Incoming Corpus Christi College students from under-represented backgrounds will participate in Cambridge’s first residential bridging course.

Corpus, one of the oldest colleges in Cambridge, has announced that – with immediate effect – it is creating thirty new undergraduate places over the next three years for bright UK students from under-represented backgrounds. This commitment will increase the College’s intake of home students by fifteen percent, and is its largest single increase in student numbers for fifty years. It is also the largest proportional commitment of any Cambridge college to widening participation.

Corpus will also establish an intensive three-week residential “bridging course” starting in September 2020 to help those students consolidate their core academic skills before term begins. This is a key part of the College’s strategy: to ensure that, right from the beginning of their degree course, all students are given the opportunities they need to realise their full academic potential. Corpus is the first college in Cambridge to run a bridging course.

The Master, Professor Christopher Kelly, said: “Corpus is proud to be the first college in Cambridge to pioneer a bridging course.  This is a deliberately ambitious and decisive strategy to drive forward both the College’s and the University’s widening participation aims. It is important to create these opportunities now. The bridging course is a central part of our determination to not only encourage applicants from a wide range of social and educational backgrounds, but also give them the very best support at the start of their studies in Cambridge.”

Students will be selected for the bridging course from those who apply in the usual way, using contextual information on educational and social background made available to the College during the admissions process. They will be required to meet the standard Cambridge offer. Through specialised, individually-tailored teaching, participants will have the opportunity to strengthen their existing skills, boost their confidence and prepare for their undergraduate studies. Travel, meals and accommodation during the bridging course will be fully funded by the College.  Bridging course students will also receive a bursary to compensate them for any loss of earnings over the three weeks. 

Tutor for Admissions, Dr Michael Sutherland, commented: “We recognise that there can be problems surrounding access at selective universities such as Cambridge, and we are working hard with our colleagues to solve these. The Corpus bridging course will give students the opportunity to get used to our unique way of teaching, and to further enhance core skills that will help them make a success of their time at Cambridge.”

The President of the JCR, Harry Taylor, added: “Recently Cambridge has made really commendable improvements in widening participation, and this new ​programme will only help to open up the University.  Corpus students are delighted to be at the forefront of improving Cambridge access. We are looking forward with great enthusiasm to welcoming these new members of our college community.”