Who can be a Mentor?
Any current undergraduate student here at Cambridge!
The programme is for Year 12 students with little family history of attending University and/or who go to schools where few people progress to University. So whilst we encourage students who are from backgrounds underrepresented at the University to apply to be a Mentor, this is not a requirement. Everyone who is a current undergrad has valid insights they can provide!
How much time will it take to be a Mentor?
The Cambridge Access Programme will run from 18th January - 7th May 2027. During that time, you will be expected to communicate with your Mentees a minimum of once a week via the online platform (although a few times a week is encouraged).
Mentors will communicate with Mentees on a secure communication platform called Brightside. Cambridge SU can monitor messages to ensure Mentors and Mentees are adhering to the code of conduct.
What knowledge will Mentors pass on?
Broadly, Mentors will speak to Mentees about their studies and lived experiences at Cambridge, sharing information about their subject, lecture topics, examples of work set and what supervisions involve.
Mentors are also welcome to share information about extracurricular activities they partake in, e.g. societies, and how they have found college life.
What will Mentors gain from the programme?
Mentors will build their communication and adaptability skills, gain experience communicating with young people, and add their participation in the programme to their CV.
They will have the opportunity to volunteer at the in-person experience day for Mentees, sharing their experiences through a Q&A panel. Most importantly, you’ll give a young person access to the kind of insight into Cambridge they may not otherwise have.
Mentors will receive a goodie bag and a digital certificate at the end of the programme as a form of thanks and recognition from Cambridge SU.
Applications to become a Mentor are now OPEN and close on 26th October!
Any questions? Email access@cambridgesu.co.uk