Visit Days  

Who is it for?

Schools and charities supporting students (year 10–13 students in UK schools and colleges). 

Aims of the day 

Gain more confidence and understanding of the opportunities at Downing College and the University of Cambridge. 

Format 

In-person. 

Duration 

Half-day (am or pm). 

How to register 

Schools or charities can register their interest here. 

Visit Days are opportunities for charities and school groups to visit Downing College. These half-days are packed with an exciting programme of interactive and engaging activities. 

Schedules for the half-day can include: 

  • An informative session on Cambridge, what students can study, and the opportunities available. 

  • A focused session on Cambridge’s application process, and how this varies from other universities. 

  • An interactive workshop focusing on interview skills and oracy. 

  • A fascinating taster lecture from one of our College Fellows (an academic/teacher of the College). 

  • A College tour, exploring facilities such as the Chapel, Butterfield Café, and Howard Theatre. 

  • An opportunity to ask Downing’s Directors of Admissions questions. 

  • An opportunity to speak with current students. 

For the second half of the day, we can recommend to book interactive workshops, taking place in one of Cambridge’s many fascinating museums. 

FAQs 

How do I register interest? 

Please note that there are a limited number of available spaces for our visit days and we cannot guarantee that all those who register interest will be able to visit us. 

In the event we are oversubscribed, priority will be given to: 

  • Schools in IMD deciles 1–4 (or charities working with students from these areas). 

  • Schools or charities working with a proportion of students eligible for Free School Meals (FSM) above the national average (25.7%).  

  • If you are a teacher, you can check your school’s FSM proportion here. 

  • Charities working with students from Black-British, British-Bangladeshi and/or British-Pakistani ethnicities. 

  • Schools with historically few offers to study at the University of Cambridge. 

  • Schools from Devon, Dorset or Cornwall (as part of the University of Cambridge Area Link Scheme). 

When do the visits take place? 

For the 2026/27 Academic Year, there are slots available on the following dates: 

  • Wednesday 20th January 2027 AM/PM. 

  • Wednesday 3rd February 2027 AM/PM. 

  • Wednesday 17th February 2027 AM/PM. 

Do you offer funding support or accommodation? 

Unfortunately, Downing College is not able to offer financial support or accommodation for visits. 

If you are a school in Devon, Dorset or Cornwall and unable to visit us in-person, register your interest for a visit from one of our Admissions Team to your school. 

Do you offer catering? 

We recommend students bring a packed lunch for their visit. It may be possible to purchase food at the College but this is subject to availability and would be charged at visitor rates. Alternatively, there are supermarkets in the centre of Cambridge and close by to Downing College. 

How much do the sessions cost? 

The sessions are free to visiting schools and charities as part of our Widening Participation programme. 

Take a look at some of our recent visit days: 

Naz Legacy Foundation ‘Diversity Days’ 

Downing College has previously hosted visits for the Naz Legacy Foundation as part of their series of Diversity Days. The Naz Legacy Foundation is dedicated to empowering young people from diverse backgrounds through education, mentorship, and career opportunities, with a mission to break down barriers for underrepresented communities to apply to university and provide access to the resources needed for success. Their Diversity programme aims to make young people aware of the positive impact they can make on society.  

Sir Harry Smith School 

Downing College works closely with Sir Harry Smith School as part of the University’s Connect to Cambridge scheme, in which Colleges are matched to local schools in Cambridgeshire. Students learnt more about the University and its opportunities.