For mature students, undertaking a course at university level brings structure and focus to something which may have been a long term interest. The study of history at Cambridge enables the student to access the facilities of a world class institution and benefit from one-to-one interaction with some of the acknowledged leaders in their fields. The supervision system means that students receive personal feedback on all their work and are continually challenged to move beyond their comfort zone.
On a practical level, a course at Cambridge will develop the student’s analytical and communicative abilities, both in their written work and in discussion and debate with their supervisors and fellow students. These skills are transferable into a wide range of contexts for those considering their degree as a stepping stone to a new career.
If you will be 21 or over by 1st October in the year in which you hope to come to Cambridge, and have not previously completed a course of higher education, then your application will be treated as that of a mature student. The academic standards expected of mature students are the same as those expected of school leavers, but, given their wide range of age and social or educational backgrounds, there is considerable flexibility in the entrance requirements. The University and the Faculty of History welcome mature students: we value the breadth of experience they bring, as well as their motivation and commitment.
We welcome the perspective a mature student’s experience of life can bring to their chosen area of historical study. We consider the supervision system to be a two way process and the knowledge and insights mature students bring from their previous lives can often offer new and interesting slants on historical events and personalities.
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