Course Overview

If you want to study courses in the Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences and circumstances have prevented you from realising your academic potential, this is an opportunity not to miss. This innovative route is designed for a new field of candidates to help them realise their academic potential through a full-time, residential programme fully embedded in the Collegiate University. The course is open to those ordinarily resident in the UK and applicants must meet eligibility criteria.

On the Foundation Year, you can expect a challenging academic curriculum in the arts, humanities and social sciences. This offers the best possible preparation for the rigours of a Cambridge degree course by broadening and deepening your knowledge and under- standing as well as introducing you to the ways students learn at Cambridge. Foundation Year students will also benefit from being part of the University, including being part of a college community and having full access to all the University’s societies and facilities to pursue your interests. You will gain a nationally recognised Certificate of Higher Education and upon finishing the course you will have the option to continue to a number of suitable undergraduate degree courses at Cambridge. Find out more about the course here.

The Benefits of the Foundation Year at Fitzwilliam College

Fitzwilliam was founded in order to widen access to the University in 1869, and this continues to be central to our identity. Fitzwilliam has been involved in the development of the Foundation Year since the very beginning, and Dr Alex Pryce, The Foundation Year Course Director, is a Bye Fellow of the college. We are excited to be one of the first colleges to admit students for the course, and we are currently the closest participating college to the West Hub where most of the teaching for the Foundation Year is based. The Foundation Year students have a dedicated Director of Studies to support them through the course and help them achieve their full academic potential.

Facts and Figures

Average intake each year: 5-6

Typical A Level offer: 120 UCAS Tariff Points, equivalent to BBB

Essential subjects: None. Please check the website for suitable qualifications.

Application Process

The application process and timeline are slightly different for the Foundation Year, so please check here for full details.

Director of Studies

Dr Sara Owen

Find Out More

There are lots of resources for prospective students on the Foundation Year website, and we recommend that you start there. If you would like to talk directly to a current student at Fitz, or Dr Owen, who coordinates the programme at Fitz, please contact admissions@fitz.cam.ac.uk

If you'd like to come and visit Fitz, you can either come informally on a day that suits you, or come to a general open day or event.