'As a working class, state educated, and first-generation student, I knew I wanted to come to a more friendly and diverse college.'

Chloe matriculated in 2024 and is currently studying for the MPhil in Sociology (Marginality and Exclusion). A recipient of the Cambridge Trust Opportunity Masters Studentship, she hopes to use her background to inspire other working-class students to study at Cambridge.?

Can you tell us about your personal journey to Cambridge and what life for you looked like before you joined the University??

Before coming to Cambridge I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of London Institute in Paris and the University of Liverpool, where I studied BA Politics. During my final year, I knew I wasn’t ready to finish learning, and therefore knew I wanted to continue studying at a postgraduate level. After discovering that the MPhil in Sociology at Cambridge was perfect for me, I applied for the course during my final year.?

Why did you choose to study at St Edmund’s College? (if applicable)?

I chose Eddie's because as a working class, state educated, and first-generation student, I knew I wanted to come to a more friendly and diverse college, both of which Eddies prides itself on. Studying at Cambridge can be intimidating, particularly as an underrepresented student, but as a mature college, Eddies is a welcoming environment filled with people from all walks of life, and it feels like home from the first day.?

How did you find the application process??

For the MPhil in Sociology, you are required to provide a CV, transcript, two academic references, and a sample of work. You’re also required to provide a 1,000 word research proposal, but once you start there is flexibility on your thesis topic as you explore the field. Coming from a politics background, I was worried that having no formal prior knowledge in Sociology would be a barrier to my application, but it turned out that the majority of my course mates haven’t either!?

What motivated you to choose your field of study??

The benefit of studying Politics as an undergraduate degree is that it is such a broad field; I had course mates who specialised in fields such as international relations, party politics or political economics. Despite being involved in party politics outside of my studies, I found that I particularly enjoyed my modules in gender and sexual politics, and knew that this is what I wanted to specialise in, and therefore I chose to study Sociology for my postgraduate degree, with a focus on gender and sexuality.?

How has attending St Edmund’s College enabled you to thrive? Can you share a project, research endeavour, or extracurricular activity you are involved in that you find especially rewarding or impactful.??

The mental health support at Eddies is absolutely incredible, and the support I’ve received from the mental health practitioner has enabled me to engage well with my studies, despite living with various mental health disorders.??

What values are you learning at St Edmund’s College and how do you think your experiences at Cambridge are shaping you as a person??

A benefit of Eddies is its international community that allows you to meet people from all over the world, meaning I’ve been able to learn about different cultures in both a personal and professional sense. Particularly, I’ve been able to practise my French and learn about various cultures from different French-speaking countries just by speaking to people in the CR!?

What are your plans beyond graduation and how do you see them contributing to a better future for individuals, societies and the world globally?

As a career, I want to use the knowledge learned in both my MPhil and my extracurriculars to help people and the community. Specifically, I want to work in the public sector, either working in politics/civil service, or in a non-profit that tackles inequality in society.?

What advice would you give prospective students thinking of choosing St Edmund’s College??

Having confidence in yourself is the best thing you can do when applying to study here. Imposter syndrome is common at Cambridge but Eddies is a welcoming environment that helps to reassure you that you deserve to be here, particularly if you’re from a traditionally underrepresented background like myself.?

Cambridge Opportunity Studentships are for Masters students from low-income households with experience of educational disadvantage who are set at the Home rate for fees. To find out more about this opportunity and how to apply to St Edmund's College, visit our scholarships webpage.

Cambridge Opportunity Masters and Get In Cambridge Studentships - Cambridge Trust

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