Ethnicity and Cambridge

Belonging at Cambridge

Stay tuned to hear Sam, a first-year Geography student from Sheffield, discuss what his application journey was like and the advice he would give to prospective applicants. A list of discussion topics can be found below.00:00 Introductions01:30 How did you decide to study Geography? And why Cambridge?02:45 Did you visit Cambridge/Oxford before applying?04:30 Train costs and choosing universities05:45 How affordable is it to live in Cambridge?07:00 When did you start preparing for your Cambridge application?08:15 How did you approach your personal statement?13:20 How much did your school help?16:00 How did you find your interviews?17:50 How did you think your interviews went?22:10 What was the Winter Pool like?23:30 Could you imagine being at a different college?25:20 At Trinity Hall, what are Central Site and Wychfield Site?27:30 What did you think Cambridge would be like beforehand?29:50 Hesitating to apply to Cambridge30:45 How did you decide to apply to Cambridge?31:10 What have the Cambridge students been like?32:00 Are Cambridge students posh?35:20 What are colleges?37:00 Explaining college and university societies38:10 What societies has Sam been attending?39:10 Trinity Hall Cambridge’s wall by the river40:00 Trinity Hall boats available to rent for punting40:50 Cambridge being a flat city — getting used to it after Sheffield42:00 Grantchester Meadows and Cambridge intellectuals43:10 Advice for applicants hesitating to apply

Applying from Ireland to Cambridge

Stay tuned to hear Holly, a first-year Law student, discuss what it was like applying to Cambridge from the Irish system, compare her experiences at university in Ireland and Cambridge, and explain why she thinks more Irish students should apply to Cambridge. A list of discussion topics can be found below.00:00 Introductions01:30 How did the idea of applying to Cambridge come up?02:30 Differences between Trinity College Dublin and University of Cambridge08:00 What it’s like living in a college compared to living in the city, with your family, or in digs13:00 What are Cambridge Colleges?19:30 Leaving Trinity College Dublin for University of Cambridge20:00 Differences between applying to university in Ireland and the UK28:00 Guidance for teachers on how to write the school reference30:30 Applying to UK universities with Irish predicted grades32:30 More of Holly’s experience applying to Cambridge while at Trinity College Dublin34:30 The difference between applying with predicted grades and completed grades35:10 More differences between applying to university in Ireland and the UK36:00 Cambridge having lower grade requirements than Trinity College Dublin38:10 Applying post-qualification, gap years, and unconditional offers40:00 How common is it for Irish students to apply to UK universities?41:20 How expensive is Cambridge? Irish students eligible for tuition loans, travel grants, and Cambridge financial support44:30 College support for Cambridge students — “there’s a whole army of people here who are there to help you”46:00 Living costs while studying at Cambridge47:45 How much does accommodation cost at Cambridge?49:15 Subsidised food at Cambridge and Trinity Hall Cambridge52:00 What is the Irish community like at Cambridge?54:30 Was being surrounded by Brits a deterrent to studying in the UK?58:00 Opportunities to study the Irish language at Cambridge for all studentsFor more information on funding for Irish applicants, see below: https://hea.ie/funding-governance-performance/funding/student-finance/other-finance-bursaries-scholarshipsFor more information on learning Irish at Cambridge, see below: https://www.asnc.cam.ac.uk/currentstudents/irish/learning.htmFor podcasts on Personal Statements, School Reference, and how applications are assessed, see below:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rM-4pCKTgkhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SGqFEvho-ghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fn4e8XTcgOw

Financial Support and Application Journey

Stay tuned to hear Scout, a first-year English student, discuss what his application journey was like, financial support he's received at Cambridge, and the advice he would give to prospective applicants. A list of discussion topics can be found below.00:00 Introductions02:00 How did you come about applying to Cambridge?03:50 GCSE results05:00 Why did your friends not apply to Cambridge?06:00 Is Cambridge elitist?08:00 The shared fear of not fitting in09:00 What was the application process like?12:20 How has your first term been so far?13:40 Applying to Cambridge from the North East16:00 Cambridge experiences compared to preconceptions19:00 Is there a risk of losing your identity and roots if you go to Cambridge?25:00 Regional accents and getting to know people27:00 Financial support at Cambridge and accommodation costs30:45 Food at Trinity Hall Cambridge and how affordable it is33:45 College and university bursaries and financial support38:45 Pastoral care provided by the college41:00 Advice for prospective applicantsFind more about Cambridge financial support in the link below: https://www.cambridgestudents.cam.ac.uk/fees-and-funding/funding

Studying Computer Science at Cambridge

Stay tuned as Will, a second-year Computer Sciences student, shares what life is like as a CompSci student at Cambridge. A list of topic discussions can be found below:00:00 Introductions01:00 What is Computer Science?02:55 How is the course different at Cambridge compared to other universities?04:15 What is software engineering?06:05 What is the course structure for Computer Science at Cambridge?07:30 Is there an integrated master’s for Computer Science?08:15 What kind of things do you learn about in Computer Science?09:15 Overlaps between philosophy and Computer Science10:05 A Levels that are similar to Computer Science, and what motivates students to apply11:55 Is it pure or applied maths that you learn in Computer Science?14:15 What does a typical week look like in the CompSci course?15:45 What are supervisions? What are Computer Science supervisions like?19:35 Has the course been what you expected?20:35 How do students get interested in Computer Science?21:15 How practical is the course?24:35 What are the facilities like for Computer Science students?27:35 When to start thinking about the application process28:45 Deciding between Computer Science, Maths, and Engineering29:25 Deciding between Oxford and Cambridge31:30 What are CompSci interviews like?36:45 Career opportunities after Computer Science37:45 AI modules and how AI will affect future jobs42:15 Being passionate about CompSci helps with the course

Ethnicity and Cambridge

Stay tuned to hear Florence, a third-year Law student at Trinity Hall, discuss what life is like at Cambridge. A list of discussion topics can be found below.00:00 Introductions01:05 For whatever reason, if an applicant were to say to you that they were worried about fitting in at Cambridge, what would you say to them?01:40 How long does it take to make close friendships at university?03:25 Should students from minority ethnicities worry about fitting in at Cambridge?04:35 How have your experiences been so far at Cambridge?08:35 How conscious are students at Cambridge about their ethnicity?09:35 How an academic’s or student’s background can inform their research12:20 For minority ethnicities and nationalities in general, are there student societies? If so, what kind of events do they offer?15:35 Going to formals at other colleges16:35 The difference between university and college societies17:05 Explaining the BME Officer role and the JCR Committee18:05 Florence’s experiences as the BME Officer22:55 What can a student do if they experience racism or micro-aggressions?24:20 Dealing with micro-aggressions32:35 What were your friends’ and families’ thoughts about you applying to Cambridge?34:35 Is Cambridge more or less diverse than your sixth form?36:05 How has Cambridge matched up to your expectations?38:55 Explaining decolonising the curriculum39:35 Opportunities for intersectional studies at Cambridge