Widening participation & outreach
We recognise that there are barriers which deter students from applying to the University of Cambridge, and we believe that outreach and the provision of accurate information is essential to challenging this. At Girton, our Admissions team works to ensure that all prospective applicants, supporters and schools have access to the information they need to make an informed decision about applying to Cambridge.
We welcome contact from all schools and are happy to provide support where we are able, but maintain particularly strong relationships with schools in our College Link Areas (Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Wolverhampton and the London Borough of Camden). For schools in these areas we hope to go back to offering visits to schools and visits to Girton soon. We also work with selected schools in Cambridgeshire through the Connect to Cambridge Scheme.
- The link areas for all Cambridge colleges can be viewed here.
- Information regarding events being run across the University can be found here.
Please see below for further information on the outreach and widening participation events and schemes we run at Girton.
Girton’s Humanities Writing Competition is for students in Year 12 (or equivalent) who have an interest in the Humanities. Students submit an essay based on one or more objects selected from the College’s small antiquities museum, the Lawrence Room.
The competition is an opportunity for research and writing beyond the curriculum using one or more of the six objects as your focus. We accept essays or creative responses (such as dramatic monologues or short stories). Up to date information regarding our Humanities writing competition can be found here, and on our social media platforms.
Wednesday 1st November 2023
For students in Y12 (or equiv.) who are potentially interested in applying to university for languages. Participants will get the opportunity to attend workshops delivered by Modern and Medieval Language Fellows from the University of Cambridge as well as hear from and ask questions to current undergraduates.
Closer to the time there will be an opportunity to sign on to the specific language sessions but for now please sign-up to register your interest as there is limited availability. If oversubscribed, priority will be given to students from state schools.
Deadline to sign up is 09:00 Monday 2nd October 2023.
Timetable:
10.00 Welcome and refreshments
10.30 Language degree overview/ Year Abroad
11.00 Translation workshop
11.50 Break
12.00 Culture workshop (Spanish, French, German, Visual Culture)
1.00 Lunch
2.00 Language workshop (French, Spanish ab initio, Italian ab initio, Russian ab initio)
3.00 Admissions and Undergraduate Q&A
4.00 Close of event
Sign-up link: https://forms.gle/XsUxFWAqKyfQC2TV6
Girton is also one of the first colleges to participate in STEM SMART, a Widening Participation initiative from the University of Cambridge, in association with Isaac Physics.
STEM SMART will provide free complementary teaching and support to UK students at non-fee paying schools who have either experienced educational disadvantage or belong to a group that is statistically less likely to progress to higher education. It is targeted at students who:
- are considering applying to Engineering or Physical Science (e.g. Physics, Chemistry, earth sciences, materials & science) courses at university
- and are studying A-levels (or equivalent) in maths and science.
For further information, please visit the STEM SMART website.
Girton is one of the first colleges participating in the Cambridge Foundation Year - a free and fully-funded one-year residential course designed to offer a stepping stone to Cambridge for those who have experienced educational disadvantage.
Prospective foundation year applicants who wish to find out more are encouraged to attend the Foundation Year team's webinars, information upcoming events with the team can be found here.
Further information can be found on our Cambridge Foundation Year webpage.
- Inside Uni - a student made resource with tons of great tips on applying to Oxbridge
- Personal Statement writing booklet
- A video overview of the Cambridge application process
- Student testimonials, Q&As and more - videos all about Cambridge from a student perspective
- Events being held across all of the Cambridge Colleges can be found here
Visits to and from Girton
School group visits are currently running at limited capacity – but do get in touch if you would be interested in bringing your school group to Girton. Please note that we prioritise work with schools in our Link Areas.
Visits to Girton for students in years 9, 10 and 11 focus on raising aspirations and building familiarity with the University of Cambridge. Year 12 visits to Girton focus more closely on preparing students to make applications to highly competitive universities including Cambridge. We can also work to tailor these visits to focus on areas of interest to teachers/students.
In the past we have offered ad hoc visits to schools, which include a range of workshops and assemblies to fit schools’ needs. Our West Midlands schools Roadshows are fantastic opportunities for us to visit multiple schools and talk to students about applying to Higher Education. If you would like us to work with to your students, please do get in touch at access@girton.cam.ac.uk.
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Meet our Schools Liaison and Outreach Officer
Hi! My name is Tessa Doubleday and I'm the Schools Liaison and Outreach Officer at Girton.
I'm from South East London and I recently graduated from Girton College with a degree in English. As someone who came to Cambridge from a state comprehensive school, I understand some of the challenges students from underrepresented backgrounds face when applying to the University. I want to help students to see Cambridge as an achievable option for their future as a place where anyone can thrive. I'm looking forward to working with some of you this year!
