Apply: Cambridge

Apply: Cambridge is the University's free applicant support programme. It's for high-attaining Year 12 students from underrepresented backgrounds and areas of the UK.

The online programme helps you to navigate the Cambridge admissions process. The programme runs from June 2026 to January 2027.

On the programme:

• there are weekly activities from June until the 15 October UCAS deadline. This includes interview and admissions test practice
• Cambridge staff and Admissions Tutors will share their advice on the application process, supporting you to make a competitive application
• you will be supported by a Cambridge student mentor for 5 months throughout phases 2 and 3 of the programme

What the programme offers

Introduction to Cambridge (Phase 1): June to July 2026

• Informational webinars, on topics like personal statements, interviews and admissions tests
• Taster lectures

Preparing your Cambridge application (Phase 2): August to October 2026

Weekly activities:

• interactive workshops, on topics like subject-specific interviews and admissions test practice
• Q&A sessions with Admissions Tutors and current students
• mentoring from a current University of Cambridge student, including:
  • virtual 1-1 mentoring over a text-based app and website
  • monthly group mentoring meetings with your mentor over Zoom
  • personal statement feedback

After your application (Phase 3): November 2026 to January 2027

Monthly activities, with some additional sessions. Your mentoring will also continue.

Attendance on the programme

If you're given a place on the programme you will need to attend all activities live with your camera and microphone on. You have to attend a set number of activities in Phase 1 to be able to progress on to Phases 2 and 3 of the programme.

Most activities will take place 5:00pm to 6:00pm on weekdays (including summer holidays and school term time).

Aims of the programme

The programme aims to develop your:

• understanding of the Cambridge application process. You'll join online workshops with Cambridge academics and admissions staff
• critical thinking skills and preparation for the application process. You'll have regular online sessions with Cambridge student mentors
• confidence and resilience about life at the University of Cambridge

The main aims of the programme are linked to the Become, Practise and Understand pillars of the Network for Evaluating and Researching University Participation Interventions (NERUPI) framework.

Check if you're eligible

To be eligible for Apply: Cambridge, you must meet all the Basic Criteria and at least one of the Widening Participation Criteria.

If you meet our Basic Criteria but are not sure if you meet our Widening Participation Criteria, please apply. We do not want students to miss out on this opportunity. Apply for a place on the programme by completing our online form.

Places on Apply: Cambridge are competitive. We review all applications and will let you know whether you've been awarded a place on the programme.

Basic Criteria

• Year 12 (England & Wales) / Year 13 (Northern Ireland) / S5 (Scotland) student, currently studying at a state school or college in the UK (ie a UK school/college that does not charge fees).
• Currently eligible for UK home fee status. Learn more about fee status on our tuition fees page.
• Intend to make an application to Cambridge in October 2026 for a course starting in October 2027.
• On track to achieve at least the minimum entry requirements for your desired course at Cambridge. This includes:
  • studying for qualifications and subjects at your school/college that meet the entry requirements for your desired course at Cambridge.
  • being on track to achieve the entry requirements for the course you are applying for (A*A*A for most sciences courses and A*AA for most arts and social sciences courses). You can check which other qualifications we accept on our qualifications page. 

Widening Participation Criteria

• Students who are care experienced
• Students who are a refugee or asylum seeker
• Eligible for the 16-19 Bursary
• Eligible for Free School Meals at any point in the last six years
• Home Postcode: IMD Quintiles 1 or 2
• Students who come from an under-represented ethnic group:
  • Black British
  • British Bangladeshi
  • British Pakistani
  • Gypsy, Roma and Traveller
  • White students from Lower Socio-Economic Backgrounds (ever 6 FSM)
• Students with a disability or long-term health condition (including mental health)
• Students who are estranged from both parents/carers
• Disrupted education, such as for the following reasons:
  • Becoming a parent while in education
  • Being from a UK Armed Forces family (service children)
  • Bereavement of a close family member (e.g. parent/carer) in the last 6 years
  • Experience of close family imprisonment (e.g. parent/carer)
  • Experience of homelessness
  • Long or extended absence from school (over 8 weeks) in the last 6 years due to a medical/health issue(s) (including mental health)
  • Moving schools twice or more in the last 6 years
  • Other disruption (to be declared by the applicant)   
• Home Postcode: SEISA Deciles 1-4
• Attending a school with historic low progression to Oxbridge
• Female students applying for Computer Science, Engineering, or Mathematics
• Male students applying for Classics, Education, English, History of Art, Psychological and Behavioural Sciences, or Veterinary Medicine
• Students with caring responsibilities (young carers)

Reference to support your application

When you apply, you will need to provide contact details for a teacher at your school who can provide an academic and personal reference for you. You should check that the teacher is happy for you to give us their details before you start your application.

Apply: Cambridge only accepts references from:

• a Head of Year
• a Deputy Head of Sixth Form
• a Head of Sixth Form
• someone on your school’s Senior Leadership Team