Teenager Darcey Kelly has been experiencing life as a Cambridge undergraduate, as one of 360 participants in the 2014 Cambridge University Students' Union (CUSU) Shadowing Scheme.

Organised annually by CUSU, the scheme aims to give bright young people from non-university backgrounds the opportunity to experience life at a top university.

Darcey, 17, studies at Watford Girls’ Grammar School and hopes to study English Literature at university.

She is the first in her family to aim at university and hopes the shadowing scheme would show her what to expect.

At Cambridge she teamed up with a student from Murray Edwards College, attending lectures, supervisions, and social events.

She said: "I really enjoyed the style of teaching. It was very personal and provided lots of guidance, but still pushed me.

"I felt very comfortable around the people here."

Sam Ruiz, Access Officer for CUSU and one of the organisers of this year’s scheme, said: "The Shadowing Scheme gives bright students from state schools the chance to experience university life, and really helps to break down the myths surrounding Cambridge.

"We know that some students may be put off applying to Cambridge by misconceptions and negative stereotypes, while others just may not have considered Cambridge or Higher Education as viable options at all.

"We hope the experience students like Darcey get from the Shadowing Scheme will help them to make informed choices about their options post-sixth-form."