How to Apply
We very much welcome your application. We take great care over our admissions procedures and review them continually in order to make them as fair and transparent as possible.
If you have questions unanswered after reading these pages, contact the Admissions Office. Our Admissions Team is made up of Dr Sam Lucy, Admissions Tutor, Catherine Rowley, Undergraduate Admissions Coordinator, and Holly Nicholls, Schools Liaison & Outreach Officer. We look forward to hearing from you and will be pleased to help in any way we can.
Interviews
Most of our applicants are invited to Newnham for at least one online interview, although we reserve the right not to call applicants who, on the basis of their application, will have little chance of success.
Details regarding online interviews at Cambridge can be found on the University website.
You can find general information about the interview process on the University website and there is some information about what to expect at a Newnham interview on our subject pages.
Written work
The following subjects request written work to be submitted in advance:
- Anglo-Saxon, Norse & Celtic
- Archaeology
- Architecture
- Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (if combining with a European Language)
- Classics
- Design
- Education
- English
- History
- History and Modern Languages
- History and Politics
- Human, Social and Political Sciences
- Land Economy
- Modern and Medieval Languages
- Music
- Psychological and Behavioural Sciences
- Theology and Religious Studies
What written work should I submit?
We will normally ask for two essays written as part of your school work, except for applicants to Archaeology, where we only require one piece. Typically we ask that this written work is no longer than 2000 words in length. If you are taking an Extending Project Qualification (EPQ) and are considering submitting it, we would request that you submit a section of your EPQ instead of the whole thing.
Sometimes an interviewer might want to ask questions about the work you have sent in. It is therefore a good idea to keep a copy of what you send so that you can read it again before the interview to refresh your memory.
Please complete the Essay Cover Sheet for each submitted essay. Details on uploading essays will be provided to applicants once they have applied.
Ensure that you check the subject page you are considering applying for to see if there is anything specific required as part of your submission. For example, Architecture, Design and Music have specific requirements for written work.
When should I submit this written work?
You do not have to send this work before you make your UCAS application – we will write to you after you have applied and let you know exactly what you need to send and when. The deadline for submitting written work is 2 November 2023.
What should I submit if my work is written in a foreign language?
If you are educated in a non-English medium school, you should submit your original marked essays, along with an English translation. The translation should be made either by your school or a certified translation service.
Admissions Assessments
Most courses require an Admissions Assessment. To see if the course you plan to apply for at Newnham requires an Admissions Assessment, have a look at the relevant subject page.
More information regarding Admissions Assessments can be found on the Undergraduate Study website. This will have the most up-to-date arrangements for the forthcoming cycle.
Extenuating Circumstances
If your education has been significantly disrupted or disadvantaged through health or personal problems, disability, or difficulties with schooling, it may be appropriate for your school/college to complete and submit the Extenuating Circumstances Form (ECF) by 23 October 2023.
The ECF should be completed and submitted by your school/college (or sometimes GP or social worker).
The ECF for Newnham College will be linked here when the form opens in the autumn.
If, post offer, extenuating circumstances arise for an offer holder that will disrupt their education, please contact the Admissions Office to keep us updated.
EU and Overseas applicants
EU and overseas students should submit a UCAS application by 16 October 2023.
After your UCAS application has been received, the University will ask you to complete an additional questionnaire, known as the My Cambridge Application (MyCApp).
All prospective overseas applicants will find useful information on the international student section of the University website.
Entry requirements for students studying a non-UK education system can be found by country on the International Qualifications webpage.
UK applicants
Applicants from the UK should submit a UCAS application, naming Cambridge as one of your choices, by 16 October 2023.
After your UCAS application has been received, the University will ask you to complete an additional questionnaire, known as the My Cambridge Application (MyCApp).
You can find extensive information on the University’s application process in the applying section on the University website.
Useful links
You will find lots of additional information via the links below:
- University of Cambridge Undergraduate Prospectus
- More detail about specific courses can be found on the Subjects page of this website or on the Faculty or Department websites – here is a directory
- Step-by-step advice on applying to Cambridge
- Advice on Cambridge interviews
- Newnham student Zainab talks about her experience applying to Cambridge