The University is committed to helping students from all backgrounds access a Cambridge education and to supporting them when they’re here.
Discover more about undergraduate widening participation and postgraduate widening participation.
Access and Participation Plans
Our Access and Participation Plan for 2025 to 2029 sets out our key objectives and how we aim to promote equality of opportunity.
Our Access and Participation Plan explained
Read our current and previous Access and Participation Plans
Widening access to Cambridge
Each year, hundreds of outreach initiatives and events help to support students as they prepare for university.
Undergraduate initiatives
Apply: Cambridge
An online undergraduate applicant support programme for high-attaining students from underrepresented backgrounds and areas of the UK. Learn about Apply: Cambridge
Sutton Trust Summer Schools
Free subject-specific residential courses open to Year 12 students at state-maintained schools in the UK. Learn about Sutton Trust Summer Schools
STEM SMART
Teaching support for sixth form students from UK state-maintained schools who are aiming to study a STEM course at university. Learn about STEM SMART
HE+
A collaborative programme from the University and its Colleges working with state schools in 19 regions of the UK to offer advice and guidance, study skills support and access to super-curricular activities. Learn about HE+
Network for East Anglian Collaborative Outreach (neaco)
Targeted outreach activities to support the most disadvantaged young people across East Anglia. It aims to equip young people and adults to make informed decisions about their options into and through higher education. Learn about neaco
Insight
A multi-year intervention for Pupil Premium students providing GCSE tutoring and other development programmes to build academic confidence. Learn about Insight
Realise
An information service offering guidance and support to applicants from highly under-represented backgrounds, including:
- care-experienced and estranged students
- refugee, asylum seeker and forced migrant students
- student carers
- Gypsy, Roma, Traveller, showman and boater students
Postgraduate initiatives
AIM programmes
Applicant support programmes for prospective postgraduate students, helping those interested in PhD and MPhil study prepare a competitive application. Visit AIM applicant support programme web pages
Research placements
Four to eight week summer programmes for undergraduates from underrepresented groups who are interested in pursuing postgraduate studies and have the potential to become the future of research. Find a research placement
Supporting students at Cambridge
We’re not only committed to addressing the barriers that impact equality of admission to University. We provide a range of support to help improve the student experience and to help students progress to further study or employment.
Health and wellbeing support
The University’s Student Support team offer a wide range of services for students to help them fulfil their academic and personal potential. Their services include:
- counselling
- disability adjustments and support
- mental health advice and workshops
- mentoring
- wellbeing support
- harassment and violence support
Financial support
We offer a wide range of financial support to help students manage the costs of studying at Cambridge. These include:
- Cambridge Bursary Scheme
- Outreach scholarships
- Faculty awards and grants
- College support
Financial support for Cambridge students
Careers support
From their first day with us, our Careers Service helps all our students by providing impartial information and support. The Careers Service supports students with careers guidance through:
- skills sessions
- careers events and fairs
- internships and work experience
- networking opportunities and helping students make the most of Cambridge’s alumni network on LinkedIn.