Cambridge University is to admit 67 “second chance” students from poor backgrounds, after allowing post A-level applications for the first time.

In a bid to improve diversity, the university earmarked extra places for disadvantaged students who performed better than expected in their A-levels.

Earlier this year, Cambridge announced that it was prepared to give out up to 100 additional places to pupils who have spent time in local authority care, or those with a combination of characteristics including attending a state school and living in a deprived household or area.

Many Russell Group universities offer places through the “adjustment” system, where students who do better than expected in their A-levels are able to “trade up” for a better university place.

But Oxford and Cambridge have traditionally abstained from doing so on the basis that they fill all their places in advance.

The move by Cambridge is aimed at admitting more talented students from disadvantaged background who have already applied and had an interview, but “narrowly missed out” on an offer.

Dr Sam Lucy, director of admissions for the Cambridge Colleges, said: “When we announced the adjustment scheme, we received many emails from students saying the second chance of a place at Cambridge was inspiring them to work even harder to achieve the best A-level results they could.