Applications to Cambridge via the August Reconsideration Pool in 2023 are now closed.
Form now closed for 2023 entry
Please note, the register your expression of interest form is now closed for the 2023 August Reconsideration Pool.
We give some applicants the chance to have their application reconsidered. This happens if you meet our eligibility criteria and you're interviewed but not offered a place at Cambridge. We call this the ‘August Reconsideration Pool’.
We'll let you know whether you might be eligible in our decision letter or email in January, following your application in October.
August Reconsideration Pool 2023
The form to register your expression of interest in reconsideration is now closed.
If you registered your interest in being reconsidered, you can find out more about the next steps in the process below.
Courses available in August 2023
Below is a list of courses with places available as part of the August Reconsideration Pool in August 2023.
| Course | Typical offer |
|---|---|
| Anglo-Saxon, Norse, and Celtic | A Level: A*AA IB: 40-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level |
| Archaeology | A Level: A*AA IB: 40-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level |
| Architecture | A Level: A*AA IB: 40-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level |
| Asian and Middle Eastern Studies | A Level: A*AA IB: 40-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level |
| A Level: A*A*A IB: 40-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level |
|
| Classics (3 year course) | A Level: A*AA IB: 40-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level |
| Classics (4 year course) | A Level: A*AA IB: 40-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level |
| Computer Science | A Level: A*A*A IB: 40-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level |
| Economics | A Level: A*A*A IB: 40-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level |
| Education | A Level: A*AA IB: 40-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level |
| Engineering | A Level: A*A*A IB: 40-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level |
| English | A Level: A*AA IB: 40-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level |
| Geography | A Level: A*AA IB: 40-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level |
| History | A Level: A*AA IB: 40-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level |
| History and Modern Languages | A Level: A*AA IB: 40-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level |
| History and Politics | A Level: A*AA IB: 40-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level |
| History of Art | A Level: A*AA IB: 40-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level |
| Human, Social, and Political Sciences | A Level: A*AA IB: 40-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level |
| Land Economy | A Level: A*AA IB: 40-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level |
| Law | A Level: A*AA IB: 40-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level |
| Linguistics | A Level: A*AA IB: 40-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level |
| Mathematics | A Level: A*A*A + STEP IB: 40-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level + STEP |
| Medicine | A Level: A*A*A IB: 40-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level |
| Modern and Medieval Languages | A Level: A*AA IB: 40-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level |
| Music | A Level: A*AA IB: 40-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level |
| Natural Sciences | A Level: A*A*A IB: 40-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level |
| Philosophy | A Level: A*AA IB: 40-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level |
| Psychological and Behavioural Sciences | A Level: A*AA IB: 40-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level |
| Theology, Religion, and Philosophy of Religion | A Level: A*AA IB: 40-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level |
| Veterinary Medicine | A Level: A*AA IB: 40-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level |
How you will find out if you can apply for reconsideration
You may be eligible if we told you about the August Reconsideration Pool in your decision letter or email in January 2023.
If you don’t have the email, please email ARPool@admin.cam.ac.uk. In your email, please give your full name and UCAS Personal ID.
How to apply for reconsideration
We won’t contact you about reconsideration in August, even if you achieve the right grades and there are places available on your course.
If you want to be reconsidered, take the following steps once you have your exam results in August.
- Check that the Cambridge course you applied for has places available. You can only be reconsidered for the course that you originally applied for.
- Check that you have achieved at least the typical offer grades for the Cambridge course that you applied for. You can check the course profile for details. If you applied for Mathematics or Mathematics with Physics check the entry requirements below. Achieving the typical offer does not guarantee you will be offered a place at Cambridge.
- You can apply if your course has places available and you have achieved the typical offer. To be reconsidered, register your interest by completing our online form. The form will be available on this webpage between 8.30am and 1pm (UK time) on 17 August 2023. You must complete the form during this time to be reconsidered. You will need to have your UCAS Personal ID number to hand as it will be required for identity verification.
- Be available to be contacted. Make sure that you check your emails regularly and that your phone is on and close by. We'll contact you to confirm your details and explain the next steps in the process via email. In some cases, an administrator at the Cambridge Admissions Office may call you.
We will only communicate with you about the reconsideration pool. We will not communicate with your UCAS nominated representative about your application for reconsideration.
Mathematics and Mathematics with Physics applications
To be reconsidered for Mathematics or Mathematics with Physics, you will need to have taken STEP 2 and 3. You can find out how to register for STEP on the Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing website.
The entry requirement for applicants to be reconsidered for these courses is:
- A*A*A (with A* in both Maths and Further Maths) with at least grade 1 in STEP papers 2 and 3
or
- A*A*A* (with A* in both Maths and Further Maths) with at least grade 1 in STEP paper 2 or 3 (both papers to be taken) Free online resources are available via the University’s STEP Support Programme
Next steps after applying for reconsideration
If you’re eligible, your application will be considered by the Cambridge Colleges alongside the other applications that we receive. As it will be a competitive process, your final grades and your performance in the original application process will be important.
Important dates
- Friday 18 August 2023 (evening) - we will usually let you know the outcome of your application.
- Monday 21 August 2023, midday (UK time) – if you are made an offer, this is the deadline for accepting your offer. If you do not respond with your decision by the deadline you will not be able take your place.
Important information about the process
- We won't interview you again as part of the August Reconsideration Pool.
- We expect that most of the places available will be for October 2023 entry. However, you may be given an offer for deferred entry. This means you would start at Cambridge in October 2024.
- If you get an offer through the Reconsideration Pool, you will get accommodation. You will also be eligible for the Cambridge Bursary in the same way as those offered a place during the main cycle.
- If you accept your offer, the College offering you a place will send you more information. This will include information about how we will confirm your acceptance with UCAS.
- If you choose not to accept your offer or you don’t accept your offer by the deadline, then we will take no further action.
Why Cambridge reconsiders some applications
We do this as part of our commitment to outreach and access. We want to increase the number of students from widening participation (WP) backgrounds at the University. We also want the best-qualified students to study here in Cambridge.
Students apply to Cambridge a year before the start of the course. At that point, they may not be demonstrating their full potential. Students from WP backgrounds who go on to achieve outstanding results can be reconsidered through the August pool. This means that the best WP applicants are offered a place, even if they reach their potential later in the process.