A full cultural and recreational programme is provided as part of the course. Activities include museum tours, botanic garden visits, guest lectures and summer sports, such as the traditional English game of croquet. Students also have an opportunity to visit many of Cambridge's most famous colleges and explore the fascinating museums and gardens. For "shopaholics" Cambridge offers a wealth of charming markets and department stores. The evening programme allows students to take part in debates and attend a variety of events. 

During the programme students will also get the opportunity to participate in coach excursions to nearby places of historic and cultural interest, including a full-day trip to London.

The course takes place on the campus of Clare College, part of the University of Cambridge, allowing students to fully immerse themselves in the Oxbridge tradition.  Twin rooms are provided, which are modern, homely and well lit. The rooms are within short walking distance of the teaching rooms, dining hall and computer room. There is a common room with a TV and comfy chairs for relaxing in the evenings. Male and female students are separated by corridors and/or staircases.

The course includes breakfast and dinner in the college dining hall, with packed lunches available during coach excursions. Lunch is not included but Cambridge has many cheap and healthy locations to buy lunch near to the campus.

Our teachers come from a variety of different backgrounds. Some are teaching or have taught for the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge and some are well-established specialist tutors. Our experienced and friendly faculty offers our students a diverse range of teaching specialties and skills. Our alumni students have rated the teaching as one of the best aspects of their summer experience, many scoring their classes a perfect 10. For a full list of ORA 2011 teaching staff please see the PDF attached to the bottom of this page.

In the College itself students are overseen by the Programme Director, who implements the day-to-day running of the Cambridge Summer School. The Director is assisted by a team of Counsellors who very often are current studying members of the University.

The Counsellors ensure that students are looked after pastorally, culturally and socially during their summer camp. Students are able to talk informally and frankly to the Counsellors in order to raise concerns or to discuss University applications.

Students from all over the world join ORA to study in Cambridge. Studying alongside students from diverse backgrounds and learning more about different experiences, ambitions and cultures is a central part of the ORA experience.