Foundation Year (pre-degree course)
This is a free pre-degree course for students who have circumstances that prevented them from reaching their academic potential. It aims to prepare you to study a degree at Cambridge. It provides:
- monthly webinars aimed at helping you prepare your application to the Foundation Year Programme
- a challenging curriculum to broaden the knowledge in Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
- an opportunity experience living at a Cambridge College
Learn more about the Foundation Year programme at www.foundationyear.cam.ac.uk.
Eligibility for the Foundation Year
You are automatically eligible to apply if you are:
- care-experienced (currently in local authority care or have been in care while in education)
- a refugee
- an asylum-seeker
- from a forced migration background
Detailed guidance for students from a forced migration background is available within the eligibility section of the Foundation Year course listing.
Undergraduate admissions
We're excited you’re thinking of studying an undergraduate degree at Cambridge. Join us to experience world-class teaching and learning at one of the best universities.
Before you apply, visit the Undergraduate Study website for help to prepare your application. Learn about the courses offered and the entry requirements, check tuition fees, learn about any admission assessments and explore the Colleges.
Next, apply to Cambridge through UCAS. Then prepare to complete the My Cambridge Application. This is an extra form that needs to be completed once you submit your UCAS application.
Once you submit your UCAS application and My Cambridge Application, check the Undergraduate Study website for the next steps.
Let us know if your studies have been disrupted
If your studies were disturbed, make sure to tell us about your extenuating circumstances when you apply.
These should be declared by your teacher in your UCAS reference. You can also ask a relevant professional to contact the College that is assessing your application.
Some examples of extenuating circumstances are:
- death of a close family member
- impact of a serious medical condition (chronic or acute)
- being a victim of serious crime, such as a physical assault
- experiencing a terrorist incident or war
- if you’re a refugee or have an asylum background
- experiencing a natural disaster, such as an earthquake
Tell us if something made it difficult for you to study
Postgraduate admissions
The Postgraduate Study website has details on courses available, funding, information for international students and how to track your application after submission.
- Choose a course and click “apply now” on the course page.
- Register for the Application Portal
- Complete and submit your application by the deadline (check the course page for deadline)
For details on choosing a Cambridge College, please visit College listing to discover their communities, facilities and accommodation.
If you are interested to hear from current students about their experience of the Colleges and University, head to the Cambridge Student Union's Alternative Prospectus. Here you can learn honest opinions of students on courses, Colleges and more.
Application fee waiver
Some applicants do not need to pay the application fee when they apply to Cambridge.
- An application fee waiver is automatically available for if you are a national of an eligible country and have lived there since birth. Check the list of eligible countries to see if you qualify.
- African students applying for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, from non-eligible countries, should complete the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program specific application fee waiver request form.
- Applicants with refugee, asylum seeker or humanitarian protection status in the UK should request an application fee waiver