How do I apply?

All applications for undergraduate first degree programmes are handled by the individual colleges that make up the University of Cambridge. The University has an excellent admissions website which will guide you through the process http://www.cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/

Many applicants worry a great deal over whether they have chosen the 'right' College for their application, in case for example unwittingly they apply to a College that has more applicants or fewer places than others. The admissions process for Theological and Religious Studies is designed to ensure that it really does not matter which College you apply to: strong candidates will have a good chance of gaining a place at one of the Colleges in the University.

This is how it works: the Faculty has an Admissions Co-ordinator (who is one of the College Directors of Studies) who receives a copy of every application for Theological and Religious Studies across the Colleges. Before the interviewing begins, all Directors of Studies meet to consider the whole field of applicants. At that meeting, each candidate is assigned an interview at a second College - this process not only compensates for peaks and troughs in applications to particular Colleges but also gives you a second chance, with a different interviewer, who may draw out a different response.

Applicants are interviewed in all Colleges on the same two days. Immediately afterwards the Directors of Studies meet again to compare notes; at this point they flag up to colleagues strong applicants for whom they might not have room, but who deserve a place at another College.

Strong applicants who have not been made an offer by their first choice College are placed in the January Pool. If you are, you might then be made an offer by your second interview College, or by another College which is happy to rely on the information already available. It is possible that a third College might ask you to a further interview in January.

The Second Interview Scheme has proved to be very successful: over the last few years one offer in four has been made via the Pool.

It is worth remembering that the closing date for applications to Oxford and Cambridge is earlier than for other Universities. Do not leave it too late!

Education with Religious Studies

Education with Religious Studies offers students the opportunity to study for a joint honours degree combining courses in the Faculty of Divinity with courses in the Faculty of Education . Courses in the Faculty of Education cover the main disciplines of education (history, philosophy, psychology and sociology) and inter-disciplinary courses on educational issues e.g globalisation, literacy and communication. For those interested in teaching, the joint honours degree provides a "3+1" route into teaching when combined with one of the Faculty's PGCE courses. For more information see the Faculty of Education web site.