̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge - Jon Beard

‘Get in Cambridge’ social media campaign launches in a bid to attract more students from under-represented backgrounds

Anonymous — Mon, 10 Jun 2019 14:55:32 +0000

Cambridge announced last week (6 June) that it was making progress on widening access to the university with the proportion of Black and Minority Ethnic students at a record high of 23.5%. However, 2.4% of the undergraduate population in this year’s intake were Black compared with 3.4% of the UK population.

YouTube vlogger Courtney Daniella, herself a Cambridge graduate, presents five films addressing popular misconceptions about Cambridge, offering tips on how to make a successful application and finding out what sixth formers really think about the institution.

̽��ֱ��social media campaign Get In Cambridge launched on 10 June with Courtney taking a wry look at Cambridge ‘Myths Versus Reality’, which address untrue assumptions about the university that put students off applying.

̽��ֱ��series features 26 films encouraging students from under-represented background to apply. These range from students at schools with low numbers of pupils going on to university, to the UK’s Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities.

When at school, 22-year-old Courtney was told by teachers she was not good enough for Cambridge and struggled to overcome her doubts - one of the main reasons she wanted to give out a different message to students like her.

“I used to tell myself every day that Cambridge wasn’t for a person like me partly because I’d never known anyone who’d gone there, and I’d never seen a black Cambridge student, ever,” she says.

“Now I want to say to anyone who believes that to stop putting yourself and Cambridge in a box and start thinking ‘I have so much that I could bring to this university – it would be great for them to have me.’

“It’s true the gates of Cambridge were once closed to people like me. However, here I am a Cambridge graduate – I’ve done it and people who look like me can see they can do it too.”

In one film, entrepreneur Courtney charts her journey from a North London schoolgirl caring for her mum and working part time to provide for her family, to studying Human, Social, and Political Sciences at Robinson College.

Each of the 26 films features current undergraduates – who all attended state schools - telling the stories of their journeys to Cambridge as they invite cameras into their rooms, libraries, supervision sessions and nights out.

Vloggers are increasingly working with universities to boost such access efforts. Director of the Cambridge Admissions Office Jon Beard said: “While filming the series, at least half a dozen students stopped Courtney on the street to thank her and tell her she was the reason that they were here. It shows what a huge influence they have.

“Admissions statistics released on Thursday show a rise in the number of students who are from state schools, disadvantaged backgrounds, and ethnic minorities. But there is still work to be done in reaching those with the talent and drive to study here who think Cambridge is not for them.

“We hope these films will complement the ̽��ֱ�� and College efforts to widen access, which include a range of initiatives to offer additional academic and financial assistance for students who may have suffered educational disruption or disadvantage.”

Cambridge will continue to work with development programme for black African and Caribbean pupils Target Oxbridge on a range of initiatives including a three-day residential and an additional one-day conference in London, which will take place for the first time this summer.

Grime artist Stormzy launched Cambridge scholarships for Black students last year. Black students starting at Cambridge this October will be able to apply for the next round of Stormzy scholarships when applications open on A-level results day.

A YouTube influencer is fronting a series of films encouraging more black students to apply to Cambridge in the latest push by the ̽��ֱ�� to widen its pool of applicants.

It’s true the gates of Cambridge were once closed to people like me. However, here I am a Cambridge graduate – I’ve done it and people who look like me can see they can do it too

YouTube vlogger and Robinson College alumna Courtney Daniella

Top 10 Cambridge ̽��ֱ�� myths – busted!

̽��ֱ��text in this work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Images, including our videos, are Copyright © ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge and licensors/contributors as identified. All rights reserved. We make our image and video content available in a number of ways – as here, on our main website under its Terms and conditions, and on a range of channels including social media that permit your use and sharing of our content under their respective Terms.

Yes

Open letter on diversity in admissions

ps748 — Wed, 06 Jun 2018 15:26:09 +0000

̽��ֱ��collegiate ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge recognises the importance of the debate around diversity in admissions. However, we believe that it is critical that this debate should be fair and transparent and supported by evidence.

In recent days, several assertions have been made in relation to diversity in Cambridge – all of which demand clarity – and we want to address them in turn.

Diversity

In the most recent complete admissions cycle, 22% of the overall number of UK students admitted to Cambridge described themselves as from black and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds, the highest proportion on record. This is in addition to 64% of our students being admitted from state schools, the highest proportion in 30 years, when comparable records began. Our intake from low participation neighbourhoods is higher than the most recent benchmark for the ̽��ֱ�� published by the government.

To suggest that no progress is being made in relation to diversity is therefore not only wrong, but potentially damaging and could deter future high-achieving applicants from applying in the first place. Moreover, our students, whoever they are, have worked hard to secure their place in Cambridge and we should celebrate their achievements. We strongly believe our students want to feel they have secured their place on merit rather than being singled out for special treatment.

We also believe that diversity should be understood in the widest possible sense, including ethnicity, gender, socio-economic background, geography, age and disability.

Entry requirements and retention

It has been suggested that the ̽��ֱ�� should lower its entry requirements to accommodate a more diverse intake. We are proud to be amongst the very best and highest achieving institutions in the world. We want our students to succeed and we will not waver in our commitment to academic excellence. ̽��ֱ��fact that our student retention rate of over 99% is among the best in the world is testament to the quality of our unique collegiate education and of the pastoral care provided to all students. Whilst our entry standards are very high and will continue to be so, with most Cambridge students scoring two or more A*s at A level, the nature of our educational provision and support helps ensure that almost all students who come to Cambridge graduate from Cambridge, regardless of background.

Our responsibility

Despite significant progress, we are far from complacent. We know that more needs to be done to reach out to those who are not applying to us. As an institution, we have over 100,000 interactions with students and teachers across more than 2,000 events annually through outreach programmes. We also partner with other organisations through initiatives such as NEACO, a consortium of five universities and eight Further Education colleges across East Anglia, working to increase progression to Higher Education and degree level apprenticeships.

We are committed to a series of initiatives aimed at increasing diversity among our students, including, among many others, Target Oxbridge, a programme funded by Oxford and Cambridge, and which will engage 160 prospective black students in 2018-2019. Further, the ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge is intending to launch an academic support programme starting in August 2019 to provide additional assistance for students who may have suffered educational disruption or disadvantage. We are also preparing for the subsequent launch of a transition year programme to create additional opportunities for those who could benefit from and contribute to life in Cambridge but who would not otherwise be able to meet our high entry standards.

These programmes indicate the seriousness with which we approach and consider this issue.

Framing the discussion and working together

Rather than framing the conversation around diversity in a manner that undermines the progress made in access and the value of a Cambridge education, we believe a more honest and comprehensive understanding of the issues is needed.

To illustrate this, in 2017, the ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge admitted 58 black students. We recognise that this is very low as a proportion of our overall undergraduate entry. But the truly shocking statistic is that this represents a third (33%) of all black students admitted to higher education in the UK that year who attained A*A*A at A-level. ̽��ֱ�� ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge cannot single-handedly fix this endemic problem of academic attainment which afflicts all levels of education and society as a whole, reflecting deeper-seated inequalities across the country.

As an institution whose mission it is to serve society through the pursuit of academic excellence, we are committed to playing our part in facilitating social mobility. To do so, however, we need a constructive and collaborative effort involving Government, schools, local authorities, communities and families as well as universities and others to develop a holistic solution to these long-standing problems. We would gladly facilitate such an endeavour and call on policy makers to take up this invitation and work with us to reach these aspirations.

Prof. Graham Virgo, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education

Jon Beard, Director, Cambridge Admissions Office

Dr. Sam Lucy, Director of Admissions for the Cambridge Colleges

Professor Graham Virgo, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education, together with senior colleagues from the Cambridge Admissions Office, have today published an open letter on diversity in admissions.

We are committed to a series of initiatives aimed at increasing diversity among our students

Senate House

Yes

Supporting high-achieving black students

ta385 — Thu, 18 May 2017 09:45:00 +0000

Target Oxbridge provides 16 – 18 year old black African and Caribbean students with positive role models and practical advice. ̽��ֱ��development programme runs over the course of a year and involves residential visits and academic sessions. When they visit Cambridge, participants will have an immersive experience of life at the university, including taking part in tutorials and meeting both staff and current students.

Since 2012, 46 Target Oxbridge students have already gone on to receive offers from the two universities. Eleven former participants are currently studying at Cambridge and have welcomed the new sponsorship.

̽��ֱ�� ̽��ֱ��’s support, alongside Oxford’s, will help Target Oxbridge to expand its places from 45 to 60 in 2018, double the number available in 2016. ̽��ֱ��programme is run by Rare, a specialist diversity recruitment company, and its patron is Cambridge alumna, Zadie Smith, who has previously said:

“Going to Cambridge changed my life. Nothing I have done would have been possible without it. I want more people from backgrounds like mine to have that life-changing experience. That's what Target Oxbridge is about”.

Jon Beard, Cambridge’s Head of Undergraduate Recruitment, said:

“We’re delighted to be strengthening our relationship with Rare through our sponsorship of Target Oxbridge, and look forward to welcoming to Cambridge more of the high-achieving aspirational black students that the programme supports. ̽��ֱ�� ̽��ֱ�� and the Colleges are committed to widening participation by raising aspirations and attainment. Working with partners including the Sutton Trust, ̽��ֱ��Brilliant Club and Target Oxbridge is an important part of our approach.”

Fopé Jegede, an English student at Homerton College, said:

“Target Oxbridge helped to dispel the myths and preconceived notions I had about Cambridge and I genuinely don’t think I would have applied without the encouragement and support offered by the programme. Applying to Oxbridge is a very daunting process but studying at this university is such a unique experience. Already, my academic and personal growth during my time here has been incredible. Potential applicants should rest assured that it truly is your intellectual curiosity and potential that matters most - regardless of your social, economic or ethnic background. You do and will belong.”

Daniel Oluboyede, a Medic at Downing College, said:

“This is exciting news and a clear message that Cambridge aims to be more inclusive. Target Oxbridge was undoubtedly a major factor in getting me to Cambridge. They not only made me more confident for the application process but somehow made it an enjoyable experience too! I am confident that this partnership will make a tangible difference because of the real impact that Target Oxbridge makes in developing Afro-Caribbean students from typically less privileged backgrounds to become impressive Oxbridge Candidates.”

Imani McEwen, a Modern Languages student at Clare College, and currently on her Year Abroad in the Canary Islands, said:

“I’m absolutely thrilled. ̽��ֱ��partnership will enable lots of bright potential applicants to see that this is a place for them. When applying, Target Oxbridge certainly helped to prepare me for Cambridge life. ̽��ֱ��mentoring taught me how to engage with what I was reading and then confidently have an academic discussion about it. This was key during the interview and still is during supervisions. Definitely apply to Cambridge, your race should never discourage you because it's your ability that counts.”

Bez Adeosun, a Politics and Anthropology student at Clare College, said:

“Without Target Oxbridge, I may not have received my Cambridge offer. Their help ranged from personal statement advice, mock interviews and simply just being in contact with current students at the university. All this helped make a process that seemed so surreal to me, seem real and achievable. I would definitely encourage students to consider applying for this program as they really do care about helping young talented students get into prestigious institutions like Oxford and Cambridge.”

Michael Harvey, an Engineering student at Homerton College, said:

"Coming from a background in which you weren't expected to study at a place like Cambridge and then making it here gives a constant feeling of accomplishment. To know that you're working among some of the best thinkers of the future, to know you're at that level and to be encouraged to push even further is great. Once you're here the sky is really the limit, anything is achievable. It may seem a daunting task to get in from the outside, but anyone with the right attitude can achieve and excel here. My advice for people thinking of applying would be to put in the work because the rewards are more than worth it."

Timi Sotire, a Human, Social and Political Sciences student at Girton College, said:

"I felt very insecure and worried about applying. Being a part of the Target Oxbridge programme gave me the confidence to fully realise that I am good enough to be at a prestigious university such as this, I don’t know what I would have done without their constant support and mentoring. I hope that this partnership will encourage more people to have the confidence to apply.”

Find out more about Cambridge’s Widening Participation programmes.

̽��ֱ�� ̽��ֱ�� is sponsoring Target Oxbridge, a free programme which aims to increase successful undergraduate applications from black students.

Regardless of your social, economic or ethnic background. You do and will belong.

Fopé Jegede, undergraduate at Homerton College.

Undergraduates (L to R): Timi Sotire, Bez Adeosun, Michael Harvey, Daniel Oluboyede, Leah Grant, Fopé Jegede.

̽��ֱ��text in this work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. For image use please see separate credits above.

Yes

2013 National Scholarship Programme Awards made

sj387 — Wed, 27 Nov 2013 10:58:19 +0000

̽��ֱ��students, from families with an income of less than £25,000, have each been awarded the £6,000 as a fee waiver. This is in addition to their Cambridge Bursary of £3,500.

̽��ֱ��NSP is run jointly by the Government scheme and the universities. ̽��ֱ�� ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge has chosen to give priority for NSP awards to care leavers, to students who were in receipt of free school meals, and to lone parents.

Geography student Katie was one of 136 students awarded support from the NSP in 2012.

"I'm the first in my family to go to university,” Katie explained. “I know that I don't have to pay fees back until I graduate but it was still a worry for my parents.

“Thanks to the NSP fee waiver I am borrowing less and they are more relaxed about me studying for a degree,” Katie added.

“By taking part in the NSP, we hope to provide additional reassurance to students from low-income families that taking up a place at Cambridge is affordable,” said Dr Patricia Fara, Senior Tutor of Clare College, and the Chair of the NSP panel that considered applications.

“We are particularly pleased to have been able to make an award to every student accepted this year who has been on free school meals, and to every care leaver,” Dr Fara added.

“In order to encourage students from all backgrounds to apply, the ̽��ֱ�� provides a generous and flexible financial support package, including the NSP,” commented Director of Undergraduate Recruitment, Jon Beard.

̽��ֱ�� ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge has made 295 National Scholarship Programme awards to support students from low-income families starting at the university this year. Over 50 of these grants were made to students who had previously claimed Free School Meals.

By taking part in the NSP, we hope to provide additional reassurance to students from low-income families that taking up a place at Cambridge is affordable

Dr Patricia Fara

Cambridge ̽��ֱ��

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Yes

Applications to the ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge reach record high

sjr90 — Thu, 24 Oct 2013 09:52:44 +0000

̽��ֱ�� ̽��ֱ�� attributes this result to its extensive outreach work and its high-profile commitment to fair admissions.

Jon Beard, Director of Undergraduate Recruitment, said: “ ̽��ֱ�� ̽��ֱ�� and Colleges work throughout the UK to encourage every student with the ability, the enthusiasm and the motivation to do well and to make Cambridge one of their five UCAS choices.

“2013 saw our most ambitious and extensive outreach programme to date. We are delighted that our work appears to be having such positive results.”

Dr Mike Sewell, Director of Admissions for the Cambridge Colleges, said: “It is great to see a record number of students who feel confident that they will be competitive applicants to Cambridge. Cambridge is committed to evidence-based admissions decisions, which take into account a student’s most recent exam results.

“Our applicants know that their applications will be assessed fairly on their track record, and that places will be won based on academic factors alone.”

Over 16,500 applications were received by the ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge this year, the highest number since ̽��ֱ�� records began.

2013 saw our most ambitious and extensive outreach programme to date. We are delighted that our work appears to be having such positive results.

Jon Beard, Director of Undergraduate Recruitment

Peterhouse College

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Yes