In November 2020, the College launched (in collaboration with Norfolk County Council) a new Cambridge Higher Aspirations Scheme, a sustained programme for around 150 year 12 students from state schools across Norfolk. Participating students receive six online subject-specific supervisions (small-group seminars) run by Cambridge PhD candidates, information and guidance from the Gonville & Caius College Admissions team and the opportunity to meet current Cambridge students - many from Norfolk schools and colleges. The supervisions cover subjects the students hope to go on to study at university, across an eight-month period.

Historically, too few Norfolk young people, and in particular state-educated young people, have aspired to apply to the most competitive universities. The new Scheme aims to not only increase progression to top universities but also to raise attainment through subject-specific sessions, giving these students the best tools to make competitive applications to universities such as Cambridge. 

Norfolk is linked (through the College Area Link Scheme) to Gonville & Caius College, and over the past four years, the college and the County Council has worked to improve confidence in applying to university, and more specifically to Cambridge. The 2021-22 programme, the second year of this exciting scheme, will be launched at an event in November, with more details to follow shortly. 

On 27 September 2021, Caius hosted a celebration event at the college for those who successfully completed the first year of the scheme, featuring drinks, refreshments, tours of the college and a certificates presentation hosted by the master of the college, Prof Pippa Rogerson. Read our news article about the day here.

The scheme was made possible by a generous bequest from a Caius alumnus. For more information, see here, or email us.

Watch the video below to learn more about the scheme, from our 2020-21 celebration event.