Year 12 (Y13 NI / S5 Scotland)

Hear more about studying Natural Sciences (Physical) at Cambridge as well as the key features we look for from applicants. There will be time for a Q&A following the presentation with both an academic in the subject and a current student.

This is an opportunity for students to research and write beyond the curriculum, using one or more of five selected objects from the Lawrence Room museum objects, as their focus. Essays or creative responses (such as dramatic monologues, short stories, or poems) are equally welcome. This competition is open to UK students in Year 12 who have an interest in the Humanities. The deadline to submit entries is Thursday 20 March 2025.

This free in-person masterclass, at the Cavendish Laboratory in Cambridge, gives students an opportunity to explore topics of mechanics beyond what is covered within the A Level syllabus and offer the chance to experience typical undergraduate teaching at Cambridge.  There will also be a talk and Q&A on the Natural Sciences Admissions process.

Each year, Fitzwilliam College runs competitions in a variety of subjects, allowing talented pupils to explore their interests beyond the school curriculum.

The University of Cambridge seeks out students with a passion for their subject and who have investigated it outside the classroom. Our essay competitions provide students with an opportunity to engage with their interests in this way, allowing them to demonstrate their enthusiasm for their subject.

2025 Competitions 

Caius 12 is a programme of webinars from Gonville & Caius College for Year 12 students from state schools across the UK. It was established to encourage students to consider competitive universities and guide you through the process of making an application, ensuring that you start Year 13 feeling prepared and confident.

Selection for the scheme is carried out using a combination of academic and widening participation criteria.

The programme features four informative and interactive sessions, which all take place online:

The Gonville & Caius Cambridge Higher Aspirations Scheme (CHAS) is a sustained scheme that offers academic support and enrichment for Year 12 students, giving you the opportunity to take part in a series of six academic supervisions. CHAS is usually only open to students in Caius' link areas (Norfolk, Hertfordshire, Barnet, Bexley, Bromley, Lewisham, Newham and Waltham Forest), but this year, we have had some extra vacancies in select subjects.

Run by Homerton College, this new nationwide competition challenges students to think deeply about the sort of questions that we ask at Cambridge.

Every three weeks, a new question will be revealed, and teams of up to five students have two weeks to submit a response to a biology question.

Teams can choose whatever form they wish for the response, including posters, videos, podcasts and essays.

Homerton College is running free student-led tours for prospective students in Year 11/12 England/ Wales, Year 12/13 Northern Ireland, S4/S5 Scotland (or equivalent), and for offer holders. Parents and guardians are also welcome. 

Tour dates for 2025:  

Tuesday 29 July 2pm to 3pm (only for prospective students)

Tuesday 26 August 2pm to 3pm 

Wednesday 27 August 2pm to 3pm 

Homerton College are running free online webinars for students in Year 12 (England/ Wales), Year 13 (Northern Ireland), S5 (Scotland) or equivalent (international) to help you gain the tools to apply to Cambridge! 

Sessions will last one hour, followed by a 30-min Q&A with an Admissions Tutor or Cambridge students. 

• Tuesday 12 August 2025-  5:00 to 6:30pm: How to ace Oxbridge written assessments and interviews 

Deepen your knowledge of Music while experiencing what it’s like to study at the University of Cambridge.

Each Masterclass includes: