Why does Cambridge have an August Reconsideration Pool?
The University wants the best-qualified students to study here in Cambridge. The August Reconsideration Pool will provide some students who have achieved highly the opportunity for further consideration.
How do I become eligible for the August Reconsideration Pool?
You must have applied and been interviewed during the 2022/23 cycle, meet the relevant widening participation criteria and have achieved at least the typical offer for the Cambridge course you applied for.
My decision letter says that I am eligible for the August Reconsideration Pool - why?
Information was sent to all applicants who were interviewed by a Cambridge College as part of the 2022/23 admissions cycle and not made an offer in January, but whose application was flagged as meeting our widening participation criteria.
My decision letter says that I can apply through the August Reconsideration Pool - what do I need to do now?
Once you have your results, please check carefully if you have achieved at least the typical offer for the Cambridge course you applied for. Then you can choose to register your interest via the online form in order to be reconsidered (see the August Reconsideration Pool 2023 page for further information).
Will you contact me again in August if I achieve the right grades and there are places available on my course?
No. We are unable to contact you again, therefore you must register your interest via the online form if you wish to be considered (see the August Reconsideration Pool 2023 page for further information).
I applied for Mathematics / Mathematics with Physics - will STEP be a requirement if I wish to be considered via the August Reconsideration Pool?
Yes. Applicants wishing to be reconsidered for these courses will need to have taken STEP 2 and 3. Details of how to register for STEP this year are available on the Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing website.
The entry requirement for applicants to be reconsidered 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: https://maths.org/step/
Will those who secure a place through the August Reconsideration Pool be considered for a bursary?
Yes. Students securing a place through the August Reconsideration Pool will be assessed for the Cambridge Bursary and all eligible students will receive the relevant payment. See www.cam.ac.uk/cambridgebursary for further details, including information on eligibility and award value.
Will accommodation be available to those who secure a place through the August Reconsideration Pool?
Yes. Cambridge Colleges provide accommodation to all single undergraduate students for at least three years of study. See www.cam.ac.uk/accommodation for more information.
Will I be interviewed again?
No - applicants will not normally be required to undertake a further interview.
I don't meet the widening participation criteria; can I still be considered?
No. We will only consider applications from those who meet our widening participation criteria.
I meet a number of widening participation criteria but was not notified of the August Reconsideration Pool in my decision letter, what shall I do?
We will consider August Reconsideration Pool applicants who meet specific widening participation criteria which support our ongoing commitment to the Office for Students. Those who meet these criteria will have received information regarding the August Reconsideration Pool in their decision letter; please check your emails carefully. If you have misplaced the email, or believe it has gone astray, please contact ARPool@admin.cam.ac.uk clearly indicating your name and UCAS Personal ID.
I applied to Cambridge this year and I have significant extenuating circumstances which means the address provided on my application is not reflective of my current circumstances. What should I do?
If you can demonstrate that the address provided on your application is not reflective of your usual living situation (for example if you are homeless) please contact us via ARPool@admin.cam.ac.uk for further advice.
I am from a background traditionally under-represented at Cambridge and other universities but I didn’t apply to Cambridge – can I apply through the August Reconsideration Pool?
We will only consider applications from those who applied to, and were interviewed by, Cambridge in the main application cycle. These applicants will have undertaken the full Cambridge application process including any admissions assessments and written work.
Why is Cambridge only considering students from backgrounds which are under-represented during the August Reconsideration Pool?
Cambridge wishes to increase the number of students from widening participation backgrounds attending the University. Where students from WP backgrounds whose original applications were not successful go on to achieve outstanding results, we want to open up the possibility for them to be reconsidered.
Why were students from under-represented backgrounds not offered a place as part of the main admissions cycle?
Students apply to Cambridge a year before the start of the course. Some students on an upward academic trajectory may not be demonstrating their full potential at this point. The August Reconsideration Pool provides students who go on to achieve very highly with an opportunity to be reconsidered once they have their final results.
If I move house between now and August, will I still be eligible?
Eligibility is based upon the address held when decision letters were sent in January 2023. Therefore subsequent changes of address will not impact upon eligibility.
Will places be available for all courses?
A list of courses with places available through the August Reconsideration Pool in 2023 will be available on the August Reconsideration Pool 2023 on 17 August 2023.
Can I apply for a different course from the one I originally applied?
No. We will only consider applications for the course originally applied for. This is to ensure that the application has been fully considered for the appropriate course of study, including the relevant admissions assessment and interview.