University of Cambridge

The Northern Society

University of Cambridge
The NOrthern Society

OUTREACH

At the Cambridge Northern Society, we believe that where you come from should never limit where you can go. That is why outreach is at the heart of what we do.

We are committed to working with schools and colleges across the North of England to encourage, support, and empower students to consider applying to the University of Cambridge. We know that applying to Cambridge can feel daunting – especially if you have never met anyone who has done it before. Our goal is to change that.

Working with Northern Schools and Colleges

We collaborate with teachers, advisors, and access staff to deliver talks, question and answer sessions, and informal events both in person and online. Our student volunteers are all from the North themselves, and they speak honestly about their experiences – the highs, the challenges, and what life is really like as a Northern student at Cambridge.

We can offer:

  • Application support and guidance from current students
  • Subject-specific insights across a wide range of courses
  • School visits and virtual sessions tailored to your students
  • Panel discussions, personal statement advice, and myth-busting

We also work alongside official university initiatives, such as:

  • The Area Links Scheme: which connects specific Cambridge Colleges with regions across the UK. Every part of the North is linked to at least one College, whose admissions teams are ready to help with outreach and advice.
  • HE+ (Higher Education Plus): a programme designed to support high-achieving state school students in Years 12 and 13. It includes extension resources, academic skills, and events delivered in partnership with Cambridge Colleges and schools across the country.

If you are a teacher, advisor, or student from the North interested in working with us, please get in touch via the form or email address below. We are always happy to help, and no question is too small.

Resources for Prospective Students

We are currently building a resource base right here on our website to support Northern applicants and their schools. This will include:

  • Application guides written by current Northern students
  • Template personal statements and subject tips
  • Insights into Cambridge life – including accommodation, societies, and social life
  • Advice for interviews and admissions assessments
  • Stories from Northern undergraduates across Colleges and courses

We want to make this space honest, welcoming, and useful – like having a big sibling at university to ask anything you like.

If there is a resource you would find helpful or a question you want answered, please let us know. This space is being built for you.

The North belongs at Cambridge – and Cambridge belongs to the North.
Let us make that future together.