Applications for RAP are now open. You can sign up for the programme here.

What is the Robinson Access Programme?

RAP is an online programme for Year 12 students who are interested in exploring top universities as an option for their future. You don't need to be certain that you'll go to university to take part, and you don't need to know which universities you want to go to. RAP will later focus in on selective universities in the UK, but the skills and knowledge will be relevant for all students and all universities. 

We will begin with a general overview about universities, answering any questions and clarifying uncertainties, before moving onto specific academic sessions designed to stretch and engage participants to develop critical and independent thinking skills. These will be adapted to suit a Cambridge supervision style of learning, but these skills are transferable and key to self-development. The academic sessions will invite discussion and individual participation which will also allow participants to develop interview skills and a confidence in oracy. Please note that all sessions will be designed with students with SEND and Anxiety in mind. This will allow for a safe space in which to work through certain obstacles, such as oracy and working under pressure, which is a particular challenge for such students in academic and work settings. 

How does RAP work?

The programme will consist of online sessions held after school on Tuesdays every week (bar some exceptions) from 14th January - 25th March. The sessions will mainly be held via Zoom webinar, but there may also be pre-recorded video content and interactive sessions. You will have the opportunity to develop your knowledge and skills through independent research or self-reflection challenges. These sessions will introduce you to what university is, how it works, and what it's like to be a student, alongside content designed to develop your study skills.

Please note that RAP will be able to direct students towards subject-specific resources to support their exploration, but will not include any subject-specific online sessions. Students who are interested in exploring lots of different subjects may be interested in the Lucy Cavendish Academic Enrichment Programme (open to Year 12s only). 

You will only need one device to be able to participate in RAP, and all content will be mobile-friendly. Please note that some sessions may ask you to have your camera and microphone turned on in order to fully engage with activities, and it is expected that participants will do this. If this is a problem, please get in touch with Kaz (outreach@robinson.cam.ac.uk).

Who is it for?

RAP is open to current Year 12 students studying at state schools in the UK. It is intended to encourage and support you in thinking about applying to selective universities in the UK, so we would particularly like to hear from you if you are part of the top-performing cohort in your school.

However, the programme is open to anyone who is interested in learning more about university. You don't need to be sure that you'll go, or know which universities you want to go to: the information and skills that you develop as part of RAP will help you wherever you decide to go after you leave school.

For our equality and diversity monitoring, we ask for some data on applicants, including whether you: 

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

• Are currently eligible for Free School Meals, or who have been eligible for Free School Meals in the last 6 years.

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

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

• Have home postcodes in areas with low local participation in Higher Education (POLAR4 quintiles 1 and 2).

• Have home postcodes in areas 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).

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

   

What are the key dates?

How do I apply?

https://cambridge.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dbYfSAbAstErjg2https://cambridge.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dbYfSAbAstErjg2

We will ask you for the following information in the application form:

• Your details: first and last name, date of birth, postcode, school/college, email address;

• Your current school subjects and predicted grades (if you do not have official predictions you will be asked to estimate the grades at which you are working);

• Further contextual information related to our Widening Participation criteria;

• Information about making any adjustments should you attend the event;

• Name and contact details of a parent or guardian.

The application will be saved automatically so can be filled out in stages. Please make sure you open the form in the same browser to continue where you left off.

Safeguarding

For details on Robinson College's online safeguarding policy, please click here. To read the specific safeguarding measures relevant to RAP, please click here.