Widening participation events and programmes

We run widening access events and programmes for applicants from many different backgrounds. These events support students as they explore their options and prepare to apply to Cambridge.

Check this page for activities that you may be eligible to join. Read more about our wider undergraduate widening participation work.

Discover what it's like to study at Cambridge

Visit Cambridge or connect with us online

There are lots of ways to explore life at Cambridge. This includes visits to Cambridge and online events.

Join us at an Open Day

Taking place in July and September, Cambridge Open Days are a great way to explore Cambridge and our Colleges.

If you're care-experienced, you may be eligible for travel support to attend an Open Day.

Check our upcoming events

The University and Colleges run hundreds of events to support prospective applicants. These include:

• events specifically for state school students
• events for those meeting widening participation criteria
• events for mature students

Regional outreach

Each area of the UK is connected to a Cambridge College. Your link College may visit schools in your area or run outreach activities for your area online or in Cambridge.

Find your region's link College

Join a summer school

Our Sutton Trust Summer Schools give you a taste of Cambridge student life.

The summer schools are free, subject-specific residential courses for Year 12 students from under-represented backgrounds. They take place in Cambridge, with students living and studying at the University for 5 days.

Find out more about the summer schools

Get support as you prepare to apply

Support programme for Cambridge applicants

Applying to Cambridge in October? We run a free applicant support programme for students from under-represented backgrounds. Find out how to apply to take part.

Apply: Cambridge applicant support programme

STEM tuition programme

If you're planning to apply to a STEM course at university, the STEM SMART programme can help you prepare.

The 17-month programme will support you to raise your attainment in science, technology, engineering and maths subjects. This will help to develop your confidence in STEM subjects and prepare to apply to top universities.

Applications for STEM SMART usually open in September.

Find out more about STEM SMART

Advice and guidance for specific circumstances

Realise information service

Realise offers an information service for students in Years 7-13 from highly under-represented backgrounds, including:

• Care-experienced and estranged students
• refugee, asylum seeker and forced migrant students
• student carers
• Gypsy, Roma, Traveller, showman and boater students

Learn more about the Realise information service

Support for students at Cambridge

Moving to university can be a big change. The University and Colleges provides a range of support to students at Cambridge. This includes support for specific personal situations and needs.

Find out more about the support on offer to students at Cambridge