Cambridge Venues

Subjects:  Mathematics and Statistics - Business and Management - Economics and Politics - Law and International Relations - Computer Science / Artificial Intelligence - Physics and Engineering - Medicine and Biochemistry

UniHive’s Advanced Research Programme is an intensive, Cambridge-style academic experience designed for high school students who want to go beyond classroom learning and engage with authentic research practice. The programme is delivered in Colleges of the University of Cambridge and led by professors from the University of Cambridge – a globally renowned institution ranked third in the world.
Students stay in the University’s historic collegiate environment, giving them the experience of living and studying in Cambridge while learning from academics and Cambridge-affiliated scholars. Participants begin by choosing a research area aligned with their interests and future ambitions. Through guided instruction and targeted reading, they learn how to refine a broad interest into a precise research question and how to position that question within existing scholarship. The programme emphasises core research foundations – including research ethics, source evaluation, critical reading, and argument construction – so that students develop evidence-based academic thinking rather than descriptive summaries.
A core outcome of the programme is the production of a well-structured research proposal. Students are supported to develop an academically grounded literature review, a focused research question (or hypothesis), and a coherent research design. The academic team provides iterative feedback on proposal structure, clarity, reasoning, and referencing, helping students strengthen coherence and academic tone while maintaining originality.
Alongside proposal writing, students receive training in academic communication and learn how to present ideas clearly and persuasively. The programme concludes in a final presentation session where students showcase their proposal, explain their methodological choices, and respond to questions.
The programme also includes formal recognition of achievement. Students who complete the programme may be eligible to earn 8 UCAS points. Students in the top 50% of the cohort are eligible for a Cambridge Professor recommendation letter, recognising strong academic performance, research quality, and engagement. All participants are also supported with a Programme Director recommendation letter, reflecting overall contribution and progress. High-performing students may further be invited to submit a research paper for inclusion in the Conference Proceedings, subject to performance and the quality of work produced.
Beyond academics, the programme is designed to be memorable and enjoyable. Students take part in a curated programme of social and cultural experiences that reflect typical Cambridge student life, including Cambridge College tours, punting, rowing experiences, a talent show, and other supervised evening activities. The programme also includes fun trips, typically to London and Oxford, allowing students to explore historic settings alongside their cohort, while building friendships and a strong sense of community.