Robinson Unlocked (Formerly BME Residential)
Applications for the 2026 residential programme are now open!
You can apply to take part here. Deadline for applications: Monday 10th August, 11:59pm
Please note that we are taking applications from students entering Year 12 in September 2026.
For reminders on when applications for events open, you can sign up to our Outreach Newsletter.
If you have any questions, please get in touch with Sabrine on outreach@robinson.cam.ac.uk
What is the Robinson Unlocked Residential?
This is a residential opportunity led by the Racial Equality Officers on the Robinson College Students' Association (RCSA). The event is made by students for prospective students, supported by Robinson College. The event is aimed at Year 12 ethnic minority students who are interested in gaining an insight into the University of Cambridge!
The event will provide an opportunity for academically-able students to explore student life, university-level learning, as well as receive valuable information about making competitive university applications.
This year, the residential will run from Monday 28th September - Wednesday 30th September 2026.
Workshops
City Tours
Insight into Student Life
Subject Insight
College Tours
Application Support
Who is it for?
Applicants must meet the following criteria in order to be eligible for the programme:
- Have an academic profile (e.g. GCSE grades) suitable for progression to selective universities.
- Will begin Year 12 (England & Wales) / Year 13 (N. Ireland) / S5 (Scotland) or equivalent in September 2025.
- Identify as Black, Asian or minority ethnic. Priority will be given to students from ethnic backgrounds currently underrepresented at the University of Cambridge (Black African, Black Caribbean, Bangladeshi, Pakistani, Arab).
Applicants must also meet at least one of the Widening Participation criteria below:
- Have at any time been under the care of a Local Authority.
- Have home postcodes in areas of high socio-economic deprivation (IMD quintiles 1 and 2).
- Are currently eligible for Free School Meals, or 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.
“It was so encouraging seeing people like me in spaces that I thought would not be accessible previously, it was so insightful and this residential has motivated me further to apply to Cambridge.”
2025 Participant
“What I enjoyed the most was connecting and talking to the organisers, they were honestly so amazing and really encouraging, to the point where I really do want to come to Cambridge. Robinson really has such a homey vibe that I haven’t seen anywhere else, so thank you for allowing us to be a part of this.”
2025 Participant
“Listening to people who have already graduated from the university was very insightful, especially at the start of Year 12 and learning about how you should approach aiming to go to the university.”
2025 Participant
“I found speaking to people with similar background and experiences to me useful as it made the residential more authentic and we found comfort in knowing how similar some of our situations are.”
2025 Participant