Essay Writing Masterclass Programme 2026 - Newnham College
Newnham College, University of Cambridge
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Want to write like a Cambridge undergraduate? Join Newnham’s free 12-week Essay Writing Masterclass: explore humanities ideas, build research and essay skills, receive expert workshops and Cambridge-style supervision to boost your uni application and confidence.
The Essay Writing Masterclass Programme (EWMP) is a free, 12-week online programme run by Newnham College for women in the UK in Year 12 (Year 13 in Northern Ireland / S5 in Scotland) who are interested in pursuing Humanities or Social Sciences at university. Between March and June 2026 participants will take part in expert-delivered virtual workshops, carry out independent research, and receive a Cambridge-style supervision to support the production of a substantive essay.
Each participant will receive a grade and personalised feedback on their submitted work. The programme focuses on research skills, critical thinking and academic essay writing to build academic independence and prepare students for university-level study and selective-university applications.
The content and essay topics are open-ended and appeal to a broad range of subject interests within the humanities and social sciences. Applications are welcomed from all eligible students across school types, with particular encouragement for those meeting widening-participation criteria.
There are 130 places; outcomes will be communicated by 17:00 on Friday 27 February 2026.
05 Dec 2025
09 Feb 2026
05 Dec 2025 – 09 Feb 2026
Applications open 2025-12-05 to deadline
Programme delivery (March June 2026)
Location
- Open to women in the UK in Year 12 (or Year 13 in Northern Ireland / S5 in Scotland)
- Applicants from any school type or background are eligible
- Priority given to applicants who meet widening participation criteria (including experience of local authority care, forced migration, eligibility for free school meals, estrangement, being a young carer, long-term health conditions causing extended absence from education, late diagnosis of SEN, receiving Personal Independence Payment, first in family to attend university)
- Priority given to applicants from schools with low progression to Oxford or Cambridge and from home postcodes in IMD deciles 1-5 (preference to deciles 1 and 2) or COA 2021 Supergroups 7 and 8
- Priority given to applicants living in Newnham Outreach link areas (Birmingham, Walsall, Redbridge, Enfield, Barking and Dagenham)
Free 12-week programme delivered virtually. 130 places available. No participant fee.
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