Enabling Access
Helping applicants believe they can come to Trinity Hall by changing perspectives and removing barriers.
We believe in nurturing brilliance and dismantling barriers. Access should be available to everyone who has the ability we all expect from a Trinity Hall student, regardless of financial or social background.
Even with a student loan and a Cambridge Bursary, some students will find the day-to-day costs of undertaking their course to be greater than their means. The perception of this financial pressure can deter talented applicants. To help attract talented students, our schools outreach programme dispels myths about studying at Cambridge and breaks down perceived barriers for potential applicants from a range of socio-economic backgrounds.
We have created and participate in several initiatives designed to reduce educational inequalities, which have markedly increased following the pandemic.
Our Aims
- Raise £80,000 per year to continue to support the new post of Access & Recruitment Officer to help attract talented students, and create access and outreach initiatives to improve equality of opportunity for students from disadvantaged backgrounds or with disabilities.
- Raise £30,000 per year to continue to support our own ‘You’ll Fit In’ programme and the University’s ‘Get In’ scheme to raise aspirations of those from under-represented ethnic groups.
- Raise £10,000 per year to join the STEM SMART initiative for school students with educational disadvantage to help them develop confidence before applying to University.
You’ll Fit In
There has been extensive demand for Trinity Hall’s own College-based initiative ‘You’ll Fit In’ to encourage applications from traditionally under-represented groups. This comprises a series of webinars, a super-curricular research project to develop academic skills, and a residential programme to help demonstrate to potential applicants from these cultural backgrounds that they would not feel out of place in Cambridge if they were to obtain an offer.
Photo: You’ll Fit In 2024 participants
Get In Cambridge
Trinity Hall is also part of initiatives to widen social inclusion by encouraging applications from under-represented ethnic groups. Students from a Black British, Black Bangladeshi and Black Pakistani background have historically been under-represented at Cambridge. Although they make up 12% of the UK sixth form population, applicants from these ethnic backgrounds comprise only 3.8% of postgraduate admissions and 6% of undergraduate admissions. Gifts to Trinity Hall as part of the University’s “Get In” programme help to attract Masters students from under-represented ethnic backgrounds.
STEM SMART
The STEM SMART scheme, which provides free complementary teaching to UK students who have experienced educational disadvantage, helping them develop confidence in those subjects before they apply to university. The scheme helps raise attainment in A Levels and encourages applications to selective universities. Although STEM SMART is currently focused on the science subjects, with further funding, similar initiatives could be launched in the Arts and Humanities. Philanthropic support can equip Trinity Hall to be a leading college enhancing such a programme at Cambridge.
You can make a difference
Your gift will help applicants believe that Trinity Hall is for them by spreading the message in schools of what coming to Cambridge really feels like, raising aspirations and de-bunking misconceptions. Funding will help remove financial barriers.
Together we can ensure the next generation of great thinkers, leaders, creators, entrepreneurs, and problem solvers find their home at Trinity Hall.
