By the end of the month, almost 200 year-12 pupils from state schools around the country will have sampled undergraduate life at Cambridge, thanks to the Cambridge University Students Union (CUSU) shadowing scheme.

The pupils, who travelled from as far away as Ireland and the Isle of Man, spent two days at Cambridge across three different time slots in February, arriving on Thursday afternoon and leaving at mid-day on Saturday.

Partnered with undergraduates chosen for a similar subject interest, and accommodated at the 23 colleges participating in the scheme, the pupils came from schools with little track record of sending students to Cambridge or from families with no history of higher education.

During their stay, pupils accompanied their partners to lectures, seminars and social events. Feedback comments were almost uniformly glowing. “The lectures were fantastic” wrote a pupil from King's Langley School in Hertfordshire, who was hosted by a Selwyn College undergraduate.

Almost all remarked that the best thing about the scheme was the chance to socialise with undergraduates and ask questions. “The college environment was much more friendly and welcoming than I expected,” said a pupil from Hanley Castle High School in Worcester.

Most participants also had a major criticism of the scheme – that it wasn't long enough. “At least one day longer please!” was a common comment.

“The scheme is a great chance for students to come and experience 21st century Cambridge,” said Luke Pickering CUSU Access Officer.

“Many students are still deterred from applying by parents and teachers who recall the old make-up of Cambridge. The University has changed a lot and it's good for pupils to be able to come and see that for themselves.”

Each of the three shadowing sessions began with a welcoming dinner in the splendid Dining Hall at King's College.

Pictures of the dinners were taken by Jimmy Appleton, a third-year student of Anglo-Saxon Norse and Celtic at Girton College. He came to Cambridge from a state school in the Wirral, and plans to become a professional photographer.

The next events on the CUSU access programme are open days on March 9, 12 and 14. The first event is already booked up but there are still places of the other two. To see details and make a booking go to the link above right

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