Overseas applicants and those applying for a music scholarship can now apply to the University of Cambridge online for the first time – and the first application has already been received, from a student in Singapore.
The Cambridge Online Preliminary Application (COPA) has been launched as part of the University’s commitment to a user-friendly application process and its introduction means that all undergraduate applications can now be made online. UK undergraduate applications have been made totally online since 2009.
The online application system, COPA, replaces the Cambridge Overseas Application Form (COAF), and the Choral and Organ Award Application Form.
Yuan Zhang, a computer science student at Jesus College, who applied to Cambridge from the People’s Republic of China, explains why the move is a good one:-
"As a computer scientist, I'm slightly biased, but I'm of the opinion that online application forms are a great step forward. "
Whilst there's something to be said about the ritualistic apprehension of trying to fill in a crisp blue form in your best handwriting – and trying not to smudge, crease or fill it in incorrectly! – online applications allow for easy editing; painless, receipted submission and improved legibility.
“I remember an agitated couple of days checking the progress of courier delivery from Shanghai.
"Online submission should allow for more leeway in meeting deadlines and avoiding dodgy local mail systems.
"I also remember taking something like 3-4 forms just in case I filled something in wrong (which to be fair, did happen).
“I'm sure future students will appreciate the online form as a much-needed streamlining of university applications in the digital age.”
The COPA enables the collegiate University to collect additional details to those captured by the UCAS application for applicants studying outside the EU, and those who would like to be considered for an organ or choral scholarship.
This includes information such as passport number and whether an overseas interview is requested. In the case of those applying for a Choral Award and/or Organ Scholarship the COPA allows information about vocal range and musical experience to be collected.
The COPA has been developed using the same technology as the online Supplementary Application Questionnaire (SAQ) which was successfully introduced in 2009. It will bring a number of benefits including:-
The only paper forms that now remain are the additional application form for the Graduate Course in Medicine and the form relating to the Cambridge Special Access Scheme, through which applicants whose education has been disrupted or who face particular personal hurdles can provide additional information setting their academic results in context.
The COPA can be accessed online, together with guidance notes on how to complete it, here.
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