Competition - post a photo you've taken of nature >>

Admissions

Hi

I am a 30-year-old mature student who is currently studying on a Humanities Access course, at a local college. Due to personal circumstances, I left the education system after my A Levels. My life experiences have taken me back to education, as I want to better myself.

I want to apply for HSPS at Cambridge and would be really grateful if someone who has got onto this course, via an Access, could offer me advice on the application procedure.

Or am I being too ambitious in thinking someone like me can go to Cambridge and maybe need to lower my expectations?

Thank you

Reply 1

ageshallnot

Original post by ak-h

Cambridge do accept students via Access to HE courses, but sometimes ask for extra qualifications. Have a look at www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/applying/entrance-requirements

Reply 2

ak-h

Original post by ageshallnot

Cambridge do accept students via Access to HE courses, but sometimes ask for extra qualifications. Have a look at www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/applying/entrance-requirements

Thank you for your reply.

HSPS does not ask for any further qualifications.

Do you know of any people who have got in via this method?

Reply 3

ageshallnot

Original post by ak-h

Thank you for your reply.

HSPS does not ask for any further qualifications.

Do you know of any people who have got in via this method?

No I don't, but have a look through this thread: https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4847762. You could also ask questions about your particular circumstances.

Reply 4

Doones

Original post by ak-h

Thank you for your reply.

HSPS does not ask for any further qualifications.

Do you know of any people who have got in via this method?

We have a resident Cambridge admissions tutor specialising in applications from mature students. Ask in their thread here:
https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4847762

They certainly do accept students with Access to HE for many courses.

Reply 5

Doones

Original post by ageshallnot

No I don't, but have a look through this thread: https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4847762. You could also ask questions about your particular circumstances.

Beat me to it :smile:

Reply 6

ak-h

Original post by Doonesbury

Beat me to it :smile:

Thank you

Reply 7

ageshallnot

Original post by Doonesbury

Beat me to it :smile:

I was considering muttering a mystical incantation and summoning you from the deep...! :tongue:

Reply 8

Doones

Original post by ageshallnot

I was considering muttering a mystical incantation and summoning you from the deep...! :tongue:

Just thinking about it was clearly enough....

:hat2:

Reply 9

threeportdrift

Careers Forum Helper

Original post by ak-h

................

A few years ago, I had a colleague at Cam who had got into the HSPS equivalent through an Access course, so it is definitely possible. There is no particular magic to the application process as a mature applicant, you have to have decent grades or professional experience, and you have to convince them that you've got the organisation/work skills.

The work ethic is rarely in doubt with mature students, who tend to be making a very well considered return to education and know the career and family sacrifices they are making. However, the research/study skills can be rusty and hard to just 'switch on' so they need to know those skills are up to speed, but a good Access result should show that.

Reply 10

ak-h

Original post by threeportdrift

Did they apply with the access on it's own, or did they study an A Level alongside it?

I have read on few articles saying an A Level can help the application but around my region there is no provider of this for mature students.

Reply 11

username1545603

I'm rooting for you. You will, of course, need to meet the minimum application standards which I assume you are already aware.

You've not got long left to apply if you are going to do so this year. I think cut-off date is October 15th (someone will correct me if it's not)

The best advice I can give you is to watch a couple of videos about admissions, both from current and just-starting Cambridge students (one of them doing HSPS). If you go to the following link then you can get to both of them at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_0jokC0dVw&t=313s

The best of luck with everything and make sure to contact the Admissions Tutors here on TSR, I can tell you from direct experience they are superbly helpful, as is Doonesbury and Vincrows who have a great deal of knowledge of the Cambridge system.

(edited 6 years ago)

Reply 12

ak-h

Original post by Doonesbury

Just thinking about it was clearly enough....

:hat2:

Would you say the Access s enough to apply on it's own, or would you recommend doing an A Level alongside if possible?

Reply 13

username1865079

Original post by ak-h

Would you say the Access s enough to apply on it's own, or would you recommend doing an A Level alongside if possible?

You've already posted the question on a mature college's admission tutor's thread.
Application of mature students with different qualification and academic background is quite different from standard age application.
She is the best person to give you necessary info and advice in this forum.
Please be a bit patient and wait for her to reply. :smile:

Reply 14

ak-h

Original post by vincrows

Thank you

Reply 15

Doones

Original post by ak-h

Would you say the Access s enough to apply on it's own, or would you recommend doing an A Level alongside if possible?

I'd await a reply from the AT to be sure (I see you asked in their thread), but I *think* it will be sufficient for HSPS.

Indeed you can see LucyCav has a student example with "just" AccessHE

http://www.lucy-cav.cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduates/subjects/human-social-and-political-sciences

Reply 16

ak-h