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In-person Program
University Preparation
by Summer Boarding Courses (SBC)
A summer program combining academic study, English development, collaborative projects, excursions and a structured campus experience.
Last verified: 18 Sept 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens
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University Preparation at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility
Current status
Applications open
Eligibility
B1+ English required
Age range / Year group
Ages 13-17
Location / Region
Folkestone, United Kingdom
Cost
From £3,095
Duration
2 or 4 weeks
Format
In-person
General
Class size: Maximum 12
Accommodation: Residential or day
Meals: Full board or lunch and dinner
Certificate / Outcome: Certificate, report and tutor reference
Academic hours: 20 per week
Accreditation: British Council
University Preparation summary
Academic study is integrated with English communication, discussion, practical tasks and collaborative projects.
Students can board on campus or attend as day students while joining lessons, activities and standard excursions.
It best suits students seeking greater independence, confident communication and experience of a structured international summer-school environment.
What is University Preparation?
The University Preparation Summer Program is an in-person academic summer experience delivered by Summer Boarding Courses at Earlscliffe. It combines English development with global issues, leadership, business, discussion and practical project work.
Students study in small classes and extend their learning through fieldwork, presentations and collaborative tasks. Afternoons and evenings add sports, creative activities, excursions and social events to the academic program.
Why Succeed highlights University Preparation
The maximum class size of 12 supports a more personal classroom experience.
Twenty academic hours each week provide substantial structured study time.
Residential and day formats let families choose different levels of campus immersion.
The program combines academic work with excursions, activities and supervised pastoral support.
Students receive a certificate, progress report and personalized tutor reference.
Who is University Preparation for?
Best for
Students who want structured academic study, stronger English communication and a supervised international campus experience.
Not ideal if
You want a specialist university-credit course, a very small academic-only schedule or a program without social activities and excursions.
Is University Preparation worth it?
It may be worthwhile for students who will use the academic hours, English practice and collaborative work actively. The certificate, report and tutor reference also provide useful evidence for later reflection, although they do not replace grades or formal qualifications.
The main limitation is cost, especially when travel, transfers or optional activities are added. Families should compare the day and residential formats carefully and choose the course whose academic focus best matches the student's goals.
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Cost and what is included
From £3,095; includes Tuition and course materials, Residential accommodation and all meals, Day-student lunch and evening meal, Sports, social activities and events, Standard excursions and admission costs, Wi-Fi and student insurance, Certificate and academic progress report, Residential towels, bedding and weekly laundry.
Accommodation
Residential or day
Meals
Full board or lunch and dinner
Provider details
Review the Summer Boarding Courses (SBC) provider page and official sources before making a final decision.
Dates and logistics
2 or 4 weeks; Folkestone, 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 University Preparation need?
Effort level
Moderate to high.
Best started
Begin planning six to eight weeks before the preferred session, and earlier if travel or a visa is required.
Main challenge
Sustaining active English communication throughout lessons and campus life.
Typical preparation
Choose the academic option that best supports your current interests and future study plans.
Complete the English placement test carefully so the admissions team can confirm suitability.
Plan travel only after SBC confirms the place and receives the required deposit.
International families should allow additional time for visitor-visa processing.
Useful if
You want to build confidence, independence and presentation skills.
What do students do on University Preparation?
Students move between structured academic learning and a broad campus program. Lessons emphasize communication and projects, while afternoons, evenings and excursion days provide cultural and social experience.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Develop English through academic topics, discussion and practical tasks.
- 2
Work with classmates on collaborative projects and presentations.
- 3
Connect course themes to real settings through fieldwork and excursions.
- 4
Join sports, creative workshops and local activities during afternoons.
- 5
Take part in supervised evening events with the wider school community.
- 6
Complete the program with academic feedback and recognition.
University Preparation dates and deadlines
Date not confirmed
Application deadline
29 June 2026
28 June 2027 start
28 June 2027
12 July 2027 start
12 July 2027
26 July 2027 start
26 July 2027
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Applications | Rolling admissions | Local | Date not confirmed | |
Application deadline | 29 June 2026 | Local | Past | |
28 June 2027 start | 28 June 2027 | Local | Upcoming | |
12 July 2027 start | 12 July 2027 | Local | Upcoming | |
26 July 2027 start | 26 July 2027 | Local | Upcoming |
Eligibility and requirements
Students must be ages 13-17.
Summer courses require B1+ English proficiency.
Students complete an online English test before summer.
A parent or guardian must manage the booking contact.
How much does University Preparation cost?
Day subject course
£3,095 — Published two-week fee.
Funding or discounts
- Residential subject course: £4,095 — Published two-week fee with full board.
- Deposit: £700 — Required to secure a confirmed 2027 place.
- Early-booking discount: 15% — For eligible new families booking a 2027 residential course by 31 October 2026.
What's included
Tuition and course materials, Residential accommodation and all meals, Day-student lunch and evening meal, Sports, social activities and events, Standard excursions and admission costs, Wi-Fi and student insurance, Certificate and academic progress report, Residential towels, bedding and weekly laundry
How to apply to University Preparation
- 1
Choose the course, attendance format, duration and preferred start date.
- 2
Complete the official booking form with parent and student information.
- 3
Discuss any outstanding details with the assigned admissions manager.
- 4
Review the confirmation and payment instructions sent by email.
- 5
Pay the required deposit to secure the confirmed place.
- 6
Complete the pre-summer English test and provide travel documents when required.
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What does University Preparation cover?
The program covers the following focus areas.
English communication
Practice asking questions, explaining ideas and presenting to international classmates.
Global perspectives
Explore global issues and different cultural viewpoints through discussion and research.
Collaborative projects
Use practical tasks and group projects to apply ideas in real-world contexts.
Presentation skills
Build confidence by communicating findings and completing presentation-based work.
Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.
What is a typical day on University Preparation?
A typical day during the program.
Academic study
Small-class lessons use discussion, practical tasks and collaborative projects.
Activities
Students join sports, creative workshops, beach activities and local exploration.
Social program
The school gathers for games, performances, bowling, karaoke and house events.
Excursions
Destinations vary, with every student taking part in a London excursion.
Who teaches on University Preparation?
Teachers have relevant experience in the subjects they lead and deliver an in-house, topic-based syllabus. SBC says its wider subject teaching team can include qualified teachers, university lecturers, experienced tutors and postgraduate specialists.
The published maximum class size is 12 students.
Where do students stay on University Preparation?
Residential plan
- Boarding houses: Girls and boys stay in separate, supervised accommodations managed by residential staff.
- En-suite rooms: Rooms are mostly twin, with some single or triple rooms and en-suite facilities.
- Full board: The residential fee includes accommodation and all meals.
- Pastoral support: Staff provide 24-hour support, with welfare managers and activity leaders on site.
Non-residential plan
- Day attendance: Students attend the academic, activity and excursion program and return home each evening.
- Day meals: Lunch and an evening meal are included for day students.
Room requests may be considered, but the published room mix is mostly twin accommodation with limited single and triple rooms.
What happens after University Preparation?
After completing this program, participants often pursue:
Receive a certificate marking completion or attendance.
Use the academic progress report to identify next learning priorities.
Gain a personalized tutor reference describing achievements and commitment.
Develop presentation and communication evidence for later applications.
Use the experience to refine future subject and university choices.
These outcomes can support reflection and applications but are not university credit or a formal academic qualification.
Where does University Preparation take place?
Earlscliffe is in Folkestone, Kent, within walking distance of the beach, the Leas promenade and the town center. The town has a high-speed rail link to London St Pancras, while the campus is arranged so students can walk between classes, meals, accommodation and activities.
The provider describes Folkestone as 54 minutes from London.
University Preparation FAQs
Students on summer courses need B1+ English or above. An online test before summer helps confirm that the course is suitable.
It includes tuition, materials, accommodation, all meals, activities, standard excursions, Wi-Fi, weekly laundry, insurance, a certificate and an academic progress report.
Day students follow the same academic program and join activities and excursions. Lunch and an evening meal are included, and students return home each evening.
Rooms are mainly twin en-suite rooms, with some single and triple options. Girls and boys stay in separate supervised accommodations.
Teachers have relevant experience in the subjects they lead and use SBC's in-house syllabus. The broader teaching team may include qualified teachers, university lecturers, experienced tutors and postgraduate specialists.
Students receive a certificate and academic progress report. The campus also publishes a personalized tutor reference letter as an end-of-program outcome.
Residential staff manage the boarding houses, supported by activity leaders and welfare managers. Staff remain available around the clock for pastoral support.
Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, Halal and other dietary needs can be considered when requested in advance.
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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 and verification
Source types reviewed
- Contact | Summer Boarding Courses
- Earlscliffe Summer School | Campuses | SBC
- Schedule a Call with Our Student Experience Teams
- TERMS & CONDITIONS - Early Bird Offer | Summer Boarding Courses
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) | Summer Boarding Courses
- Book Your Place – Summer Boarding Courses
- Earlscliffe Summer School | Campuses | SBC
Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.
What we verified (on 18 Sept 2026)
Official campus page checked
2027 dates verified
Fees and inclusions reviewed
Eligibility requirements checked
Booking process reviewed
Welfare details checked
Visa 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.
University Preparation
by Summer Boarding Courses (SBC)
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