Applying to Cambridge

• Undergraduate Courses at Cambridge• Teaching Methods and Assessment• The Collegiate System• Making an Application: UCAS and Other Forms• Tests, Written Work and Interviews• Finances• Research• Conclusion

Information Seminar, Hong Kong (September 2010)

Cambridge Undergraduate Courses

“One of the most distinctive characteristics of Cambridge courses is that they cover the subject very broadly in the initial years and then become more specialised and offer a wide range of options in the later years.”

“Academic rather than vocational in Nature.”

…Architecture, History, Medical Sciences, Mathematics, Engineering…

“Traditional rather than contemporary.” We do not offer Film and Media Studies, Journalism, Business Studies, Drama, Dentistry or Sports Science.

Undergraduate Courses (Sciences)

• Computer Science• Engineering• Mathematics• Medicine• Natural Sciences• Veterinary Science• (Chemical Engineering)

Note also other options such as: Mathematics with Physics; Computer Sciences with Mathematics etc…

Sciences… Offering Academic Diversity

Broad Foundation in first year:

• Mechanical Engineering

• Structural Engineering

• Electrical Engineering

• Mathematical Methods

Engineering

Three selected sciences from:

• Chemistry

• Biology of Cells

• Evolution and Behaviour

• Physiology of Organisms

• Physics

• Materials

• Geology

Plus a supporting mathematics course

Natural Sciences

Both Engineering and Natural Sciences offer routes into Chemical

Engineering in Part IB…

Sciences…Offering potential to specialise:

Part II Natural Sciences: 16 single subjects…

BiologicalBiochemistry, Chemistry, Genetics, Neuroscience, Pathology, Pharmacology, Physiology, Plant Sciences, Psychology, Zoology.

PhysicalAstrophysics, Chemistry, Experimental and Theoretical Physics, Geology, Materials.

OtherHistory and Philosophy of Science.

…or maintain a broader curriculum in “Biological and Biomedical Sciences” or “Physical Sciences”.

Languages• ASN&C• AMES• Classics• English• Linguistics• MML

Undergraduate Courses (Arts)Social Sciences•Economics•Education•Land Economy•Law•Politics, Psychology and Sociology

Other Arts•Architecture•Theology •Arch&Anth•History•History of Art•Geography •Music•Philosophy

Typically characterised by breadth with later opportunities for specialisation.

Does a Cambridge course sacrifice depth for breadth?

Cambridge graduates are expected to achieve the same standard and depth in their final year as graduates from courses elsewhere which have a narrower or more specialised scope. This is because:

Our courses offer a tough challenge, but one most of our students relish. We demand a lot, but we give a lot too:

•We are fortunate to start with some of the world’s ablest students•We provide them with some of the best teaching and learning facilities •We work them hard!

• Expert teachers and lecturers; • Excellent library and computing facilities; • State-of-the-art laboratory facilities; • Lots of support through personalised teaching.

Teaching Methods

LecturesSupervisionsPreparation

2 * 1hr (incl. Sat a.m.)2 * 1hr (4 per course)2 * 13hr

40 hr/wk basic

Example: Part IA Mathematics

Assessment

1. Continuous Assessment (typically 20-30%)

2. Examinations (70-80%)

Grades I II.1 II.2 III F >70% >60% >50% > 40%

- Through the University not colleges

- Two components:-

In the majority of subjects grades are not cumulative and students receive a mark for each year of their three year undergraduate course (‘Tripos’).

“Retakes” are not (normally) permitted and so the summer exams are normally a high pressure period…

The Collegiate System

• All Cambridge Colleges offer accommodation for all years of undergraduate study.

• Provides a focus for social life; sport, drama, music etc.

• Small group teaching (supervisions) arranged through a Director of Studies (DoS) in the subject.

• Personal support and welfare: Tutor and DoS.

• Monitor academic progress through regular meetings

• Tutor or DoS will write references for jobs and/or Ph.D. applications etc.

Thinking of Applying to Cambridge?

• Research possible courses of interest to check it suits your needs.

• If in the UK, try and visit the University and colleges on a specified college, subject or University Open Day.

• For overseas students, colleges are often able to make individual arrangements.

• We conduct admissions interviews in Hong Kong on behalf of colleges.

Choosing a course

• What are you good at?

• What do you enjoy?

• What would you like to study for 3 – 4 years?

• What do you hope to be doing in 5 – 10 years?

• Engineering• Medicine• Veterinary Science

Vocational

• Computing• Mathematics• Natural Sciences

Academic

• Architecture• Law • Education

Vocational

• AMES, ASNAC, MML, Linguistics, Classics, English• Arch&Anth, History, History of Art, Geography, Music,• Philosophy, Theology, • Politics, Psychology, Sociology, Economics, • Land Economy,

Academic

Finding out about colleges

• Read University and/or college prospectuses;• Look at websites;• If you are able: attend subject, college or University Open Days;• If unable to attend an Open Day try and make informal

arrangements to visit one or more colleges…

• Do they support your chosen course?• Do you fancy an ‘old’ or ‘new’ college?• Where is it?• Somewhere ‘small’ or ‘large’?• Check any age, gender or disability issues

• Facilities?• Open applications

Investigate colleges carefully!

What are my chances of getting in?!

• Success rate by subject: 11-55%• On average 20-25% of applicants receive offers

http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/univ/camdata/undergraduate.html

Whichever subject you choose, places are highly competitive!

Applicants are not advantaged or disadvantaged by their choice of college:

• Colleges are aware of the overall distribution of applicants by subject each year.• The “Winter Pool” provides an opportunity to redistribute a number of able candidates between colleges.

Making an Application

• If you find a course which seems well-suited to you then you should consider applying!• Requirements…

Profile A: Excellent academic record to date and high predictions

Profile B: Solid performance in earlier years with upward trajectory

Profile C: Rather poorer academic performances to date but significantly handicapped by personal or other circumstances (CSAS).

•Check for any University/college requirements by course [information in the University prospectus].

The majority of applicants are called for interview in October (SE Asia) and early December (HK); you may also to go to Cambridge (mid Dec)

Making an Application

•If you find a course which seems well-suited to you and are predicted high grades then you should consider applying!

•Choose a college or make an Open Application

•Fill in a UCAS form

Grades and Predictions

Personal Statement

Reference

[Information on any disability]

Closing Date for UCAS: 15 October

• Write your personal statement for all your University choices

• Information on relevant school/college study

• Information on relevant independent study

• Reason for choice of course• Other information about yourself• Gap year?

Be honest!

Personal Statement

Know what is on your personal statement…you might be asked about it at interview!

Other Information• Additional Forms

Cambridge Overseas Application Form (COAF)

- A/S module marks where appropriate

- additional information about your educational background - any specific difficulties you have had

- any opportunities you have had to extend your knowledge

beyond the syllabus

• Submitted Work

- Copies of marked work from current school study (mostly for humanities subjects)

Keep copies of all forms you submit

Written tests

Most courses require you to sit pre-interview written tests:

• Medicine/Veterinary Science: BMAT (taken at school)

• Law: CLT• For Natural Scientists, Engineering and PPS applicants,

Colleges ask you to do a 90 minute Thinking Skills Assessment test (the “TSA”) plus a 30 minute essay.

• Other subject and college tests: mathematics, architecture, English, Linguistics…

College tests are typically sat before interview and may often be used as a starting point for discussion during a subject interview…

1. Interviews are ONE part of the admissions process -2. Admissions decisions are based on your:• HKALE, IB, AP predictions and actual grades• (from 2012) HKDSE predictions, IBMYP school reports• AS grades (and unit marks)• IGCSE/HKCEE grades• UCAS school/college reference• UCAS personal statement• Submitted work (where requested)• Test results (where applicable)• Interview performance

Pre-Interview Assessment

Pre-interview Assessment

• Interviewers receive copies of your UCAS and COAF forms, BMAT, CLT, essays or other submitted material.

• Identify academic strengths and weaknesses or points of interest which they might like to probe during interview.

• Make an interim assessment of your strengths in comparison to other candidates.

The Interview

• Exact arrangements vary by subject and College…• …but are typically held in HK in early December.• Usually one 30 minute interview (in HK).• Scholarship shortlisted candidates may have longer interviews.• Typically two interviewers at each interview.• [Good examples on website]• Strong academic bias - biochemistry for Meds and Vets; maths

for Engineering, Maths, Computer Science and NST(P).• Questioning on your course/test/submitted work/personal

statement.• Usually some non-academic/`tutorial’ component to some of the

interview.

What do we look for at interview ?!

Candidates often confused about this!

Clear evidence of sufficient baseline academic knowledge and knowledge of the course, but:Interviewers will try and find areas you are not familiar with so as to test:-• depth of knowledge• ability to adapt to new concepts/ideas• ability to make critical judgementsFor sciences: show a sound biological and/or mathematical background.

Interviewers only know as much about you as you have told them!

Be prepared to answer questions on, or relating to, your personal statement, submitted work &c.

About our decisions

• Occur shortly after interviews are completed.• Interviewers report to college Admissions Tutor plus DoS who

then discuss relative merits of candidates in relation to their own personal and academic backgrounds.

• Were potential strengths/weaknesses confirmed or clarified at interview?

• Generate a rank order of candidates.

Usually 4-5 times as many applicants as places available: ultimately 75-80% of applicants unsuccessful

Outcome

1. Top candidates made an offer • Post A-level are normally unconditional.• Otherwise a conditional offer, usually A*AA at A2 or 39-42 points in

the International Baccalaureate (with 7s specified in some HLs) or Distinction grades in the Cambridge Pre-U.

• May include Advanced Extension Awards if you study them – usually as an alternative offer.

• Sometimes additional requirements stipulated (e.g. 1,1 in STEP particularly for Mathematics and sometimes for Computer Science or Engineering).

• HKDSE likely to be 5*,5*,5 in three relevant electives.

2. Cambridge Winter Pool

3. Unsuccessful application….

Cambridge Winter Pool

• Held early January• Strong applicants without a place considered by other Colleges

for one of their last places* Those who would ‘normally’ have received an offer* Those who need reassessment due to disagreement between interviewers on performance* Exceptional academic record but poorer performance

• Outcome* Offer without interview * Further interview at one or more Colleges (mid-late Jan)……

* No further interest.

Timetable Overview

Cambridge University statistics (2004)14338 applications3420 offers (24%) first choice college 569 offers ( 4%) through the Pool

Apply by 15 October

COAF and UCAS application

Finances

• Tuition fees, College fees, living expenses.

• Commonwealth Trust: www.cambridgetrusts.org/scholarships

• Prince Philip Scholarship: www.cambridge.org.hk

• Jardine Foundation: http://www.jardine-foundation.org

Finding Out More…• Check the Cambridge prospectus, University and College

websites for information:

– www.cam.ac.uk/cambuniv/undergrad/interview/

• Visit us, on a College or University Open Day, or by arrangement at another time.

• If you have any questions, contact a College Admissions Office or a Schools/Colleges Liaison Officer.

GOOD LUCK!

Research in Cambridge

Not only are the Lecturers and College Fellows internationally leading experts in their own fields, but they are also intimately involved in undergraduate teaching…

Research at Cambridge

Times Higher Education Top Universities 2009

Cambridge: World Ranking: #2Arts and Humanities 3Technology 4Life Sciences and Biomedicine 2Natural Sciences 1Social Sciences 4

Many students undertake original research at Cambridge whilst undergraduates through research projects or summer placements.

These experiences often help them determine whether to follow research career or seek employment in another area.

Often leads to articles in academic journals

Conclusion

• Cambridge University offers a unique range of courses offering both breadth and depth.

• Competition for undergraduate places is fierce but, for successful applicants, offers the opportunity to be taught by some of the world’s leading experts in their fields.

• The Collegiate system offers a more intimate environment to make friends with students from a wide range of disciplines and provide a forum for a range of extra-curricular activities.