experienced in the matters of health, safety, and crisis management. We are here for you from predeparture to your return, and are ready to support you-no matter which time zone you’re in. We plan for "what ifs" so that you don’t have to.

The facilities at Downing College, and in many parts of the city of Cambridge present some difficulties for persons with certain disabilities. For instance, many places can be reached only by narrow stairways.

Professional Enrichment

Whether you are looking for an exciting change of pace after your first or second year of law school or you are considering a career in international practice, the Cambridge Summer Session may be the experience place for you.

Our summer classes are taught by law faculty from Downing College, Cambridge; Queens’ College, Cambridge; the University of Mississippi School of Law, the University of Arkansas School of Law; the University of Nebraska College of Law; and the University of Tennessee, Winston College of Law. Outside the classroom, students can learn first-hand about the English legal system. Each summer, the program takes a day-long excursion to London to visit the Royal Courts of Justice and the Middle Temple Inn of Court.

The Cambridge Experience: A Transformative Journey

Studying abroad at Cambridge was the best opportunity I've ever seized. I genuinely believe this experience was my life's most extraordinary and transformative adventure. While it did get tough academically, with challenging topics and lectures (and countless hours of revising), those moments really challenged me, pushing me to manage my time and think critically. In the end, it was very rewarding.

"The University of Cambridge offered a fantastic opportunity for study abroad. It was an educational experience I will never forget, filled with studying from renowned academics, taking in a variety of plenary talks, and discovering England's depths with new friends from all over the world. "Studying at Cambridge for two weeks allowed me the opportunity to explore a new culture and environment while also being able to pursue my academic passions! Having a chance to visit attractions such as Windsor Castle, Big Ben, and Stonehenge while also meeting diverse groups of fellow students is an opportunity I'll always cherish.

I didn’t expected my study abroad experience to go as beautifully as it did. I talk often on how studying abroad at Cambridge had always been a dream of mine but never did I realize how amazing it was to fulfil a lifelong dream. I can honestly say these two months were filled with some of the best moments I’ve ever had. Cambridge is really one of the most beautiful places I have ever been so lucky to visit. The university is divided into 31 different colleges, built over the course of many centuries. Going to UCLA, I’ve been used to having classes of over four hundred students. Because of this, the professor-student relationship is quite obsolete. At Cambridge, class sizes were between twenty to thirty students. The respective class seminar-small group discussions-were between ten and fifteen. This meant that the professor (who often ask to be called by the first name here) was much more engaged with the students. Even in the three-week courses, my professors learned every student’s name. I loved the wide variety of class option, one of the main reasons I chose the program in the first place. Not only that, the professors were fantastic at teaching an entire course in such a short amount of time. Just the general aura of Cambridge was something special. Perhaps it was my own excitement and joy to be there, but I felt the people I encountered to be extremely friendly- more so than in the United States. The PA’s (program assistants) provided a multitude of activities for us to take part in. From hikes to coffee tours to visiting different cities, I really appreciated all that was offered. At the beginning of the week, a list was sent out of all the events being offered that week. This was definitely the best part of the program. People from all over the world attended PKP, making it a worldly experience like no other. All in all, this program was the trip of a lifetime. I’m so grateful to have had this opportunity. If you get the chance, study abroad.

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