Admissions assessments and written work

The information below is for entry in 2025 or deferred entry in 2026.

Please note that some requirements may vary at other Cambridge Colleges (Admission tests and assessments | Undergraduate Study (cam.ac.uk)). 

Admissions Assessments

Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic

Applicants for Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic should submit two examples of their written work. 

This should comprise of two essays written as part of your current courses and marked by your school teacher. These can be in any subject, but it would be most useful if they are in the subjects you consider to be most relevant to your intended course at Cambridge.

Architecture

Applicants for Architecture should submit an architecture portfolio as a 6-page PDF.

If you are called for interview, you will then be asked to show your full portfolio. This could be as set of photographs or a Powerpoint of images, but it should be enough images of finished and sketch work for you to talk about for 10-15 minutes. In the full portfolio we would like to see any graphic work in any medium on any subject which is currently of interest to you – please do not feel you should restrict your samples to only those with architectural references. Please place most important work first. It is essential that your portfolio contains at least three drawings from life- this might be still-life as well as figure drawings but should include at least one human figure drawing or portrait. In addition, you can show sketchbooks if you have them but do not worry if you do not have them available.

Classics 3 years

Applicants for Classics (3 years) should submit two examples of their written work. This should comprise of two essays written as part of your current courses or one recent essay and a composition into Latin or Greek, marked by your school teacher. 
 

Classics 4 years

Applicants for Classics (4 years) should submit two examples of their written work. This should comprise of two essays written as part of your current courses and marked by your school teacher. These can be in any subject, but it would be most useful if they are in the subjects you consider to be most relevant to your intended course at Cambridge. 

Design

Applicants for Design should submit a PDF (6 A4 pages, and less than 15MB in size) of their own artwork. 

If invited to interview, applicants are expected to show a portfolio of recent work at the interview but this isn't expected to be work of an architectural nature (e.g. plans or sections). We want to see something that illustrates your interests, experience and ability in the visual and material arts. This may include drawings, paintings, sculpture and/or photography may also be included. It's usually sufficient for three-dimensional work to be exhibited in photographs.

A sketchbook with ongoing drawings is extremely helpful and applicants are encouraged to take one to the interview. It may be in any media (pencil, charcoal, crayon etc.) and should include a variety of subject matter. The work can be material prepared for school-leaving examinations but creative work executed outside of formal courses is also welcome.  

Education

Applicants for Education should submit two examples of their written work. 

This should comprise two essays written as recently as possible. They should be written on subjects as part of your current course and (if possible) marked by your teacher. They should be in essay format (not science coursework or a timed exam) and can be extracted from an EPQ. If you do not have any essays that you can send, our preference is for candidates to ask their teachers to set them essay-writing tasks in the subject applied for.

English

Applicants for English should submit two examples of their written work. 

This should comprise two essays written as recently as possible. They should be written on a literary subject as part of your current English course and (if possible) marked by your teacher. We would like one extended piece of (revised) coursework and if at all possible, a handwritten piece composed in class or an examination, under timed conditions. If you do not have any essays that you can send, our preference is for candidates to ask their teachers to set them essay-writing tasks in the subject applied for.

History

Applicants for History should submit two examples of their written work. 

This should comprise two essays written as part of your current courses and preferably marked by your school teacher. Drafts of extended projects and coursework are acceptable as well. These can be in any subject, but it would be most useful if they are in the subject you consider to be most relevant to your intended course at Cambridge. It is helpful if one the essays was produced under timed/exam conditions. If you are including work based around sources, please ensure that you include the source material as well.

History and Modern Languages

Applicants for Hisotry and Modern Languages should submit two examples of their written work. 

This should comprise two essays written in English as part of your current courses (please do not include any essays written in language courses) and preferably marked by your school teacher. Drafts of extended projects and coursework are acceptable as well. These can be in any subject, but it would be most useful if they are in the subject you consider to be most relevant to your intended course at Cambridge.

History and Politics

Applicants for History and Politics should submit two examples of their written work. 

This should comprise of two essays written as part of your current courses and marked by your school teacher. These can be in any subject, but it would be most useful if they are in the subject you consider to be most relevant to your intended course at Cambridge.

Human, Social and Political Sciences

Applicants for Human, Social and Political Sciences should submit two examples of their written work. 

This should comprise of two essays written as part of your current courses and marked by your school teacher. These can be in any subject, but it would be most useful if they are in the subject you consider to be most relevant to your intended course at Cambridge.

Modern and Medieval Languages

Applicants for Modern and Medieval Languages should submit two examples of their written work. 

This should comprise two essays written as recently as possible. These should be recent examples of writing completed for school, one of which should be in one of the languages you intend to study at University and (if possible) marked by your teacher.

Music

Applicants for Music should submit two examples of their written work. 

Please send at least one example of each of your recent music theory (harmony and counterpoint) and essay work for A Level (or equivalent) in Music. If you compose and would like to submit original compositions, please send these at the same time. You may be asked questions about the work that you submit during the interview so please make sure you keep a copy of everything you send.

Theology, Religion and Philosophy of Religion

Applicants for Theology, Religion and Philosophy of Religion should submit two examples of their written work. 

This should comprise of two essays written as part of your current courses and marked by your school teacher. At least one of the two essays should be in the area of theology, religious studies, or philosophy; but if none are available, then essays from other subjects (history, literature, ancient history, politics, etc) are fine. Ideally these essays should be on subjects with a religious angle.