Applications opened this week for the first intake of the University of Cambridge’s Foundation Year, which follows the announcement of the course by the University in January.

The University outlined details about its aim to recruit students from backgrounds of “exceptional educational and social disadvantage” to study a multidisciplinary course in the Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, prior to a degree. 

The Foundation Year offers the opportunity of Cambridge admission to students who would be “less likely to make a competitive application” due to disadvantages or disruptions in their education.

The deadline for applicants is 26 January 2022, which is later than the 15 October deadline for undergraduate courses. Applicants will apply via UCAS and are required to attain 120 UCAS Tariff Points - the equivalent of grades BBB at A-Level. They will also be required to sit an assessment and attend an interview. 

The University stated that students on the Foundation Year will be UK residents, but refugees are also eligible to apply.

The Foundation Year will be free of charge for students and is funded by a £5 million philanthropic contribution from former Cambridge students Christina and Peter Dawson.

The course will admit up to 50 students for October 2022, with 13 of the 31 Cambridge colleges offering places. 

Upon completion of the course, students will be awarded a recognised Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) Level 4 qualification, and if they meet the University’s required academic standard, they will be able to progress to one of 18 degree courses offered in the Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. 

Teaching on the Foundation Year will involve a combination of lectures, seminars, and supervisions. 

Commenting on the Foundation Year, the Course Director, Dr Alex Pryce, said: “The Cambridge Foundation Year is a truly transformative opportunity and we’re very much looking forward to receiving our first applications soon.”

Pryce continued: “We hope our new website and online applicant support will help all applicants to make their best possible application.”