Physics Summer School

A space vehicle seen above planet earth (illustrating the Physics Summer School)“The size and age of the Cosmos are beyond ordinary human understanding. Lost somewhere between immensity and eternity is our tiny planetary home. In the last few millennia we have made the most astonishing and unexpected discoveries about the Cosmos and our place within it. They remind us that human beings have evolved to wonder, that understanding is a joy, and that knowledge is a prerequisite to survival.”           

Carl Sagan

 

For millennia, we have looked to the stars with wonder, seeking to understand the forces that shape our universe. Physics gives us the tools to do more than just ask questions – it allows us to find answers. The Physics Summer School invites students to explore some of the most profound mysteries of the universe through structured, interactive learning.

Physicists seek to unravel the fundamental mysteries of existence. They ask not just where we are in the universe, but how we got here – and where we are going. They explore the fabric of reality itself, questioning why time moves forward, what the universe is made of, and whether life exists beyond our own world. These questions drive real scientific discovery, from black holes to exoplanets.

The Physics Summer School offers a perfect opportunity for able students to explore some of the most exciting and challenging ideas in contemporary physics. Each online course is designed to engage students in active discovery. Through guided discussions, problem-solving exercises, and thought experiments, students will grapple with concepts such as black holes, time travel, and the search for exoplanets. Rather than simply learning about physics, students will learn to think like physicists – applying mathematical reasoning, analyzing complex ideas, and exploring the unknown.

The Physics Summer School is particularly appropriate for students who may be considering further study of physics, mathematics or engineering at undergraduate level, or who are interested in related disciplines such as chemistry or computing.

Physics Summer School – Part 1 (three days) focuses on Classical Mechanics, Electromagnetism, and Astrophysics and is open to students aged 15-18.

See a detailed outline for this course.

Physics Summer School – Part 2 (four days) focuses on Cosmology, Quantum Mechanics, Relativity, and Particle Physics and requires that students have completed a minimum of one year of A-Level Mathematics (or equivalent) at the time of the course.

See a detailed outline for this course.

Online classes are small, typically containing eight to twelve students, all of whom will share a passion for physics and a curiosity to build on their existing knowledge and embrace new ideas. Classes combine lectures, collaborative problem-solving, and interactive challenges, ensuring students not only absorb new ideas but also put them into practice. In small-group settings, students will refine their understanding through discussion, debate, and real-time problem sets, progressing from familiar concepts to more advanced material in a supportive and intellectually stimulating environment.

The tutors for this course are selected for their exceptional communication skills, outstanding academic record, and passion for physics – you can see our tutors page for some example profiles.

Both courses are designed to stand alone – students may take Part 1, Part 2, or both, depending on their interests and mathematical background. Part 2, however, includes a significant mathematical component and introduces an undergraduate-style approach to problem-solving. This makes it particularly valuable for students considering university-level physics, mathematics, or engineering, as it bridges the gap between school and higher education.

Scroll down past the reviews for full course details and booking information.

Extremely Useful
This summer school can be challenging at times, but before you have a chance to give up the tutors are there and begin explaining it in a way which you ...
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Helen
Sutton High School
Extremely Useful
This summer school can be challenging at times, but before you have a chance to give up the tutors are there and begin explaining it in a way which you will eventually understand. The whole week is extremely useful; introducing you to ideas you would cover at university and extending what you already know from GCSE and A Level; and it is also very enjoyable too as you meet other like minded people who you work with for the rest of the week.
Helen
Sutton High School
Incredibly Insightful
Incredibly insightful in seeing what studying physics outside of the A-level syllabus looked like, with viewing the importance of differentiation within Newton’s second law to seeing the similarities between the law...
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Charlotte
Guildford High School
Incredibly Insightful
Incredibly insightful in seeing what studying physics outside of the A-level syllabus looked like, with viewing the importance of differentiation within Newton’s second law to seeing the similarities between the law of universal gravitation and Coulomb’s law. The course takes some concepts, such as particle physics, from the yr 12 content and introduces you to some of the main theories in Physics like, quantum field theory and special relativity. It also put the physics theories in some context of the maths such as differentiation and integration to give you a better understanding of what it would be like to study physics post A-level.
Charlotte
Guildford High School
An Excellent Choice
The Summer School was an enriching experience that had a lot of really interesting and well-structured course content, offering a deep dive into key topics with a balance of ...
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Harvey
Eton College
An Excellent Choice
The Summer School was an enriching experience that had a lot of really interesting and well-structured course content, offering a deep dive into key topics with a balance of theory and practical application. The instructors were knowledgeable and approachable, always willing to clarify concepts and engage in discussions. Overall, the Summer School is an excellent choice for anyone looking to expand their knowledge, build new skills, and connect with like-minded peers.
Harvey
Eton College
Expanded Knowledge
This summer school experience was great for me as I was able to interact with fellow physics students on topics which aren’t covered in great detail at school. I would recommend...
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Rhyhan
Epsom College
Expanded Knowledge
This summer school experience was great for me as I was able to interact with fellow physics students on topics which aren’t covered in great detail at school. I would recommend it as it was very interesting to me and I enjoyed expanding my knowledge on these topics.
Rhyhan
Epsom College
The Difficulty Was Just Right
The teaching was brilliant for the course, with a huge array of material covered that I am particularly interested in – Quantum Mechanics, Relativity, and Quantum...
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Arjun
Leicester Grammar School
The Difficulty Was Just Right
The teaching was brilliant for the course, with a huge array of material covered that I am particularly interested in – Quantum Mechanics, Relativity, and Quantum Gravity & the Standard Model. The advanced mathematics was explained very well, and there weren’t any points in the course where we were left with questions unanswered. The course content was of an appropriate difficulty – there were plenty of challenging concepts and mathematical tools covered, yet they were all understandable (I wasn’t completely out of my depth!). Not too easy and not too difficult – just right.
Arjun
Leicester Grammar School
Passionate Tutors
I really enjoyed the physics summer school because we covered everything I was interested in that we don’t learn so much about at school, and it gave me an excellent taste...
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Scarlett
St Catherine's School
Passionate Tutors
I really enjoyed the physics summer school because we covered everything I was interested in that we don’t learn so much about at school, and it gave me an excellent taste of what physics will be like at a-level and university. It was great to learn from tutors who are so passionate about their subject and I also loved going into smaller groups to work through things together.
Scarlett
St Catherine's School
Enjoyable Physics
It was an exciting three days packed with things that are probably not taught at school which would be very helpful if you are considering applying to physics or just ...
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Wenqian
Woodbridge School
Enjoyable Physics
It was an exciting three days packed with things that are probably not taught at school which would be very helpful if you are considering applying to physics or just find physics particularly enjoyable. If you are thinking about doing physics in university or simply enjoying learning, this is the place to come to.
Wenqian
Woodbridge School
Much More Confident
I was apprehensive about the course when applying as I was not sure how complex the mathematics of each subject would be. However the tutors seemed to adjust the ...
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Francesca
Sydenham High School
Much More Confident
I was apprehensive about the course when applying as I was not sure how complex the mathematics of each subject would be. However the tutors seemed to adjust the rate of teaching depending on the complexity of the subject at hand, and constantly asked if we understood. As a result I never felt confused or behind everyone else and I feel much more confident in applying to an undergraduate course on the subject.
Francesca
Sydenham High School
Super Interesting
The teaching of the course was really good, I was able to engage easily and ask questions if I was unsure or curious. The content was super interesting, at times ...
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Ines
St Mary's Ascot School
Super Interesting
The teaching of the course was really good, I was able to engage easily and ask questions if I was unsure or curious. The content was super interesting, at times it was challenging but I was able to understand it. It covered topics that I knew a bit about and so it helped understand things better, and increased my curiosity in other subjects. It was very welcoming and inclusive, I was able to ask questions if unsure and work with other students to figure out the answers to difficult questions which made it very fun.
Ines
St Mary's Ascot School
A Real Insight
The course was very well thought out – it was challenging at times but the tutors were very friendly and offered help whenever we needed it. It gave me a...
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Rachel
Winchester College
A Real Insight
The course was very well thought out – it was challenging at times but the tutors were very friendly and offered help whenever we needed it. It gave me a real insight into what studying physics at uni would be like and explored some very interesting topics in an engaging way!
Rachel
Winchester College
An Exceptional Experience
The Physics Summer School allowed me to experience a taste of what University Physics may be like and has cemented my choice in studying it at University level. The ...
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Anna
Gumley House Convent School
An Exceptional Experience
The Physics Summer School allowed me to experience a taste of what University Physics may be like and has cemented my choice in studying it at University level. The lessons were fascinating and challenging and I was faced with many new concepts. The tutors were very helpful, explained everything clearly and made sure that we all understood, helping us individually if necessary. They encouraged us to ask question about the topics we were learning as well as anything extra we were interested in. I met many like minded people and found this to be overall, an exceptional experience.
Anna
Gumley House Convent School
Ready to Explore Further
The course is good and gets into a level of mathematical detail which I have not seen in any public course for beginners. I feel ready to start ...
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Finn
Trinity School
Ready to Explore Further
The course is good and gets into a level of mathematical detail which I have not seen in any public course for beginners. I feel ready to start doing more research myself, and I am starting to get an understanding of what other materials of this type are talking about.
Finn
Trinity School
Brilliant Fun
I absolutely loved the teaching style. On day 3 I asked my questions via DM and they were answered anonymously which made me feel extremely comfortable about asking questions. I’ve...
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Esa
Merchant Taylors School
Brilliant Fun
I absolutely loved the teaching style. On day 3 I asked my questions via DM and they were answered anonymously which made me feel extremely comfortable about asking questions. I’ve learned lots and had lots of fun on this course. It was perfect for how challenging it was. Some questions could stand to be harder but other questions were difficult but not impossible, making them brilliant fun.
Esa
Merchant Taylors School
Superb Teaching
The teaching was superb – I learned so many new interesting and exciting things. I particularly enjoyed the section on exoplanets, as I find astrophysics very interesting. I also...
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Emma
Loreto College
Superb Teaching
The teaching was superb – I learned so many new interesting and exciting things. I particularly enjoyed the section on exoplanets, as I  find astrophysics very interesting. I also enjoyed the sessions on terminal velocity and on atoms.
Emma
Loreto College
Made Me Excited For Future Study
I found the Physics Summer School really useful in discovering what studying Physics at university will be like. The course during the week was demanding at times...
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Deirbhile
Kendrick School
Made Me Excited For Future Study
I found the Physics Summer School really useful in discovering what studying Physics at university will be like. The course during the week was demanding at times as it introduced some challenging concepts and some of the maths was quite complex; however it made me realise that it is OK if you don’t understand or are unsure of something – the instructors are happy to help and discuss things with you to help you learn. The diversity of the topics we learned about and the enthusiasm of everyone for the subject made me excited to study it further in the future!
Deirbhile
Kendrick School
Small Groups Made It Easy To Ask Questions
I really enjoyed this course! I have also attended another summer school, and I found this far better! I think that the derivations were very...
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Nikolaus
The Kings School Canterbury
Small Groups Made It Easy To Ask Questions
I really enjoyed this course! I have also attended another summer school, and I found this far better! I think that the derivations were very useful, and just generally the amount of maths was very useful in helping me visualise these topics in not just a theoretical way. Not too difficult but the mathematics was challenging at times (that’s a good thing). Of course the theoretical aspects were quite tricky as we were dealing with Quantum mechanics and General Relativity. I felt the smaller groups of about 9 or 10 were very helpful. It meant we could ask questions without really holding back others.
Nikolaus
The Kings School Canterbury
Awesome Theories
Definitely come to this summer school to learn about first year physics at university, it offers an insight into the awesome theories and maths which you will do and also ...
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Alexander
Dulwich College
Awesome Theories
Definitely come to this summer school to learn about first year physics at university, it offers an insight into the awesome theories and maths which you will do and also it provides knowledge from the tutors and they tell you about their daily jobs and what they do.
Alexander
Dulwich College
Incredibly Rewarding
I recently completed the Physics Part 2 online course at The Debate Chamber and it was an incredibly rewarding experience. Having completed part 1 last summer, yet again the course was expertly ...
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Angus
Hampton School
Incredibly Rewarding
I recently completed the Physics Part 2 online course at The Debate Chamber and it was an incredibly rewarding experience. Having completed part 1 last summer, yet again the course was expertly designed to introduce university level topics to students preparing for their final year of school, and really gave me an insight into what it would be like to study Physics at uni. The tutors were not only knowledgeable but also deeply passionate about the subject, which made the complex concepts accessible and engaging. Overall it was very good and I highly recommend it.
Angus
Hampton School
Building Knowledge From The Ground Up
The course gives you a good understanding of advanced concepts in physics by building your knowledge of them from the ground up in order to learn ...
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George
Shrewsbury School
Building Knowledge From The Ground Up
The course gives you a good understanding of advanced concepts in physics by building your knowledge of them from the ground up in order to learn these concepts intuitively. I thoroughly enjoyed the course and found that it really expanded on my physics knowledge and curiosity.
George
Shrewsbury School
Enjoyable and Friendly
The Physics Summer School is definitely worth the money and is a great experience for everyone who enjoys physics. (I do not plan to study physics at university but ...
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Charles
Uckfield Community Technical College
Enjoyable and Friendly
The Physics Summer School is definitely worth the money and is a great experience for everyone who enjoys physics. (I do not plan to study physics at university but still went as I enjoyed it). The other students are all very friendly and the tutors enjoyed the topics which made the sessions enjoyable and friendly.
Charles
Uckfield Community Technical College
Energetic and Engaging
A really fantastic week, taught by some truly inspirational tutors whose passion for physics really showed in their energetic and engaging sessions. The slightly relaxed atmosphere worked incredibly well...
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Lucy
Colchester County High School for Girls
Energetic and Engaging
A really fantastic week, taught by some truly inspirational tutors whose passion for physics really showed in their energetic and engaging sessions. The slightly relaxed atmosphere worked incredibly well because it allowed the students and tutors to discuss in detail anything that we were curious about even if it wasn’t specifically on our timetable. This has made me really look forward to studying physics at university, and I feel the week gave me a great insight into degree level physics. I highly recommend this summer school to other physics enthusiasts!
Lucy
Colchester County High School for Girls
Fascinating and Fun
I thought the Physics Summer School was both fascinating and fun, and I learnt a lot from the experience. The course built upon your current knowledge of a wide...
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Jenny
The Lady Eleanor Holles School
Fascinating and Fun
I thought the Physics Summer School was both fascinating and fun, and I learnt a lot from the experience. The course built upon your current knowledge of a wide range of topics from Quantum Mechanics to Einstein’s Theories of Relativity, consolidating what you already knew but also touching upon ideas you may have never heard of. I would definitely recommend this course to anyone interested in Physics and who wants to learn a bit more as each new day brought something totally different!
Jenny
The Lady Eleanor Holles School
Much Different From The Average Classroom
The Physics Summer School was an excellent opportunity to experience some stretching physics, whilst not being too much out of your depth. The small classroom teaching...
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Khamillah
Bolton School
Much Different From The Average Classroom
The Physics Summer School was an excellent opportunity to experience some stretching physics, whilst not being too much out of your depth. The small classroom teaching was really comfortable and there was always an opportunity to ask as many questions as you could think of about every subject. The tutors were fantastic, as were the other students attending the course. Everyone was there because they had a great interest in physics and because they want to be there – much different from an average physics classroom. It was most enjoyable discussing physics with other like-minded curious people. In short, a brilliant experience and I would urge anyone who has a passion for physics to attend!
Khamillah
Bolton School
A Perfect Balance
I thought the teaching was excellent. A lot of material was covered in a short amount of time, yet the concepts were well explained and I understood everything that...
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Arjun
Leicester Grammar School
A Perfect Balance
I thought the teaching was excellent. A lot of material was covered in a short amount of time, yet the concepts were well explained and I understood everything that was taught. There were videos, diagrams, and plenty of maths, which was a great way to vary the styles of learning. The problem sheets had some easier questions, and then built up to more challenging ones, which were much appreciated to stretch our knowledge. However, overall, I think the difficulty of the course was a perfect balance – not too easy and not too difficult. We were encouraged to ask questions on anything we weren’t sure about, as well as any wild physics questions we had!
Arjun
Leicester Grammar School
Perfect For Anyone Who Enjoys Physics
The Physics Summer School is truly a great course to attend, and is tailored perfectly for students wishing to study physics (or engineering) at a higher level...
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Dhabya
Dubai English Speaking College
Perfect For Anyone Who Enjoys Physics
The Physics Summer School is truly a great course to attend, and is tailored perfectly for students wishing to study physics (or engineering) at a higher level. The timing of the course was very practical, starting and ending at a reasonable time, with regular breaks in between really helped us to retain all information taught to us. The tutors were extremely friendly and helpful, which in turn allowed the most difficult of topics to grasp (such as using the Schrodinger wave equation) much easier to understand. In addition, this course truly helped develop my love for, and interest in physics, as I found myself researching things we had studied in class, which further expanded my knowledge. Having completed this course in the summer after Year 12, the knowledge I gained during my week at the Physics Summer School supported the Physics content that I’m currently learning in Year 13, allowing me to understand everything much faster. Overall, I do believe that this course was perfect for me, and is perfect for anyone who enjoys physics.
Dhabya
Dubai English Speaking College
Very Inclusive
I really enjoyed the classes taught by the tutors, they were really engaging and stretched beyond what most physics courses would teach. I liked the style of teaching in a...
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Havana
Howell's College
Very Inclusive
I really enjoyed the classes taught by the tutors, they were really engaging and stretched beyond what most physics courses would teach. I liked the style of teaching in a seminar format too, there was much more engagement. I also thought the problem sheets were really good to have in the course. The course content was interesting and varied, and I think it was the perfect level of taking knowledge from A level and stretching it to university level. I feel more prepared to study physics now. It was very inclusive, and the seminar format made it feel comfortable. Didn’t feel judged or pressurised to answer questions.
Havana
Howell's College
Better Than A Year Of School
The teaching methods were very direct making it easier to understand. Even though it was only a 3-day course I believe I have absorbed more information ...
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Felix
Kensington Park School
Better Than A Year Of School
The teaching methods were very direct making it easier to understand. Even though it was only a 3-day course I believe I have absorbed more information on the topic of Physics than in a year of school. The content of the course was admittedly quite a challenge to grasp at first glance but with the teaching that was there to help I have managed to gain a very good grasp of both Astrophysics and Newtonian physics along with electromagnetism. The fact that it was a group of only seven people the learning was more focused making it easier to ask the tutor for help on even the most specific of questions. Another phenomenal thing about the classes was that it was full of people similar interests making the participants more accepting of others and their questions
Felix
Kensington Park School
Cool Proofs and Derivations
Its dope. You actually learn relevant stuff and the proofs/derivations behind them, unlike most of these courses which are basically like a popsci TV show with no ...
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Henry
St Pauls School
Cool Proofs and Derivations
Its dope. You actually learn relevant stuff and the proofs/derivations behind them, unlike most of these courses which are basically like a popsci TV show with no actual substance. If you like the maths of physics this will be cool.
Henry
St Pauls School

Practical Details

📌 The Physics Summer School is open to students aged 15–18. Please note that Part 2 requires at least one year of A Level Maths.

📅 Course Dates: Part 1 (Classical Mechanics, Electromagnetism, and Astrophysics) runs from 4th – 6th August (three days).

Part 2 (Cosmology, Quantum Mechanics, Relativity, and Particle Physics) runs from 26th – 29th August (four days).

Teaching Hours: Each course runs from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm, including a lunch break.

💻 Course Format: This is a live online event, held in small seminar groups for fully interactive discussions and problem-solving exercises. Sessions will not be recorded, so students must be available during course hours and have a reliable audio and video internet connection.

💰 Course Fee: The cost for Part 1 (three days) is £345. The cost for Part 2 (four days) is £425.

🔒 Booking Information: A 25% non-refundable deposit secures your place. The remaining balance is due eight weeks before the course start date. [See full booking terms and conditions here.]

📞 Got Questions? Call us on 0800 810 1058 or email [email protected].

Debate Chamber offers a limited number of full and partial bursaries to students who could not otherwise afford to attend. If you would like to apply for a bursary then please complete your bursary application here.