Applying for an undergraduate course
Want to apply to learn with us at undergraduate level? We’re here to support you. The application and enrolment process at Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) is straightforward, but there are some requirements and steps you’ll need to go through before joining us as an undergraduate student. This guide outlines what to expect and has information for each stage. Still have a question? Get in touch and our friendly and knowledgeable team will help.
Key stages of applying and enrolling
The application and enrolment process involves 4 key stages.
- Getting ready to apply: choosing your course and understanding any requirements
- Applying: creating an account with us and submitting your application
- Offer: receiving an offer and meeting proof of identity and English language requirements
- Enrolling: booking your place, paying for your course and accessing our enrolment benefits
Enrol early, save £150
Enrol by 31 May 2026 and you’ll save £150 on your course fee (terms and conditions apply). You’ll get also get early access to our enrolment package (see ‘enrolling’ below). This is a set of talks, resources and more so you can start learning and connecting with our community, before your course starts.
Contact our support team
UG application and enrolment guide
The following teams at Cambridge may be involved in your application:
PACE enrolment team
Our friendly and experienced enrolment team are here to help you explore the best learning options for you and answer any questions you might have about a course, funding options, and the application process.
PACE admissions team
Our admissions team process applications, send out offers and confirm your place on the course.
PACE academic team
The PACE academic team will consider applications for undergraduate diplomas based on the entry requirements on the relevant course page. Our undergraduate certificates are open entry and do not have any academic requirements.
You’ll find information about each course on the individual course pages. Read these details carefully to help you choose the right course for you and prepare your application. They include:
- course overview
- entry and application requirements for diplomas
- information on teaching and assessment
Have any queries while you’re considering a course? Get in touch with our team on the course page.
English language requirements
Our courses are taught in English and require a good level of fluency. If English is not your first language, you’ll need to meet the requirements of one of the language proficiency tests below:
- IELTS Academic, for UKVI and One Skill Retake: overall score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in any component
- Cambridge English C2 Proficiency : overall score of 176, with no element lower than 169
- TOEFL Internet Based Test or Home Edition: overall score of 92, with no element below 20. Please note that changes to the TOEFL Internet Based Test and Home Edition mean that it will no longer be suitable for entry to Cambridge at undergraduate level from 21 January 2026. We will not accept tests taken on or after this date.
Financial support
We're dedicated to reducing and removing financial barriers to learning. Before you start your application, check what external funding, bursaries and concessions may be available to you for your course. Visit financial support for more.
Application deadlines
The deadline for your course is listed on the course page. We accept applications until 11.59pm (UK time) on the day of closing.
Create an account and submit your application
Once, you’ve chosen your course, click ‘Apply now’ on the course page and create a PACE account to begin your application. There, you can:
- create, save, and submit your application
- upload any supporting documents required
- contact us
- track your application
We recommend you save your application as you progress to avoid starting over. When completing your application, please note the University restrictions and risks of using AI tools.
Contact information
Provide your personal contact details. The name you give on your application should be your legal name. This will be used on all certificates and award-supporting documents. We’ll check your details when we ask you to provide proof of identity (see ‘offers’ below).
Sample of academic writing: only some courses
If a sample of your work is required by your course (some diplomas may ask for this), please upload one.
CV: some diploma applicants only
If you’re applying for a diploma, we may ask you for a CV. This should be a standard format detailing your experience and any qualifications.
Educational background
List your qualifications and recent courses or practical work in reverse chronological order.
For each entry, include:
- year of completion
- institution
- course name
- level, such as certificate or BSc
- grade or mark you achieved
Our undergraduate certificates are open entry and we do not require academic qualifications for them, but it’s still useful for us to understand your experience. For our undergraduate diplomas, we usually expect applicants to have completed a level 4 qualification, or international equivalent, in a relevant subject. We may also consider applicants with equivalent experience. Please include this in this section if it’s relevant to your application.
Personal statement
Explain your motivation for applying. Include:
- any previous experience in the subject
- how the course aligns with your interests and career goals
- examples of your engagement with the subject, such as readings, volunteering, podcasts, book clubs and workshops
- a sample of your work if required for your course (some diplomas may ask for this), and you have not already uploaded it during an earlier stage
If you’re applying for a certificate, you do not need to complete a personal statement but we appreciate it if you do.
English language requirements
Select your nationality to check if you might need to do an English language test. You can also upload a copy of your results if you’ve taken one. We’ll let you know during the offer stage if you need to prove your English language proficiency as a condition. See ‘Getting ready to apply: English language requirements’ above for more details on the tests and scores we accept.
Marketing feedback
Let us know how you heard about the course.
Terms and conditions
Confirm that you’ve read and accept our terms and conditions and cancellations and refunds policy.
Submitting your application
Once you’re happy with the details of your application, you can submit it. You’ll receive an automatic confirmation email that your application has been submitted.
Bursaries
After you submit your application, you’ll see a list of bursaries that you may be eligible for. Do have a look these and apply for any that interest you.
Review by our admissions team
Once you’ve submitted your application, our admissions team will review it. If there’s anything that’s unclear or any information missing, we’ll contact you within 48 hours.
We send out offers in 2 stages.
Stage 1: conditional offer
Once we’ve reviewed your application and are satisfied it meets any academic requirements (if you're applying for a diploma), we’ll send you a conditional offer asking you to:
- confirm your identity by uploading a scan of your identity document, unless you’ve studied with us in the past and we have your details
- prove your English language proficiency, if necessary
Stage 2: offer
Once you’ve met your conditions, we’ll send you an offer and invite you to book your place.
To enrol after receiving an offer, you need to book your place and make an initial payment.
Booking your place
Once you’ve received an offer, you can log into your account and book your place. Please provide the following information:
- identity and background information: we require this for the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)
- nationality and residence details (for HESA)
- any disabilities or medical conditions that may require academic-related support
- whether you have a current or previous University of Cambridge student card, or if you want to upload a photo to get one
- if you’re applying for a student loan
- confirmation of your proof of identity, which you’ll have already provided to meet your conditional offer
- confirmation that you’ve read and agree to the terms and conditions
Paying for your course
Payment options
To secure your place, we need an initial payment. Choose one of the following options:
- student loan: pay a £50 deposit that we’ll refund you once your loan is approved
- 3 equal instalments: pay the first instalment
- full payment
Concessions
Select and give details for one of our fee concessions if it applies to you:
- alumni concession: 10% off course fee
- school concession: 10% off course fee
- PACE staff concession: 25% off course fee
- Cambridge University staff concession: 25% off course fee
Once you’ve confirmed the details for any concessions, they’ll be deducted from your payment amount.
Making payment
Once you’ve booked your place and made your initial payment, you’ll be officially enrolled and will receive an email outlining the next steps.
Enrolment package
As soon as you enrol, you’ll be able to access a set of opportunities designed to support your transition into undergraduate study at Cambridge. These resources introduce you to the academic expectations, community and support available throughout your studies.
Access to the undergraduate resource area
You’ll receive access to the PACE Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), where you’ll find introductory materials, study guidance and subject-related resources to help you prepare for university-level learning.
Connect with fellow learners
Take part in engagement activities with others on your course and across PACE’s undergraduate programmes.
Talks from Academic Directors
Access short, pre-recorded talks that introduce key themes and areas of research. Selected bitesize lectures from our Master of Studies (MSt) programmes are also available.
University of Cambridge online library
Explore and make the most of Cambridge’s digital collections, including journals and e-books, before your course starts.
College LibGuide access
A curated set of resources from one of the University of Cambridge colleges is available to support academic skills development, including note-taking, remote learning and the responsible use of AI.
Free short online courses
Access a selection of online courses provided through one of our partner organisations.
Regular updates before your course starts
Get information and reminders to help you prepare for starting your studies.
Before you start your studies
After you’ve enrolled, you’ll need to complete the Student Registration Exercise before your course starts. We’ll also need to check your identity during the first session of your course. To learn more about student registration and checking proof of identity, visit before you start your studies.