Here you'll find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about admissions and life at °µÍø½ûÇø.
If you still have questions or you need more detailed answers, please email us at undergraduate-admissions@jesus.cam.ac.uk.
No. We welcome anyone who has the potential to thrive on our courses. We take some contextual information into account, such as the average performance at your school, but this is only to make sure we're assessing you fairly. No one who applies is successful or unsuccessful simply due to their background.
Always busy, sometimes intense, but never boring. Our students work hard and take their studies seriously, but they also have a huge range of other interests. You'll have the opportunity to do everything you would do at any other university. You can dedicate your spare time to almost anything that interests you, from sport and music to student volunteering or spending time with your friends. There's no such thing as a typical student at °µÍø½ûÇø, we're proud of our diversity.
College choice is a social decision, and the best way to choose a College is to consider whether you'd enjoy living there. Consider whether it offers the facilities you'd like, where it is in the city, and simply whether it 'feels' right when you visit. The important thing is not to worry about it too much. People almost always end up loving whichever College they apply to; it's far more important to get your choice of course right.
There's no magic formula for success apart from hard work at school and a genuine interest in your subject. You should be engaging in your subject outside of school, but there's no set way you have to do this. Reading books or articles, attending talks or lectures, watching videos, or listening to podcasts are all great ways to prepare. Whatever you do, make sure you're actually interested, and don't be afraid to start a new book or consider a new idea if what you're working on isn't engaging you.
The interview is a structured but relatively informal discussion about your subject. We won't expect you to know about subjects you don't study. We'll discuss questions which ask you to apply what you know to unfamiliar scenarios, to solve problems, and to think critically and flexibly. It doesn't matter what you wear or how you speak, and we're not looking for a 'smooth' performance. Just stay calm, listen to the questions being asked, and be prepared to consider things in new ways; many people find they enjoy their interviews.
The Colleges’ shared approved policy and procedure for the can be found under Admissions complaints and appeals on the University website.
I've thoroughly enjoyed studying Human, Social, and Political Sciences (HSPS) at Jesus. I was nervous before I arrived, but the friendly community of students and staff immediately put me at ease. Not only is the college library a great place to study, it can also get pretty much any book for you on request! Great for a sudden wave of inspiration based on something off the reading list... Outside of academia, the college has been ramping up its connections to industry and career support, which has been invaluable in calming...
The combination of modern computing facilities, inspiring surroundings, and like minded people made °µÍø½ûÇø a great place to study. After graduating I worked for a start up company before completing a PhD and now work as a computer vision specialist for a technical consultancy. The Cambridge Computer Science course is highly regarded by employers and the strong theoretical grounding ensures that it remains relevant even though the technology is constantly changing.
The Theology Tripos is possibly the most varied arts course available at undergraduate level - at least, that's been my impression. There is huge flexibility from the very beginning: the only compulsory papers in the first year are a language (there's a choice of four) and either the Old or New Testament paper. Other than that, it's possible to tailor your study to suit your interests. I opted for the church history paper and Christian doctrine in my first year. This year, I've carried on with Hebrew and Old Testament...
I knew straight away that °µÍø½ûÇø was the one that I really wanted to go to. It is a beautiful and old College steeped in traditions and everyone I have met here has been lovely and supportive, which makes all the hard work so worthwhile. Classics here is really strong, with a number of eminent scholars teaching us on a regular basis who all specialise in different fields. I feel very privileged to be learning from them. Classics is such a varied degree because it incorporates languages, history, art...
Studying Computer Science at Cambridge has been a great springboard into my career. Starting out as a software engineer, I used my skills to move into project management and then programme management at a large multinational company. Studying at Cambridge means that you can apply what you learn to any new problem and is proof that you are willing to work hard and achieve. °µÍø½ûÇø is a wonderfully supportive and stimulating environment to achieve your best whilst also enjoying student life.
