Expanding Opportunity, Inspiring Futures

Information, attainment and aspiration are at the heart of Emmanuel’s Outreach and Widening Participation work. Our aim is to show that Cambridge is a real option for any student with academic potential and to reduce barriers faced by talented young people from less resourced or underrepresented backgrounds. The Outreach team works to build confidence, belonging and understanding by explaining Cambridge admissions and introducing students to the subjects taught here.

Thanks to the generosity of members, Emmanuel’s outreach programmes are well supported and wide ranging. With two full-time staff, we run long term, evidence-based activities that reach large numbers of pupils. In 2024–25, we worked with nearly 6,000 students from 509 schools, helping to address gaps in information about higher education, misconceptions about Cambridge and unequal access to academic resources.

Our most successful programmes combine regular online contact with meaningful in person experiences. Two national initiatives, Thomas Young Physicists (for pupils interested in STEM) and Langevity (for those exploring languages), introduce students to academic ideas through webinars led by Emmanuel Fellows. Open to Year 10–12 or equivalent pupils across the UK, both programmes attract strong participation. Each ends with a visit to Emmanuel for a smaller group of Year 12s selected on rigorous academic criteria, commitment and alignment with our
widening participation priorities. These visits allow students to meet peers, experience college life and deepen their understanding of Cambridge admissions. Since Langevity began, applications to study languages at Emmanuel have risen by 72 per cent, and for the past two years we have received the highest number of applications for modern and medieval languages of any Cambridge college.

We also run programmes designed for underrepresented groups. Our EMMbark initiative supports Year 12 students from ethnic backgrounds underrepresented at Cambridge, with current students – our EMMbassadors – sharing their experiences online and welcoming families to an in person event. Our EMMpower summer residential offers a three-day introduction to Cambridge life, including meals in Hall, social activities, accommodation in college and a series of academic and myth-busting workshops.

Emmanuel’s outreach programmes build knowledge, skills and confidence, while opening doors to higher education. Their continuing success has been made possible thanks to the support of members like you, who have enabled us to do all this and more. On behalf of the young people you have helped to reach their potential, thank you.