Jonathan Green and Liz Monaghan

Cambridge University’s four mature colleges joined forces to welcome potential students to a day of talks and interactive sessions designed to encourage them to consider applying to Cambridge as a mature student.

Over 40 prospective students attended the event and heard talks and presentations from Admissions Tutors for the four mature Cambridge Colleges: Hughes Hall, Lucy Cavendish College, St Edmund’s College, and Wolfson College.

After the talks, which covered entrance requirements, student finance and what to expect in an interview, the student perspective was provided by current mature undergraduates, Sam Massey and Liz Monaghan.

Sam, who is in her final year studying history at Lucy Cavendish, decided to apply to university after finding that a lack of qualifications was a barrier to progress in the arts and heritage sector, where she wanted to make her career.

“I love the fact that I am taught, not by the people who are reading the text books, but the people who are writing them,” she said.

Liz developed an interest in education through her work as a Teaching Assistant. After studying English Language and Literature with the Open University, she applied to St John’s College. “I asked everyone I knew for help in putting together my application,” Liz said. “My daughter’s English teacher told me how best to approach Cambridge – as myself. I had done well in my first degree and I realised that I could take ownership of that ability.  I knocked on the door of the College with confidence as a northern, working class, single mother.  John’s have been inclusive, supporting and welcoming and I’m thrilled to be here.”

Open Day attendees quizzed Liz and Sam about how they balanced student life and family life, about financial and study support, and about the Cambridge supervision system, the small-group teaching which makes a Cambridge education unique.

Jonathan Green travelled from Yorkshire to attend the Mature Students’ Open Day. Currently working in the film industry, Jonathan is keen to attend Cambridge not only for its reputation but also because of its strong links to the creative industries:

“I feel I haven’t taken my studies as seriously as I could have done,” Jonathan explained. “I’m considering Cambridge because of its great reputation and prestige, but also because of the number of writers who have been here – it’s a university with a great creative and cultural output.

“I did think it was out of reach but today has changed my view – coming on the Open Day has made the process feel accessible and it’s easy to understand the process of applying.”

The Open Day was just one of the events coordinated by Becky Ramshaw, FE and Mature Access Officer at Cambridge Admissions Office. She said “It’s never too late to think about Higher Education. Cambridge welcomes and supports mature students and it’s great to see so many taking advantage of this Open Day to find out more about how they can fulfil their academic ambitions.


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