̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge - Target Oxbridge

Cambridge welcomes record number of black students

ps748 — Tue, 06 Oct 2020 12:07:55 +0000

This year, 137 have been admitted, a rise of just over 50% on the 2019/20 academic year. This represents 4.6% of the total number of UK undergraduates commencing their studies at the ̽��ֱ�� and follows a similar increase, of almost 50%, last year. There are now more than 300 black British undergraduates at Cambridge.

Senior Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Professor Graham Virgo, said: “In just three years the number of UK based black undergraduates taking up their place at Cambridge has more than tripled. This is testament to their hard work and ambition. ̽��ֱ��Collegiate ̽��ֱ��, its students, and partners, have been working hard to reach out to potential applicants to encourage them to apply.

“We accept this is not just about ensuring that our intake reflects UK society. ̽��ֱ�� ̽��ֱ��, and Colleges, need to work hard to ensure that once admitted, all students, no matter what their ethnic background, feel Cambridge is a welcoming place and one in which they can realise their potential and thrive. That is why we’re working with black students at Cambridge to ensure that their education is the best it can possibly be.”

̽��ֱ�� ̽��ֱ�� has been working in collaboration with black students to identify innovative ways in which the awarding gap between black and white students can be closed (a gap that has been narrowing and which the ̽��ֱ�� is committed to eliminate by 2024). A number of departments throughout the ̽��ֱ�� are examining ways of diversifying the curriculum, and providing a wider choice of authors to study. And the ̽��ֱ�� is providing race awareness and unconscious bias training to all staff.

̽��ֱ��generosity of figures like the grime artist, Stormzy, in providing scholarships for black students at Cambridge each year, has contributed to breaking down barriers. ̽��ֱ�� ̽��ֱ�� has also strengthened its partnership with initiatives like Target Oxbridge, providing more places on its mentoring programmes. ̽��ֱ�� ̽��ֱ�� launched the ‘Get In’ social media campaign aimed at overturning perceptions about what Cambridge is like. In 2019, a series of short films, presented by YouTube influencer, Courtney Daniella, was published. This was followed, earlier this year, by films featuring British Pakistani and Bangladeshi students.

̽��ֱ�� ̽��ֱ��’s own students are also engaged in access work, with members of the African-Caribbean Society (ACS) volunteering as mentors for younger students. ̽��ֱ��Society’s president, Sharon Mehari, says the arrival of even more black students this year is a significant step forward:

“As a Society devoted to creating a welcoming and empowering space for all black students, it is an honour and a joy to see that Cambridge will be ushering in its largest intake. This speaks to the passion of the many individuals, organisations, and institutions who have worked to ensure that Cambridge is a place where black students have their academic ability, creativity, ingenuity and heritage valued. There is no doubt that this cohort of students will thrive and leave an impact on Cambridge in ways we have never seen. We, at the ACS, are so excited to celebrate every individual and welcome them into the family.”

Last month, the ̽��ֱ�� announced that, for the first time, 70% of its UK undergraduate intake this year come from state schools, and more than a fifth come from what are officially described as the most deprived areas of the country.

̽��ֱ�� ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge has welcomed another record number of UK based black undergraduates this year.

In just three years the number of UK based black undergraduates taking up their place at Cambridge has more than tripled. This is testament to their hard work and ambition

Graham Virgo

Sharon Mehari

ACS event

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Increase in black student numbers

ps748 — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 23:05:00 +0000

That means, for the first time, the proportion of black students has risen above 3% (3.4%), reflecting wider UK society. In 2019-20 there will be more than 200 black undergraduates studying at Cambridge – an all-time high.

̽��ֱ��number of UK BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) undergraduate students admitted has also reached a new record and now stands at 26.8%.

Senior Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education), Professor Graham Virgo, says:

“ ̽��ֱ�� ̽��ֱ�� has worked hard to get the message out that it is a welcoming place for students regardless of their ethnicity. This record rise in the number of black students is a credit to their hard work and ability: we have not lowered entry standards. It is also a credit to the hard work put in by admissions staff across the ̽��ֱ�� and Colleges in running various outreach activities, and the positive campaigns run by our student societies and external partners. We have achieved this without any reduction in offer levels or provision of preferential treatment.”

A number of factors are thought to be behind the increase in black students applying and being admitted. One is likely to be the “Stormzy effect”. In August 2018, the award-winning British grime artist announced he would fund tuition fees and living costs for two students each year for the duration of their study at Cambridge. Since then the ̽��ֱ�� has seen an increase in the number of black students engage in its outreach activities and enquire about its courses.

Another reason for the success is attributed to proactive campaign work on behalf of the ̽��ֱ��. Earlier this year it published a series of short films presented by the You Tube influencer, and Cambridge graduate, Courtney Daniella, aimed at challenging the misconceptions surrounding a Cambridge degree. These have been shared widely.

Stormzy addressing the ACS Motherland Conference in 2018

Of equal importance, several student societies have been actively involved in access work, promoting the ̽��ֱ�� to groups of young people who may not have thought of, or ever been encouraged, to apply to Cambridge. Students from a wide range of backgrounds have volunteered for outreach events. And the work of external partners such as Target Oxbridge has continued apace. This programme, run by the diversity specialist, Rare, provides advice and support for A level students wishing to apply to Cambridge and Oxford. ̽��ֱ��number of students wanting to engage with the programme has more than doubled over the past year.

Wanipa Ndhlovu, President of the ̽��ֱ��’s African-Caribbean Society (ACS), welcomed the figures:

“This is really good news and is a testament to the hard work that ACS, as well as the ̽��ֱ��, has been putting in to break down perceptions. It should send out a signal to other black students that they can find their place at Cambridge and succeed. I hope this will be seen as encouraging to any black student who may have been told Cambridge isn’t the place for them.”

In September the ̽��ֱ�� announced more than 68% of its students came from a state school background. And a total of 67 students from widening participation backgrounds were offered places through Adjustment this year, the first time the ̽��ֱ�� has adopted it.

̽��ֱ��number of UK black undergraduate students starting at the ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge this term has risen significantly from last year. A total of 91 black students have been admitted, up from 61 in the 2018/19 academic year…a rise of almost 50%.

We have achieved this without any reduction in offer levels

Senior Pro-Vice-Chancellor Prof Graham Virgo

Paul Seagrove

ACS welcoming event

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‘Get in Cambridge’ social media campaign launches in a bid to attract more students from under-represented backgrounds

Anonymous — Mon, 10 Jun 2019 14:55:32 +0000

Cambridge announced last week (6 June) that it was making progress on widening access to the university with the proportion of Black and Minority Ethnic students at a record high of 23.5%. However, 2.4% of the undergraduate population in this year’s intake were Black compared with 3.4% of the UK population.

YouTube vlogger Courtney Daniella, herself a Cambridge graduate, presents five films addressing popular misconceptions about Cambridge, offering tips on how to make a successful application and finding out what sixth formers really think about the institution.

̽��ֱ��social media campaign Get In Cambridge launched on 10 June with Courtney taking a wry look at Cambridge ‘Myths Versus Reality’, which address untrue assumptions about the university that put students off applying.

̽��ֱ��series features 26 films encouraging students from under-represented background to apply. These range from students at schools with low numbers of pupils going on to university, to the UK’s Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities.

When at school, 22-year-old Courtney was told by teachers she was not good enough for Cambridge and struggled to overcome her doubts - one of the main reasons she wanted to give out a different message to students like her.

“I used to tell myself every day that Cambridge wasn’t for a person like me partly because I’d never known anyone who’d gone there, and I’d never seen a black Cambridge student, ever,” she says.

“Now I want to say to anyone who believes that to stop putting yourself and Cambridge in a box and start thinking ‘I have so much that I could bring to this university – it would be great for them to have me.’

“It’s true the gates of Cambridge were once closed to people like me. However, here I am a Cambridge graduate – I’ve done it and people who look like me can see they can do it too.”

In one film, entrepreneur Courtney charts her journey from a North London schoolgirl caring for her mum and working part time to provide for her family, to studying Human, Social, and Political Sciences at Robinson College.

Each of the 26 films features current undergraduates – who all attended state schools - telling the stories of their journeys to Cambridge as they invite cameras into their rooms, libraries, supervision sessions and nights out.

Vloggers are increasingly working with universities to boost such access efforts. Director of the Cambridge Admissions Office Jon Beard said: “While filming the series, at least half a dozen students stopped Courtney on the street to thank her and tell her she was the reason that they were here. It shows what a huge influence they have.

“Admissions statistics released on Thursday show a rise in the number of students who are from state schools, disadvantaged backgrounds, and ethnic minorities. But there is still work to be done in reaching those with the talent and drive to study here who think Cambridge is not for them.

“We hope these films will complement the ̽��ֱ�� and College efforts to widen access, which include a range of initiatives to offer additional academic and financial assistance for students who may have suffered educational disruption or disadvantage.”

Cambridge will continue to work with development programme for black African and Caribbean pupils Target Oxbridge on a range of initiatives including a three-day residential and an additional one-day conference in London, which will take place for the first time this summer.

Grime artist Stormzy launched Cambridge scholarships for Black students last year. Black students starting at Cambridge this October will be able to apply for the next round of Stormzy scholarships when applications open on A-level results day.

A YouTube influencer is fronting a series of films encouraging more black students to apply to Cambridge in the latest push by the ̽��ֱ�� to widen its pool of applicants.

It’s true the gates of Cambridge were once closed to people like me. However, here I am a Cambridge graduate – I’ve done it and people who look like me can see they can do it too

YouTube vlogger and Robinson College alumna Courtney Daniella

Top 10 Cambridge ̽��ֱ�� myths – busted!

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Supporting high-achieving black students

ta385 — Thu, 18 May 2017 09:45:00 +0000

Target Oxbridge provides 16 – 18 year old black African and Caribbean students with positive role models and practical advice. ̽��ֱ��development programme runs over the course of a year and involves residential visits and academic sessions. When they visit Cambridge, participants will have an immersive experience of life at the university, including taking part in tutorials and meeting both staff and current students.

Since 2012, 46 Target Oxbridge students have already gone on to receive offers from the two universities. Eleven former participants are currently studying at Cambridge and have welcomed the new sponsorship.

̽��ֱ�� ̽��ֱ��’s support, alongside Oxford’s, will help Target Oxbridge to expand its places from 45 to 60 in 2018, double the number available in 2016. ̽��ֱ��programme is run by Rare, a specialist diversity recruitment company, and its patron is Cambridge alumna, Zadie Smith, who has previously said:

“Going to Cambridge changed my life. Nothing I have done would have been possible without it. I want more people from backgrounds like mine to have that life-changing experience. That's what Target Oxbridge is about”.

Jon Beard, Cambridge’s Head of Undergraduate Recruitment, said:

“We’re delighted to be strengthening our relationship with Rare through our sponsorship of Target Oxbridge, and look forward to welcoming to Cambridge more of the high-achieving aspirational black students that the programme supports. ̽��ֱ�� ̽��ֱ�� and the Colleges are committed to widening participation by raising aspirations and attainment. Working with partners including the Sutton Trust, ̽��ֱ��Brilliant Club and Target Oxbridge is an important part of our approach.”

Fopé Jegede, an English student at Homerton College, said:

“Target Oxbridge helped to dispel the myths and preconceived notions I had about Cambridge and I genuinely don’t think I would have applied without the encouragement and support offered by the programme. Applying to Oxbridge is a very daunting process but studying at this university is such a unique experience. Already, my academic and personal growth during my time here has been incredible. Potential applicants should rest assured that it truly is your intellectual curiosity and potential that matters most - regardless of your social, economic or ethnic background. You do and will belong.”

Daniel Oluboyede, a Medic at Downing College, said:

“This is exciting news and a clear message that Cambridge aims to be more inclusive. Target Oxbridge was undoubtedly a major factor in getting me to Cambridge. They not only made me more confident for the application process but somehow made it an enjoyable experience too! I am confident that this partnership will make a tangible difference because of the real impact that Target Oxbridge makes in developing Afro-Caribbean students from typically less privileged backgrounds to become impressive Oxbridge Candidates.”

Imani McEwen, a Modern Languages student at Clare College, and currently on her Year Abroad in the Canary Islands, said:

“I’m absolutely thrilled. ̽��ֱ��partnership will enable lots of bright potential applicants to see that this is a place for them. When applying, Target Oxbridge certainly helped to prepare me for Cambridge life. ̽��ֱ��mentoring taught me how to engage with what I was reading and then confidently have an academic discussion about it. This was key during the interview and still is during supervisions. Definitely apply to Cambridge, your race should never discourage you because it's your ability that counts.”

Bez Adeosun, a Politics and Anthropology student at Clare College, said:

“Without Target Oxbridge, I may not have received my Cambridge offer. Their help ranged from personal statement advice, mock interviews and simply just being in contact with current students at the university. All this helped make a process that seemed so surreal to me, seem real and achievable. I would definitely encourage students to consider applying for this program as they really do care about helping young talented students get into prestigious institutions like Oxford and Cambridge.”

Michael Harvey, an Engineering student at Homerton College, said:

"Coming from a background in which you weren't expected to study at a place like Cambridge and then making it here gives a constant feeling of accomplishment. To know that you're working among some of the best thinkers of the future, to know you're at that level and to be encouraged to push even further is great. Once you're here the sky is really the limit, anything is achievable. It may seem a daunting task to get in from the outside, but anyone with the right attitude can achieve and excel here. My advice for people thinking of applying would be to put in the work because the rewards are more than worth it."

Timi Sotire, a Human, Social and Political Sciences student at Girton College, said:

"I felt very insecure and worried about applying. Being a part of the Target Oxbridge programme gave me the confidence to fully realise that I am good enough to be at a prestigious university such as this, I don’t know what I would have done without their constant support and mentoring. I hope that this partnership will encourage more people to have the confidence to apply.”

Find out more about Cambridge’s Widening Participation programmes.

̽��ֱ�� ̽��ֱ�� is sponsoring Target Oxbridge, a free programme which aims to increase successful undergraduate applications from black students.

Regardless of your social, economic or ethnic background. You do and will belong.

Fopé Jegede, undergraduate at Homerton College.

Undergraduates (L to R): Timi Sotire, Bez Adeosun, Michael Harvey, Daniel Oluboyede, Leah Grant, Fopé Jegede.

̽��ֱ��text in this work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. For image use please see separate credits above.

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