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Resources for prospective students

Essential materials and support for engaged learners

Resources for prospective students

Welcome to the Girton College Resources for Prospective Undergraduates page! Here, you'll find a wealth of information to help you navigate the exciting journey toward higher education. From insights into our academic programs and collegiate culture to tips on the application process and student life, we’re here to support you every step of the way. 

At Girton, we celebrate curiosity, inclusivity, and academic excellence, and we invite you to explore the opportunities that await you. Discover how you can thrive as part of our vibrant community and shape your future at Girton College!

Useful websites

A student-made resource with tons of great tips on applying to Oxbridge:

Videos all about Cambridge from a student perspective: 

All our upcoming in-person and online events, both by all of the Cambridge Colleges and the Central University team:

Finances - Student finance in England - Everything you need to know and Student Finance And Support Available | UCAS

Dates and Deadlines - Dates and deadlines for uni applications | Undergraduate | UCAS

Before you apply - Before you apply | Undergraduate | UCAS

Personal Statements - We understand navigating the new format is tricky. The University of Cambridge have provided bespoke guidance on how to approach this, as well as UCAS themselves.

Super-curricular resources

Finding time to explore your subject out of your school curriculum might seem tricky at first, but here are some easy ways to integrate your learning into your daily routine.

If you would like some further guidance on finding resources, please take a look at the following webpages:

Dudley Museum at the Archives – For those interested in Geology, Geography, History, History of Art, Music, English, ASNC, Archaeology, Library & Archives. Geology galleries, other galleries and temporary exhibitions. Work experience too.

Black Country Geopark – Unesco site – For those interested in Geography, Geology, History.

Black Country Living Museum – For those interested in History, History and Politics, HSPS, Education, Linguistics

Dudley Zoo & Castle – For those interested in Geography, History, Architecture, Archaeology, Biological Sciences, History and Politics- volunteering at the zoo, history walks, tours.

Dudley Library – Dudley Writers Festival, visiting authors, local author talks. Free membership.

Dudley Town Hall – Educational talks, music performances and plays.

Himley Hall and Park – Brooke Robinson Collection – For those interested in History, History and Politics, Architecture, Archaeology, History of Art.

Dudley Canal and Caverns – For those interested in Geography, Geology, Biological Sciences.

Oak House Museum – For those interested in History, History of Art, Architecture.

Haden Hill House Museum and Old Hall - For those interested in History, History of Art, Architecture.

Bromwich Hall Museum 

Wednesbury Museum and Art Gallery 

Galton Valley Pumping Station – For those interested in Engineering.

Forge Mill Farm – For those interested in Natural Sciences, Vet Med.

Libraries in Sandwell

SHAPE programme – Youth election, Youth Forum - for those interested in History and Politics, HSPS.

The National Motorcycle Museum – For those interested in Engineering, Physics, History.

Packwood House – For those interested in History, Architecture, History of Art, English, Biological Sciences.

Baddesley Clinton - For those interested in History, Architecture, History of Art, English, Biological Sciences.

NEC Birmingham – all subjects.

Wolverhampton Art Gallery

Wightwick Manor and Gardens

Moseley Old Hall

Bantock House Museum

Grand Theatre – has educational talks as well as music and theatre.

Libraries

Herbert Art Gallery & Museum

Aston Hall – Astonishingly Aston tours.

The Old Rep Theatre

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Birmingham Thinktank

Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery

Weoley Castle

Blakesley Hall

Why not read the daily news whilst on the way to school or college?

When doing your homework or revision for your subjects, why not take 5 minutes to read an academic article and include that in your critical thinking?

On the way home from school or college, take some time to listen or watch podcasts and videos surrounding your subject of interest.

Why not take a day to explore a local museum and think about how an object in there can make you think critically about what you have learnt so far in your subjects.

When thinking about what to include in your Personal Statement, it can be difficult to know where to find quality books to read. Here are some example reading lists provided by the university to be used as a starting point to go off and explore further, as these are not exhaustive. 

College competitions

Girton’s Humanities Writing Competition is for students in Year 12 (or equivalent) who have an interest in the Humanities. Students submit an essay based on one or more objects selected from the College’s small antiquities museum, the Lawrence Room.

The competition is an opportunity for research and writing beyond the curriculum using one or more of the six objects as your focus. We accept essays or creative responses (such as dramatic monologues or short stories). 

This Competition is now closed for 2024-25.

Girton's Medicine Prize is for students who have an interest in the Medical Sciences. Students submit a maximum 3-minute video via an unlisted YouTube link based on this year's topic: ‘Plants have been used for therapeutic purposes for thousands of years. With reference to a single plant of your choice, discuss its medicinal use, past, present and future.’

This competition is an opportunity for students to research and present beyond the curriculum, using the topic set by our prize convenors, as their focus. This competition is open to State Schools in Girton College’s Link Areas (College Area Links | Undergraduate Study) which are Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, and Wolverhampton.

This Competition is now closed for 2024-25.