Summer School FAQs

Apply online using our Summer MPW Summer School Application Form. Applications must be completed by a parent, guardian, or educational consultant, not by the student.

There is no official deadline, but places fill quickly. Apply as early as possible to secure your preferred course and allow time for visa or ETA applications if needed. 

You can apply if you turn 14 before your course starts or during your course. Our courses are for students aged 14-17.

An intermediate level of English is required (IELTS 5.0 or CEFR B1+).

You can submit a certificate showing your English level when you apply. If you study English at your school, you can attach a copy of your school report instead. If you are not sure of your level, or don’t have either of the examples above, there is a section on the application form to explain your experience with English. If you are unsure, please continue to submit your application and we can arrange a brief interview with the Summer School Director instead. 

No. You can only choose one academic stream for a two week stay. If you’d like to study more than one stream, you can extend your stay to four weeks, for example, take one course in Cambridge and another in London.

Not at all. You are very welcome to select any of our academic stream subjects regardless of experience if your English level is intermediate. Some subjects may have multiple classes, which can be set according to experience. Please let us know your experience and expectations in your chosen academic stream on the relevant section on the application form.

Yes, you can request a change to your academic stream or My Path; My Way skills choices. Email the Summer School team with your new subject or skill. We’ll do our best to accommodate your request, however changes are subject to availability.

‘My Path; My Way’ is our soft skills programme. You pick one topic from the Week 1 options on the application form and then a second topic from the Week 2 options. For these classes, you will step away from your usual academic stream class and take part in interactive workshops focused on your chosen skills.

You can check if you need to apply for a visa here: Check if you need a UK visa. Please note that if you do not need a visa, you may still have to apply for an ETA: Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK: Overview.

After we receive your payment, we will issue a Confirmation of Enrolment Letter or Visa Supporting Letter for your ETA or Visa application. Once full payment is received, we will send an updated letter confirming this.

When your travel plans and transfer arrangements are confirmed, we will also provide a Parental Travel Consent Form. This form can be included in your Visa/ETA application to show how you will travel to and from MPW.

As part of the online application, you’ll be asked to submit proof or explanation of your English level, a copy of your current passport, and any valid visa you currently hold. We may be in contact to confirm details or request further information.

Yes. If you have family or friends in London or Cambridge, you can attend as a day student. Simply select this option when applying.

Day student fees include: 

• Monday to Friday lessons
• Subject-specific trips (London) or university/subject tours (Cambridge)
• Farewell party and meal
• Award ceremonies 

Lunch is provided Monday to Friday. No other meals are included.

The after school, evening and weekend trips are not included in your fees as a day student, but you can opt in to join these trips, subject to availability. There will be an additional fee for any trips you decide to join. Please let the summer school team know if you would like to join any of the available trips and activities. This can be done while the course is in progress.

The summer school team will review and process your application. The team may get in touch to confirm or request further information. You will be notified of the outcome via email.

Your Offer Letter will include instructions for paying either the deposit or full course fees. To accept your offer, please:

• Make payment in accordance with the instructions provided
• Email proof of payment to the Summer School team
• Complete and return the Consent Pack signed by parent(s) or legal guardian(s)

The Consent Pack contains important medical, welfare, travel and consent forms that must be completed before we can confirm your enrolment.

Once we have received your payment, the Summer School team will confirm receipt. If you have not already done so, please complete and return the Consent Pack sent with your Offer Letter. This pack contains important medical, welfare, travel and consent forms that must be completed by parent(s) or legal guardian(s).

Once we have received the completed Consent Pack and deposit payment, we will issue your Confirmation of Enrolment and/or Visa Supporting Letter.

Please note that enrolment and visa documentation cannot be issued until all required consent and medical forms have been completed and returned.

To secure your place, a £500.00 deposit is required by the expiry date shown on your Offer Letter. Remaining payment is due eight weeks before your course start date. No services are guaranteed until full course payment is received. 

Once enrolled, please send: 

• A copy/photo of your flight ticket
• Either your Visa vignette or ETA confirmation email
• Details of your travel plans (and whether you need an MPW transfer) 

We ask for this information as soon as each is available to make the process as easy as possible. In addition, we will send your parents: 

• A Parental Travel Consent Form (required if you travel alone). Please carry this with you for your arrival to the UK and send a signed copy back to us.

There is no preparation or required reading needed before the course starts. 

All accommodation consists of single, en-suite rooms. 

• London: Students stay at Queen’s Gate House, MPW’s boarding house in South Kensington, just a short walk from the main school building. 

• Cambridge: Students stay at Tripos Court, approximately 15 minutes’ walk from MPW Cambridge. 

Students are chaperoned by staff to and from school each day. 

MPW Summer School provides a medical and travel insurance policy for all residential students through GuardMe. Some families may choose to purchase individual policies in addition. More information about this policy is available upon request.

The insurance policy only covers the dates you are attending MPW Summer School. If you plan to travel before the course dates or before full payment is made, please let us know as this may affect your coverage. Insurance is arranged only after we receive full course payment. 

Towels and bed linen are provided for residential students. You will be provided with one pillow – if you need an additional one, please bring this with you or purchase one when you arrive. For our full list of what to bring, check out our pre-arrival pages here: 

• Welcome to Summer School 2026: London
• Welcome to Summer School 2026: Cambridge

A laptop or tablet can be useful, especially for Business or Medicine students, but it is not essential. You will have access to desktop computers at the school.

Yes. Residential students have free access to communal washing machines and tumble dryers, with washing powder provided. However, the schedule is busy, and weekend trips will limit laundry time. If you’re staying for two weeks, we recommend bringing enough clothing for your entire stay.

Additional nights have an additional cost of £185 and can be accommodated subject to availability. Please note that additional nights are not available before the first course start date (27 June) or after the accommodation closes on 7 August.

If you’re coming to MPW with a friend or sibling who has chosen a different academic stream, you’ll still have plenty of time together. You’ll share most activities and excursions, except for subject-specific trips. You’ll also be together during My Path; My Way classes (if you choose the same options), university lectures, breaks, and free time. Additionally, you can request to have rooms located next to each other.

Yes. Special permission may be given for offsite visits with family after school and during free time slots. This permission must be obtained in advance; parents should email the summer school team to arrange this.

Yes. On the last Friday of the course, there will be an awards ceremony where you will be presented with your certificate of completion and a personalised progress report from your academic stream teacher.

If you are a residential/boarding student, you should book your flights to arrive in the UK on the start date, and to depart on the end dates.  

• Group 1: Arrive – Sunday 27 June | Depart – Saturday 10 July 
• Group 2: Arrive – Sunday 11 July | Depart – Saturday 24 July 
• Group 3: Arrive – Sunday 25 July | Depart – Saturday 7 August 

Yes. You can be dropped off and/or collected from the summer school accommodation on the arrival and departure dates. We recommend drop-off and collection between 11:00 am and 5:00 pm on these days. However, we can accommodate most arrival times with advance notice. Students should depart by 5:00 pm on departure day.

To ensure safe arrival and departure plans, we will request additional information such as ID, parental consent, and contact details if a student is dropped off or collected by a family member or friend. 

Student safety is our top priority. We strongly recommend that all students use our transfer service if they are not travelling with family or a guardian. Independent travel to and from MPW can only be authorised for students aged 16 or over, and under specific circumstances.

If you are considering independent travel, please contact the Summer School team to confirm whether this can be authorised and to learn about the requirements that apply. 

All summer school students must submit their travel plans, whether travelling with family or alone. Once you have registered by paying a deposit or the full course fee, parents and/or educational consultants will receive a form to complete with your travel details, including whether you require an arrival or departure transfer. We offer both single and return transfers.

Alternatively, you can email the Summer School team directly to confirm whether you would like a transfer or to share your travel arrangements. 

We use reputable taxi companies in both London and Cambridge for student transfers. We do not use coaches. These companies are experienced in working with MPW and handling student arrivals. 

Drivers will meet students in the arrivals hall with a sign displaying the student’s name and the MPW logo. Each student receives a Transfer Confirmation Letter with:

• Emergency meeting points 
• Specific instructions 
• Contact details in case they cannot locate their driver 

On arrival and departure days, our dedicated transfer team is on call to assist and ensure a smooth experience.

You can book an airport transfer by indicating your preference on the Summer School Flight & Travel Information Form, which is sent after you accept your summer school offer. Once the form is completed, the Summer School team is automatically notified and will add the transfer cost to your invoice. 

You don’t need to have finalised your flights to pay for transfers. If you already know the airport(s) you will be arriving at or departing from, we can add the cost to your invoice. As soon as you book your flights, we will need a copy of your flight ticket. 

Read more about transfer fees on our website.

If you have requested transfers, the summer team will add these to your invoice. You will then be sent the Parental Travel Consent Form which must be completed by a parent or legal guardian. This form can also be used as a supporting document for a Visa or ETA application to show how you will travel to and from MPW. Please note that this completed form must be carried with you when travelling to the UK.

Once full payment for all services is received, and the completed Consent Pack and Parental Travel Consent Form are submitted to us, the summer school team will send you: 

• Your GuardMe Insurance Policy (residential students only)  
• Your Transfer Confirmation Letter (if applicable) 
• Pre-arrival email confirming everything is in order for your arrival.

If you are a residential (boarding) student, you should arrive at Queen’s Gate House (London) or Tripos Court (Cambridge) on your course start date, which is always a Sunday. 

• If you are arriving with a parent or relative, we recommend arriving between 11:00 am and 5:00 pm, although we can accommodate most arrival times with advance notice. 
• If you have booked an arrival transfer with us, your driver will take you directly to our accommodation from the airport. 

Arrival dates: 

• Group 1: Sunday, 27 June 
• Group 2: Sunday, 11 July
• Group 3: Sunday, 25 July

Day students (those without accommodation) should arrive at MPW Queen’s Gate House (London) or MPW Cambridge at 8:45 am on the first day of classes. 

Arrival dates: 

• Group 1: Monday, 28 June 
• Group 2: Monday, 12 July 
• Group 3: Monday, 26 July 

If you are a residential student, when you arrive at the accommodation on Sunday, you will be checked in by our staff. At check-in, any medications, large sums of cash, and your passport(s) must be handed to staff for safe storage. 

Depending on your arrival time, you will have the opportunity to: 

• Relax in your room 
• Meet and socialise with other students 
• Explore the local area and nearby shops, chaperoned by Summer School staff 

Lunch and snacks will be available throughout the day for students arriving at various times. Dinner is served between 6:30 pm and 7:30 pm. 

For day students, your last day is the final Friday of the course. Finish dates: 

• Group 1: Friday, 9 July 
• Group 2: Friday, 23 July 
• Group 3: Friday, 6 August 

London day students:
On Friday, you will stay after lessons for the awards ceremony and the farewell party, which finishes at approximately 10:00 pm.

Cambridge day students: 

• The Farewell party is on Thursday night and finishes at 10:00 pm.
• On Friday, the finish time is approximately 5:00pm, following the awards ceremony and BBQ picnic.

Departure day (Saturday) is the last day of the course for residential students. 

• Group 1: Depart – Saturday 10 July
• Group 2: Depart – Saturday 24 July
• Group 3: Depart – Saturday 7 August

There are no scheduled activities on departure day. It’s a chance to relax, spend time with friends, and say goodbye before your flight or pickup. All students must vacate their room by 8:30 am with luggage ready. 

If you have a late flight or an extra night booked, staff will keep you comfortable and occupied. This may include free time with friends, local shopping, or sightseeing (with parental consent). Showers and facilities are available if needed. 

Meals provided:

• Breakfast: from 9:00 am 
• Lunch: sandwiches available 
• Dinner: arranged for students staying an additional night, along with games and activities.