On 14 September, 2026, the “Applying to Cambridge: Postgraduate Study at Cambridge 2026” was successfully held in CUNJC. The event brought together Cambridge admissions officers, professors, and distinguished alumni, with support from the Oxford & Cambridge Alumni Associations of Shanghai and Jiangsu-Zhejiang. It attracted nearly 100 students, parents, and teachers onsite, while more than 2,000 viewers participated online.

At the beginning of the event, Prof. DaPing Chu, tenured chair professor at the University of Cambridge and Academic Director and CEO of CUNJC, introduced the University of Cambridge: “It is undoubtedly that the University of Cambridge is one of if not the best institutions for postgraduate study. For several hundred years, Cambridge has been nurturing students throughout the world in an open manner, fostering breakthrough research outcomes.” Prof. Chu encourages students to walk out of their comfort zones, pursuing excellence in the journey of improving themselves.

Admissions Officers Up Close: Unlocking the Keys to Application Success

Kamran Yunus, Director of Admissions at Downing College and Associate Teaching Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, began by addressing application strategy and selection criteria, providing a comprehensive overview of the postgraduate application requirements, process, course structure, available resources, funding opportunities, and campus life at the University of Cambridge. He emphasised that postgraduate education at Cambridge not only prioritises academic rigour and critical thinking, with a strong focus on research specialisation and cross-cultural adaptation, but also places significant importance on applicants’ passion for their subject and resilience, going beyond mere academic achievements.

Weilong Zhang, Admissions Officer of the Faculty of Economics and Associate Professor in Economics, University of Cambridge, elaborated on two pathways for economics postgraduate programmes: the professionally oriented one-year MPhil programmes, designed to prepare graduates for careers in industry, government, and central banking—such as the MPhil in Economics, MPhil in Finance & Economics, and MPhil in Economics & Data Science. He emphasised that the MPhil in Economic Research serves as the essential foundation for applying to a PhD in Economics at Cambridge. He also highlighted that quantitative analytical skills, suitability for the programme, and the quality of reference letters are key criteria in the evaluation process.

Tim Wilkinson, Deputy Head of the Department of Engineering and Professor in Electrical Engineering,University of Cambridge, joined remotely from the UK to provide a detailed introduction to the one-year MPhil, standalone MRes, and integrated PhD programmes offered by the Department of Engineering at the University of Cambridge. He gave an overview of MPhil courses such as Engineering for Sustainable Development and Nuclear Energy, focusing on their core content and educational aims. Professor Wilkinson particularly advised applicants: “Contacting a potential supervisor early and defining a clear research direction are crucial to a successful application.”

Oleg Kitov, Admissions Officer at Selwyn College and Associate Professor in Economics, University of Cambridge, introduced online the core content and unique value of the Cambridge-Nanjing Centre Summer School. This programme offers students an immersive academic journey at the University of Cambridge, helping them consolidate their academic foundations, develop critical thinking skills, and explore interdisciplinary fields.

Alumni Stories: From Cambridge to the World

Dr. Ruohan Qin, as both Cambridge alumnus and lecturer, offered firsthand insights on Cambridge’s collegiate system and application process, exclusively shared career paths for economics graduates.

Dr.Jiajun Chen, drawing on the inspiration of Stephen Hawking’s famous “Time Travel Party,” spoke about the spirit of scientific legacy at Cambridge. Through her own personal transition from ‘researcher’ to co-founder of PRINCIPIA, she exemplifies the core of Cambridge education—shaping future leaders who are equipped to think across disciplines and use science to impact society.

During the focus group discussion session, alumni Yuanbo Deng, Qingzhi Li, Bo Fan, and the Centre’s researcher Weizhen Sun joined the guest speakers in subject-specific breakout groups. They engaged students in in-depth dialogue on admissions tips, teaching styles, and campus life, providing precise responses to questions raised both on-site and online. The event successfully attracted on-site participation from students of prestigious domestic universities such as Nanjing University, Southeast University, Renmin University of China, and Shandong University, as well as from Sino-foreign cooperative institutions including Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, the University of Nottingham Ningbo China, and Duke Kunshan University. It also saw online engagement from students at numerous overseas and Hong Kong/Macau-based institutions, including the University of Oxford, Imperial College London, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and the Chinese University of Hong Kong. The interactive session was marked by a highly enthusiastic atmosphere.

The “Applying to Cambridge” series of admissions events have been held in Nanjing for four consecutive years. With the aim of acting as a bridge-building hub, the event facilitates access for outstanding Chinese students to world-leading academic resources. As a key platform for the University’s comprehensive engagement in China, the Centre remains committed to strengthening international exchange, nurturing interdisciplinary talent with a global perspective, and fostering two-way flow of global innovation resources and exceptional talents.