Among the first to arrive at the University of Cambridge Open Days taking place today and tomorrow were 17-year-old Sean Stilwell and his father, Mark (pictured above). They had driven down to Cambridge last night from Trefriw, a village in North Wales, where Sean goes to Ysgol Dyffryn Conwy – a comprehensive where most of the 800 pupils are bilingual.

A keen member of his local Air Cadets, Sean is thinking about applying to Cambridge to study engineering. This was his first visit to the University and the city. “We’ll be going to one of the general talks on the University, looking at a couple of Colleges, and then going to the Engineering Department in the afternoon,” said Mark.

“I didn’t go to university myself so it’s a huge treat to be looking round Cambridge with my son. There’s a lot to learn about the University, the Colleges and the applications process so we’re hoping to make the most of our day here. Cambridge is a bit of a myth so it’s nice to look around and see lots of people just like us and plenty of friendly faces.”

Sean is just one of around 14,000 prospective students, many accompanied by teachers or members of their families, who’ll be visiting the University over the next two days, seeking guidance and directions from a small army of undergraduate helpers in bright yellow t-shirts. Visitors will be attending talks on the range of courses available, absorbing information about the applications process, and getting up to speed on the vital matter of student finance.

Alexandra Summers, 17, and her parents Paul and Roberta, had flown from Italy, to soak up the Cambridge atmosphere in an unexpected heatwave. Alexandra is taking the International Baccalaureate in Padua, having done her GCSEs in the UK. “At the moment I’m trying to choose between architecture and English,” she said. “I think life at Cambridge would suit me and, of course, it’s a really beautiful place."

Getting a feel for the place, and the collegiate structure, was also top of the list for Penny Morris, 17, who goes to Helsby High School, a specialist science college near Chester. She was planning to go to one of the Cambridge Explained sessions and a talk on studying medicine. “It’s a competitive course so I want to find out more about the grades I need and get an idea my chances,” said Penny. Her father Glyn said it was “fantastic to see how motivated young people are”.

Prospective applicants who had come with friends rather than parents included Lara Dawood, who goes to Channing School, an independent school in Highgate, and Maanan Gordhandos, who goes to Queen Elisabeth’s School, a selective state school in Barnet. “I’m interested in economics and Lara is interested in medicine, so we’ve planned our day around that,” said Maanan.

As in past years, all undergraduate Colleges and Departments will be open to visitors with academics, with staff and students on hand to give tours and answer questions. For the first time Cambridge University Students’ Union (CUSU) is staging an exhibition of student life in the New Museum Site, with stalls on various clubs and societies, ranging from sports to journalism and media, music to politics.

Also for the first time, the University Library will be open to visitors and their families. Library staff will be offering tours of the library which houses a stunning 7 million volumes.
 

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