University of Cambridge: Lucy Cavendish College Academic Attainment Programme (Year 13 pupils)

Lucy Cavendish College is the most diverse College in Cambridge, admitting over 90% of our UK students from state schools. As part of our commitment to widening participation, we are delighted to launch our flagship virtual outreach programme, the Lucy Cavendish College Academic Attainment Programme, for the fifth year running. This free programme will provide around 1000 high-achieving state school students with comprehensive supplementary academic support tailored to their stage in the curriculum, giving them the best chance of achieving their full potential. For the second year running, the programme has been expanded to cover not only Y13 – N.I, but also Y14 – N.I, so students will continue to be supported during the crucial final stages of the UCAS application process, and in the final months of their A-Level studies.

The programme will begin in November 2025. In Y13 – N.I, students will participate in regular subject-specific enrichment classes in each of their core A-Level subjects, subject taster sessions, and monthly Peer Discussion Groups, allowing them to continuously develop their subject-specific knowledge, as well as their oracy, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Students will also complete a Supracurricular Exploration Project in May, helping them to explore their subject interests further and think more seriously about possible degree choices. Throughout, students will also receive advice from our Admissions Team on every stage of the application process so that they can make their university applications as competitive as possible. In Year 14-NI students will continue to be supported by the Admissions Team as they navigate the application process, and will be offered subject-specific revision sessions ahead of their exams in the summer.

Academic commitment

The programme will usually involve at least one 90-minute session each week from November 2025 to March 2026, with some additional commitments over the following year. For some sessions, students will need to complete preparatory work so they are able to make the most of the session. There will also be an option to complete some extension follow-up work if students wish to deepen their knowledge of a particular subject after the live online session has taken place. This independent work will usually take around 30 minutes.

We do not expect students to be able to attend every session, but we do hope that students will commit to attending the programme as fully as they are able to. Continuation onto the second year of the programme is contingent on students regularly participating during the first year.

From May 2026, students will also be expected to produce an academic poster as part of the Supracurricular Exploration Project. This must be submitted and presented during the summer holidays of 2026 (exact dates TBC).

Accessing the online programme

All live sessions will be taking place over Zoom. Session recordings and resources for all sessions will also be made available to relevant students on Zoom. Students will therefore need a reliable internet connection, a working webcam and microphone, and a pen/paper to take notes with and complete work.

For further information and eligibility criteria for the programme please click here