The Cambridge Special Access Scheme was developed by the University of Cambridge to widen access to applicants who do not traditionally apply to the Oxbridge universities. To qualify for the scheme, one has to attend, or have attended a school or college with very few pupils proceeding to higher education, and the family of the potential applicant has to have little or no tradition of entering higher education. The scheme also acknowledges students who have had their academic success negatively affected by personal disability, health, personal problems or other difficulties with schooling.
The scheme aims to help admissions officers judge an applicants application in the context of which the applicant has studied. The scheme can also be used as a foundation for interviews. Those who apply through the Special Access Scheme could also benefit from being offered more realistic and fair offers, if an offer is eventually made.
If a student intends to apply to Cambridge through the Special Access Scheme, they must do this in accordance with the Cambridge Application Form and follow the [http://www.cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/apply/forms/csas.pdf#search='cambridge%20special%20access%20scheme' guidelines].