The Big 'Which Cambridge College?' Thread

Which Cambridge colleges might be more ready than others to accept someone aged 15-16 to read maths? (Assuming their academic ability isn't in dispute, of course!)

If anyone knows of a college that has accepted some very young undergraduates (or even just one) recently, please let me know!

Thanks!

Which Cambridge colleges might be more ready than others to accept someone aged 15-16 to read maths? (Assuming their academic ability isn't in dispute, of course!)

If anyone knows of a college that has accepted some very young undergraduates (or even just one) recently, please let me know!

Thanks!

I'm fairly sure that no college would consider taking anyone who is not 18 (or does not turn 18 within the first academic year). If you contact any college asking them this, you'll likely be told to defer entry until you're the right age.

As the title says, I'm wondering what college is best to study NatSci. I already know that it doesn't make that much difference which college you choose, and that you'll be happy wherever you end up (if you're accepted, obviously) but I'm wondering if there are any colleges which are better.

I would disagree with this - a friend of a friend went to study Maths when she was 16/17... unfortunately I don't know which college, but it is possible!

I'm fairly sure that no college would consider taking anyone who is not 18 (or does not turn 18 within the first academic year). If you contact any college asking them this, you'll likely be told to defer entry until you're the right age.

I recently read that a boy from my country aged 16/17 (can't remember - point is that he was too young) will start studying Classics in Christ's College coming October. It was all over the papers - Belgium was so very proud of him. Perhaps try there?

You're mistaken. It's unlawful for universities or colleges to discriminate against an applicant on the basis of age, under section 23 of the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006. No college would dream of saying outright that they don't take anyone under 18. (What their real policy is, of course, is a different matter). Cambridge University says specifically that there's no minimum age limit, and all the Colleges whose webpages I've checked say the same. Thanks for posting (mainly because you've allowed me to refer to the legislation, which I wasn't planning to do!), but what I'd really appreciate is some info from people who know, or know of, people who have entered Cambridge at 16 or 15 or early 17. I'd be grateful for any info on this whatsoever - what subjects, what colleges, whether they are male or female, whether they've lived in college or out, or whatever.

The colleges are in a difficult position because on the one hand there are the age discrimintation laws like the one you quote - they can't exclude people on grounds of age. But on the other hand there are loads of child protection laws which make it very difficult to take people under 18 in practice - they can't take someone under 18 unless they put all sorts of measures in place to make sure that they can't drink in the bar and that their supervisors are CRB checked etc etc. If anything were to happen, the colleges would be in a lot of trouble.

One of the things that you have to understand about Cambridge is that the colleges are communities. Anybody they take has to be able to fit into and play a part in the community.

Some very young people suggest living out (with a parent) as an option and a way of getting around the child protection difficulties that the colleges have. However this undermines the whole community aspect of Cambridge life and study.

Somebody who does not live in college accommodation with their peers is not taking a full part in the community and not really experiencing Cambridge University - it's not just about going to your lectures.

Certainly there are quite a few 17 yr olds who get in but it is rare for anyone younger than that.

Certainly there are quite a few 17 yr olds who get in but it is rare for anyone younger than that. Here are the statistics for 2007 and 2008 though it doesn't break the category down further than 'under 18' http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/reporter/current/special/17/table6_1.pdf

Which people do in various ways - not all the same way - and many colleges have students who live out or who rarely go to the college except to go to supervisions and see their directors of studies. Even that is playing a part. After all, a supervision is normally a three-person relationship; it's not about solitude. Sure, such people are relating to the community differently from those who join all the societies, are always cheering on the boating team (if they're not on it, or if they're not propping up the bar), and eat in hall every night. But their style of being in the college is not a problem for anyone. Come on, be more inclusive, my friend!

That may be your opinion, but many students prefer to live out - and not just people who are married with kids either. (Would you reject them as members too? If so, the 'community' would sound increasingly like a public school).

We obviously see things differently, but I'd be very grateful if you could say some more about such rare younger-than-17 cases that you know about - not identifying anyone of course, but what subjects, what colleges, whether they live in or out, etc., if you have got that sort of info. (I'm very happy to be PMed if you prefer!)

PS thanks for the link to that table, fumbie! So about 60 applicants under 18 on 1 Oct of the relevant year were accepted in each of 2007 and 2008, out of about 3000 accepted overall. That's about 2%. Obviously most were 17, but I'd be very interested to know how many were 17, 16, etc. - and what proportion of these applicants lived in and out. Even if someone can just post an educated guess.

Thank you very much for this info, Claudia. I haven't found anything in the UK press, searching on "Christ's College" and "Belgium". Do you know his name or any other details? Was it mainly in the Francophone press or Flemish-speaking, or both? I'd very much like to find out more about him. Any details you can remember would be great.

The issue, as I'm sure you're aware is that blind or wheelchair bound students are not going to change their circumstances by just deferring their application. Under-age applicants would most likely be asked to defer their application.

Very few people live out for all three years.

You mention the case of mature students with family but it is interesting to note that there are not many (if any) very mature students in the 'normal' colleges. Most students who are 40 or so are strongly encouraged to join one of the mature colleges which can offer them a more appropriate community for their age and circumstances than the normal colleges. This is not because of any prejudice - just because most people can see that a 40 year old with children will probably be much happier in a community where their are other people their age / with children. Whilst the normal colleges do accept mature students, then, they tend to be 21 year olds who live with everyone else.

Here are the national statistics for 07 and 08 if you're interested in those http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/reporter/current/special/17/table6_2.pdf

As I'm sure you're aware, some people are only wheelchair-bound for certain foreseeable (or roughly foreseeable) periods of time. Should they be told to go away and come back later? I don't ask this to be pedantic or sarcastic. It's terrible for a young mathematician's development for them to be asked to twiddle their thumbs for a year...or three or four...just because they'll be able better to look after themselves as an adult when they're 18. What would happen in practice is that they would end up not going to university at all, lose their interest. This is why the best Cambridge colleges discourage gap years (so beloved by banks of course) for mathmos.

It's terrible for a young mathematician's development for them to be asked to twiddle their thumbs for a year...or three or four...just because they'll be able better to look after themselves as an adult when they're 18. What would happen in practice is that they would end up not going to university at all, lose their interest. This is why the best Cambridge colleges discourage gap years (so beloved by banks of course) for mathmos.

Probably the majority of people in certain age groups. And those who do, do they suffer from not getting what they'd get if they lived in? I don't mean in your opinion, but in theirs.

You're mistaken. It's unlawful for universities or colleges to discriminate against an applicant on the basis of age, under section 23 of the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006. No college would dream of saying outright that they don't take anyone under 18. (What their real policy is, of course, is a different matter). Cambridge University says specifically that there's no minimum age limit, and all the Colleges whose webpages I've checked say the same. Thanks for posting (mainly because you've allowed me to refer to the legislation, which I wasn't planning to do!)