Saltus Hosts Cambridge and Newcastle Universities on Their First Official Visit to Bermuda

Saltus Grammar School was honoured to host representatives from two of the United Kingdom’s most prestigious institutions, the University of Cambridge and Newcastle University, during their first-ever visit to Bermuda. Over two days, university representatives engaged with Saltus parents, secondary students, and members of the wider Bermuda community through a series of information sessions designed to deepen understanding of international university pathways.

Both Cambridge and Newcastle are members of the Russell Group, a consortium of 24 world-renowned, research-intensive universities in the UK. Their presence on campus marks a significant milestone for Saltus as the school continues to strengthen global partnerships and broaden post-secondary pathways for its students.

During the visit, Thomas Day, Regional Manager (Americas), Newcastle University, and Nathan Lamb, Regional Manager, Office of Student Admissions & Access, University of Cambridge, discussed the UK admissions process, the expectations of their institutions, and the strong alignment between Saltus’ academic program and the requirements of top-tier British universities. They highlighted that the BC Curriculum, combined with Saltus’ Advanced Placement (AP) course offerings, is highly regarded internationally and provides direct entry to all UK universities. At Newcastle University, the BC Dogwood graduation diploma alone meets the requirements for admissions consideration. In contrast, Cambridge sets a higher threshold, requiring five AP courses each completed with a score of 5 for entry.

Reflecting on the significance of the visit, Jesse Sheppard, Director of Curriculum, shared:
“This was an incredible opportunity for our students and families to hear directly from two exceptional universities. Our University Guidance team is working diligently to ensure Saltus students are exposed to opportunities not only in Canada, the US, and the UK, but wherever in the world they aspire to go. The strength of the BC Curriculum, paired with our AP course offerings, positions our students exceptionally well as they explore competitive pathways across the globe.”

Both university representatives expressed enthusiasm for the warm reception they received during their inaugural trip to Bermuda. “This is our first visit to Bermuda, and we certainly plan to return,” said Day and Lamb. “It was a pleasure meeting students and parents from Saltus and the broader community and sharing the opportunities available at Newcastle and Cambridge. We were especially pleased to affirm that the BC Curriculum is not only recognised, valued, and respected by our institutions, but is regarded as academically equivalent to A-levels in the UK. Its strong reputation ensures that students following the BC pathway are exceptionally well prepared for admission to leading universities like ours.”

Saltus is proud to have facilitated this landmark visit, further strengthening the school’s international connections and reaffirming its commitment to preparing students for success at leading universities worldwide.

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