FAQs

Please refer to the individual course pages for average figures.

In most subjects we are completely neutral on gap years. In some subjects such as Engineering or Languages they can be of some benefit to the student in gaining experience (but not necessary for an application). In Mathematics, although we wouldn’t encourage gap years, we are open to students taking them as long as they have some way of keeping their mathematical skills fresh by actively seeking to work on maths problems during the gap year.

We fully recognise that challenging circumstances beyond a student’s control can sometimes affect their exam performance, and we are sympathetic to that. If you have experienced extenuating circumstances and are resitting some or all of your exams, your application will be considered in context so long as you let us know about those circumstances. The relevant details can be clearly explained in your teacher’s reference which forms part of the UCAS application, on the My Cambridge Application form. You should also send us a suitable predicted grade if you have not yet completed the resit.

Where there are no extenuating circumstances, resitting some or all of your final exams may make your application less competitive than applications where the entry requirements have been met first time. Since it is not possible for undergraduates at Cambridge to resit any of their Tripos exams, we are reassured when applicants do not need multiple attempts in order to achieve impressive marks (assuming there are no extenuating circumstances).

If the grades were narrowly missed, then the chances of reaching the interview stage will be higher than if the grades were missed by a wide margin.

All achieved grades must be declared on your UCAS application, whether or not you are planning to resit.

Different Colleges may have slightly different approaches to resits, but this is the approached adopted by Trinity Hall.

Yes, for most courses but not for Architecture, Medicine or Veterinary Medicine. Applicants will be expected to have achieved a First or an Upper Second Class degree in order for their application to be competitive.

We do not normally consider applications from students currently enrolled on a degree course at another UK university, unless:

1. You are in the final year of your current course and are applying for a second undergraduate degree or
2. You are completing a standalone Foundation Year or taking credit-bearing courses with the Open University (or comparable institution) or
3. You have exceptional circumstances which mean that you are unable to continue at your current institution or
4. You want to change from what you’re studying to a different discipline.

In cases 3 or 4, you may need strong support in the form of a written reference or letter of support from your course director or tutor. You may also be asked to demonstrate that you have sufficient funding to complete the Cambridge degree where you have already used part of your Lifelong Learning Entitlement.

We recognise that there may be good reasons for international students to be undertaking an initial period of study at a university outside the UK and we are open to considering such applications. We would normally ask for a university transcript in this case.

If you do not disclose prior undergraduate study via your UCAS application, this will be treated as a fraudulent application, and your application may be cancelled.

It is not possible for a student to transfer to Cambridge partway through a degree course. All students must start in the first year of our undergraduate programmes.

The Colleges do not routinely admit students under the age of 18. Applications from students who will be under the age of 18 on admission will be considered on a case-by-case basis, taking into account:

• The applicant’s academic suitability for the course
• Safeguarding and welfare arrangements
• Accommodation arrangements
• Parental and University consent
• Any specific vulnerabilities or support needs

Where an applicant will be under 18 on entry, the relevant academic Faculty or Department is fully consulted prior to an offer being made.

Once admitted, underage students are treated academically in the same way as other students, receiving identical teaching, assessment, and academic support, including oversight from a Director of Studies. However, the relevant Faculty or Department cannot guarantee that the course content is appropriate for minors. If this is a cause for concern, the College may consider making an offer for deferred entry.

This approach balances the University’s responsibility to safeguard minors with its commitment to maintaining its character as a residential academic community of adults and complying with relevant legal and regulatory requirements.

Applicants for Medicine are required to be 18 by 1st November of their first year.

If you will be over 21 when you start your course, you are classified as a mature student.

Trinity Hall welcomes exchange students (including under Erasmus) coming to study at Cambridge under a University partnership arrangement. For further information, please see the University’s information on Incoming Exchange Students.

We do not accept visiting students outside this scheme.