Advice and support for care leavers and estranged students:
The Realise Team
T 01223 333315
E realise@admin.cam.ac.uk
In light of the latest advice about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, all outreach activities and events organised by Cambridge Admissions Office have been cancelled until the end of August 2020.
We are committed to providing prospective applicants with information about the collegiate University, its courses, and the admissions process. We are looking at opportunities we can offer virtually, as well as the possibility of running some events later in the year. We will update the website with further information once this is available and, for specific widening participation programmes, make direct contact with schools and students affected.
For information about particular events, please check the relevant webpage or contact the event organiser for the most up-to-date information.
We apologise for the inconvenience and any disappointment that this may have caused and we hope to be able to welcome you to an event in Cambridge in the future.
Working with care leaver and estranged students pre-university
We want to attract the most academically able students to our University, regardless of their background. However, we recognise that not all students receive the same level of support, advice and guidance when preparing for, or applying to, university.
The Realise Project's aim is to ensure that care leaver and estranged students are fully supported, and to encourage more young people in care to consider higher education. We also offer a range of opportunities for young people in care to visit the University, to get a taste of what it's like to be a student at Cambridge.
Foster Care Fortnight
11-24 May 2020
We are celebrating Foster Care Fortnight (11-24 May) by releasing some informative resources about how foster carers can support young adults into, and whilst in, Higher Education. We have worked collaboratively with NEACO, Anglia Ruskin University and Cambridge County Council to create the following videos:
- Enjoy this ‘myth-buster’ animation, which will hopefully clarify any misconceptions you may have about Higher Education: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iO31EZDV7sw
- Learn from this short presentation about what is available to students by way of support at various universities: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhXcZUX6E1Q
- Watch this illuminating discussion between 5 care-experienced students from varying universities talk about their personal journeys into Higher Education: https://youtu.be/DVHpa4MMD6U
And finally, are you a foster carer or a young adult with a question about higher education you need answering? Why not join us for a live Q&A on Wednesday 20 May, 2pm? There’ll be a number of university representatives present, as well as members of the council and current students who can tell you directly what it’s like making it to university after being in care. Simply click the link below to watch the conversation and ask questions in our chat box:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4451111548140989965
If you have questions you’d like to ask anonymously, email us in advance at Realise@admin.cam.ac.uk
Thank you, Foster Carers, for all you do.
Pre-16 events
Stargazing
17 February 2020 (16:30-20:15)
The Stargazing event is aimed at young people aged 7-14 and consists of the following:
- Tour and 'Introduction to University' workshop
- A visit to the Astronomy department to explore the stars
- University-focused games
- A meal at a University College
Bookings for this event are now open and must be completed by a legal guardian. Bookings can be made for up to 3 young people - for group bookings, please contact realise@admin.cam.ac.uk. Please note, an adult must accompany young people on this event. Booking deadline: Friday, 7 February 2020.
Explore University
19 and 20 February 2020
Explore University events are for young people from a care background aged 12-15 and are held during the school holidays. Participants visit the University for two days and engage with a range of university-related and subject-specific workshops, and other fun activities such as:
- Workshops in sciences and arts subjects
- College Tours
- Student Life Activities
- Museum Visits
- Project Enterprise Lego Task
- A meal at a University College
Bookings for this event are now open and must be completed by a legal guardian. For group bookings, please contact realise@admin.cam.ac.uk. Booking deadline: Friday, 7 February 2020.
SuperStar Workshops
The Realise Team offers one-day events aimed at young people aged 7 to 11. These typically run from 10:00 to 15:30.
Future dates are yet to be confirmed.
Post-16 events
Enrichment events at the University
If you are studying for your post-16 qualifications and are considering applying to a university like Cambridge or would like to find out more about a specific subject, the following events might be for you. For further support on exploring your subject beyond the curriculum, you may wish to refer to our HE+ website:
Further information
To cover the cost of travel to attend events at the University, we offer a Travel Fund to those aged 16 or above, who are currently in local authority care or from a care background. We also have an Interviewee Travel Fund scheme for applicants from a care background who have been invited to interview. See Open Day and Event Travel Fund for more information.
For all other enquiries, please contact the Realise Team (realise@admin.cam.ac.uk).