In November 2020, the College launched (in collaboration with Norfolk County Council) a new Cambridge Higher Aspirations Scheme, a sustained programme for around 150 year 12 students from state schools across Norfolk. Participating students received online subject-specific supervisions (small-group seminars) run by Cambridge PhD candidates, information and guidance from the Gonville & Caius College Admissions team, and the opportunity to meet current Cambridge students. The supervisions covered subjects the students hoped to go on to study at university.

Historically, too few Norfolk young people, and in particular state-educated young people, have aspired to apply to the most competitive universities. The new Scheme aimed to not only increase progression to top universities but also to raise attainment through subject-specific sessions, giving these students the best tools to make competitive applications to universities such as Cambridge. Norfolk is linked (through the College Area Link Scheme) to Gonville & Caius College, and the college and the County Council have worked together for many years to improve confidence in applying to university, and more specifically to Cambridge.

The programme was so successful that in 2022-23, the third year of the scheme, it was extended beyond Norfolk to over 300 students across all of Caius' link areas. The next iteration of the programme will launch at the end of 2023, with more details to follow.

On 27 September 2021, Caius hosted a celebration event at the college for those who successfully completed the first year of the scheme, featuring drinks, refreshments, tours of the college and a certificates presentation hosted by the master of the college, Prof. Pippa Rogerson. Read our news article about the day here.

The scheme was made possible by a generous bequest from a Caius alumnus. For more information, see here, or email us.

Watch the video below to learn more about the scheme, from our 2020-21 celebration event.