A-level students experience Human, Social and Political Sciences

Students from schools across the country came to St John’s College to experience what it is like to study Human, Social and Political Science at Cambridge University.

Students from schools and sixth form colleges across the country came to St John’s to experience university-style teaching and student life.

Young people interested in studying Human, Social and Political Sciences (a varied course covering Anthropology, Archaeology, Sociology, Psychology and Politics that is only offered by Cambridge) had the chance to experience life as a student at Cambridge University, and take part in lectures and seminars with world-leading academics in their fields.

The Study Day was organised by the College Admissions Office in order to provide information about higher education and give students a unique look at university life. College researcher and Biological Anthropologist, Dr Alex Wilshaw, spoke to the group about his work searching for prehistoric human remains in East Africa, while Guy Edwards, PhD student at the College, discussed how decisions are made in the NHS.

During their visit to St John’s, the students got to learn about cutting-edge research, as well as participate in small group discussions similar to Cambridge seminars and “supervisions”, a system of teaching where students get to talk about their work one-to-one with university academics. The group also met current undergraduate students and took a look behind the scenes of the College and its rooms and facilities.

Megan Goldman-Roberts, Access Officer at St John’s, said:

“It’s great to be able to work with students who are at the stage of considering their higher education choices, and show them that Cambridge can be for anybody who has a passion for learning. Giving students the chance to experience what studying at Cambridge is like makes it seem much more achievable. The College regularly works with schools throughout the country to inspire young people to consider applying to university and studying something they really enjoy”.

For more information about applying to St John’s College and Cambridge University, see www.joh.cam.ac.uk/applying.