Access Programmes
If you’re doing your A Levels and want to apply to Cambridge, but don’t go to a school or college where you’re given top-quality guidance throughout the process, the thought of making an application might be extremely daunting (many of us in ISoc were in this situation not long ago ourselves). There’s a significant information gap between lots of applicants – Muslims from state comprehensive schools, disadvantaged backgrounds, and the North and Midlands are extremely underrepresented at Cambridge. ISoc is trying to change this insha’Allah through our various Access Programmes throughout the year.
To stay up to date with all our events and initiatives, make sure to follow us on social media. If you have any questions related to our Access schemes, feel free to get in touch with our Access Subcommittee via email, our Instagram or Facebook (link at the bottom of the page).
Summer 2024 Access Newsletter
We are pleased to bring you the first edition of our new Access newsletter, which contains advice, upcoming schemes, and ever-important reminders. Click here to take a read!
Mentoring Scheme
The ISoc Mentoring Scheme begins in the summer of each year and lasts throughout the application process. The scheme involves an email correspondence between prospective applicants and student mentors across different subjects.
Mentors assist applicants with personal statements, entrance tests and interview preparation. They also help in providing information about Cambridge, both as a university and as a city, and in answering general queries applicants may have about which college to choose, about their desired subject and about Muslim life in Cambridge.
All in all mentors act as a source of guidance and support for applicants.
Sign ups for the 2024-2025 scheme have now closed.
Access Conference
The flagship event dedicated to prospective applicants is our annual Access Conference. This is held usually towards the end of August, and is aimed towards any current school students, especially those in Years 12 and 13, as well as mature applicants, who are considering applying to Cambridge. An ISoc Access Conference typically includes:
A talk by a Cambridge admissions tutor
A tailored, in-depth, subject-specific personal statement workshop
A tour of the historic town of Cambridge
A panel Q&A with current students
A free halal lunch
The videos below give you a taste of what is like to attend an ISoc Access Conference.
The 2024 Access Conference will take place in Manchester. The link to sign up is here
Interview Workshops
Interviews at Cambridge can be intimidating for many, so here at ISoc we try our best to help as much as we can. Our Interview Workshops take place in November each year to aid in preparing applicants for their upcoming interviews at Cambridge. This involves giving applicants mock interviews conducted by student volunteers, who use their own interview experiences to try and give applicants a sense of what to expect. Following the mock interviews, feedback and advice are provided, and applicants have a chance to ask any questions they may have.
Usually, the Interview Workshops take place in-person and in Cambridge, to try and replicate the actual interview feeling for applicants.
Group Visits
The CUISoc Access Team can assist in arranging group visits to the University. Click here to find out more.
Scholarships
At CUISoc, we recognise the importance of education and the transformative impact it can have on individuals and communities. To support the educational pursuits of Muslim students, we have compiled information on some prestigious scholarships, specifically aimed at Muslim students, catering to various fields of study. Find out more about scholarships specifically for Muslim students here.