Computer Science Summer School

‘Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.’  

This is classic sci-fi writer Arthur C. Clarke’s famous third law, and few phrases better sum up how the outsider must view the remarkable progress being made in the domain of computer science. From artificially intelligent cars, to translator software capable of creating its own intermediary language, the technology we interact with every day is increasing in complexity at astonishing speed.

It is likely already impossible for any one person to understand it all, but at the heart of every one of these developments one can find the core fundamentals of computer science. Once mastered, these open the gateways to a field which is, without a doubt, going to be one of the most significant drivers of our future.

The Computer Science Summer School is a chance for students to venture further into this world, and in particular to explore some topics that they may not have encountered at school. 

Topics for Summer 2022 will include:

The Development of Computing * Object-Oriented Programming* Algorithms and Complexity * Machine Learning * Artificial Intelligence 

As part of this course, students will explore both the foundations of computer science, and its potential to produce transformative innovations. It should be noted that this is neither a software engineering course, nor a strictly theoretical one. The subject will be explored in a holistic manner: with theory informing practice; and practice, in turn, targeting our theoretical efforts. Most days will explore a theoretical topic in the morning, followed by a practical project in the afternoon.

Sessions take place in very small classes led in a seminar-style by an expert tutor. Theoretical sessions will place emphasis on student-led group discussion, and practical sessions on engaging with others to explore new ideas, and solve problems.

For full booking and practical information just scroll down past the reviews.

This is a well rounded course which allowed for me to talk to peers of my age group who were in the field. This course also allowed me to gain further understanding in some subjects which aren’t fully covered in the standard courses and hence helped me to prepare for university. On top of that the experience was really fun the the tutors were helpful and interesting! an all round great course and I highly recommend it.

Near perfect teaching methods and good ways to apply and present ideas to us in a way we can understand well.

Very fun and educational. learned a new language, and other universal programming concepts. I highly recommend it!

A challenging course. However, it really helped supplement my A-Level computer science course and was really quite helpful to contextualise more theoretical topics!

Practical Details

The Computer Science Summer School is open to students aged 15 – 18 who have completed a full GCSE in Computer Science, or at least one year of a Computer Science A-Level.

This course is now complete for 2022, but you can use the form below to express your interest for Summer 2023.

Interested in Computer Science but not currently studying it at school? See here for detailed requirements for the course. Students with a sufficient level of independent study are welcome to apply.

The online course is three days in length, and teaching hours on each day will run from 10.00am till 3.30pm, with a lunch break.

These are live online events, with small seminar groups offering fully interactive classroom discussion and debate (much as you would normally expect from our in-person courses). The events will not be recorded, so it is essential that you are able to attend during the course hours, and that you have a reliable audio and video internet connection.

The cost for this course is £275, and you can reserve your place with a 25% non-refundable deposit. The remainder of the payment is due eight weeks in advance of the course start date. Please see here for full booking terms and conditions.

If you have any questions, simply call us on 0800 810 1058 or email us at [email protected].

Debate Chamber offers a limited number of full and partial bursaries to students who could not otherwise afford to attend. If you are applying for a bursary please do not complete this form, but instead complete the ‘Bursary Application Form’ here.