Year 12 teenagers from Birmingham have been getting an early taste of university this week (September 19-20) at Girton and Newnham Colleges, Cambridge.

The 80 students, aged 16 and 17, stayed in student rooms, enjoyed mock lectures and social activities and met current undergraduates and admissions staff from the two Colleges.

The purpose of the weekend was to explain the university applications system and offer guidance on the qualifications needed for different types of degrees at higher education institutions. On top of that, it's hoped that some of the students will go on to apply to Cambridge.

Girton and Newnham Colleges have very close ties with the Birmingham area - along with Selwyn College, they are 'linked' to local education authorities and Aimhigher co-ordinators in the West Midlands and run an extensive programme of activities and events to raise the aspirations of students in that region.

The next such event is an access visit to Newnham College on September 28 for a group of Year 10 students (aged 14 and 15) from Birmingham, encouraging them to think about their options post-GCSE, and highlighting the careers that are open to graduates.

Dr Sandra Fulton, Admissions Tutor at Girton College, said:

"Girton staff and undergraduates enjoyed hosting this event and working to show that that the Cambridge undergraduate community is welcoming and made up of people from a wide range of backgrounds. To quote a visitor- normal people- just like us."

Dr Ute Stock, Admissions Tutor at Newnham College, said:

"Newnham is a diverse and dynamic community, and visitors quickly realise that students from all sorts of different backgrounds thrive here."

All 29 undergraduate Cambridge Colleges are linked to local education authorities and Aimhigher co-ordinators across England and work closely with them to raise the aspirations of students in those areas.


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