FAQs

I am not religious, can I still come to Chapel?

Chapel and Choir

Live & Study

The Chapel is open to everyone of all faiths and none. It is usually open during the day for quiet contemplation and everyone is welcome at all of our services. We are here for everyone in College, whatever your beliefs, experience or background and we are committed to being an inclusive Christian community.

What time will my undergraduate admissions interview be?

Undergraduate Interviews

Interviews typically start between 8am and 6.30pm UTC for UK-based candidates, but that is not always guaranteed. If you have been invited to interview, please read your invitation email carefully as it contains important information about session start times, as you may be required in advance of your interview.

What online platform will my undergraduate admissions interview be held on?

Undergraduate Interviews

St John's interviews all applicants online. If you are offered an interview you will be informed of the format and arrangements ahead of time.

Can I transfer to St John’s from another university and continue my studies?

Applying

It is not possible to transfer to St John’s or the University of Cambridge when you are already partway through a degree course elsewhere. All students are required to start at Year 1 of their course.

How do I make an admissions appeal or complaint?

Undergraduates

There is information about how to make an admissions appeal or complaint on the University’s admissions appeals and complaints page. When making an appeal, please ensure you have read the accompanying guidance that your appeal meets the necessary criteria.

Can I move my place from another Cambridge college to St John’s?

Applying

It is not possible to transfer your offer or place from another college to St John’s. Please ensure you are happy with your choice of college before you submit your application.

Does St John’s accept students for the Cambridge University Foundation Year?

Applying

No, we do not consider applicants on the Cambridge University Foundation Year.

Is there an age requirement to study Medicine?

Applying

Applicants for Medicine must reach 18 years of age by 1 November of their first year. This is a statutory requirement.

Do you accept undergraduate applications from affiliated students?

Applying

St John's accepts applications from affiliate students in all subjects that admit affiliate students, except for Veterinary Medicine (which is only available at the Mature Age Colleges).

Visit Applying for a second undergraduate degree

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Do I need to use a Zoom whiteboard in my undergraduate admissions interview?

Undergraduate Interviews

Different subjects have different equipment requirements for interviews. Please read your interview invitation email carefully for details.

Is there a dress code for the interview?

Undergraduate Interviews

There is no formal dress code, and interview candidates should attend interview in clothing they feel comfortable in.

When will I hear about how I did in my undergraduate interview?

Applying

Undergraduate Interviews

Applicants will be contacted about the outcome of their application at the end of January. All colleges release outcomes on the same day, so please see the University's application timeline for further details.

Am I allowed pen and paper with me at my undergraduate admissions interview?

Undergraduate Interviews

This can vary by subject – please see your subject course page for more information. If you are invited to interview you will receive full instructions on what you need for your interview.

Can I have notes with me at my undergraduate admissions interview?

Undergraduate Interviews

Unless specified as part of a pre-interview task, notes are discouraged at interview and some subjects will ask you to perform a 'room sweep' to ensure you do not have any notes either on your desk or on your computer desktop.

Will my personal statements be discussed at my undergraduate admissions interview?

Undergraduate Interviews

Interviewers may use your personal statement as a discussion starter, though this may vary between interviewers and subject. You will not be quizzed on the content of your personal statement.

Should I ask questions about my interviewers’ research interests?

Undergraduate Interviews

No, the interview is about you and your interests, not the interviewers'.

Will I be expected to have knowledge outside of what I’ve learned from school in my undergraduate interview?

Applying

Undergraduate Interviews

You won’t be required to know anything outside of what you have learned from school, but you may be asked to think about how you apply this knowledge in different ways to how you may have encountered them at school.

How can I prepare for my undergraduate admissions interview?

Applying

Undergraduate Interviews

The best way to prepare for a Cambridge interview is to revise content you have covered in relevant school subjects. Ensure you are comfortable talking about your subject interests - interviewers are interested in how you think and what you are interested in.

Will my written work be discussed at my undergraduate admissions interview?

Undergraduate Interviews

This may vary between subjects, interviewers, and how your interview may progress. Interviewers do generally aim to discuss your written work with you at interview, so you should be prepared to talk about what you submit.

Does written work for undergraduate interviews have to be handwritten or typed?

Undergraduate Interviews

Either is acceptable, and there is no preference as long as you ensure your handwriting is legible. Please check your subject course page for further requirements.

Does the written work I submit for my undergraduate application have a word limit?

Applying

Please consult the relevant subject course page for details, but we recommend essays between 1,500 and 2,000 words in length.

What written work should I hand in for my undergraduate application?

Applying

You should send samples of your schoolwork in subjects relevant to your course and marked by a teacher. This can be an extract from an EPQ, but a self-contained essay is usually preferred. Ideally, this should be reflective of your abilities and a piece of work you are interested in talking about in your interview should you be invited.

Do I have to take an assessment as part of my Cambridge application?

Applying

Subjects

Some subjects will require you to take an admissions assessment or submit a sample of your work as part of the admissions process. For more details, please see the subject page of your chosen course.

What extracurriculars do you recommend for a Mathematics/Natural Sciences/Engineering applicant?

Applying

Subjects

Competitions and Olympiads, such as those led by UK Maths Trust (UKMT), are a good way of stretching your skills beyond the classroom. Engagement with activities and opportunities that will introduce you to subjects beyond your curriculum are also helpful.

Is work experience required for my Cambridge application to be considered to study Medicine?

Applying

Work experience is strongly encouraged by the Department of Medicine to understand the demands of the profession. Further details are available on the University's course page.

What kinds of activities should I mention on my personal statement?

Applying

Activities that show wider engagement with your chosen subject, or activities that have helped you develop transferable skills that will be useful on your course.

Do I need work experience to apply for an undergraduate degree at St John’s?

Applying

For most courses work experience can be beneficial if it helps you develop skills that will be useful on your course, such as time management, but is not a requirement.

If you are applying to Medicine or Veterinary Medicine, please see the relevant course pages on the University website for further details.

Who can translate my transcript for my application to study for an undergraduate degree at St John’s?

Applying

If your school does not provide an English transcript as standard, then an official translation service should translate, sign, and stamp your transcript. Please upload the original alongside the translated transcript on My Cambridge Application.

My transcript won’t upload on My Cambridge Application, what can I do?

Applying

Check the Undergraduate Study: Providing a transcript page on the University website for more information.

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Do I need to upload a transcript on My Cambridge Application?

Applying

You will be required to submit a High School Transcript unless you’ve taken IGCSEs/GCSEs and modular A/AS-Levels or CIE A-Levels where you're provided with Percentage Uniform Marks (PUMs).

View see the transcripts flowchart for more information

Will I be disadvantaged if I don’t write a personal statement on My Cambridge Application?

Applying

No, the additional personal statement is entirely optional, and so you should not feel that you are required to add information solely for the purposes of completing it.

What should I write in the additional personal statement on My Cambridge Application?

Applying

This is an opportunity to make any comments particularly relevant to your Cambridge application, such as to highlight features of your chosen course that interest you. Do not repeat information you’ve provided in your UCAS personal statement. This section is of particular relevance to applicants to courses that are only available to Cambridge, such as Land Economy.

Should I write about my extracurricular activities on my personal statement when applying to do an undergraduate degree?

Applying

At Cambridge, all admissions decisions are based solely on academic criteria. When it comes to extra- (or rather super-) curricular activities, we want to see how you’ve pursued your subject interests in your own time.

What makes a good UCAS reference?

Applying

A good UCAS reference tells us how applicants perform in comparison to their cohort, any disruption to an applicant's education, and provides evidence of how an applicant has engaged with a subject beyond the curriculum. Subject-specific information is particularly useful so we can see where applicants’ strengths lie.

Who can write my UCAS reference if I don’t have a school referee?

Applying

In this case, we would normally require a reference from someone who is independent (ie not normally a family member) and who has had recent contact with the applicant in an academic context. We are unable to accept applications without a reference.

Can I apply for an undergraduate degree with an Access to HE diploma?

Applying

Depending on subject covered, an Access to Higher Education diploma can be appropriate preparation for Psychological and Behavioural Sciences and most arts courses, but are considered less appropriate preparation for Economics and the sciences. You will need to achieve distinction grades in all relevant subject units. Some subjects may also have additional requirements. You should always consult with your shortlisted colleges before making an application.

What are my options during my application for undergraduate study if I have experienced educational disruption?

Applying

Applicants with exceptional circumstances that may have negatively impacted their education are able to mention these circumstances in their application. A relevant professional (eg teacher or medical professional) should fill out an Extenuating Circumstances Form (ECF) as part of the application.

Can I apply from a foundation year?

Applying

Foundation years can be appropriate preparation for most Arts courses, but at St John's are not considered appropriate preparation for the Sciences.

What if my chosen undergraduate degree course has no subject requirements?

Applying

Subjects

We will expect high grades in the subjects most relevant to the course you’re applying for. For example, humanities subjects may look for high performance in essay-based subjects. You will also be expected to demonstrate how you have pursued your interest in that subject outside of schoolwork.

Are some subjects more important to do well in than others when applying for undergraduate study at St John’s?

Applying

Subjects

Depending on the subject, applicants may be required to achieve an A* in one or more specific subject(s). Please see the relevant subject course page for more information.

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FAQs

I am not religious, can I still come to Chapel?

What time will my undergraduate admissions interview be?

What online platform will my undergraduate admissions interview be held on?

Can I transfer to St John’s from another university and continue my studies?

How do I make an admissions appeal or complaint?

Can I move my place from another Cambridge college to St John’s?

Does St John’s accept students for the Cambridge University Foundation Year?

Is there an age requirement to study Medicine?

Do you accept undergraduate applications from affiliated students?

Do I need to use a Zoom whiteboard in my undergraduate admissions interview?

Is there a dress code for the interview?

When will I hear about how I did in my undergraduate interview?

Am I allowed pen and paper with me at my undergraduate admissions interview?

Can I have notes with me at my undergraduate admissions interview?

Will my personal statements be discussed at my undergraduate admissions interview?

Should I ask questions about my interviewers’ research interests?

Will I be expected to have knowledge outside of what I’ve learned from school in my undergraduate interview?

How can I prepare for my undergraduate admissions interview?

Will my written work be discussed at my undergraduate admissions interview?

Does written work for undergraduate interviews have to be handwritten or typed?

Does the written work I submit for my undergraduate application have a word limit?

What written work should I hand in for my undergraduate application?

Do I have to take an assessment as part of my Cambridge application?

What extracurriculars do you recommend for a Mathematics/Natural Sciences/Engineering applicant?

Is work experience required for my Cambridge application to be considered to study Medicine?

What kinds of activities should I mention on my personal statement?

Do I need work experience to apply for an undergraduate degree at St John’s?

Who can translate my transcript for my application to study for an undergraduate degree at St John’s?

My transcript won’t upload on My Cambridge Application, what can I do?

Do I need to upload a transcript on My Cambridge Application?

Will I be disadvantaged if I don’t write a personal statement on My Cambridge Application?

What should I write in the additional personal statement on My Cambridge Application?

Should I write about my extracurricular activities on my personal statement when applying to do an undergraduate degree?

What makes a good UCAS reference?

Who can write my UCAS reference if I don’t have a school referee?

Can I apply for an undergraduate degree with an Access to HE diploma?

What are my options during my application for undergraduate study if I have experienced educational disruption?

Can I apply from a foundation year?

What if my chosen undergraduate degree course has no subject requirements?

Are some subjects more important to do well in than others when applying for undergraduate study at St John’s?

contact us

Get in touch

Information