Stay tuned to hear Thomas , a second-year History student at Trinity Hall, talk about what his interviews were like for History! A list of discussion topics can be found below:00:00 Introductions01:10 How did you prepare for your History interview?02:25 Did your personal statement come up?03:25 Are the interviews a test of knowledge?04:40 What are they looking for in the interview?08:00 What to do if you get stuck in the interview10:10 How similar are the interviews to supervisions?13:50 What were your interviews like?18:00 What would you have done differently if you were to do the interviews again?19:40 Reading over your written work and personal statement
Stay tuned to hear Holly, a first-year Law student at Trinity Hall, talk about what her interviews were like for Law! A list of discussion topics can be found below:00:00 Introductions01:25 How did you prepare for your Law interviews?09:00 How to approach the interview12:30 What were your interviews and pre-reading like?23:15 How did you use the Law Admissions Advice podcast?25:30 How to prepare for the pre-reading31:30 Does the LNAT help with preparing for the interview?35:40 How have you found first term?The 'Law Admissions Advice' podcast Holly mentions, you can also find below:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jn9P2y6v5IU
Stay tuned to hear Rosalind, a first-year Psychological & Behavioural Sciences student at Trinity Hall, talk about what his interviews were like for PBS! A list of discussion topics can be found below:
00:00 Introductions
01:20 How did you prepare for your PBS interviews?
03:20 Did you need to know any psychology content for the interviews?
04:40 Was your personal statement brought up during your interview?
06:05 How did you prepare for the conversational/oral/thinking-out-loud aspect of the interview?
08:55 What practice questions did you go through?
10:45 Do you need to know any psychology content for the interviews?
)12:55 What’s the difference between nature and nurture?15:05 Do the interviews change every year?
16:00 Are graph skills helpful for the interview?
18:10 Preparing for interviews with your friends, even if they’re not studying Psychology
20:10 What were your interviews like?
25:05 Are interviews similar to supervisions?
27:00 Managing your wellbeing while preparing for interviews
Stay tuned to hear Justin, a first-year Natural Sciences student at Trinity Hall, talk about what his interviews were like for Biological Natural Sciences! A list of discussion topics can be found below:00:00 Introductions01:10 How did you prepare for your interview?02:20 Did your personal statement come up?03:40 How the interviews change year after year04:40 What were your interviews like?08:45 Was the content you were asked about A-Level material or university-level?09:10 Was the interview a test of knowledge? If not, what were they assessing?12:40 How did you prepare for the oral/conversational aspect of the interview?16:20 Any final advice for anyone with an upcoming BioNatSci interview?20:50 How useful was the practice you did beforehand?
Stay tuned to hear Phoebe talk about what her MML interviews were like! A list of the discussion topics can be found below:00:00 Introductions01:30 How did you prepare for your MML interviews?04:25 Were you asked about your personal statement in your interview?05:10 Being flexible and responsive during the interview, and what Phoebe’s interview was like12:00 Conversing in a different language during the interview and how to prepare
Stay tuned as Dr. Ron Reid-Edwards, Mathematics Director of Studies at Trinity Hall, explains everything you need to know about Maths interviews.
A list of topic discussion points can be found below:
00:00 Introductions
02:30 Why do we have interviews?
04:10 What does a Maths interview involve?
06:30 Are interviews online or in person?
08:10 Are the questions asked at Maths A Level/Further Maths difficulty, or university level?
10:40 Example Maths interview question
15:30 What should you do if you get stuck in the interview?19:00 What should you do if you're presented with a concept you haven’t learned yet in school?
22:30 How should you prepare for your Maths interview?32:30 Does looking at STEP papers help with the interview?38:00 Managing stress during interview
Check out our 'Studying Maths at Cambridge' podcast that we've done with Ron, which you can also find below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fl4dIn8WbFI
Stay tuned to hear our Director of Admissions, Dr Marcus Tomalin, go through all the ways you can prepare for your upcoming Cambridge interviews.Other podcasts that we've done on Cambridge interviews can be found on our 'Interviews Advice Playlist.' A list of topic discussions can be found below:00:00 Introductions03:00 What are Cambridge interviews?04:20 Are there differences between science subject interviews and arts/humanities subject interviews?09:50 Do you recommend mock interviews?13:20 Prepared answers compared to authentic responses18:00 Questions that you likely wouldn’t be asked during an interview20:05 What can students do to prepare well for the interviews?26:50 The importance of oracy and conversational skills for interviews31:50 Preparing for interviews with your peers36:20 Asking the interviewer questions for clarification43:50 How to use AI/ChatGPT to prepare for your interviews48:05 What does it mean when AI ‘hallucinates’?52:20 How to use AI/ChatGPT to learn languages or prepare for MML/languages interviews01:00:20 How Siam prepared for his Chemistry/Science interviews01:04:00 Is University Challenge similar to Cambridge interviews?01:05:50 Are Cambridge interviews a test of knowledge?01:09:50 If you’re not supposed to have prepared answers, how do you avoid making mistakes in the interview?
Stay tuned to hear from James Helm — current Director of Communications and External Affairs at the University of Cambridge, former Director of Communications for the Metropolitan Police and the UK’s Department for International Development, former BBC journalist, and Trinity Hall graduate. James talks about journalism, applying to Cambridge from the North East, and his advice for aspiring journalists.Also check out the Trinity Hall Prize in Student Journalism - a yearly prize open to current Cambridge University students.https://www.trinhall.cam.ac.uk/student-hub/opportunities/trinity-hall-prize-in-student-journalism/A list of topics discussions can be found below00:00 Introductions02:30 What were you studying, and what was Cambridge like when you were here?04:40 Were you always planning to study Social and Political Sciences?06:10 Did you know anyone from where you lived in the North East who was also applying to university?09:40 What was your time like once you arrived at Cambridge?11:40 Did you have any issues fitting in or making friends at Cambridge?13:10 Has Trinity Hall changed at all since you were a student here?15:45 What have you done since graduating from Trinity Hall? Why journalism and communications?20:10 What more do you think could be done in the North East in Widening Participation?23:40 What advice do you have for graduates who want to get into journalism?
Stay tuned to hear Zohra, a Trinity Hall Law graduate, talk about her time at Cambridge, what it was like to pursue her master’s degree at Oxford while writing her novel, and what life is like as a children’s author.Find a list of Zohra’s books below:https://www.simonandschuster.co.uk/authors/Zohra-Nabi/191805263A list of topic discussions can be found below: Zohra grew up inventing stories for her two younger sisters. She studied law at Cambridge and Oxford universities, but secretly dreamed of being an author. Now she lives in London, browsing bookshops and writing magical adventures. The Kingdom Over the Sea is her first book.00:00 Introductions03:15 How studying Law helped with creative writing05:15 Zohra’s postgraduate degree in Law while writing her novel06:45 Have you always wanted to be a writer?08:45 What do you think is the biggest obstacle to becoming a writer?13:45 Zohra’s childhood and her journey to Cambridge16:45 Were you always thinking about applying to Cambridge?18:35 How did you find your time at Cambridge?20:05 Trinity Hall Law funding support and scholarships22:35 May Balls, Law Society, Formal Dinners, Chapel Choir, Trinity Hall food, and Financial Support28:25 Fitting in at Cambridge34:45 How did you find Trinity Hall?36:45 Zohra’s career as an author37:30 Why children’s literature?41:15 Zohra’s book The Kingdom Over the Sea44:45 How Cambridge/Trinity Hall and the Islamic Golden Age influenced Zohra’s writing51:25 Diversity among authors/academics and enriching research/literature59:45 How did you publish your first book?01:03:00 Zohra’s next book Deep Dark01:04:45 If you were to do Cambridge again, would you do anything differently?
Stay tuned as Dylan, a master’s student at Trinity Hall, shares what his application process was like, how it differs from applying for postgraduate studies in the US, and what his experience at Cambridge has been like.A list of topic discussions can be found below:00:00 Introductions01:50 Why did you apply to Cambridge for your master’s degree?03:00 Is it common for students to apply to UK universities for a one-year master’s rather than a two-year course?04:15 Why choose the Finance & Economics postgraduate course?05:45 What are the steps between finishing your undergraduate degree and starting your postgraduate studies?07:20 What is a college?09:00 As a postgraduate, do you apply to the faculty or the college?11:30 Are funding opportunities tied to specific colleges?14:50 What’s the difference between Trinity Hall and Trinity College?17:20 How do postgraduate applicants receive an offer?22:30 What support does the university provide with postgraduate applications?25:20 What kind of accommodation is provided at Trinity Hall?28:00 Comparing accommodation in Cambridge and the US29:00 Society opportunities for postgraduates31:30 Superhalls and Formal Halls at Trinity Hall34:30 Is there much time for social events at Cambridge?36:20 Availability of information for university applications in the US compared with the UK39:00 What’s one thing you wish you’d known at the start of the application?40:45 How has the course been?42:30 What are you doing next?
Stay tuned to hear our Director of Admissions, Marcus Tomalin, explain everything you need to know about the My Cambridge Application and how it's different to the UCAS personal statement.A list of topic discussions can be found below:00:00 Introductions00:50 What is the My Cambridge Application? 01:50 When is the deadline for submission? 02:10 What happens if you miss the deadline to submit your MyCapp? 03:20 What’s in the MyCapp? 05:40 How is the statement in the MyCapp different to the UCAS personal statement? What to write in the MyCapp?19:20 Do we mark/assess the MyCapp or Personal Statement? Find more info on the My Cambridge Application below: https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/apply/how/cambridge-application
Stay tuned to hear Professor Graham Pullan share everything you need to know about applying for Engineering at Cambridge! A full list of discussion points can be found below.More information about Professor Graham can be found below:https://www.trinhall.cam.ac.uk/people/professor-graham-pullan/ESAT Admissions Test past papers can be found below: https://esat-tmua.ac.uk/esat-preparation-materials/00:00 Introductions 02:35 What is Engineering?10:30 What are all the different types of Engineering? Which do you study at Cambridge? 18:30 Do students end up going into modules that they weren’t initially intending? 20:00 What are the entry requirements for Engineering at Cambridge? Do you need Further Maths? 22:45 Interviews and ESAT Admissions test advice: Application process explained 29:20 Pitfalls to avoid in the interviews 33:10 What will you be interviewed on? 34:00 Differences between Physics, Engineering, Computer Science, and Maths 37:50 Can you get into Engineering as a career via alternative routes? 43:10 What are Cambridge Engineering supervisions like? 47:30 On lectures and labs 48:30 What are drawing sessions?
Stay tuned to hear our Director of Admissions, Marcus Tomalin, explain everything you need to know about the UCAS school reference.
A list of topic discussions can be found below:
00:00 Introductions01:50 What is the school reference? 02:50 When is the deadline to submit the school reference? 03:40 Is there a character limit? 04:00 What changes were made to the school reference in 2024?06:55 What things should and shouldn’t be in the school reference? 14:30 Other than the school reference what other pieces of information do we receive about the applicant? 18:20 Do we bring up the school reference in the interview?
Stay tuned to hear our Sam, Outreach Communications Officer for the Department of Land Economy, explain everything you need to know about applying for Land Economy.
For super-curricular activities/reedling lists, please find the below:
https://www.landecon.cam.ac.uk/page/preparing-land-economy-degree
A list of topic discussions can be found below:00:00 Introductions01:20 Who is most interested in Land Economy?04:00 What is Land Economy?06:20 Reading materials for Land Economy08:30 Are there any specific subject requirements for Land Economy?09:40 What to mention in your personal statement13:50 Is there an admissions test?14:10 Do you have to submit written work? If so, what should you submit?16:40 Is Land Economy more maths-based or more essay-based?18:40 Can you go into Law after Land Economy?20:40 What are the interviews like for Land Economy?28:25 Are interviews in person or online?29:40 How does the degree ensure students are brought up to speed on subjects they haven’t studied before?32:10 Land Economy course title changing
Stay tuned to hear Dr Heather Inwood, Director of Studies in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (Chinese), share everything you need to know about studying Chinese at Cambridge! A full list of discussion points can be found below.More information about Dr Heather Inwood can be found below:https://www.trinhall.cam.ac.uk/people/dr-heather-inwood/00:00 R.F. Kuang01:30 Introductions02:20 Is AMES a literature, language, or history degree?03:10 What languages can you study within the AMES course? Can you study more than one?04:20 How much flexibility is there in what students choose to study?05:20 Are students always reading texts in the language they’re learning, or are some texts in English as well?07:10 What kind of students is AMES for?08:50 Comparing translations with their originals11:00 Advice for those who might find learning another language daunting13:10 How is AMES taught?14:05 What’s the difference between supervisions and classes?16:20 What does the Chinese pathway look like within AMES?21:00 What’s the difference between Classical Chinese and Modern Chinese?23:50 Can you take the course if you’re already fluent in Chinese?25:30 Heather’s favourite aspects of the AMES course — East Asian Media and Popular Culture27:00 What eras does the course cover?28:00 Does the course change depending on current affairs?29:50 What makes Cambridge stand out compared to other universities for studying Chinese?31:00 Heather’s journey from undergraduate to academia32:00 Heather’s research in Contemporary Chinese Poetry and Popular/Internet Fiction33:50 What is Internet Fiction?35:30 Opportunities for new and upcoming writers in the English-speaking world38:05 Advice for students thinking about studying Chinese
Stay tuned to hear Lola, 4th-year Modern and Medieval Languages student, share everything you need to know about the year abroad!
A full list of discussion points can be found below.
00:00 Introductions
02:10 What is the Year Abroad?
03:00 If you’re studying two languages, do you go to two countries during your Year Abroad?
03:50 What did Lola do during her Year Abroad?
05:30 How Lola found moving to a new city
08:40 How Lola found living in Italy, given that she took Italian from scratch (ab initio)
09:35 What have other students done during their Year Abroad?
11:30 Financial support for the Year Abroad1
3:00 Planning the logistics for the Year Abroad
15:35 Final remarks and advice for incoming MML students
More info on the year abroad can be found below:
https://www.mmll.cam.ac.uk/undergraduates/current-undergraduates/year-abroadCheck out Lola's other podcast on what it's like to study French and Italian at Cambridge:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4i4uk7ptSOA
Interviews may be online or in person, depending on which College is assessing your application. Stay tuned to hear our Director of Admissions, Marcus Tomalin, explain everything you need to know about interview format.More information about the interview format all the colleges are adopting can be found below:https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/apply/after/cambridge-interviewsA list of topic discussions can be found below:00:00 Introductions01:00 What are Cambridge interviews?02:00 What were interviews like before the pandemic?03:20 Are interviews now online or in person? How does it differ between colleges?07:45 How is Trinity Hall conducting their interviews?13:30 What might a science interview look like in person and online?17:00 What should you do if you don’t have reliable technology or Wi-Fi for your online interview?21:45 Will the interview be different if it’s online or in person?23:00 Issues with interview questions being shared after the interview24:50 How in-person interviews are similar to Cambridge supervisions / Why interviews are teaching and learning experiences rather than debates or interrogations28:00 How do interviewers assess applicants?30:45 How many interviews and interviewers should applicants expect?
Stay tuned to hear Dr Lee de-Wit, University Associate Professor of Political Psychology, share everything you need to know about studying Psychological & Behavioural Sciences at Cambridge.
You can find more information on Dr Lee de-Wit in the link below:
https://www.psychol.cam.ac.uk/people/lee-de-witA full list of discussion points can be found below.
00:00 Introductions01:50 What is Psychology and Behavioural Sciences?03:40 How Cambridge courses enable you to take modules from other subjects04:50 What do you study in the PBS course? Do you study Freud, or is the focus on the scientific method?07:20 Is statistics involved in PBS?08:15 What is the course structure for PBS?13:10 Using evidence and statistics to validate opinions16:20 How does PBS prepare you for modern careers?17:20 How are PBS students taught?18:40 What are PBS supervisions like?26:45 Lee’s research32:50 Opportunities to study politics, philosophy, sociology, anthropology, and natural sciences within the PBS course35:50 Advice for PBS applicants38:20 What is Choice Architecture?
Stay tuned to hear Dr Cristiano Ristuccia, share everything you need to know about studying Economics at Cambridge.
We’ve recorded another podcast on what it’s like to study Economics at Cambridge with one of our students, Nikolai — which you can find below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dd_yt9Lz4dMA full list of discussion points can be found below.
00:00 Introductions
00:40 What kind of student would enjoy studying Economics at Cambridge?
01:45 How to choose between Human, Social and Political Sciences, Economics, and History & Economics
02:50 The course structure for Economics
08:40 What are Microeconomics and Macroeconomics?
11:30 How are economists taught?
17:20 How Economics is not an objective science
18:30 The differences between Economics and Maths
21:00 Is Economics a science?
27:45 What makes a good economist?
50:10 How can you study History and Politics within the Cambridge Economics course?
01:00:00 What makes a strong applicant for Economics at Cambridge?
Dr Ristuccia is a University Senior Research Associate in Applied Economics. He works on production technology and economic growth during the 20th century, with particular reference to the inter-war period and the Second World War. His focus is comparative and covers industrial development in the US, Japan, the UK, Germany, France and Italy. His teaching focuses on Germany and on international financial instability in the inter-war period, and on the economics of dictatorships.
https://www.trinhall.cam.ac.uk/people/dr-cristiano-ristuccia/
Stay tuned to hear our Director of Admissions, Dr. Marcus Tomalin, explain everything you need to know about Admissions Assessments!
A list of topic discussions can be found below:
More info on Admissions Assessments can be found in the link below:
https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/apply/how/admission-tests
00:00 Introductions00:30 What are Admissions Assessments? Are they different from Admissions Tests?02:40 Does the requirement for an Admissions Assessment change depending on which college you apply to?04:00 Do all subjects require an Admissions Assessment?05:00 How do you register for an Admissions Assessment?07:00 Do you have to pay to take an Admissions Assessment?09:00 Do Admissions Assessments take place before or after we decide who to interview?11:00 How do we use the Admissions Assessment when deciding who to make offers to?14:40 Why do students need to take Admissions Assessments?17:00 STEP — for Maths applicants20:00 Where do Admissions Assessments take place?22:50 How should you prepare for Admissions Assessments?24:30 What is Critical Thinking? Can there be two answers in a multiple-choice question?