In line with the University of Cambridge’s commitment to widening participation, we want to increase the number of students coming from less advantaged and underrepresented backgrounds. We assess applicants to our projects based on the criteria set out below. Applicants are awarded on a point system for each criterion they fulfil and places are awarded based on an individual’s total score.

Please check the information pages of particular Outreach programmes for their full eligibility criteria.

School 

Attend a state school; attend a school with low average attainment levels for GCSE or A Level (fee paying school may be eligible if students receive a full bursary or scholarship).

Family Background 

Do not have parents or carers who studied at university; have parents from non-professional occupations; are currently eligible for free school meals.

Neighbourhood 

Live in neighbourhoods with low overall progression rates to higher education and high levels of deprivation (we use POLAR and IMD data to assess this).

Groups Under-Represented in Higher Education

• Young carers; students estranged from their family; care-experienced students and disabled students.
• Under-represented ethnic and gender groups (Black African and Black Caribbean students, White British students who meet our family background/neighbourhood criteria and students from Gypsy and Traveller communities).

Academic Potential

We are looking to work with highly able students who have the potential to meet Trinity’s minimum entry criteria when applying to university. For some of our programmes we will ask you to provide details of a teacher who can give a reference to comment on your potential.

For students aged 16+:

• We don’t have a minimum number of GCSEs at which you must have a score of 8 or 9, or an A*, and GCSEs are just one of the factors we take into account when we look at your application. We are looking for potential as well as achievement in your application.
• Applicants must be likely to achieve Trinity’s typical A level offer of A*AA in Arts subjects and A*A*A in Science subjects. The specific requirements by subject are listed on the individual subjects
• For applicants taking Scottish Advanced Highers, our typical offer is AAA. Those taking the International Baccalaureate are expected to achieve a total of 42, with marks of 7 in relevant Higher Level subjects.