Sustainable Urban Futures
Are you a Year 12 passionate about making the world a better place?
If you are a high-achieving Year 12 student at a UK state school and you are interested in Sustainable Development, Sustainable Urban Futures is for you! The aim of this programme is to enable young people from groups who are currently under-represented at universities to find out more about studying at a top university. Check full eligibility criteria below.
Apply by 6th May!
About the Program
18-22nd August 2025
This residential is a fantastic way to learn how you can make a difference to Sustainable Development, by studying different university degrees. This is perfect if you are a high-achieving student, but don’t necessarily know what subject you want to do!
Explore Architecture, STEM, Design, Humanities and Social Sciences and more!
This residential will see you come together as part of a team, designing and building a temporary “home” based on informal settlement shelters. You will learn about different cultures and work within budgets, designing and innovating to make the shelter a comfortable, practical space to live and work. The final day you will take part in a mini-conference to show-off your creations, and hear inspiring talks from design, making and sustainable development role models.
On this residential you will:
- Stay at Churchill College
- Participate in hands-on practical activities at colleges and departments, learn about lots of subjects
- Attend taster lectures & mini-conference
- Meet current Cambridge students
- Learn about the university application process
- Gain an insight into living and studying in Cambridge
The residential is entirely free of charge, including accommodation, food, and all activities. We are also able to fully fund public transport costs for all participants.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants should:
- Be in Year 12 (England, Wales, and Isle of Man); S5 (Scotland); or Year 13 (Northern Ireland) and aged 16 or over by the time of the residential.
- Attend a state-maintained school in the UK or the Isle of Man.
- Be on track to achieve at least A*AA at A Level or at least 40 points in the IB (with 776 in Higher Level subjects).
- Have achieved a minimum of five “7” and/or “A” grades at GCSE, or Scottish Nat5 equivalent
- Be interested in studying at university.
Applicants should also meet one or more of the following:
- Meet whole-school eligibility criteria by attending a school on this PDF list. This list only covers the following areas: Cambridgeshire, Surrey, Sussex, Merton, Croydon, Sutton, South Wales. Applicants from across the UK are welcome to apply
- Be eligible for Free School Meals or Pupil Premium (currently or at any point in the last 6 years)
- Identify as a member of an ethnic group under-represented in UK higher education, including but not limited to Black African and Caribbean, Bangladeshi, Pakistani, Arab, Chinese or other Asian background, mixed heritage, Gypsy, Roma or Irish Traveller
- Care leaver or Care experienced
- Young Carer
- Asylum Seeker or Refugee
- Long-term health condition or disability
We welcome individual or multiple applications from each school. If you are applying with a friend, write their name in the space on the application form. Your friend must also submit their own application and teacher reference independently. If you are the only person from your school, don’t worry, you will make loads of new friends here!
Applications
Deadline for applications – 6th May.
Deadline for teacher references – 10th May
The application process involves completing an application form with details about you and your school and a 250 word personal statement. Students: complete the form.
You will need to ask a current teacher to write a short reference (200 words max). Share this link with your teacher: submit reference.
Teachers: please use the link above if your student has asked you to complete a reference. You will not be contacted separately to request this.
Students: You must ask your teacher to submit a reference – this is not done for you by the residential organisers.
Once all the information has been received and the application deadline has passed, we will inform all applicants of the outcome of their application.
If you have any questions regarding Sustainable Urban Futures Residential, please contact Rachel Thorley, programme lead by emailing [email protected]
The residential is entirely free of charge, including accommodation, food, and all activities. We are also able to fully fund public transport costs for all participants.
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