Mature and affiliated students - Applying
The application process for mature and affiliated students is the same as that for standard-age students. To make a formal application you’ll need to submit an online UCAS application. After submitting a UCAS application with Cambridge as one of your choices, you’ll be asked (by email) to complete an online questionnaire called the Supplementary Application Questionnaire (SAQ). If you’re applying from outside the EU you’ll also need to submit a Cambridge Online Preliminary Application (COPA). Those who’re applying for the Graduate Course in Medicine will need to complete an additional form.
As part of your application you will be asked to specify a Cambridge College that you wish to consider your application. Alternatively you can choose to make an Open application, where you will be allocated to one of the four mature Colleges.
For further details about the undergraduate application process see the applying section.
You may also find the guidance for mature students on the UCAS website useful: www.ucas.ac.uk/students/wheretostart/maturestudents/.
Application deadlines
The standard deadline for applications to be received is 15 October 2012. All mature applicants making an open application or applying to a standard-age College, must submit their application by the 15 October deadline.
However, the mature Colleges (see information below), will consider applications for some subjects from mature and affiliated applicants submitted after this date, as part of a second application round, the deadline for which is 1 March 2013.
The following subjects are excluded from the second round, and applications for these must be submitted by 15 October:
- Architecture
- History of Art
- Law
- Medicine
- Graduate Course in Medicine
- Music
- Philosophy
- Veterinary Medicine
All other subjects may be applied for in the second round, although you are encouraged to apply in the first round if possible.
| Application deadlines for mature and affiliated applicants | |
|---|---|
| 15 October 2012 | Mature and affiliated applicants
|
| 1 March 2013 | Mature and affiliated applicants applying in the second application round to |
Colleges for mature students
Cambridge is a collegiate university with all undergraduate students belonging to one of 29 Colleges. All Cambridge Colleges admit mature students, but there are four that only take mature or graduate students:
- Hughes Hall
- Lucy Cavendish (women only)
- St Edmund’s
- Wolfson
While mature students can apply to any of the undergraduate Colleges, the majority choose one of these ‘mature’ Colleges, where they’ll be living with other students who also have a bit more life experience and aren’t straight out of school. This is a great support for anyone returning to education. The social life in a mature College is a rich mix and it takes account of partners and families. At the same time, there are plenty of opportunities to meet the standard-age students in lectures and practicals and through the University’s clubs and societies.
The role of the Colleges and College profiles are detailed in our Colleges section.