Cambridge Higher Aspirations Scheme
We have had some extra vacancies in select subjects that have not been filled by our link areas, so we are excited to open CHAS to year 12 students at state schools across the UK. Places are available in Asian & Middle Eastern Studies, Archaeology, Anglo-Saxon, Norse & Celtic, Classics, Education, Linguistics, French, German, Spanish, Music, and Physics. The deadline for applications is 12:00 midday on Monday 11th November. To apply, click here.
Now in its fifth year, the Cambridge Higher Aspirations Scheme (CHAS) is open to Year 12 students at state schools in Caius' link areas of Norfolk, Hertfordshire, Barnet, Bexley, Bromley, Lewisham, Newham and Waltham Forest. Applications for the 2025 scheme were open until midday on Friday 18th October 2024.
CHAS is a sustained scheme that offers academic support and enrichment for Year 12 students, giving you the opportunity to take part in a series of six academic supervisions, summer application sessions, and a selective residential during the Easter holidays.
2025's supervisions will take place between January and March, with the first supervision being in-person at Cambridge, giving you the opportunity to see the college and experience a small part of student life. Supervisors will set work to be completed before each supervision, ready for discussion during the supervision. The supervision dates this year are:
- Saturday 18 January 2025 (in-person in Cambridge)
- Second supervision: Tuesday 21 January 2025, 18:00-19:00 (online)
- Third supervision: Tuesday 11 February 2025, 18:00-19:00 (online)
- Fourth supervision: Tuesday 25 February 2025, 18:00-19:00 (online)
- Fifth supervision: Tuesday 4 March 2025, 18:30-19:30 (online)
- Sixth supervision: Tuesday 18 March 2025, 18:30-19:30 (online)
Following the supervisions, we will offer you guidance and support sessions focussed on making your Cambridge application, covering personal statements, admissions assessments, and understanding the application process.
In April 2025, there will then be an opportunity to take part in a 1-night residential at Gonville & Caius. Spaces for the residential are limited, and in order to be considered for this residential, you must:
- Attend four out of the possible six supervisions
- Engage with and attempt the work that is set by supervisors
- Be able to attend both days of the residential
At the end of the residential, there will also be a celebration event for all students that attended at least four out of the possible six supervisions, and engaged systematically with supervision work. Parents/supporters will also be invited to this event! Eligible students can attend the residential and/or the celebration event.
CHAS is completely free to participate in. The only eligibility requirement is that you study at a state school in Norfolk, Hertfordshire, Barnet, Bexley, Bromley, Lewisham, Newham, or Waltham Forest.
The scheme was made possible by a generous bequest from a Caius alumnus. For more information, see here, or email us.
The scheme was launched in November 2020 in collaboration with Norfolk County Council. The sustained scheme reached 150 year 12 students from state schools across Norfolk. The programme was so successful that, in 2022-23, the third year of the scheme, it was extended beyond Norfolk to over 300 students across all of Caius’ link areas. This expansion continues, with select subjects opening to students across the UK in 2024-25.
Watch the video below to learn more about the scheme, from our 2020-21 celebration event.