Pre-University Computer Science (Session 2) — 2026
13-17 July 2026
Historical course dates for reference.
In-person Program
Computer Science Summer School
Study Python, programming principles and computational problem solving through university-style lectures, tutorials and group work at King’s College London.
Last verified: 9 Oct 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens
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Computer Science Summer School at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility
Current status
Upcoming
Eligibility
Final three high school years
Age range / Year group
Ages 16-17
Location / Region
London, United Kingdom
Cost
£3,295; £4,095
Duration
1 week
Format
In-person
Language: English
Accommodation: Single en-suite university rooms
Meals: Residential breakfast and dinner
Certificate / Outcome: Certificate of Completion
Campus experience: Libraries, classrooms and social activities
Tutors / faculty: King’s academics
Academic credit: Not for credit
Daytime staff support: Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Computer Science Summer School summary
King’s offers a condensed introduction to first-year undergraduate Computer Science, combining Python-based practical work with programming theory.
Expect lectures, embedded tutorials, interactive activities, small group projects and peer assessment, alongside independent research and an assignment response.
It suits students who want to test their interest in university-level computing and experience an academic campus environment.
What is Computer Science Summer School?
The Computer Science Summer School is King’s College London’s Pre-University Computer Science course, designed to recreate a condensed first-year undergraduate module. It explores programming principles, program design and efficiency through Python, with an emphasis on both theoretical understanding and practical skills.
King’s academics lead lectures with embedded tutorials, interactive activities and small group projects. Students apply computational reasoning, undertake independent research and complete assignments while experiencing the university’s academic and social environment.
Why Succeed highlights Computer Science Summer School
The first-year undergraduate focus gives students a concrete way to test whether university-level computing appeals to them.
Python provides a common thread between programming theory and practical problem solving.
Group projects and peer assessment broaden the experience beyond listening to lectures.
Independent research and tutor feedback introduce the expectations of university-style assignments.
Residential and non-residential options let families choose how much campus living to include.
Who is Computer Science Summer School for?
Best for
Students who want to explore programming theory and Python through a demanding university-style experience.
Not ideal if
You mainly want a relaxed coding holiday or a credit-bearing course, or need continuous individual supervision.
Is Computer Science Summer School worth it?
This course can be worthwhile if your main goal is to understand how Computer Science is taught at university. The combination of programming principles, Python, research and group work offers several ways to test your interest and identify areas to study further.
The fee is substantial for a short course, so the value depends on how much you want the teaching and campus experience. It is not credit-bearing, and a condensed module cannot provide the depth of a sustained course or long-term project.
A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.
Cost and what is included
£3,295; £4,095; includes Academic tuition and course materials, On-campus Wi-Fi, Campus libraries, classrooms and catering facilities, Academic and extracurricular activities, Dedicated academic-day staff support, Certificate of Participation on completion, Residential package: single en-suite room, linen and towels, Residential package: breakfast and dinner, Residential package: accommodation Wi-Fi and 24-hour staff support, Residential package: social activities excluding travel.
Accommodation
Single en-suite university rooms
Meals
Residential breakfast and dinner
Supervision or safety information
It includes a single en-suite room at Stamford Street Apartments, breakfast and dinner, tuition, materials, Wi-Fi, social activities excluding travel, and 24-hour staff support and supervision.
Provider details
Review the King's College London provider page and official sources before making a final decision.
Dates and logistics
1 week; London, United Kingdom.
What to check before committing
Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.
Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.
Compare with similar programsHow much preparation does Computer Science Summer School need?
Effort level
High for a short academic course.
Best started
Begin document preparation four to six weeks before applications open; allow longer for international travel planning.
Main challenge
Connecting programming theory with practical computational problems.
Typical preparation
Gather your recent grades and accepted English-language evidence.
Draft a personal statement explaining why Computer Science interests you.
Review basic Python concepts as optional preparation for the course’s programming focus.
Discuss accommodation, budgeting and independent-time expectations with your parent or guardian.
Useful if
You want to assess your readiness and enthusiasm for university-level computing.
What do students do on Computer Science Summer School?
You explore programming principles and computational reasoning through a mix of lectures, tutorials and practical activities. Group work, peer assessment and an independent-research assignment help you experience several aspects of undergraduate study.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Attend the welcome session and learn the campus expectations.
- 2
Study programming principles, program design and efficiency through Python-based teaching.
- 3
Apply algorithmic, mathematical and scientific reasoning to computational problems.
- 4
Take part in interactive activities, small group projects and peer assessment.
- 5
Conduct independent research and produce a structured response to an assignment brief.
- 6
Complete the required work and meet attendance requirements for certification.
Computer Science Summer School dates and deadlines
Past
Pre-University Computer Science (Session 2) — 2027
12-16 July 2027
One-week Computer Science course.
Applications open
9 November 2026
Opening date for the 2027 summer-school cycle.
Early-booking discount
29 January 2027
Application cutoff for the reduced one-course fee; this is not an admission deadline.
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Pre-University Computer Science (Session 2) — 2026 | 13-17 July 2026 | Local | Past | |
Pre-University Computer Science (Session 2) — 2027 | 12-16 July 2027 | Local | Upcoming | |
Applications open | 9 November 2026 | Local | Upcoming | |
Early-booking discount | 29 January 2027 | Local | Upcoming |
Eligibility and requirements
Remain aged 16 or 17 throughout the course and residential stay.
Be entering or enrolled in the final three high school years.
Demonstrate academic motivation, independence and maturity.
Have CEFR B2 English or equivalent.
Provide recent high school grades and a personal statement.
Provide English proficiency evidence when required.
Obtain parent or legal guardian permission.
How much does Computer Science Summer School cost?
2027 tuition-only fee
£3,295 — One Computer Science course.
Funding or discounts
- 2027 residential package: £4,095 — One course with accommodation and residential inclusions.
- Application fee: £65 — Separate, non-refundable processing fee.
- Early-booking tuition: £3,195 — For applications made by 29 January 2027.
- Early-booking residential package: £3,995 — For applications made by 29 January 2027.
What's included
Academic tuition and course materials, On-campus Wi-Fi, Campus libraries, classrooms and catering facilities, Academic and extracurricular activities, Dedicated academic-day staff support, Certificate of Participation on completion, Residential package: single en-suite room, linen and towels, Residential package: breakfast and dinner, Residential package: accommodation Wi-Fi and 24-hour staff support, Residential package: social activities excluding travel
How to apply to Computer Science Summer School
- 1
Complete your personal details in the Pre-University application form.
- 2
Ask your parent or legal guardian to complete their required sections.
- 3
Select Computer Science in Session 2 and choose whether to book accommodation.
- 4
Upload your personal statement, recent grades and required English-language evidence.
- 5
Pay the £65 application fee and enter the payment reference.
- 6
Review and submit the completed application.
- 7
If offered a place, pay the course fee to confirm it.
Next step with Succeed
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What does Computer Science Summer School cover?
The program covers the following focus areas.
Programming principles
Study major programming principles through a course based on Python.
Program design and efficiency
Explore how programs are designed and how their efficiency is considered.
Computational problem solving
Apply algorithmic, mathematical and scientific reasoning to computational problems.
Independent research
Research a given topic and produce a structured, well-supported assignment response.
Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.
What is a typical day on Computer Science Summer School?
A typical day during the program.
Monday academic day
The example week begins with a welcome and academic activities.
Tuesday Friday academic days
The example timetable reserves these daytime blocks for academic activities.
Monday Wednesday evenings
Previous choices included walking tours, a theater trip, London sightseeing and chill time.
Thursday Friday evenings
The example includes a Thursday social event and Friday Leicester Square exploration or chill time.
Who teaches on Computer Science Summer School?
King’s academics lead the Computer Science course through lectures, embedded tutorials, interactive activities and small group projects. Tutors provide feedback on university-style assignments to help students recognize strengths and areas for improvement.
Where do students stay on Computer Science Summer School?
Residential plan
- Single en-suite rooms: Stamford Street Apartments provides dedicated Pre-University rooms with showers, linen and towels.
- Breakfast and dinner: Both meals are included in the residential package.
- Residential staff support: Dedicated Summer Assistants provide 24-hour support and supervision in the residence.
Non-residential plan
- Sunday arrival: Students can check into their rooms on the Sunday before the course starts.
- Day-student option: Students can book tuition without the residential package.
- Extracurricular participation: Non-residential students can join the summer school’s social activities.
- Campus facilities: Tuition includes access to libraries, classrooms, catering facilities and on-campus Wi-Fi.
King’s expects independent, mature students; scheduled independent time is not continuously supervised.
What happens after Computer Science Summer School?
After completing this program, participants often pursue:
Experience learning activities typical of first-year undergraduate study.
Build knowledge of core Computer Science topics.
Produce a structured independent-research assignment response.
Develop computational reasoning and critical analysis.
Earn a Certificate of Completion by meeting assignment and attendance requirements.
The course is not for academic credit.
Where does Computer Science Summer School take place?
The summer school takes place at King’s College London in central London, with residential accommodation at Stamford Street Apartments. King’s summer courses generally use Strand and Guy’s campuses, which are connected to London’s public transport network.
Students arrange their own transfer from the airport to their housing.
Computer Science Summer School FAQs
The course covers programming principles, program design, efficiency and advanced topics using Python. It combines theoretical understanding with practical computational problem solving.
King’s academics lead the course. Teaching includes lectures with embedded tutorials, interactive activities, small group projects and peer assessment.
The course is not for credit. A Certificate of Completion depends on completing the required assignments and meeting attendance requirements.
The course is taught and assessed in English, and applicants need CEFR B2 or equivalent. Students whose first language is not English must provide accepted proficiency evidence.
It includes a single en-suite room at Stamford Street Apartments, breakfast and dinner, tuition, materials, Wi-Fi, social activities excluding travel, and 24-hour staff support and supervision.
Yes. Both residential and non-residential students are encouraged to join the summer school’s extracurricular activities.
Dedicated Summer Assistants support students during scheduled activities, with 24-hour support in the residence. Students may have scheduled independent time; King’s expects maturity and does not act in place of a parent.
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Save this program in Succeed to compare it with similar programs, dates, costs and formats in one place.
Compare with other programsContent reviewed by
Sean Stevens
Co-founder, Succeed | Founder, Immerse Education (2012–2026)
Sean works at the intersection of academic enrichment, program quality and university preparation, with expertise in evaluating pre-university experiences for ambitious secondary school students.
Sources & verification
Source types reviewed
- Student Experience | Summer Programmes | King’s College London
- Pre-University Summer School | Summer Programmes | King’s College London
- Information for applicants | Summer Programmes | King’s College London
- Pre-University Science, Technology & Engineering (Session 3)
- Summer at King's | Summer Programmes | King’s College London
- Summer Programmes Student Code of Conduct
- Information for Parents and Guardians
- Terms and Conditions for Summer Programmes in 2026
- Pre-University Summer School 2026 Application Guidance
- Pre-University Computer Science (Session 2)
Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.
What we verified (on 9 Oct 2026)
Course content reviewed
Eligibility requirements checked
Session dates compared
2027 package fees checked
Application opening date checked
Residential inclusions reviewed
Parent guidance reviewed
How Succeed uses this information
We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.
Computer Science Summer School
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