Pembroke College Cambridge

How to Apply

Applications for The Pembroke Cambridge Summer Programme 2024 are now open!

The Pembroke Cambridge Summer Programme 2024 will take place from: 

Saturday 6th July to Saturday 17th August 2024.

Competition for places on the programme is intense, so make sure you apply early. We consider applications on a rolling basis and will aim to tell you our decision within 10 working days of receiving your complete application.

Applications will close on Thursday 23rd May, or until the programme is full, whichever is sooner.

Who can apply?

The Pembroke Cambridge Summer Programme is open to undergraduate and postgraduate students across the world. You can also apply if you have completed your undergraduate or postgraduate studies.

To apply you need to:

  • Be at least 18 years old by the start of the programme
  • Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, or equivalent, at the time of application
  • Have finished at least your first year at university by the start of the programme
  • Have a high level of fluency in English

Before you apply, make sure you’ve read and understood all our Terms and Conditions

We recommend you also read our Assessment and Credit pageDates and Deadlines page, Practical Information page and FAQs page. If you can't find an answer to your question, then please send us an email.
 

How to apply

You apply using our online application system.

We recommend you avoid using Safari internet browser as it appears to have occasional compatibility issues with our online application system.

Click to create an account and register if you haven't previously created an account with us.

Enter your details and you will receive a registration code via email to enter. Keep the webpage open and enter the code to confirm your registration.

Once your account is confirmed, you can log in and start an application for the Pembroke Cambridge Summer Programme.

  • On the Programme section of the application form, you will be asked 'how are you applying?'. Unless your institution or study abroad provider is listed here, you should choose 'independently'.
  • Only choose one of the other options if you are studying at that university or you are applying via that study abroad provider. If you are studying at one of those institutions, we strongly recommend you contact your study abroad office before applying to this programme. See the bottom of this page for more information.
  • Students based in Hong Kong, please note when selecting 'how are you applying?' that the 'via The University of Hong Kong Student Exchange Programme' choice is only for students from the University of Hong Kong (HKU). It is not for students from any university in Hong Kong. All students from other universities in Hong Kong should select 'independently'.

If you experience any issues or have any questions about registration or your application, please get in touch.

If you have been using Safari, please try a different browser before getting in touch. 
 

Your application

Applications will be passed to the Selection Committee for review once they are submitted and we have received all supporting documents.

You will receive an automated email confirming receipt of each supporting document.

You can submit your application before or after we have received the supporting documents, although we recommend you submit first so that when we receive the documents the application can be considered by the Selection Committee straight away.

The supporting documents that need to be sent are as follows:

1. Academic transcript from your home university

This can be submitted either via a digital transcript service such as Parchment or sent by a university administrator or academic from an institutional email address directly to the Programme Director at ip@pem.cam.ac.uk.

A university administraor or academic will need to identify themselves in their email with proof of their position, such as an official university webpage with their name and email address. This will help us to verify the authenticity of the transcript.

Alternatively we will accept official hard-copy transcripts by post, which must be sealed by your university registrar. However, please be aware digital versions will be received and processed much faster than hard copies.

We cannot accept transcripts sent directly from students.

2. Academic reference

Your academic reference letter must be written by a lecturer who has regularly taught you at university level in an academic environment, ideally as part of your undergraduate course.

Teaching assistants can be referees if they fulfil the criteria listed above.

Your referee should email this as a .doc, .docx or .pdf file from their institutional email address directly to the Programme Director at ip@pem.cam.ac.uk. Please ask your referee to name the file with your name in the following format: SURNAME First name Reference.

We usually leave the content of the reference letter to the referee's discretion, however as a guide they should include details on your academic performance, class engagement, suitability for the programme and any other information they deem pertinent.

We cannot accept references sent directly by students.

3. Digital photo

You will need to upload a photo to the online application system. This should be the same style and size as a passport photo.

4. Proof of English Language Proficiency (if applicable)

Please see our English Language Requirements page for more information.

 

Should I submit my application before or after my supporting documents are received?

Either is fine, but it's better if you submit first as the Selection Committee would then be able to consider your application as soon as the final document is received, rather than waiting for you to then submit.

There is no specific timeframe (except for on our Dates and Deadlines page) in which we must receive your supporting documents following submission of your application, or in which you must submit your application if we've already received your supporting documents, but we do recommend you ensure both are done as soon as possible to have the best chance of securing the accommodation and courses of your choice.

I haven't heard from you, did my application get rejected?

You will always hear from us if your application has been successful or unsuccesful. If you haven't heard from us then you very likely have missed a part of your application, so it wouldn't been sent to the Selection Committee yet. Remember we will need your transcript, reference and proof of English proficiency if applicable. You will also need to have submitted your application in order to be considered for the programme. If you have done all of these and still haven't heard from us ten days after submission of your application and all documentation please email us at ip@pem.cam.ac.uk. We would also recommend you check your spam folder, just in case.
 

I’ve got a place! What happens now?

Congratulations! When we offer you a place, we’ll email you instructions on how to select your accommodation and course options. If your desired options are available, they will be secured as soon as we’ve received your fee payment.

How to secure your place

  1. Select your housing and pay the accommodation fee. Keep in mind your selection is final and we can’t guarantee your choice of housing until you pay the full fee.
  2. Select three courses and pay the tuition fee, and the supervision supplement if applicable.

Once you’ve paid, you can change your course choices as often as you like up until the course changes deadline, if places are still available on the courses you want.

However, if you provisionally choose courses but don't submit them (by paying the fee where applicable), they will be held for 48 hours and they will then be dropped. We recommend you secure your courses as early as possible to have the best choice of courses available. Options will become more limited over time but we periodically release additional course places during the months running up to the programme as well as entirely new courses.
 

Visas

Your visa requirements will vary according to your country of citizenship.

Your home institution

If you apply through one of the following providers, they will manage the application on your behalf:

If you attend one of the following universities, you may need to contact the relevant representative below before you apply to the programme:

US & Canada

Asia