Eleven-Up is a new programme from Gonville & Caius College for Year 11 students from state schools across our link areas.

The six-month programme for 200 pupils began in January, offering support for making university choices and applications, advice on budgeting and finance, and on super-curricular engagement.

Eleven-Up was established to support GCSE students to start thinking about their future pathways and what they can be doing now to give them the best chance of a successful university application in the future.

Caius Schools Liaison Officer Katy Lewis said: “It’s amazing to see just how engaged our Year 11 pupils are in starting to think about their future pathways. They have asked some very insightful questions which show that they have taken the time to do their own research and think carefully about their options.”

Selection for the scheme was carried out using a combination of academic and widening participation criteria.

Katy added: “We were thrilled to have over 400 students express interest in the programme; thankfully we were able to offer a one-off event for those unable to join the full programme.”

The programme features seven informative and interactive sessions for the students to engage with:

• Launch Event – Introduction to Oxbridge – January
• Choosing and researching University Courses – February
• Super-curricular activities – March
• Student Life at Cambridge –Virtual tour, Day in the Life, and Student Q&A – April
• Taster lectures – May
• Budgeting, finance and bursaries – June
• Sport, music and societies at Cambridge – July

As part of the University of Cambridge Area Links Scheme, Caius works primarily with students from schools in local authorities in Hertfordshire and Norfolk, and the following London boroughs: Barnet, Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich, Lewisham, Newham, and Waltham Forest. More details on Caius’ link areas are on the Admissions pages on our website.