Apply here!

Applications for the 2026 Women in Science Festival are now open. The deadline for applications will be 9:00am on Friday 27th February. 

Any questions can be directed to Kaz, the Programme Coordinator on outreach@robinson.cam.ac.uk.

Key Dates

What is it?

The Women in Science Festival (WiSF) is an annual event run by Robinson College designed for young women and non-binary students interested in further study of the sciences. 

The 2026 Festival will be held at Robinson College, one of the Colleges that form the University of Cambridge, as a free residential event from Monday 13th April to Wednesday 15th April. The timetable for this year includes:

• Insight taster lectures on Medicine and Neuroscience;

• Hands-on coding workshop at the Computer Science and Technology Department;

• Practical workshop at the Engineering Department;

• University application and admissions information;

• Talks from University alumni on their current careers and research;

• A scientific poster competition forming a 'Student Conference';

• Insight into University life and exploration of the historic city centre, and the city's science museums. 

Who is it for?

The WiSF is open to female and non-binary students currently in Year 11 and 12 (England & Wales), S4 and S5 (Scotland), or Year 12 and 13 (Northern Ireland). Given the interdisciplinary nature of the Festival, it is in particular designed to give students in Year 11/S4/Year 12 a taste of the different fields of study in the sciences and to develop their own interests within the field.

In order to apply, candidates must meet the following criteria: 

• Have an academic profile (e.g. subjects studied, predicted grades) suitable for progression to high-tariff universities;

• Identify as a woman, non-binary or other marginalised gender;

• Be interested in further study of a science subject;

• Attend a UK state-maintained school or attend an independent school on a full means-tested bursary or scholarship.

We will then prioritise applicants who identify with at least one of the following criteria:

• Are currently eligible for Free School Meals.

• Have at any time been under the care of a Local Authority.

• Are from a refugee or forced migration background.

• Live in an area of high socio-economic deprivation (IMD quintiles 1 and 2). 

• Are from an ethnic background currently under-represented at the University of Cambridge (Black African, Black Caribbean, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Arab, Roma, or Traveller).

• Are currently attending a school with low progression rates to higher-tariff universities.

• Are the first in their immediate family to attend university.

• Live or attend a school in our link areas of Swindon, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire or the London Borough of Wandsworth.

   

If you have any questions about the event, please email Kaz, the Programme Coordinator on outreach@robinson.cam.ac.uk.