Congratulations Offer Holders
Stories from our students
Hear from current and former Foundation Year students as they share their unique journeys to Cambridge.
Oli offers a glimpse into a typical day on the Foundation Year, covering everything from lectures and supervisions to college meals and downtime with friends. His story highlights the balance between academic life and personal growth at Cambridge.
Elijah reflects on the impact of inspiring teachers who supported him on his path to university. His story, shared as part of the Cambridge Educator of the Year Award, shows how encouragement and belief can transform a student’s future.
Your next steps
Accept your offer on UCAS
Choose a firm (first) choice of university and an insurance (second) choice.
Come along to our Offer Holder Day
Chat with Foundation Year staff and students, explore Cambridge and get a feel for what it would be like to study here.
Follow Cambridge on social media
We have videos on Colleges, Studying, City life, clubs, societies and more. Discover what Cambridge is really like from current Cambridge students.
Come to our live Q&A session on 14 May
We know that choosing a university is a big decision. Join us for our live Q&A webinar on 14 May 2025 from 4:30-5:30pm (UK time) to get all your questions answered by Foundation Year staff and current students.
If you're unable to attend, we will be recording the session and uploading it to this webpage after the event.
Explore Cambridge
Access 360 photography, videos and more on our Virtual Tour. You'll be able to look inside your College, accommodation, the West Hub and other university facilities such as the University sports centre.
Support while studying
Whilst at the University of Cambridge and on the Foundation Year, you will have lots of support resources available to you. This support is available to you from your College, within the wider University as well as targeted support from the academics and staff involved in the Foundation Year.
Pastoral support at Cambridge is different from pastoral support you might have received at School or College and therefore, it is important to take an active role in asking for support. You do not need to wait until you start at the Foundation Year before asking for the support you need. In fact, it is highly recommended that you flag any support requirements at an early stage to ensure arrangements can be set up for when you arrive or even within the application process. Also, if your needs change, you can ask for support at any time throughout your studies.
University Support
The central University offers a wealth of support for students including the Access and Disability Resource Centre (ADRC), the University Counselling Service (UCS) and much more. An A-Z of support services and more detailed information can be found on the University's wellbeing site.
College Support
All students are allocated a personal College Tutor who can support you with personal, financial or more general academic problems. They can offer help or advice and signpost you to other services either within the College or outside it.
It is likely that your College will also have Tutorial Office staff, College Nurse, Chaplain, and Student Common Room Welfare Officers. Some Colleges even have an in College counsellor or Mental Health Advisor and others may have peer-to-peer support programmes set up. Have a good look around the College websites to find out what they offer.
Study Support
During the Foundation Year you will have a Director of Studies (DOS) to provide academic support and make sure you are on track with your studies.
If you’ve watched our progression video, you will know that you will be supported in making applications via UCAS to other courses (if you wish) and on your pathway to Undergraduate study at Cambridge. We want to make sure you are supported in whichever steps you choose to take after the Foundation Year.
Financial Support
During your time on the Foundation Year, you will not pay any course costs and you will receive a bursary which is equivalent to Student Finance to cover your living and academic costs such as accommodation, food and books.
Students eligible for the Foundation Year may also find themselves eligible for the Cambridge Bursary. This will also be applicable during Undergraduate study and could give you access to up to £3,500 depending on your household income.
Finance should never be a barrier to education and therefore if your circumstances change at any point through your degree education, you should reach out to your tutor who will support you in connecting with the right funds.
The National Union of Students also provides a helpful guide for managing your money and the Student Advice Service Advisors are also trained to offer money advice.
Try something new
Explore over 500 student clubs and societies!
Cambridge is a great place to be a student. There's loads going on both within the university and Colleges. Now is the perfect time to try something new.
Don't forget to check out the clubs and societies your College offers as well on their College website.
Football is just one of the sports you can get involved in at Cambridge, either on the University team or your College team.
You can join a variety of sports clubs at any level. Why not try something new like Croquet, or perhaps continue a sport you've played competitively? There's something for everyone.
It's important to take time out from your studies. Why not head to the fresher's fair and see what interests you?
Progression after the Foundation Year
Completing the Foundation Year will equip students to continue to a wide range of degree courses in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. Whether you stay at Cambridge or continue your studies elsewhere, you will receive a recognised qualification, a Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) from the University of Cambridge, which will help set you up for successful study and careers in a range of fields.
Further study at Cambridge
At Cambridge, completing the course to the required standard will allow you to progress on to one of 18 degree courses. Some degree courses require the completion of relevant curriculum streams, just as some currently have subject requirements for admission. Please have a look on our website for further details. You will also need to perform well on the Foundation Year as your future place will be conditional on your performance on the course (attaining 65% or more overall). However, you will not need to 'reapply' to Cambridge for undergraduate study in the usual sense.
Further study elsewhere
All students will also be supported during the Foundation Year to apply to other degree courses at other universities via UCAS. The Certificate of Higher Education in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (CertHE), which is a Level 4 qualification, is widely accepted for admission, and you will have access to support for completing your UCAS application.
Completing the Foundation Year will equip students to continue to a wide range of degree courses in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. Whether you stay at Cambridge or continue your studies elsewhere, you will receive a recognised qualification, a Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) from the University of Cambridge, which will help set you up for successful study and careers in a range of fields.
Further study at Cambridge
At Cambridge, completing the course to the required standard will allow you to progress on to one of 18 degree courses. Some degree courses require the completion of relevant curriculum streams, just as some currently have subject requirements for admission. Please have a look on our website for further details. You will also need to perform well on the Foundation Year as your future place will be conditional on your performance on the course (attaining 65% or more overall). However, you will not need to 'reapply' to Cambridge for undergraduate study in the usual sense.
Further study elsewhere
All students will also be supported during the Foundation Year to apply to other degree courses at other universities via UCAS. The Certificate of Higher Education in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (CertHE), which is a Level 4 qualification, is widely accepted for admission, and you will have access to support for completing your UCAS application.
Congratulations
Once again, we want to wish you a heartfelt congratulations on your offer for the Foundation course. We hope you find the above information useful.
If you have any further questions, we'll be happy to answer them in our live Q&A session on 14 May 2025 from 4:30-5:30pm. You can sign up to attend here.
If your question is more personal, please feel free to email us: Foundation.Year@admin.cam.ac.uk
We're looking forward to seeing you soon!
Built with Shorthand