Our Courses
The full list of courses available at Hughes Hall is given below. Most subjects are open to applicants in both the October admissions round and the March admissions round. However, the following are only open in the October round: Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Computer Science, Engineering, Graduate Medicine, History of Art, Music, Natural Sciences, or Philosophy.
Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic
The history and culture of Anglo-Saxon England, Celtic languages and literature, or Viking exploits – Anglo-Saxon, Norse, and Celtic (ASNC) allows you to explore a range of cultures, and to look at history, material culture, language and literature side by side. ASNC focuses on Britain, Ireland and the Scandinavian world in the earlier Middle Ages.
No previous knowledge of the subject is expected or required; all languages are taught from scratch and we don’t assume that students have studied early medieval history or literature at school. However, we do require passion and commitment and look for evidence of your general ability in arts and humanities subjects.
We accept a wide range of equivalent or more advanced qualifications including Access to Higher Education Diplomas.
Typical minimum offers are A*AA at A level or IB with 40-42 points and 776 at Higher Level.
See the undergraduate course page and departmental website for detailed course information. We require two pieces of submitted work for ASNC but do not require applicants to take an assessment at interview.
If you have any queries or would like more information, please contact our Admissions Office who will be pleased to help you: admissions@hughes.cam.ac.uk.
Archaeology
The Archaeology course encompasses Archaeology, Assyriology, Egyptology and Biological Anthropology. Archaeology uses material evidence to explore the nature and development of particular societies and to explain the variations and commonalities of the human past. Assyriology is the study of the languages, cultures, history and archaeology of ancient Mesopotamia (Sumer, Babylonia and Assyria). Egyptology is the study of the history, languages, society, archaeology and religion of ancient Egypt. Biological Anthropology explores human evolution, biology and behaviour, and the interaction between biology and culture.
The Director of Studies for Archaeology is Dr Corinne Roughley, a College Tutor.
Typical minimum offers are A*AA at A level or IB with 40-42 points and 776 at Higher Level. We also accept a wide range of equivalent or more advanced qualifications including Access to Higher Education Diplomas.
See the undergraduate course page and departmental website for detailed course information, and information on the admissions assessment at interview.
Candidates are also required to submit one piece of written work prior to interview. This should be in essay format (not science coursework or a timed exam) with a word limit of up to 1500 words. The work can be extracted from an EPQ.
If you have any queries or would like more information, please contact our Admissions Office who will be pleased to help you: admissions@hughes.cam.ac.uk.
Architecture
Undergraduate Architecture is not offered at Hughes Hall.
Asian and Middle Eastern Studies
Please note that the joint course with a modern European Language is only offered in the October admissions round.
Within the Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (AMES) course, the area we study stretches from Japan in the East to Morocco in the West, and from classical times to the present day. To study one of these cultures through its language is not only to develop a set of practical skills and knowledge that can be used later in many different ways, but also to engage with different ways of understanding our shared world. Languages on offer include Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, Persian, Hebrew and Aramaic.
Dr Sally Church, Affiliated Researcher in the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, is the College’s Director of Studies for AMES.
Typical minimum offers are A*AA at A level or IB with 40-42 points and 776 at Higher Level. A Level or IB Higher Level is required in the European language (if combining with a European language).
We also accept a wide range of equivalent or more advanced qualifications including Access to Higher Education Diplomas.
See the undergraduate course page and departmental website for detailed course information..
We require submitted written work for AMES but do not require applicants to take an assessment at interview, unless combining one of the languages above with a modern European Language.
Applicants wishing to study a European language must take the relevant MML admissions assessment. Information on the assessment format can be found on the MML course page.
If you have any queries or would like more information, please contact our Admissions Office who will be pleased to help you: admissions@hughes.cam.ac.uk.
Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology
This course is only offered in the October admissions round. Mature applicants must sit a subject-specific written admission assessment before interview (see below).
The course concentrates on the scientific principles that underpin modern chemical and biochemical engineering. The aim is to produce graduates that meet the needs of today’s process industries by providing a thorough understanding of the subject, technical competence, and transferable skills. The underlying theory is complemented by a series of lectures and projects that teach process design and chemical product design. The course is supported by a consortium of industrial companies which provide input on content and assist with teaching. These links also mean that there are opportunities for vacation placements with some of the world’s top companies.
Typical minimum offers are A*A*A at A level or IB with 40-42 points and 776 at Higher Level
We also accept a wide range of equivalent or more advanced qualifications. However, Access to Higher Education Diplomas are not sufficient preparation and are only accepted in conjunction with A levels (or equivalent qualifications) in chemistry and mathematics.
See the undergraduate course page and departmental website for detailed course information and information on the admissions assessment.
All applicants for Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology must sit the Natural Sciences Admissions Assessment (NSAA) in early November as part of the application to the University.
If you have any queries or would like more information, please contact our Admissions Office who will be pleased to help you: admissions@hughes.cam.ac.uk.
NB. Applicants for this course for 2024 entry may be eligible for the University of Cambridge’s STEM SMART 2023 programme. STEM SMART (Subject Mastery and Attainment Raising Tuition) is a 17-month programme which provides free teaching and support to UK students wishing to apply to study physical or biological sciences or engineering at university. The programme starts in January of Year 12 (or equivalent) and develops students attainment and confidence in applying to top universities. For more information on the programme, eligibility, and how to apply, please see the University’s STEM SMART pages.
The application deadline for the programme is 31 October 2022, although there may be some flexibility for late applications from mature students, especially those who are self-studying A-Levels.
Classics
The Classics course encompasses the history, culture, archaeology, art, philosophy and linguistics of classical antiquity and the study of original texts and artefacts. You can either specialise in a particular field or retain the breadth with which the course starts. The Faculty’s facilities include a well-stocked library and our own Museum of Classical Archaeology. In addition, you have access to the holdings of the Fitzwilliam Museum, where some classes take place.
Dr Tori McKee, Hughes Hall Senior Tutor, is the Director of Studies for Classics at Hughes Hall.
There is a three-year course for those with an A-level or equivalent in Latin. Additionally, there is also a four-year course for those without Latin.
Typical minimum offers are A*AA at A level or IB with 40-42 points and 776 at Higher Level. For the three-year course, A Level or IB Higher Level is required in Latin: Greek will be accepted as a substitute if the applicant does not offer Latin. There are no subject requirements for the four-year course.
We also accept a wide range of equivalent or more advanced qualifications including Access to Higher Education Diplomas for the four year course; an aptitude for language learning is required. It is also possible for those with an honours degree to apply for entry as an Affiliated Student.
See the undergraduate course page and departmental website for detailed course information and information on the admissions assessment at interview.
We require two pieces of submitted written work for both Classics courses.
If you have any queries or would like more information, please contact our Admissions Office who will be pleased to help you: admissions@hughes.cam.ac.uk.
Computer Science
This course is only offered in the October admissions round. Mature applicants must sit the pre-interview written assessment (see below).
The course is broad and deep – giving skills to create future technology. All aspects of modern computer science are covered, along with the underlying theory and foundations in economics, law and business. You also develop practical skills, such as programming (in various languages, eg ML, Java, C/C++, Prolog) and hardware systems (eg chip design using Verilog).
Dr John Fawcett, Research Associate in the Department of Computer Science and Technology, is the College’s Director of Studies for Computer Science.
Typical minimum offers are A*A*A at A level or IB with 40-42 points and 776 at Higher Level. A Level or IB Higher Level in mathematics is required.
We also accept a wide range of equivalent or more advanced qualifications. However, Access to Higher Education Diplomas are not sufficient preparation and are only accepted in conjunction with A level mathematics or an equivalent qualification.
See the undergraduate course page and departmental website for detailed course information. Applicants are required to sit the relevant pre-interview assessment for Computer Science (TMUA).
If you have any queries or would like more information, please contact our Admissions Office who will be pleased to help you: admissions@hughes.cam.ac.uk.
Economics
The course provides a sound understanding of core, pure and applied economics. However, while you study economics in considerable depth in this specialised degree, you employ ideas and techniques from many other disciplines too; including history, sociology, mathematics and statistics, and politics.
Our Directors of Studies in Economics are Prof Emanuele Giovannetti, Professor of Economics at Anglia Ruskin University and Fellow of Hughes Hall, for year 1; Mr Michael Ashby, joint College Teaching Officer, for year 2; and Mr Michael Kuczynski, Affiliated lecturer at the Centre of Development Studies, for year 3.
Typical minimum offers are A*A*A at A level or IB with 40-42 points and 776 at Higher Level. A Level or IB Higher Level in mathematics is required.
We also accept a wide range of equivalent or more advanced qualifications. However, Access to Higher Education Diplomas are not sufficient preparation and are only accepted in conjunction with A level mathematics or an equivalent qualification.
See the undergraduate course page and faculty website for detailed course information. Applicants are encouraged to sit the relevant pre-interview assessment for Economics (TMUA) for the October admissions round. We also require one piece of submitted written work.
Assessments arranged by the mature age Colleges for the October round and the March round will use a similar format to the TMUA.
If you have any queries or would like more information, please contact our Admissions Office who will be pleased to help you: admissions@hughes.cam.ac.uk.
Education
The course at Cambridge is a rigorous and rewarding interdisciplinary degree. You follow one of three tracks, combining in-depth study of a particular field of interest with an examination of wider educational and social issues. The Education, Psychology and Learning track focuses on education from a psychological perspective; exploring human development and education in a variety of social and cultural environments. In Education, Policy and International Development you consider historical and contemporary discussions concerning these areas, and education’s role in economic and social change. Education, English, Drama and the Arts combines the study of drama and/or English literature with key issues in education, such as debates around creativity, learning and culture.
The Director of Studies for Education is Dr Frances Foster. Frances teaches on the Education Tripos, the PGCE Latin with Classics, and CACL Masters programme, and supervises both postgraduate and undergraduate students at all levels.
Typical minimum offers are A*AA at A level or IB with 40-42 points and 776 at Higher Level. There are no specific subject requirements.
We also accept a wide range of equivalent or more advanced qualifications including Access to Higher Education Diplomas.
See the undergraduate course page and faculty website for detailed course information. We require two pieces of submitted work for Education but do not require applicants to take an assessment at interview.
If you have any queries or would like more information, please contact our Admissions Office who will be pleased to help you: admissions@hughes.cam.ac.uk.
Engineering
This course is only offered in the October admissions round. Mature applicants must sit the pre-interview written assessment (see below).
The Cambridge Engineering course is unique. It allows you to keep your options open while equipping you with all the analytical, design and computing skills that underpin modern engineering practice. Part I (Years 1 and 2) provides a broad education in engineering fundamentals, enabling you to make a genuinely informed choice about the area in which to specialise from your third year. Part II (Years 3 and 4) then provides in-depth training in your chosen professional discipline.
Dr Eugene Shwageraus is the College’s Director of Studies for Engineering.
Typical minimum offers are A*A*A at A level or IB with 40-42 points and 776 at Higher Level. A Level or IB Higher Level Mathematics and Physics are required.
We also accept a wide range of equivalent or more advanced qualifications. However, Access to Higher Education Diplomas are not sufficient preparation. Other vocational courses that are accepted are listed on the undergraduate course page.
See the undergraduate course page and departmental website for detailed course information. Applicants are required to sit the relevant pre-interview assessment for Engineering (ENGAA).
If you have any queries or would like more information, please contact our Admissions Office who will be pleased to help you: admissions@hughes.cam.ac.uk.
NB. Applicants for this course for 2024 entry may be eligible for the University of Cambridge’s STEM SMART 2023 programme. STEM SMART (Subject Mastery and Attainment Raising Tuition) is a 17-month programme which provides free teaching and support to UK students wishing to apply to study physical or biological sciences or engineering at university. The programme starts in January of Year 12 (or equivalent) and develops students attainment and confidence in applying to top universities. For more information on the programme, eligibility, and how to apply, please see the University’s STEM SMART pages.
The application deadline for the programme is 31 October 2022, although there may be some flexibility for late applications from mature students, especially those who are self-studying A-Levels.
English
Over the centuries, many writers have studied in Cambridge: Spenser, Marlowe, Milton, Wordsworth, Coleridge, Byron, Tennyson, Forster, Plath, Hughes, Byatt and Zadie Smith. When established, the Cambridge course was considered daringly innovative and this ethos continues to shape teaching and research. Today’s course balances a strong grounding in the core of English literature with the chance to explore literature from around the world, other art forms, the English language, and related intellectual traditions.
The Director of Studies for English is Dr Simon Jackson.
Typical minimum offers are A*AA at A level or IB with 40-42 points and 776 at Higher Level. A Level/IB Higher Level English Literature (or equivalent) is a subject requirement, although we will also consider A Level/IB Higher Level English Literature and Language.
We also accept a wide range of equivalent or more advanced qualifications including Access to Higher Education Diplomas.
Hughes Hall also welcomes applicants with a suitable three-year degree who would like to be considered for entry as an Affiliated Student.
See the undergraduate course page and faculty website for detailed course information. We require two pieces of submitted written work for English, in addition to a common format written assessment.
If you have any queries or would like more information, please contact our Admissions Office who will be pleased to help you: admissions@hughes.cam.ac.uk.
Geography
All societies rely on relationships with each other and the physical environment. Increasingly these are fragile interdependences presenting intellectual and practical challenges. The Geography course tackles these issues from a broad base, but also allows you to specialise.
The Director of Studies for Geography is Dr Harriet Allen.
Typical minimum offers are A*AA at A level or IB with 40-42 points and 776 at Higher Level. A Level/IB Higher Level Geography is preferred.
We also accept a wide range of equivalent or more advanced qualifications including Access to Higher Education Diplomas.
See the undergraduate course page and departmental website for detailed course information.
The mature age colleges use a common format written assessment for candidates invited to interview. There is no requirement for submitted work.
If you have any queries or would like more information, please contact our Admissions Office who will be pleased to help you: admissions@hughes.cam.ac.uk.
History
The History degree gives you the opportunity to explore the past from many different angles – including political, economic, social and cultural history – and to explore the interaction between history and other disciplines, such as politics, anthropology and archaeology. There’s ample scope throughout to pursue personal interests and experiment with different historical approaches. Some paper options are shared with other courses, such as Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, Classics, and Politics and International Relations and specialist papers allow you to work with a variety of source materials as varied as Hollywood movies and Renaissance art.
The Director of Studies for History is Dr Eoin Devlin.
Typical minimum offers are A*AA at A level or IB with 40-42 points and 776 at Higher Level.
We also accept a wide range of equivalent or more advanced qualifications including Access to Higher Education Diplomas.
Hughes Hall also welcomes applicants with a suitable three-year degree who would like to be considered for entry as an Affiliated Student.
See the undergraduate course page and faculty website for detailed course information and the at interview assessment format. We also require two pieces of submitted written work for History.
If you have any queries or would like more information, please contact our Admissions Office who will be pleased to help you: admissions@hughes.cam.ac.uk.
History and Modern Languages
The four-year History and Modern Languages degree encompasses intensive study in language, culture, film, the history of political thought and a wide variety of modern British, European, American and world history. Like other language students, you spend the third year abroad – studying or working in a foreign country and immersing yourself in the language, culture and history.
When you graduate, you’ll have near native-speaker skills in your language and a deep knowledge and understanding of the regions in which that language is used. You’ll also have acquired a wider knowledge of European and extra-European history.
Typical minimum offers are A*AA at A level or IB with 40-42 points and 776 at Higher Level. For candidates studying their chosen language they should offer A level or IB Higher Level in that language. For candidates wishing to take a language for the first time, please see the course page for further details of language aptitude assessments.
We also accept a wide range of equivalent or more advanced qualifications including Access to Higher Education Diplomas;
See the undergraduate course page and faculty website for detailed course information and at interview assessment format.
We require two pieces of submitted work for History and Modern Languages, one of which should be in your chosen language if you are already studying A level (or equivalent).
If you have any queries or would like more information, please contact our Admissions Office who will be pleased to help you: admissions@hughes.cam.ac.uk.
History and Politics
This course balances a strong grounding in the two component subjects with the chance to explore the ways in which historical and political understanding together illuminate the modern world. It provides the opportunity to undertake intensive study in political science, the history of political thought, a wide variety of modern British, European, American and world history, conceptual issues in political science, and quantitative methods.
The Director of Studies for History and Politics is Dr Eoin Devlin.
Typical minimum offers are A*AA at A level or IB with 40-42 points and 776 at Higher Level.
We also accept a wide range of equivalent or more advanced qualifications including Access to Higher Education Diplomas.
See the undergraduate course page and faculty website for detailed course information, and at interview assessment format. We require two pieces of submitted work for History and Politics.
If you have any queries or would like more information, please contact our Admissions Office who will be pleased to help you: admissions@hughes.cam.ac.uk.
History of Art
This course is only offered in the October admissions round.
The course covers a wide spectrum of art and architecture, from the medieval to modern and contemporary periods. The aim is to foster a wide and deep understanding of art and architecture, and to help you develop visual literacy and awareness, as well as a range of critical and analytical skills.
The Director of Studies for History of Art is Mr Barry Phipps.
Typical minimum offers are A*AA at A level or IB with 40-42 points and 776 at Higher Level.
We also accept a wide range of equivalent or more advanced qualifications including Access to Higher Education Diplomas.
See the undergraduate course page and departmental website for detailed course information,and at interview assessment format.
If you have any queries or would like more information, please contact our Admissions Office who will be pleased to help you: admissions@hughes.cam.ac.uk.
Human, Social and Political Sciences (HSPS)
Human, Social, and Political Sciences (HSPS) at Cambridge can be tailored from the start. This means it’s suited both to those with specific subject interests and to those looking for a multidisciplinary degree. The course comprises three core disciplines, taught by globally respected departments: Politics and International Relations, Social Anthropology, and Sociology.
Dr Joe Ellis is the Director of Studies for Human, Social and Political Science at Hughes Hall.
Typical minimum offers are A*AA at A level or IB with 40-42 points and 776 at Higher Level.
We also accept a wide range of equivalent or more advanced qualifications including Access to Higher Education Diplomas.
See the undergraduate course page and faculty website for detailed course information.
We require two pieces of submitted work for HSPS. In addition, applicants will also be asked to take an at interview assessment which consists of writing an essay chosen from a choice of at least six broad questions which cover a range of areas within the social sciences. The assessment is designed to assess candidates’ ability to present a logical and persuasive argument, supported by relevant evidence. There is no expectation that candidates will have studied any of these subjects before. One hour is allowed for the assessment.
If you have any queries or would like more information, please contact our Admissions Office who will be pleased to help you: admissions@hughes.cam.ac.uk.
Land Economy
Law, economics, and their relationship to the built and natural environments are central to Land Economy, along with other areas such as business regulation, the financial aspects of real estate and international development. The multidisciplinary nature of the course is particularly relevant in the twenty-first century where the environment, law and economics and the control of scarce resources affect the daily lives of people around the world.
The College’s Director of Studies for Land Economy is Dr Zhaoyang (Leo) Liu.
Typical minimum offers are A*AA at A level or IB with 40-42 points and 776 at Higher Level.
We also accept a wide range of equivalent or more advanced qualifications including Access to Higher Education Diplomas.
See the undergraduate course page and departmental website for detailed course information. We require one piece of submitted work for Land Economy.
If you have any queries or would like more information, please contact our Admissions Office who will be pleased to help you: admissions@hughes.cam.ac.uk.
Law
Although our course (referred to elsewhere as LLB) is primarily concerned with English law, there are opportunities to study other legal systems, including civil (Roman) law, EU law and international law. You can also study theoretical and sociological aspects of law such as jurisprudence or parts of criminology.
Mature candidates taking qualifications in the year of application may apply in October but are encouraged to consider March to allow their academic referee time to develop an accurate assessment of their potential for successful study at Cambridge.
Affiliates (Senior Status)
Hughes Hall welcomes applicants with an appropriate first degree (successful applicants normally hold first-class honours, or equivalent, in any subject) who would like to be considered for entry as an Affiliated (also known as Senior Status) Student.
Affiliated applicants are encouraged to apply in the October admissions round.
Our Directors of Studies in Law are: Dr Martin Steinfeld, the College’s Charnley Fellow in Law and Affiliated Lecturer in EU law at the Faculty of Law,; Dr Lars Vinx, University Lecturer in Jurisprudence ; and Dr Markus Gehring, the College’s Praelector and University Lecturer in Law,.
Typical minimum offers are A*AA at A level or IB with 40-42 points and 776 at Higher Level.
We also accept a wide range of equivalent or more advanced qualifications including Access to Higher Education Diplomas.
Please see the course page and law undergraduate website for detailed course information .
Candidates applying for the first admissions round should have registered and taken LNAT no later than 15th October. Candidates applying for the second admissions round should have registered and taken LNAT no later than 1st March.
If you have any queries or would like more information, please contact our Admissions Office who will be pleased to help you: admissions@hughes.cam.ac.uk.
Linguistics
Linguistics is the systematic study of human language. Superficially, there’s huge variation among the world’s languages, and linguists not only describe the diverse characteristics of individual languages but also explore properties which all languages share and which offer insight into the human mind. The study of linguistics draws on methods and knowledge from a wide range of disciplines. For instance, the study of meaning draws on philosophy, the analysis of the speech signal uses methods from physics and engineering, and the study of language acquisition draws on psychology.
The College’s Director of Studies for Linguistics is Dr Elspeth Wilson, ESRC Postdoctoral Fellow at the Interdisciplinary Research Centre of Cambridge Language Sciences.
Typical minimum offers are A*AA at A level or IB with 40-42 points and 776 at Higher Level.
We also accept a wide range of equivalent or more advanced qualifications including Access to Higher Education Diplomas.
See the undergraduate course page and departmental website for detailed course information. All applicants offered an interview will be expected to sit an at interview assessment. In addition, we require submitted work for linguistics.
If you have any queries or would like more information, please contact our Admissions Office who will be pleased to help you: admissions@hughes.cam.ac.uk.
Mathematics
The Cambridge Mathematics course is often considered to be the most demanding undergraduate Mathematics course available in Britain and, correspondingly, one of the most rewarding.
Two other aspects of the course that our students greatly appreciate are its flexibility and the breadth of subjects offered. The amount of choice increases each year and after Year 1 the workload isn’t fixed so you can choose the number of options you study to suit your own work pattern. Some students take as many options as they can; others take fewer and study them very thoroughly.
Dr Clive Wells is the College’s Director of Studies for Mathematics BA and MASt.
Typical minimum offers are A*A*A at A level or IB with 40-42 points and 776 at Higher Level. A Level/IB Higher Level Mathematics, A Level Further Mathematics are required. If A Level Further Mathematics is not available at your school, the Advanced Mathematics Support Programme may be able to help.
We also accept a wide range of equivalent or more advanced qualifications. However, Access to Higher Education Diplomas are not sufficient preparation for the study of Mathematics at Cambridge and applicants should contact the admissions office for further information about the suitability of alternative qualifications.
See the undergraduate course page and faculty website for detailed course information..
Although there is no pre-interview admissions test, all offers in Mathematics will be conditional upon STEP II and STEP III. Further information and support for applicants, including STEP resources, can be found here.
If you have any queries or would like more information, please contact our Admissions Office who will be pleased to help you: admissions@hughes.cam.ac.uk.
Medicine (Cambridge Graduate Course in Medicine)
This course is only offered in the October admissions round.
Hughes Hall has a strong medical tradition. A former President, Prof Peter Richards, was an early promoter of Graduate Entry Medicine at Cambridge. The College’s fellowship has a high proportion of Fellows involved in both Clinical and Academic Medical Research, and in recent years two of our Fellows have been recipients of the prestigious Pilkington Prize for Excellence in Teaching. (For more information on the work of the College’s senior membership in Biological and Medical Sciences, please see the subject group page.)
Hughes Hall offers ten places a year to applicants wishing to study graduate entry medicine. It is one of four colleges together with Lucy Cavendish, St Edmund’s and Wolfson Colleges, offering places to students on the Cambridge Graduate Course in Medical (CGCM). This course aims to bring into medicine people with wider experiences and broader perspectives, thus allowing graduates from many different disciplines to undertake the MB BChir degree.
Hughes Hall does not have places for standard or affiliated medical students (A100).
Please see the further CGCM information below.
Modern and Medieval Languages
The Cambridge course is uniquely flexible and interdisciplinary. You can pursue your interests in many areas – from Italian Renaissance art to contemporary Brazilian cinema, medieval German folk tales to socialist realism in Stalin’s Russia. MML also includes options in linguistics, such as the historical and cognitive dimensions of the languages you’re studying.
Dr Emanuela Davey, Affiliated Lecturer in the Faculty of Modern and Medieval Languages, is Director of Studies for Modern and Medieval Languages.
Typical minimum offers are A*A*A at A level or IB with 40-42 points and 776 at Higher Level. A level/ IB Higher Level in at least one of your languages chosen for post-A level study is a requirement.
We also accept a wide range of equivalent or more advanced qualifications including Access to Higher Education Diplomas.
See the undergraduate course page and faculty website for detailed course information, and at interview assessment format. We require two pieces of submitted work for Modern and Medieval Languages, one of which should be in a language you intend to study at degree level.
If you have any queries or would like more information, please contact our Admissions Office who will be pleased to help you: admissions@hughes.cam.ac.
Music
This course is only offered in the October admissions round.
Over recent decades many of the most significant figures in British music have studied or taught at Cambridge: composers such as Alexander Goehr, Judith Weir and Thomas Adès; performers like Joanna MacGregor and Thomas Trotter; and conductors including John Eliot Gardiner, Christopher Hogwood and Edward Gardner. Our undergraduate course has a strong academic component, particularly focusing on history, analysis, composition (including screen and media composition) and performance, but also offering a range of other topics.
The Director of Studies for Music is Dr Nigel Yandell.
Typical minimum offers are A*AA at A level or IB with 40-42 points and 776 at Higher Level. A Level or IB Higher Level Music is a required subject, but ABRSM Grade Theory at Merit or above may be accepted as a substitute.
We also accept a wide range of equivalent or more advanced qualifications including Access to Higher Education Diplomas;
See the undergraduate course page and faculty website for detailed course information. We do require submitted work for Music. There’s no written assessment; we assess aptitude, knowledge base and potential through a range of tasks at the time of interview.
If you have any queries or would like more information, please contact our Admissions Office who will be pleased to help you: admissions@hughes.cam.ac.uk.
Natural Sciences
This course is only offered in the October admissions round. Mature applicants must sit the pre-interview written assessment (see below).
Natural Sciences (NST) offers a wide range of physical and biological science subjects from 16 departments in a unique and demanding course. A broad first year is combined with increasing specialisation in the second year and the possibility of total specialisation in the third year. The breadth of the course reflects the blurring of boundaries between the different sciences and before committing yourself to one department you study a variety of subjects, some of which may be new to you. You should indicate whether your interests lie broadly in biological or physical sciences, but this choice isn’t absolute, and many students change direction before they start or as they progress.
The Directors of Studies for Natural Sciences are Dr Bob Dillon and Dr Carole Sargent; Dr Sargent is also a College Tutor and Academic Convenor, and Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Pathology.
Typical minimum offers are A*A*A at A level or IB with 40-42 points and 776 at Higher Level. At least two qualifications should be in relevant science subjects.
We also accept a wide range of equivalent or more advanced qualifications. However, Access to Higher Education Diplomas are not sufficient preparation and are only accepted in conjunction with A levels or an equivalent qualification. A level mathematics is essential for the physical sciences track, and is desirable, but not essential, for biological sciences.
See the undergraduate course page and subject website for detailed course information and further advice on entry requirements. Applicants are required to sit the relevant pre-interview assessment for Natural Sciences (NSAA).
If you have any queries or would like more information, please contact our Admissions Office who will be pleased to help you: admissions@hughes.cam.ac.uk.
NB. Applicants for this course for 2024 entry may be eligible for the University of Cambridge’s STEM SMART 2023 programme. STEM SMART (Subject Mastery and Attainment Raising Tuition) is a 17-month programme which provides free teaching and support to UK students wishing to apply to study physical or biological sciences or engineering at university. The programme starts in January of Year 12 (or equivalent) and develops students attainment and confidence in applying to top universities. For more information on the programme, eligibility, and how to apply, please see the University’s STEM SMART pages.
The application deadline for the programme is 31 October 2022, although there may be some flexibility for late applications from mature students, especially those who are self-studying A-Levels.
Philosophy
This course is only offered in the October admissions round.
Cambridge occupies a distinguished place in the history of philosophy. It was here, in the early twentieth century, that Russell, Moore, Wittgenstein, Ramsey and others developed the analytic style of philosophy that is now prominent in much of the world. Today, the Faculty retains a strong commitment to this analytic tradition, combining it with study of the history of philosophy from Plato to the present day to offer one of the most far-reaching courses of its kind available anywhere in the world.
The Director of Studies for Philosophy is Dr Jacob Stegenga, University Lecturer in Philosophy of Science.
Typical minimum offers are A*AA at A level or IB with 40-42 points and 776 at Higher Level.
We also accept a wide range of equivalent or more advanced qualifications including Access to Higher Education Diplomas.
See the undergraduate course page and faculty website for detailed course information, and at interview assessment format. We also require two pieces of submitted work for Philosophy.
If you have any queries or would like more information, please contact our Admissions Office who will be pleased to help you: admissions@hughes.cam.ac.uk.
Psychological and Behavioural Sciences
“The brain is wider than the sky” – Emily Dickinson
The Psychological and Behavioural Sciences (PBS) Tripos offers a diverse approach to the study of Psychology, offering papers from a breadth of topics encompassing both the humanistic and scientific sides of this discipline. A three year course, the first two years involve two compulsory and two optional papers, while the third year encompasses a research dissertation and three further papers.
An increasingly popular area of study, Hughes offers its PBS readers a network of students, Fellows, senior members and affiliates with interest and expertise across the range of subjects covered in this Tripos, providing a stimulating and supportive learning environment.
The Director of Sudies for Psychological and Behavioural Sciences is Dr ivia Tomova.
Typical minimum offers are A*AA at A level or IB with 40-42 points and 776 at Higher Level. No specific subjects are required.
We also accept a wide range of equivalent or more advanced qualifications including Access to Higher Education Diplomas.
Hughes welcomes applicants from a wide range of academic backgrounds from both the UK and abroad. Successful applicants will typically be expected to have some knowledge of higher level biology/science and mathematics in combination with exceptional written and analytical skills.
See the undergraduate course page and subject website for detailed course information.
Applicants will be asked to take an at interview assessment which consists of writing an essay chosen from a choice of at least four broad topics which relate to areas within psychology and behavioural sciences. The assessment is designed to assess candidates’ ability to think analytically, produce a coherent argument and write with clarity and precision. There is no expectation that candidates will have studied any of these subjects before. One hour is allowed for the assessment. We also require submitted work for PBS.
If you have any queries or would like more information, please contact our Admissions Office who will be pleased to help you: admissions@hughes.cam.ac.uk.
Theology, Religion and Philosophy of Religion
The study of theology and religion is increasingly important in a world where religious belief is a driving force behind social and political events.
Theology, Religion, and Philosophy of Religion is a broad and demanding degree that addresses fundamental questions through a range of religious traditions and philosophical standpoints. Encompassing the history, practice and thought of the major world religions of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism, the course develops your understanding of the significance of religion and its cultural contexts. You have considerable freedom to create a varied programme of study by exploring a diverse range of topics. Alternatively, you can follow a particular pathway if you wish to specialise in a specific area of interest.
The College’s Director of Studies for Theology, Religion, and Philosophy of Religion is the Deputy Senior Tutor, Dr Alastair Lockhart.
Typical minimum offers are A*AA at A level or IB with 40-42 points and 776 at Higher Level. No specific subjects are required.
We also accept a wide range of equivalent or more advanced qualifications including Access to Higher Education Diplomas.
See the undergraduate course page and faculty website for detailed information, entry requirements and information about the at interview assessment format. We also require two pieces submitted work for TRPR.
If you have any queries or would like more information, please contact our Admissions Office who will be pleased to help you: admissions@hughes.cam.ac.uk.
Veterinary Medicine
Veterinary Medicine is not offered at Hughes Hall.
Graduate Medicine Course – further information
The Graduate Course in Medicine is an accelerated four-year programme.
The emphasis is the acquisition of clinical skills by direct patient contact in hospital and community environments, and the integration of core medical science with clinical medicine.
Please note that this course is only open to applicants who are eligible for Home fee status. Home fee status candidates can apply to both the standard (A100) and graduate-entry (A101) courses but must apply to the same college for both (Wolfson, St Edmunds or Lucy Cavendish: A100 is not offered at Hughes Hall).
Please note that you must complete a separate Graduate Course in Medicine application form in addition to your UCAS application to apply for this course. The deadline to email your Graduate Course in Medicine application for 2022 entry is 22 October. The deadline for receipt of your UCAS application is 15 October.
Due to the competitive nature of the course, it is important that you make sure you meet or will meet the below pre-medical requirements and that you have appropriate healthcare experience before you apply for the course.
Course Requirements
There are two sets of academic requirements for this course. The first is your academic performance to date, based on A levels (or equivalent) and your first degree. The second set relates to the subject requirements which must be met before studying medicine at Cambridge.
Academic requirements
Academic requirements must be met in order for your application to be considered – you must have contextualised A level results of:
- A*A*A (if you graduated with a 2.i or have yet to complete your first degree)
OR
- ABB (if you have graduated with a 1st class degree).
If you didn’t take A levels we will consider your performance in equivalent qualifications such as the IB, BTECs or Access courses.
Our contextualisation of A level results (or equivalents) will take account of personal circumstances and any educational disadvantage you may have experienced. This is done on a case-by-case basis taking all the available information provided in your application into account.
If you took pre-degree qualifications outside of the UK the please see the University website for equivalencies.
We would expect contextualisation of degree outcomes to have been undertaken by the awarding university: owing to the competitive nature of this course we cannot accept a final degree award of less than a 2.i (or equivalent).
Where universities classify degrees differently, we would usually follow the equivalencies given on the University website.
Dentists with a distinction will be considered to have a first-class degree; merit is considered equivalent to a 2.i.
Postgraduate qualifications are not considered.
Subject requirements
Applicants must have A Level Chemistry (normally passed at grade A or above within seven years of entry) and one of Biology, Physics, Mathematics (at A or AS Level).
For applicants with an IB qualification, Higher Level subjects will satisfy A (AS) Level subject requirements.
If you took different qualifications, please check whether they will meet the subject requirements with the admissions team (ugadmissions@hughes.cam.ac.uk).
Applications
Applicants should apply online through UCAS as well as by completing the separate Graduate Course in Medicine Application Form, which can be found on the course page on the University website.
UCAS applications received without the form will be regarded as invalid.
Applicants to the graduate course only are not required to sit the BMAT; BMAT and UCAT scores are not considered as part of the application process for this course.
Shortlisting
Applicants meeting the academic requirements are scored on the duration and variety of their work experience, reflection, and references. Applicants are scored by at least 2 assessors in parallel to minimise bias. The top scoring 90 or so candidates are then invited to interview.
We strongly recommend obtaining some healthcare experience as a paid or volunteer worker, since we particularly value experience in a caring role. Typically, students who are made offers for this course have varied and consistent hands-on patient care experience, over a number of years. Applicants whose experience is largely based on shadowing are unlikely to be competitive. Where applicants are already qualified healthcare workers, it is essential that they have a range of experience outside of their own discipline.
Interviews
The interview is in the multiple mini interview format (normally 10 stations), with each station lasting 5 minutes. The interviewers include clinicians, medical sciences experts and lay academics.
Further information on the course can be found on the Clinical School and the University of Cambridge websites.