State school students take on the Cambridge Challenge

More than 2,000 GCSE and A Level students will be given practical advice and a taste of university life at a series of Challenge Days over the next seven weeks.

Schools from across England will be taking part in the 23 free events which started yesterday and run until 11 March

Tom Levinson, head of the University’s Widening Participation Team, said:

“Challenge Days are designed to give academically-able school pupils a taste of higher education, which we hope will inspire them to excel in their studies.

“This year we’ve added ten extra Challenge Days to help meet the demand from schools but the events are still all fully booked.”

He said: “For the Year 10 students, we offer an introduction to university, a chance to experience new subjects and the opportunity to see how their current studies link into their future choices. The Year 12 students are also given information about applying to study for a degree at the University of Cambridge or elsewhere.

“The students and their teachers will also get to learn more about
life at university from students and academics, as well as taking part in taster lectures and visiting a College.”

This year’s Challenge Days have attracted bookings from across England, including 33 London boroughs, Northumbria, West Sussex and Cambridgeshire.

Tom added: “Challenge Days show Year 10 and 12 pupils the opportunities available to them if they make full use of their abilities. The demand for these events shows how much interest there is for this sort of advice.”

The University and its Colleges hold events throughout the year to advise and encourage state school pupils as part of its Widening Participation programme. These include specific events for applicants from ethnic minority, Children in Care or Mature Students, as well as general events for state schools.

For details of these events go to:

www.cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/events/