Peterhouse Bridging Scheme
In 2024 Peterhouse will be piloting a bridging scheme, inviting approximately twelve of our incoming first year cohort to the College before Michaelmas term begins. A timetable of academic, social and general guidance events have been scheduled to give participants a head start with all aspects of life in Cambridge. This residential will run from Monday 9th September to Wednesday 18th September 2024. Those on the course will have time to go back home for a short break before returning to Cambridge to start with the rest of their year group. More information can be found in the FAQs below.
The residential scheme has been offered, in the first instance, to offer-holders deemed to have experienced educational disruption or disadvantage, understood as more than average disruption to their schooling.
Offer-holders who meet multiple university widening participation flags (free school meals, care-leaver status or neighbourhoods with low participation in Higher Education), as well as offer-holders with evidence of significant ongoing educational disruption in extenuating circumstances forms have been invited to participate.
Selection criteria, as outlined above, does not include an academic assessment of participants' abilities or their likelihood to succeed at Cambridge. At Peterhouse we make offers to impressive applicants we are confident can thrive here and bridging scheme participants are no exception to this.
Eligible offer-holders have been selected individually and holistically based on University widening participation indicators and/or information supplied elsewhere in applications (such as extenuating circumstances forms). Exact requirements will change depending on our cohort of offer-holders.
If you have been selected to take part in the pilot you should have received an email from us either shortly after receiving your offer, or on results day.
No. Participation in the bridging scheme is entirely optional and declining our invitation will in no way impact the status of your offer. We appreciate and respect that many offer-holders may have existing plans for September or feel they will not benefit from this additional programme of support.
Across the residential participants will have an opportunity to familiarise themselves with the College, departments and city, as well as meet key welfare and teaching staff who will continue to support them post-matriculation. Current students will be on hand to guide participants through the process and a range of inter-collegiate events will enable them to meet fellow bridging course participants across the University.
There will be no formal testing or examinations but there will be an academic scheme of work to engage with, supported by a postgraduate supervisor. For many subjects this scheme of work will integrate existing pre-arrival modules and reading lists already available to be working through during the summer. A full timetable of events will be sent out to participants following confirmation of results.
All expenses such as food, travel and accommodation will be covered by Peterhouse. Participants will also receive an automatic set bursary to compensate for any losses in earnings over the dates they will be resident.