Upcoming Girton College Outreach Events
Join us for enriching masterclasses, immersive taster days, engaging talks, and exciting events. Experience hands-on learning, connect with like-minded individuals, and be inspired by thought-provoking discussions and activities.
These events provide a dynamic and supportive environment for personal and professional growth, whether you're a school student, teacher, or parent/supporter.
If you are a school in our Link Area hosting a HE/Careers Fair or a Parent's Evening and would like a representative from Girton to attend, please contact us on access@girton.cam.ac.uk.
Modern Languages Taster Day Competition
Following on from our taster day, held Wednesday 15 October 2025, students were invited to write a short paragraph in their chosen language about their experience. Congratulations to Jasmine, who won a £50 National Book Token for their entry in German:
Der Tag war sehr spannend, und es war eine tolle Möglichkeit, mehr zu erfahren über Sprachen, Girton College und das Studium in der Universität.
Was ich interessant und unerwartet fand, war die Wichtigkeit von Bilder, Fotos, und Filmen. Eine Sprache zu studieren ist auch eine Kultur (oder verschiedene) zu studieren, und am Taster-Tag war es was Neues für mich, ein deutsches Plakat von der dritten Reich zu sehen und nachzudenken: wie hat das die Geschichte beeinflusst? Was sind die Themen, die man hinter die Farben und Wörter sehen kann? Ich verstand, dass solche Frage eine wichtige Rolle spielen. Wie Wittgenstein gesagt hatte, die Grenzen meiner Sprache bedeuten die Grenzen meiner Welt. Es ist also fazinierend, sie zu ändern und verbreitern, durch das Studium einer andere Sprache.
Es war auch motivierend, so viele andere junge Leute zu treffen, mit gleiche Interesse. Manchmal hatte ich die Idee, dass ich fast die Eine war, um mich für Sprachen zu interessieren – der Girton-Tag hat mich gezeigt, dass die keineswegs richtig war. Ich fand es gut, mit anderen über Sprache zu reden, und ich habe auch mein Deutsch und Französich geübt.
Zum Schluss, habe ich viel gelernt und es war einfach ein Höhepunkt meines Jahres.
Third Party Programmes or Initiatives
If your programme or charity would be interested in working with Girton College, please complete our short form for your request to be considered.
In-person events
Our next in-person events are the University Open Days on Thursday 9 and Friday 10 July. You can find further information on Girton's offerings here.
Monday 12 October 2026
This day is open to bookings from our Link Area schools in the West Midlands (Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull and Wolverhampton) and Cambridgeshire (Cottenham Village College, Northstowe Secondary College and Swavesey Village College).*
The day will include a tour of the College from our Student Ambassadors, talks from our Senior Admissions Tutor, and subject-specific masterclasses from our own academics.
We are happy to either fund your coach travel up to £500 or reimburse mileage if using your own minibus, as well as offer lunch.
Please get in touch via email if you would like to secure your space. Please note there is a maximum of 20 students per school.
*If you are a Camden schoool, please refer to the Girton/Camden Scheme.
Languages and Culture - Wednesday 14 October 2026
Music - Thursday 15 October 2026
Girton College is hosting Taster Days in October and they are open to students for the 2026-2027 academic year. The nomination form will be advertised at the start of September.
Teachers can nominate up to 3 students. In allocating places, we will consider the teacher’s recommendation as well as widening participation criteria and contextual data. Students must make their own way to and from Girton College. We regret we do not have space for parents, teachers, or supporters to remain during the day. Refreshments and lunch will be provided.
Students in mainstream schools should normally be on track to achieve A*AA at A level (or equivalent) if in Year 12, or to achieve grade 7 or above in at least 5 GCSEs if in Year 11.
Languages and Culture - Priority will be given to Year 11 students, but students in Years 10 and 12 are welcome to apply and will be allocated spaces subject to availability.
Music - Open to Year 11 and 12 students. Students should be engaging with academic music at an appropriate level, either through GCSE or A level Music or music theory exams.
Online events
- Ever wondered what it takes to really live with your environment?
- Keen to explore what inspired William Wordsworth, Charles Darwin, Claude Monet, Ken Saro-Wiwa, and Greta Thunberg to understand the world around them?
- How can our shared ground be understood through an interdisciplinary lens, combining both STEM and Arts subjects?
Girton: Shared Ground is a brand-new programme open to students in the UK in Year 12/ S5 in Scotland/ Y13 in Northern Ireland. The webinars are open to students from all school backgrounds, but students with widening participation flags will be prioritised for the residential. The programme consists of 3 webinars, resulting in a residential for selected students at Girton College, 24-26 August 2026. Successful students will have the opportunity to take part in academic lectures, visit museums across Cambridge, and present at a symposium.
This programme explores the varied perspectives taken on how to most effectively harbour a relationship with our environment. Girton, set amongst 50 acres of natural woodlands, orchards and wildlife habitats, offers the perfect collegiate space to think and an environment in which to thrive. Now more than ever, students should be expanding their skillset to become adaptable to the ever-changing conversations around our planet, through science, linguistics, geography, literature, and engineering.
This programme works with students to build and practise those skills, mapping them onto real examples for the upcoming Cambridge admissions process:
- How to critically read texts
- Advice on how to find super-curricular resources
- Tips on understanding reading lists
- What is an abstract, and how do I write one?
- Q&A with current Cambridge students
Students must be on track to receive A*AA or equivalent to attend the webinars. All webinars will take place via Zoom and will not be recorded. Upon completing this form, you will be sent a link to the first webinar on Wednesday 3 June. For the remaining two webinars, links will be sent out 1 week before.
Webinars will take place on the following dates:
Monday 8 June, 17:30-18:30 (UK time)
Monday 22 June, 17:30-18:30 (UK time)
Tuesday 7 July, 17:30-18:30 (UK time)
Registrations have now closed.
Tuesday 30 June, 5-6pm
Join our Senior Admissions Tutor and Schools' Liaison and Outreach Officer for an hour of delving into all things Personal Statement related. Whether you're looking for guidance with how to write your personal statement, or wanting inspiration for super-curriculars, we've got you covered as you start to craft those University applications!
Open to all students in Year 12 (England and Wales), S5 (Scotland) or Year 13 (Northern Ireland).
Sign up here by 12pm, Thursday 25 June.
Wider University events
All up-to-date information on events organised by the central University team and Colleges can be found here.
Cambridge Subject Masterclasses
Curious about university life and keen to explore your subject choices? Our Cambridge Subject Masterclasses are the perfect opportunity to go beyond the school curriculum and explore what it’s like to study your favourite subject at one of the world’s leading universities.
Masterclasses are designed for students in Year 12 (S5 for Scotland, Year 13 for NI, international grade 10 or 11, or equivalent) and mature students. Both UK and international students are welcome to attend.
Further information can be found on the webpage.
Anglo-Saxon, Norse & Celtic Studies
If you are interested and are considering applying for a place from October 2027 you are warmly invited to our Open Day on Wednesday 1st July 2026.
The teaching staff will describe the courses they provide, the kinds of materials studied, the range of choices the Tripos offers, and the kinds of employment our graduates move into. There will be opportunities to put questions to staff and current students and to ask advice about application procedures for both prospective students and accompanying parents. A visit to a College Library to view Anglo‑Saxon and other medieval manuscripts will follow the presentations.
The event will begin at 12.15pm. On arrival, those attending should gather in the Social Space on the Ground Floor of the Faculty of English building, 9 West Road, Cambridge. There will be no charge for attendance, and a buffet lunch will be provided. The presentations will end by 4.00pm and the library visit by 5.00pm. We regret that it is impossible for us to provide overnight accommodation. Details of accommodation in Cambridge are available from the Tourist Information Centre: www.visitcambridge.org.
Anyone wishing to attend the Open Day should complete the form below by Monday 22nd June 2026.
If you have any questions, please get in touch: outreach@asnc.cam.ac.uk
Christ's College
Experience Christ's Summer School
Experience Christ's Summer School | Christ's College
Applications are now open until 12th June for Experience Christ's!
Deadline for applications: 11.59pm on 12 June 2026.
Experience Christ's provides the opportunity to experience the social and community aspects of college life at Cambridge, as well as the sense of the academic challenge that studying at Cambridge entails. The event is free, including all meals, travel expenses and accommodation for all attendees. There are 60 places available on each strand.
Strand A, 17-19 August 2026: Law, Politics and Social Sciences.
Strand B, 26-28 August 2026: Engineering, Computer Science, Environment, Law and Economics (formerly Land Economy).
We will also be offering Geography, Architecture and Design, though the specific strand to which they will be attached is TBC. Applicants interested in these subjects can select 'unsure' when prompted about which strand on the application form.
Students interested in subjects other than those offered are still welcome to apply, if they feel they would still benefit from attending academic sessions in these areas and are currently studying the necessary A-Level, International Baccalaureate or Higher subjects for those subject areas.
Full details, eligibility criteria and application form link is available on the Experience Christ's webpage.
Additional note:
This is free to all attendees, including all travel expenses. Priority for typical WP criteria, but also those who have not otherwise had an opportunity to attend such an event, and for those from outside of London and the South East of England.
Emmanuel College
Medic Mentoring Scheme 2026
Medic Mentoring Scheme | Emmanuel College
Applications to Medic Mentoring Scheme are now open - and, this year, the programme is available to Year 12s nationwide.
The Medic Mentoring Scheme, spearheaded by Emmanuel's Medical and Veterinary Society, pairs aspiring medical students with current clinical medics at Emmanuel. Through regular support via our mentoring platform as well as webinars on topics such as interviews, sitting the UCAT, and personal statements, participants are supported in making competitive applications to UK medical schools.
Deadline to apply: Wednesday 17th June 2026
Gonville and Caius College
Caius Explore
Caius Explore | Gonville & Caius
Caius Explore is now live! This is a supercurricular challenge for students in Year 12 that covers a range of subjects. Each subject sets a task, and entries can be essays, videos, podcasts, and so much more! Go to our webpage for more information and to upload your entry via Qualtrics. Your entry will be read by a Cambridge academic, who will choose their favourite authors to come to Caius for a celebration day! During the day, Caius Explore students will have the chance to meet current Cambridge students, Directors of Studies within their subject area, and have lunch in college.
Deadline for entries: July 26th 2026
King's College
Entrepreneurship Essay Competition
The 2026 Entrepreneurship Essay Competition, run by the King’s Entrepreneurship Lab (E Lab) at King’s College, University of Cambridge, is now open to UK students in Years 11–13/S4-S6/Years 12-14 NI. The competition is free to enter and designed to encourage students from all backgrounds to explore entrepreneurial thinking and consider higher education pathways.
Students are invited to submit a 1,000-word essay in response to one of four questions:
- How do personal experiences and social context shape entrepreneurial thinking?
- Can failure be a strength in entrepreneurship?
- What responsibilities do entrepreneurs have beyond profit?
- How do constraints shape entrepreneurial creativity?
We are especially keen to reach students who may not traditionally see themselves as “entrepreneurial” or who have not previously considered applying to Oxbridge. The competition welcomes students from all subject backgrounds and encourages the use of local, community based, or personal examples.
Key details:
- Deadline: 5 August 2026 (9pm)
- Prizes: £1,500 (winner), £750 (two runners-up)
- Additional recognition: Shortlisted/Highly Commended certificates
- Prize-giving: King’s College, Cambridge (December 2026)
Full details (including essay guidance and past winning entries) can be found here: Essay Competition — King's Entrepreneurship Lab
Queens' College
Estelle English Prize 2026
Queens’ College invites submissions for the Estelle English Prize 2026, which will be awarded to the best essay submitted by a Year 12 (Y13 NI / S5 Scotland) student.
Entries should answer one of the three set questions, should be no longer than 2,500 words (including footnotes, references, illustration captions, and any other text), and should reach the College’s Tutorial Office no later than Friday 03 July 2026. The main focus should not be on something that has been or is currently being studied in the classroom or offered as A level coursework. The winner will receive a £500 prize (or, in the case of joint winners, each will receive a prize of £250); depending on the strength of the field of submissions honourable mentions may also be made.
Each entry should be accompanied by a completed cover sheet, and submitted no later than 5 p.m. on Friday 03 July 2026. Further information can be found here - Outreach Competitions - Queens' College.
Robinson College
Slaughter and May Law Insight Day
Who: Year 12 (E & W) / 13 (NI), S5 (S) - Eligibility criteria applies
Where: Robinson College
When: Monday 27th July
Deadline: Sunday 28th June, 23:59pm
More information on the event website
Robinson College is working with Slaughter and May, an international law firm, to provide an insight into law for Year 12 students intending to study Law at university. This will entail an introduction to Law as a university course at Cambridge, as well as workshops to practise the key skills required of lawyers in a professional setting led by partners from Slaughter and May, giving participants an insight into both the study and practice of law. Participants will also hear about the day-to-day activities and realities of working as a trainee solicitor at a top international firm.
The event is free-of-charge, with meals provided by the College. Travel expenses may be covered if students meet our Travel Costs policy and students travelling from far away may be offered accommodation the night before on request.
STEP Prep Day
Who: Year 12 (E & W) / 13 (NI), S5 (S)
Where: Robinson College
When: Saturday 11th July
Deadline: Sunday 14th June, 23:59pm
More information on the event website
The STEP Prep Day is a one-day event for students who are in Year 12 and are interested in studying Mathematics at the University of Cambridge.
The aim of the STEP Prep Day is to introduce students to the STEP exam, the style of questions used in the STEP papers, and the thought required to tackle them. The event will include an admissions talk and Q&A, a tour of the College, and sessions designed to familiarise students with STEP questions, led by current students and teaching staff from the University of Cambridge.
STEP (Sixth Term Examination Paper) is an assessment done at the end of Year 13, which forms part of the conditional offer for Mathematics across all colleges of the University. For more information, please see here: https://www.ocr.org.uk/students/step-mathematics/
To apply for the event, students must be studying Mathematics and Further Mathematics to A-Level, or IB Higher Level Mathematics.
The event is free-of-charge, with meals provided by the College. Travel expenses may be covered if students meet our Travel Costs policy and students travelling from far away may be offered accommodation the night before on request.
St Catharine's College
Medicine Taster Day
Are you:
- in Year 12 (S5 in Scotland, Year 13 in Northern Ireland)
- attending a UK state school
- thinking of applying to Medicine, Vet Med, or Biomedical Sciences?
If the answer to these questions is "yes!", then our Subject Taster Day might be for you!
These events are aimed at students in Year 12 (or S5 in Scotland or Year 13 in Northern Ireland) who are considering studying medicine, veterinary medicine, or biomedical sciences at university. The day will involve sessions with academics, talks on admissions, and the chance to talk to current students and staff at the university. Lunch is provided for all students, and a full travel bursary is available for any students who are currently in receipt of Free School Meals, or who have been eligible for Free School Meals at any point over the past 6 years.
Dates:
Medicine Taster Day: 30th June 10am-4pm (Applications close on 15th June 2026)
Applications:
Applications are now open!
Apply here: ps://cambridge.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eM5kyrxm71BS2GO
Trinity College
Trinity College Humanities Residential 2026
Trinity College Humanities Residential 2026
Who: Year 12 students (England & Wales), Year 13 (NI), or S5 (Scotland) interested in studying arts and humanities subjects at Cambridge, attending a UK state school.
What: A free two-night, three-day residential featuring taster sessions led by Cambridge academics, and lectures and talks from current students and admissions staff. Three streams available: Literature, History & Politics, and Law.
Where: In-person at Trinity College. Travel reimbursed for all participants.
When: 4–6 August 2026
Application deadline: 6pm Friday 19 June 2026
On the 3rd, 4th and 5th of August 2026 (10am-12pm each day), the Cambridge Institute of Medical Research (CIMR) is running an online event called Reaching Research aimed at students in Years 12 and 13 (or equivalent) interested in studying medicine, biomedical sciences, biochemistry, biology etc. at university.
Reaching Research will consist of:
- Several talks from biomedical scientists at different stages of their careers.
- A lab experiment carried out in CIMR.
- Information about university admissions.
Speakers include PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and group leaders. Scientists will discuss their career background, current research topic and advice to students considering careers in science.
We will also have a quiz with Amazon vouchers to be won!
The event is aimed at students in Y12 and 13 (or equivalent) attending state schools, with priority given to students who meet one or more of our additional criteria detailed on our website.
To find out more and apply for a place please look at our website: