The Official Cambridge Applicants for 2023 Entry Thread

Hi, just wanted some advise. @Oxford Mum

So I want to apply for Cambridge in 2023 ( I have just started year 12), and from reading lots of other forums, many applicants take 4 a-levels, but I am only taking 3 ( and an EPQ in second year). Do you think that I will be disadvantaged when applying for Cambridge.

In my college its not too late to take up another A-level but I have already missed out on so much content. Should I take a fourth or stick to just three?

What are you currently taking and what do you think you'll want to apply for?

I'm taking bio, chem, Maths
Hopefully going into medicine, because its the most direct route into stem cell research at Cambridge

Thank you, I was just worried because most people applying for Cambridge take four.

They actually don't and considering schools aren't as flexible anymore letting ppl take four it's probably far less than it used to be too. Take forums, here and elsewhere, with a heap of salt - it is often a particular kind of student who is happy to put their 'stats' on the internet, and they will be a tiny minority of the thousands who apply each year.

It's the most direct route into stem cell research at Cambridge

Definitely don't need a fourth. Better to get top grades in three!

Hi, just wanted some advise. @Oxford Mum

So I want to apply for Cambridge in 2023 ( I have just started year 12), and from reading lots of other forums, many applicants take 4 a-levels, but I am only taking 3 ( and an EPQ in second year). Do you think that I will be disadvantaged when applying for Cambridge.

In my college its not too late to take up another A-level but I have already missed out on so much content. Should I take a fourth or stick to just three?

I know it is REALLY far in advance, but I wanted to start this thread for those who are thinking of applying to


the University of Cambridge in 2022 for entry in 2023!



Even though we have only just finished our GCSEs it never hurts to get ahead of the game when thinking about the future, and in particular - Cambridge Applications!
REMEMBER THOUGH: Cambridge isn't the be-all and end-all of things but being aspirational doesn't hurt!

(Thank you to @Xaodo whose 2022 thread I have partially lifted this from)

Don't worry if you haven't done a lot, this is well in advance!

1) What A Levels are you taking from September (or other eligible qualifications)?
2) What course at Cambridge do you have your eyes on? And why?
3) What grades did you get/are you predicted to get at GCSE?
4) Why Cambridge specifically? and why not Oxford?
5) Which admissions tests do you have to sit, and when will you start preparing for them?
6) What have you done in lockdown to help your studies and potentially your application to Cambridge?
7) What do you want to do with your degree from Cambridge?
8) Have you decided which college you're applying to?

1 - Further Maths (+Maths), Physics, Chemistry, EPQ
2 - Engineering or NatSci - I like Physics and hate myself
3 - 6x9s, 5x8s
4 - Because I have family who have been there before and want to do multiple sciences, haven't dismissed Oxford fully yet though
5 - ENGAA or NSAA, probably in the new year
6 - Read a lot of books, attended virtual Jesus College event, work experience, started to do A level content
7 - Either go into astrophysics/rockets or planes, failing that just do trading in london to earn sweet dollar
8 - Really like Magdalene, Emmanuel and Queens. So thinking one of those maybe

If anyone knows of any decent summer schools for y12 students next summer beside the sutton trust one (where i hit zero of the boxes which people are prioritised from), then please let me know

Ah what work experience did you do? Also what kind of work experience is useful for an econ applicant

Ah what work experience did you do? Also what kind of work experience is useful for an econ applicant

1) Chem Bio Math FM
2) Math
3) 8586798 chi eng math amath phy chem bio
4) I prefer Cambridge
5) STEP
6) Reading?
7) no idea
8) no

Guys I am quite certain that I will be able to get an A level and STEP result that meets the entry requirement. However what makes everything at stake is my terrible gcse, or igcse result be precise - which I self-learned and sat in a foreign country before I came to UK. Do you guys think that the result will affect the possibilities of gaining a seat in Cambridge? Or should I give this daydream up in advance?