Pupils give thumbs up to scrapping of Cambridge Application Form

Symbolising moves to simplify the Cambridge applications process, the gesture was met with delighted laughter from an audience of more than 80 year-12 pupils. The students were taking part in a shadowing scheme run by Cambridge University Students' Union (CUSU) that will give 260 pupils from state schools a taste of life at Cambridge this month.

The pale blue CAF, which has been a feature of the Cambridge applications process for several decades, is being discontinued in changes to simplify the admissions process. All applications from home students will now be made online through UCAS. Once their UCAS application has been received applicants will then be asked to complete an online questionnaire requesting additional information.

All participants on the CUSU shadowing scheme come from schools and/or backgrounds without a strong history of Cambridge applications. Many are likely to be the first in their families to go into higher education. The scheme meets all the costs, including transport, of taking part in the programme.

Sixteen-year-old Robyn Lyness, a pupil at Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls, said: “I think it's really good that Cambridge is scrapping the separate application form as it brings it more in line with other universities. It's important that people feel they can access Cambridge.”

Robyn, who shadowed a first-year undergraduate at Fitzwilliam College, is interested in studying modern and medieval languages at Cambridge. “Spending a few days in Cambridge showed me that it's a vibrant, buzzing place with lots going on. You don't have to be from a certain background to be here.”

Luke Fulcher, also 16, a pupil at Tuxford School in Nottinghamshire, plans to apply to Cambridge to study engineering and shadowed a first-year student at Queens' College. He said: “Anything that makes applying to Cambridge less hassle, and more like applying to other universities, has to be good.”

The £10 application fee is being waived along with the abolition of the CAF. This move, too, was welcomed by prospective applicants and current undergraduates.

Junior Juma Penge, a second-year English student at Homerton College, said: “These changes will definitely make a difference psychologically. If you are not that confident about applying, extra form filling and the additional fee can be real deterrents that could tip the balance. Ten pounds is quite a lot if you come from a poor family.”

Junior's words have particular resonance: his family came to London as refugees from the Congo. His application to Cambridge was encouraged by Miss White, one of his teachers at William Ellis School in North London, where he was a high-achiever who was seen to be aiming too low.

“I left my application to the very last minute, chiefly due to a lack of belief in my own ability. Miss White helped me complete the forms and, because I didn't have any money on me, she paid the application fee with her personal credit card. Looking back, I am incredibly grateful for her sheer determination.”

Dr Parks he was delighted at the way this news has been greeted by both prospective applicants and current undergraduates. “We are aware that the transition from school or college to university can seem daunting to young people and their families if they are unfamiliar with the process,” he said.

“We are pleased to be able to make these changes now to simplify the process of applying to Cambridge and bring it in line with that at other universities. Naturally we hope that, as a result, gifted students all over the country will feel encouraged to apply to the University.”