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Hello just been trailing through,*I was wondering with a biological science based degree it says an access to HE is not suitable preparation. If i was to get a majority distinction in all biology and chemistry units and then achieved this qualification. The BTEC Advanced Certificate in Tropical Habitat Conservation, which is also a level 3 and equivalent to an A-level would that be sufficient if not could you advise me on what would be acceptable.*And thankyou in advamce for answering everyones questions.

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Original post by daniele1272
Hello just been trailing through,*I was wondering with a biological science based degree it says an access to HE is not suitable preparation. If i was to get a majority distinction in all biology and chemistry units and then achieved this qualification. The BTEC Advanced Certificate in Tropical Habitat Conservation, which is also a level 3 and equivalent to an A-level would that be sufficient if not could you advise me on what would be acceptable.*And thankyou in advamce for answering everyones questions.

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Assuming you want to read Biological Natural Sciences, then a combination of Access to HE Diploma and BTEC is not appropriate, unfortunately: you really have to offer some science at A-level. You could, however, combine A-level study with either the Access Diploma or the BTEC Advanced Certificate. If you were taking the Access Diploma, you would need to complete at least one A-level alongside it; if you were taking the BTEC Advanced Certificate, you would need to complete at least two A-levels alongside it. Maths and Chemistry are probably the two most helpful.
Reply 442
Avatar for Acrylic
Acrylic
Hi Emily

I am hoping to apply for the graduate veterinary medicine course

I have a zoology bsc degree and graduated with a 1st but have very bad A levels (biology D, geography C, music C, english lit D).

Would I even be considered with these grades, or would I need to resit my a levels to have a chance of an offer?

Thanks


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Original post by Acrylic
Hi Emily

I am hoping to apply for the graduate veterinary medicine course

I have a zoology bsc degree and graduated with a 1st but have very bad A levels (biology D, geography C, music C, english lit D).

Would I even be considered with these grades, or would I need to resit my a levels to have a chance of an offer?

Thanks


Posted from TSR Mobile


Unfortunately, you wouldn't meet the course requirements with that combination of A-levels: you would need to offer Chemistry and at least one out of Mathematics and Physics, in addition to Biology. So yes, I'm afraid some further study would be required.
Greetings,

I applied to read Law at the PhD Level and received an invitation to interview directly from my proposed supervisor via Skype or telephone. I would very much appreciate your counsel on two items:

(1) Any advice based on precedence in your experience on these sort of interviews.

(2) Whether I can interpret this as having reasonably high chances of admissions at this point (or if almost all PhD candidates interviewed and this should not be considered significantly different from the first round of screening).

Thank you kindly for your time.
Reply 445
Avatar for omar4
omar4
2
Hi Emily,

I was wondering when universities take about 3-6 weeks to process the applications, why exactly do they require this much time? As each applicant provides all the required documents, what takes this long to make a decision?
Original post by omar4
Hi Emily,

I was wondering when universities take about 3-6 weeks to process the applications, why exactly do they require this much time? As each applicant provides all the required documents, what takes this long to make a decision?


That's a very good question! At Cambridge, it takes us 3-6 weeks for various reasons: firstly, because we don't collect all the required documents in one hit (our supplementary questionnaire comes in a week later, and advance written work later still); secondly, because we sometimes have to wait for the results of tests such as the BMAT before making shortlisting decisions; thirdly, because we have to convene a panel of subject specialists to assess the gathered field, and then schedule interviews with all shortlisted candidates.

I imagine other universities have similar constraints, but you'd probably need to ask them directly to find out what they are.
Original post by urbaninsights
Greetings,

I applied to read Law at the PhD Level and received an invitation to interview directly from my proposed supervisor via Skype or telephone. I would very much appreciate your counsel on two items:

(1) Any advice based on precedence in your experience on these sort of interviews.

(2) Whether I can interpret this as having reasonably high chances of admissions at this point (or if almost all PhD candidates interviewed and this should not be considered significantly different from the first round of screening).

Thank you kindly for your time.


I think the best advice I can give is to treat this interview with common sense: prepare for the obvious questions, ensure you know your proposal inside out, treat it as a learning experience, and remember it's also an opportunity for you to think about a decision, not just the supervisor.

Almost all PhD candidates are interviewed, yes, so I wouldn't over-interpret at this point - or get too nervous (easier said than done, I realize).
Hi Emily,

I'm a postgraduate applicant and my application status is still listed as 'under consideration by department' since February 20. May I know roughly when is the latest that Cambridge gives out offers and rejections? Will it be sometime in June or July? Thanks!
Hi there,

Decision dates for postgraduate applicants vary, I'm afraid. Many Departments like to operate a gathered field (especially for MPhil courses, which are capped), in order to ensure that they are making offers to the best candidates. However, I would expect you to receive a decision by June or July (probably earlier); the very latest date you are likely to hear back is in August.
Dear Lucy Cavendish

I've been directed to this site by your very helpful colleagues at Peterhouse college.

My question is further to their advice and perhaps to clarify my position as a mature applicant. The music faculty is happy with the qualifications i am taking (Amus tcl/Grade 8 theory), plus a sufficient set of submissions, for example original compositions, marked counterpoint/essays and my Piano skills, but the question mark was regarding my academic profile as i only have GCSE's at A/C/C/C and a level 2 pass in Maths.
I've been told however that an academic reference regarding my profile would be sufficient, so my question was regarding that.
Q) If i have a long term teacher that is guiding me and marking my work so that an accurate reference can be written by October, is that going to be a sufficient reflection of my current academic ability?

I've asked the same question to the faculty and as advised, i'm now asking your advice because they say you are experienced at dealing with the academic profiles of mature students.

I am now so passionate about academia and enjoy the pressure of learning, for example referencing medieval plainchant and having to deal with the ongoing challenge of understanding key points referenced in the text, usually meaning swift back to front reading of my 'Oxford' companion to music!

Ultimately having been inspired by the undercurrent of my interest in human rights, development of modern capitalism and how my musical ability communicates this, it's my academic development that needs to facilitate a progression in Law after university and i'm clear that it's collegiate study that will help me to become a Barrister so it's just finding out what i'll have to do innorder to achieve that.

Many thanks
Original post by Original music
Dear Lucy Cavendish

I've been directed to this site by your very helpful colleagues at Peterhouse college.

My question is further to their advice and perhaps to clarify my position as a mature applicant. The music faculty is happy with the qualifications i am taking (Amus tcl/Grade 8 theory), plus a sufficient set of submissions, for example original compositions, marked counterpoint/essays and my Piano skills, but the question mark was regarding my academic profile as i only have GCSE's at A/C/C/C and a level 2 pass in Maths.
I've been told however that an academic reference regarding my profile would be sufficient, so my question was regarding that.
Q) If i have a long term teacher that is guiding me and marking my work so that an accurate reference can be written by October, is that going to be a sufficient reflection of my current academic ability?

I've asked the same question to the faculty and as advised, i'm now asking your advice because they say you are experienced at dealing with the academic profiles of mature students.

I am now so passionate about academia and enjoy the pressure of learning, for example referencing medieval plainchant and having to deal with the ongoing challenge of understanding key points referenced in the text, usually meaning swift back to front reading of my 'Oxford' companion to music!

Ultimately having been inspired by the undercurrent of my interest in human rights, development of modern capitalism and how my musical ability communicates this, it's my academic development that needs to facilitate a progression in Law after university and i'm clear that it's collegiate study that will help me to become a Barrister so it's just finding out what i'll have to do innorder to achieve that.

Many thanks


Hi there,


Ordinarily, we would expect an applicant taking Grade 8 Theory to sit two A-levels (or equivalent) alongside it, but since the AMusTCL is comparable to a Certificate of Higher Education, the two qualifications in tandem would, I think, be sufficient for entry to most Cambridge Colleges. However, you would need to achieve Distinction in Grade 8 Theory and Distinction/First Class in the AMusTCL, as well as submitting appropriate work, and I recommend you double-check with your chosen College, before you apply, as some Colleges do prefer applicants to complete A-level Music.


The primary indication of your academic ability will, of course, be your marks in Grade 8 and the AMusTCL, but assuming that you are not intending to complete these before October, then a reference from a long-term teacher (with predictions) should suffice, yes.


One thing I would say is that if your long-term aim is to become a barrister, rather than a musician, you may wish to consult some legal professionals before embarking on an entirely music-focused course of preparation. It is possible that an A-level standard curriculum including subjects other than music might set you up better for a career in Law, even if you use that curriculum as a platform for a BA in Music, in the first instance.
Hi there

Thanks for your reply!

It's very helpful advice and confirms what i hoped would be the case. I felt it would be the highest pass marks required, and rightly so as for me that's the point of Cambridge and or very high standards, it's best to understand all the questions under pressure and get top grades so that participation can work in groups and independantly. Hopefully i'll get the grades.

It's good to hear that my long term teacher can assess my current status and predict grades, at the same time, i do accept the valid question regarding the pace of Cambridge study and i'd want to be suitably prepared for that, so maybe i can do more to prepare for that.

It's a shame the A-level funding has changed just recently as i've been on this direction due to a lack of funding, but i do now also have aspirations in law, due to working in a legal chambers in London, it did inspire me and many of the barristers took non law degrees, then converted with the law diploma, but yes i expect that they probably had A-levels in academic subjects also, i'll have to look further into that.

Could i also ask if many mature students live off campus? I'm so used to living in the countryside and first did it for the inspiration. It works so well for me and i've written so much music, also it's great to read whilst looking over a valley. I do wish to make full use of the College though during my day and work in those great buildngs. Does that sound like something i could do?

Thanks again for the advice

Neil
Original post by Original music
Hi there

Thanks for your reply!

It's very helpful advice and confirms what i hoped would be the case. I felt it would be the highest pass marks required, and rightly so as for me that's the point of Cambridge and or very high standards, it's best to understand all the questions under pressure and get top grades so that participation can work in groups and independantly. Hopefully i'll get the grades.

It's good to hear that my long term teacher can assess my current status and predict grades, at the same time, i do accept the valid question regarding the pace of Cambridge study and i'd want to be suitably prepared for that, so maybe i can do more to prepare for that.

It's a shame the A-level funding has changed just recently as i've been on this direction due to a lack of funding, but i do now also have aspirations in law, due to working in a legal chambers in London, it did inspire me and many of the barristers took non law degrees, then converted with the law diploma, but yes i expect that they probably had A-levels in academic subjects also, i'll have to look further into that.

Could i also ask if many mature students live off campus? I'm so used to living in the countryside and first did it for the inspiration. It works so well for me and i've written so much music, also it's great to read whilst looking over a valley. I do wish to make full use of the College though during my day and work in those great buildngs. Does that sound like something i could do?

Thanks again for the advice

Neil


Some mature students do live off campus, yes. The University's expectation is that undergraduates reside within 3 miles of central Cambridge, though some undergraduates over 21 are permited to live up to 10 miles away, depending on their circumstances. Any further than that, and you would have difficulty getting in for lectures and supervisions, I think, so you might have to accept non-valleyed countryside (valleys being fairly rare in Cambridgeshire).
That's great thankyou.

I had wondered if there was more of a flattened countryside, could only find 2 hills to run up!

Many thanks
Hi everybody!

I am an Italian student and next year I will complete my MSc in Actuarial Science and Statistics and I have an excellent academic record. In two years from now I would like to apply for math tripos at Cambridge University. By the time I will turn 24 but I won't be considered a "mature student" since I have a previous degree in another subject.

With your help, I would like to understand few things that does not sound very clear to me...

First of all I would like to know what are the criteria that I should satisfy to be eligible. Shall I sit A-levels as high-school students? If not, on what basis are my possibility of succeeding evaluated?

Second: whose concern should it be to decide about the admission? Colleges or Departments? Are there some colleges that are more "flexible" than others for what concerns "older" students?

One last question: offers for math tripos are conditional to step papers for "non-standard age" students too?

To sum up, the question that really matters to me is: what could I possibly do to improve my chances of admission?

Thank you very very much.

Greetings form Italy
Original post by anto1101
Hi everybody!

I am an Italian student and next year I will complete my MSc in Actuarial Science and Statistics and I have an excellent academic record. In two years from now I would like to apply for math tripos at Cambridge University. By the time I will turn 24 but I won't be considered a "mature student" since I have a previous degree in another subject.

With your help, I would like to understand few things that does not sound very clear to me...

First of all I would like to know what are the criteria that I should satisfy to be eligible. Shall I sit A-levels as high-school students? If not, on what basis are my possibility of succeeding evaluated?

Second: whose concern should it be to decide about the admission? Colleges or Departments? Are there some colleges that are more "flexible" than others for what concerns "older" students?

One last question: offers for math tripos are conditional to step papers for "non-standard age" students too?

To sum up, the question that really matters to me is: what could I possibly do to improve my chances of admission?

Thank you very very much.

Greetings form Italy


You're right, you won't be considered a "mature student": you'd either be an affiliated student (if you applied for entry into Year 2 of the Maths Tripos), or an ELQ student (if you applied for entry into Year 1).

You would be considered on the basis of existing academic evidence, indicating your potential to succeed in Mathematics; that might include elements of your Diploma di liceo (or similar), relevant modules from your University studies, and any additional qualifications taken alongside them. You would need to demonstrate that your knowledge of the subject was at least A-level Further Maths standard (and much higher, for affiliated entry). If you are not doing advanced mathematics at University, then it might well be sensible to sit A-level Further Maths; another option is to sit STEP exams, the year before application.
If you don't sit STEP II and III before application, any offer is likely to depend on them, yes. Admission to the Mathematics Tripos is determined by Colleges, in the first instance, not the Department.I'm not sure exactly what you mean by "flexibility" towards older students, but it is true that the four mature colleges (Hughes Hall, Lucy Cavendish, St Edmund's and Wolfson) have more experience in assessing ELQ applicants, and the Admissions Offices of any of those colleges should be able to give you further advice, if you send them more details of your academic career to date.

I hope this helps!
Reply 457
Avatar for MarieS
MarieS
Hello,

I am looking to apply to the Cambridge Graduate Course in Medicine this coming October. I just wanted to check whether having Chemistry A-level (grade A) from 2008 would be counted, or if this would mean I fall just outside the cut-off. If I am falling outside the time period needed for an application this year, is there anything I could do to make my qualifications valid?

Many thanks in advance,

Marie
Hi there, unfortunately a 2008 A-level would fall outside the cut off for 2016 entry. So you would need to be prepared to re-sit Chemistry A-level in summer 2016 (or at least, the theoretical papers - we wouldn't insist on the practical component) *unless* you could demonstrate that you had covered a significant amount of related material in the intervening years, e.g. Chemistry modules at University.
I'm due to start an Access to Social Sciences course in September (Sociology, Psychology and Criminology) and really like the sound of Lucy Cavendish. However, I won't be studying Biology or Maths at A Level-standard, and your page states those with one will be more competitive than those without. At a university already so competitive, would I have enough of a chance that it would still be worth me applying?

Thank you for this thread, by the way. It seemed a blessing that not only is it for Cambridge, but by Lucy Cavendish Admissions itself! :smile:

EDIT: I forgot to add I hope to apply for Psychological and Behavioural Sciences. Sorry.
(edited 8 years ago)

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