Applications are now CLOSED for the 2024 programme. 

If you are currently in Year 11 England/Wales, Year 12 in Northern Ireland or S4 in Scotland, you could be eligible for this programme next year when you start A-Levels/Highers/IB! Click here to register your interest and we'll email you when applications open for 2025. Make sure it's an email you will still have access to in the autumn!

Christ's and Trinity Colleges run an annual Women in Maths residential, taking place from 21-23 March 2024. This opportunity is open to Year 12 (or S5 Scotland, Y13 Northern Ireland) women - see below for further eligibility criteria and to apply.

What is the Christ's-Trinity Women in Maths Programme?

While there are lots of events run across the country to encourage young women to study STEM subjects, this programme specifically targets potential female applicants to Mathematics courses at top universities. It will take place in Cambridge from 21-23 March 2024 (see below for students observing Ramadan). 

This programme is open to women who are interested in studying Maths and related courses at a top university. During the programme, you’ll attend lectures and classes taught by Cambridge academics and meet current students and admissions staff. It's a great opportunity to gain an insight into what it’s like to study at Maths at the University of Cambridge. Attendees will also have the chance to explore Christ's and Trinity Colleges, and take part in social activities and other maths-related activities alongside the academic lectures and classes.

What does the Christ's-Trinity Women in Maths Programme cost?

The event is free of charge (including meals and accommodation) with the exception of travel to and from Cambridge. If you feel that you may require travel expenses to be able to attend, please get in touch, as some support may be available. 

I loved being with lots of other girls (from state-schools) who all find Maths as fascinating as I do... It was amazing to experience a new, more social side of Maths, discussing strategies for puzzles and solutions to problems with other girls... It's given me a broader view on the full range of things that Maths can be used for, and has made me certain that Maths really is the degree for me.

Maryam, Women in Maths 2022
Lecture in the Yusuf Hamied Lecture Theatre, Christ's College, Cambridge
  Maths lecture - taking notes

Eligibility and selection

To be eligible for this event, you must meet all of the following criteria:

  • You are a woman studying at a UK school that does not charge fees (even if you are on a bursary or scholarship)
  • You will be in Year 12 (England/Wales)/ S5 (Scotland)/ Y13 (Northern Ireland) at the time of the event
  • You will be aged 16 or over by the first day of the programme (21 March 2024)
  • You can attend the full programme (from c. 2pm on Thursday 21 March to lunchtime on Saturday 23 March 2024 - you should check that school will give you permission to attend)
  • You must be studying for any of the following:
    • A Level Mathematics and A Level Further Mathematics including if you are doing Maths in Year 12 (Year 13 in N. Ireland) followed by Further Maths in Year 13 (Y14 NI)
    • International Baccalaureate Higher Level Mathematics 'Analysis and Approaches'
    • Scottish Higher in Maths with the intention to study Advanced Highers in Maths and one of Mechanics of Mathematics, Physics or Statistics. 
    • An equivalent academic qualification - please get in touch prior to making an application 

Please get in touch if you have any queries about your qualifications and please note that Core Maths is not a suitable qualification for this event. Students self-studying Further Maths A-Level will be considered.

Applicants will be assessed based on their academic record, their commitment to exploring maths at a higher level, and a teacher’s reference. In addition, we are particularly keen to identify students with little or no family tradition of higher education, those whose schools don’t send many applicants to Cambridge University, and students who’ve spent any time in care.

It may be helpful to note that in previous years, almost all those successful in being placed on this event had achieved the highest grades in Mathematics at GCSE/National 5 and were on track to achieve top grades in relevant subjects at A-Level/Higher/IB HL. 

If selected to attend, you will be sent a confirmation form, requirements form and a code of conduct, which you must have signed by a parent/guardian via an online form (so, no need for scanning or posting!) – this is to confirm that you have permission to attend the residential in Cambridge and to notify us of any requirements you may have.

Dr Ems Lord from NRICH delivering a session for the 2023 event

 Applying

Applications have now closed for the 2024 event. If you are currently in Year 11 England/Wales, Year 12 in Northern Ireland or S4 in Scotland, you could be eligible for this programme next year when you start A-Levels/Highers/IB! Click here to register your interest and we'll email you when applications open for 2025. Make sure it's an email you will still have access to in the autumn!

The deadline for students to complete their applications is 11:59pm on 31st January 2024. Late applications will not be accepted. All applications received by this deadline and accompanied by a completed reference will be equally considered - we won't start assessing applications until after 5 February.

All applications must be accompanied by a teacher reference - you will be asked on the application form to provide the details of a supporting teacher who can complete a reference on your behalf. It would be helpful if this teacher is one of your Maths/Further Maths teachers (if it is e.g. a form tutor, they should still speak with your subject teacher before completing the reference).

Once we have received your application, we will then contact your teacher to complete the reference for you. Sometimes this email ends up in spam (especially with school firewalls) so you should check that they have received it. Teachers will have until 5 February 2024 to complete the reference.

All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by the end of February 2024. All applications received by the deadline and with an accompanying teacher reference will be considered equally, and applications will not be assessed until the 5 February reference deadline has passed. Please note that due to the limited spaces available on events such as these, we do not normally take more than two students from any one school, except in exceptional circumstances. 

If you are currently in Year 12 England/Wales, Year 13 Northern Ireland or S5 Scotland and looking for other opportunities

If you can't attend, found this information too late or are not eligible for this event, don't worry as there are plenty of other opportunities to find out about studying Maths at Cambridge.

Do consider coming on an Open Day / Online Event at Christ's College (next open day: February including Maths subject meetings!) or an Open Day at Trinity College if you'd like to find out more (booking required). 

The Maths faculty runs an annual Maths open day which both Christ's and Trinity take part in. You can also see the events listing for events across the university here

Practical Details

Students are responsible for getting themselves to and from Cambridge. You may find the following travel information useful for your planning:

For Students Observing Ramadan

It is expected that Ramadan will overlap with the Women in Maths event in 2024. If you are planning to observe Ramadan, please read our information page on what to expect during your stay with us at this time. Students observing Ramadan are very much welcome to attend our events and we will be putting in place arrangements to allow you to both attend and observe. 

Get in Touch

You can send any questions to Ellie Wood, Admissions & Outreach Officer at access@christs.cam.ac.uk. 

 

Back to open day and events page / Christ's information for prospective students / Studying Maths / Student Profile (Maria)

I enjoyed the enriching experiences of the academic sessions and how they have revolutionised my ideas of mathematics and beyond this. Understanding the interconnections between maths and other fields, exploring perplex mathematical concepts, and discussing amongst others who share a similar passion and intrigue for maths, has been the most enjoyable experience. 

Ananya, Women in Maths 2022