Many subjects that are offered at Sidney Sussex require the submissions of essays or other written work as part of the application process. This is so that we can assess your writing ability, which is a key element for many of our courses. Please note that Architecture, Design, Modern and Medieval Languages and Music have slightly different requirements for submitted work to other subjects.
Applicants will be sent information via email about how to submit their written work.
The following requirements apply to all written work submitted as part of an application to Sidney Sussex College:
- Submitted written work should be a maximum of 2500 words long. This is to ensure fairness and that we have sufficient time to read and assess your work. Longer submissions will not be accepted.
- Written work should be submitted in .pdf or .doc format.
- Essays should have been written as part of your normal schoolwork and be marked by a teacher. A single draft of a homework-style essay or an examination questions are both acceptable.
- Submitted work should not be redrafted or edited.
- Please do not submit formal coursework or a section of a larger essay/project/EPQ (except for Classics). We are looking for a single complete piece of work that has not been extensively redrafted or altered by others.
- Essays can be submitted typed or handwritten. Please ensure that any handwritten essays are clearly legible.
- With the exception of submitted written work for Modern and Medieval Languages (see below), submitted written work should be originally written in English wherever possible. This is so that we can gauge your ability to write essays in English in the same way that you would as part of your degree studies. Work translated from another language into English will be accepted only if an alternative is not possible and must be clearly marked as such on the cover sheet. Please contact the admissions office if you have any concerns about this requirement.
- Please include a bibliography if you have used any reference books or other reading, and please include a copy of any sources discussed in an essay.
- If your school subject combinations mean that you cannot submit an essay relevant to your chosen subject (as detailed below), please contact the admissions office and we will be able to guide you on the most appropriate alternative.
- When deciding what work to submit, think about:
- Does it show your ability to argue effectively for a specific viewpoint?
- Does it show your ability to consider multiple viewpoints on the topics discussed?
- Are your arguments well-structured and effective?
- Are you able to provide sufficient evidence and/or reasoning to back up your points?
Each piece of work must have a cover sheet. The cover sheet can be found here: https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/digital-document-upload
Subject Specific Instructions
- Asian and Middle Eastern Studies
If you are applying to combine with a European language, please upload one piece of extended writing (min. 250 words) in that language.
- Anglo-Saxon, Norse & Celtic
Two essays on any topic. If possible, please choose essays on topics which have some relation to the Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic Tripos.
- Archaeology
One essay on any topic. If possible, please choose essays on topics which have some relation to the Archaeology Tripos. This should be in essay format (not science coursework or a timed exam) with a word limit of up to 1500 words. The work can be taken from an EPQ.
- Architecture - Portfolio
A digital portfolio: 6 x A4 pages, less than 15MB in size. The portfolio will be discussed during the interview. We would like to see work that illustrates your interests, experience and ability in the visual and material arts. This may include drawings, paintings, sculpture and/or photography. Freehand observational sketches are desirable, as are life drawings. It is usually sufficient for three-dimensional work to be exhibited in photographs. Please see https://www.arct.cam.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/preparing-a-portfolio for further information.
- Classics (including 4 year course)
Two essays in Classics or related subjects (e.g., History, English). We would be happy to accept a portion of an EPQ as long as the word count is within the required limit.
- Design - Portfolio
A digital portfolio: 6 x A4 pages, less than 15MB in size. The portfolio will be discussed during the interview. We would like to see work that illustrates your interests, experience and ability in the visual and material arts. This may include drawings, paintings, sculpture and/or photography. Freehand observational sketches are desirable, as are life drawings. It is usually sufficient for three-dimensional work to be exhibited in photographs. Please see https://www.arct.cam.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/preparing-a-portfolio for further information.
- English
Two essays on English Literature. Where possible, the essays should not both focus on the same literary text, even if the angle of approach is different, e.g., we would strongly prefer not to see two essays on Hamlet.
- History
One essay on History. The historical problems addressed by this essay will be discussed in one of the interviews, so we recommend choosing an essay on a topic you have recently studied in detail as part of your school curriculum. (Please do not send a source commentary exercise.)
- History and Modern Languages
Two essays:
• If you are applying to combine History with a language you are already studying, please upload one piece of extended writing (min. 250 words) in that language. Please also send one essay written in English, as part of your studies in History. If you are applying to study a language from scratch, you should send two essays written in English, at least one as part of your studies in History and if possible, an essay on a topic which has some relation to the Modern and Medieval Languages Tripos.
• The historical problems addressed by the History essay will be discussed at interview, so we recommend choosing an essay on a topic you have recently studied in detail as part of your school curriculum. (Please do not send a source commentary exercise.)
- History and Politics
One essay from your History course and one essay on Politics.
The historical problems addressed by the History essay will be discussed at interview, so we recommend choosing an essay on a topic you have recently studied in detail as part of your school curriculum. (Please do not send a source commentary exercise.) If you are not studying these subjects, please contact the Admissions Office to work out an alternative after submtiting your UCAS application.
- Human, Social, and Political Sciences
Two essays on topics which have some relation to the HSPS Tripos (e.g. politics, history, psychology, sociology).
- Modern & Medieval Languages
1 essay and 2 pieces of extended writing:
• If you are applying to combine two languages that you are already studying, please upload two pieces of extended writing (min. 250 words), one in each language. Please also send one essay written in English on any topic in addition to this. If possible, please choose an essay on a topic which has some relation to the Modern and Medieval Languages Tripos.
• If you are applying to combine a language you are already studying with a language from scratch, please upload two pieces of extended writing (min. 250 words) in the language you are already studying. Please also send one essay written in English on any topic in addition to this. If possible, please choose an essay on a topic which has some relation to the Modern and Medieval Languages Tripos.
- Music
One essay on a musical subject and one further essay on a historical, philosophical, or cultural topic. Please also send an example of a composition or music theory exercise. If sending an original composition, please note we would like the manuscript, rather than a recording of a performance.
- Theology, Religion, and Philosophy of Religion
Two essays on Religious Studies or Theology, or related subjects (e.g. History, English Literature, Philosophy, Sociology).
