Ask an Admissions Tutor - applying at 21+

Hi Emily,

Thanks for your help again and does it mean that I can apply with just two A levels( Maths and Further Maths)? If that is the case then I was wondering having just two A levels would be considered as competitive enough for Cambridge.

Hi, I was wondering if you could answer a query for me? I am currently studying a BSc Psychology Honours Degree at the Open University. Would this be an acceptable course to meet the requirements for studying postgrad Neuroscience at Cambridge? Your help would be greatly appreciated!

Hi there,

Thank you so much for this helpful thread!

I am interested in applying for Music at Cambridge as a mature student at some point in the future. I am 33 and my long-ago school grades are not reflective of my current abilities (mostly due to extenuating circumstances at the time). Assuming that at the time I apply I have ABRSM Grade 8 practical and theory, thereby fulfilling the musical requirements of the course, what else might the admissions team be interested in seeing from me to demonstrate that I would be successful on it? I believe that the theory/practical exams would be considered equivalent to a Music A-level or a Music Access diploma, so I assume those wouldn't be good choices. Perhaps other subjects, such as languages or maths? Do you have any thoughts about this?

Thank you!

Assuming that by the time you apply you have ABRSM Grade 8 practical and theory, any other qualifications equivalent to two A-levels would be absolutely fine. You're right, those two A-levels shouldn't include Music (since you'd already effectively have that), and Cambridge generally isn't keen on Music Technology; History, English, German, French, and Italian would all be good, however, as would Maths or even Physics. If you can't easily complete A-levels, in person or on-line, you could consider an Access to HE Diploma or a Certificate of Higher Education with a relevant 'core' (e.g. Humanities); I'd be happy to advise further on any course you find that seems appealing.

Hello Emily,

I would like to apply for PBS in March, at St Edmund's. I contacted the Director of Studies for PBS to find out if written work/test is required. He said written work is required & there will be a preparatory exercise before interview. I also contacted St Edmund's Admissions & they said there will be a 1 hour essay test at interview. Is it possible you could please contact St Edmund's?

Best wishes,

Zamir

Hi Emily,

Thanks for this thread! I have an accommodation-related query.

I know accommodation is college specific, however I would like to know how likely it is for graduate offer holders to be allocated their college of choice, and also college accommodation, at this point in the application cycle. For context: I applied for a social science MPhil on January 9th, submitted by research proposal on January 24th, interview on 31st, called Admissions today- I have a conditional offer but they haven't got round to processing it, self-service says 'Awaiting Consideration by BoGS'.

There is information here (http://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/colleges/key-facts-and-figures) on the likelihood of being offered accommodation by a specific college, but I imagine that there are fewer places now, after all undergraduates and some graduates have been made offers/ accommodation?

My first choice is Corpus Christi, my second St Catherine's, however would appreciate anything you know, even if it's Lucy Cavendish specific.

Kind regards

Hi Isobel,

Could you please let me know apart from Natural Sciences, is there a subject you can study Biological Sciences in or with?

Best wishes,

Zamir

Hi emily,
For people who would like to do a second undergraduate degree e.g. HSPS, is there any financial help available?

Hi Isobel,
I have applied to Hughes Hall and I am an international applicant. Cambridge doesn't conduct interviews in my country and the cost of travel to UK ,visa fees are expensive and also it would take a month to get visa approval.Would it be possible to request them for skype interview.When will the admissions office start giving offers.

Hello there,

Thank u for what u are doing here! it's really great!
I am an BSc honours biomed science grad from a UK university with a 2.1. I was hoping to apply for cambridge but instead i applied for imperial. Ii'm an international. I have the offer in my hand. I want to ask u, since u are an admission tutor, would u think i would stand a chance of getting a full schol from imperial or cambridge? I've done 2 research projects and did a 3 months internship at a leading hospital in my country.
Doesn't matter how harsh the answer is, just want an honest opinion from someone who knows the field.

The UCAS website is down until Monday (March 2nd). What are the chances of an extension to the application deadline for second round mature applicants?

Cheers.