Exploring the Colleges of Cambridge University

Applying to Cambridge University is a significant step, and understanding the collegiate system is crucial. Cambridge operates as a collegiate university, with 31 colleges forming a network of communities where students live, eat, and study. Each college possesses a distinct personality, facilities, and traditions, influencing a student's daily life. When applying, prospective students can either allow Cambridge to randomly assign them to a college or express preferences for up to two colleges. It's important to note that these preferences do not affect the application's outcome.

Understanding the Cambridge Collegiate System

The University of Cambridge, the fourth oldest university in the world, boasts a renowned reputation. Its collegiate structure distinguishes it from many other universities. The colleges are responsible for admitting undergraduate and graduate students, providing pastoral support, and organizing elements of their tuition. Lectures and examinations are organized by the faculties and departments of the central university. Colleges provide a range of facilities and services to their members including accommodation, catering, library facilities, extracurricular societies, and sporting teams. Much of sporting life at Cambridge is centred around college teams and inter-collegiate competition in Cuppers. Student activity is typically organised through separate common rooms for undergraduate and postgraduate students.

The Role of Colleges

The Cambridge colleges provide most of the accommodation for undergraduates and postgraduates at the university. At the undergraduate level they have responsibility for admitting students to the university, providing pastoral support, and organising elements of their tuition. Lectures and examinations are organized by the faculties and departments of the central university. Colleges provide a range of facilities and services to their members in addition to accommodation including catering, library facilities, extracurricular societies, and sporting teams.

A Brief History

The University of Cambridge, England's second oldest learning institution, has made Cambridge famous worldwide. The collegiate university is made up of 31 self-governing and independent colleges whose grounds, apart from having been blessed with world-renowned alumni, are also beautifully decorated with lush lawns and terrific Gothic architecture. The University of Cambridge is composed of 31 colleges in addition to the academic departments and administration of the central university. Until the mid-19th century, both Cambridge and Oxford comprised a group of colleges with a small central university administration, rather than universities in the common sense. The 31 colleges are divided into the distinctions ‘old’ and ‘new’. The 31 colleges are all founded between the 13th and 20th centuries, all exuding rich history and fine architecture.

Co-educational History

All 16 of the "old" colleges and 8 of the 15 "new" ones admit both male and female students as both undergraduates and postgraduates, without any age restrictions. No colleges are all-male, although most originally were. Darwin, founded in 1964, was the first mixed college, while in 1972 Churchill, Clare and King's colleges were the first previously all-male colleges to admit women, whilst King's accepted only students from Eton College until 1865. The last all-male college to become mixed was Magdalene, in 1988. In 1973 Hughes Hall became the first all-female college to admit men, and Girton first admitted men in 1979. Newnham also places restrictions on the admission of staff members, allowing only women to become fellows of the college.

Choosing a College: Factors to Consider

Selecting the right college is a significant decision. When choosing a college to look into, there are a few factors you might want to consider:

Subjects Offered: Not all colleges offer all subjects, so it's essential to check which colleges offer the course you're interested in studying.
Size & Facilities: Colleges vary in size, which might influence the resources they have available. Some people might prefer a smaller, more intimate college community, while others might prefer a larger college with more resources.
Location: Cambridge colleges are located throughout the city, so you might want to consider the proximity to the city center, the department where your course is based, and amenities like libraries or sports facilities.
Academic Reputation & Ratings: While the University of Cambridge has high standards across all colleges, some colleges might be stronger in specific subjects. You might want to consider colleges with high ratings in your chosen subject area and research opportunities.
Social Life & Extracurricular Activities: Different colleges might have specific clubs or societies, sports teams, or cultural events that might be of interest to you. It's worth considering which colleges have the extracurricular opportunities that resonate with your personal interests.

A Glimpse into Some of Cambridge's Colleges

Here's a look at some of the colleges within the University of Cambridge, each offering a unique experience:

Christ's College

Christ’s College tops the list due to its awe-inspiring legacy. Former alumni include legendary names like Charles Darwin and John Milton. Although Christ’s College has been around since the 15th Century, these days it admits undergraduates looking to study all kinds of subjects (except veterinary medicine). Around 100 postgrad students are also admitted. Super quaint and pretty as a college, perhaps the most impressive thing about Christ’s College is the collection of libraries, where you can find more than 90,000 texts. The green-fingered among you will love taking some downtime from revision sessions by joining Christ’s Horticultural and Botanical Society, and helping care for the college’s gorgeous gardens. And if you’re a creative soul or want to let off some steam after a long week of study, you can get involved in the arts, making music or treading the boards in the CADS amateur dramatics society. Centrally located, it’s close to nightlife, restaurants, a cinema, and supermarkets. It also has a recently refurbished swimming pool, something to make your non-Christ’s uni mates seriously jealous of!

Trinity College

While Trinity Hall made it to our tenth spot on this list, Trinity College almost- almost - takes the top spot. That’s because it has been part of Cambridge for hundreds of years and has produced 32 scientists who have won the Nobel Prize! Always top of the Tompkins Table, Trinity College consists of around 600 undergraduate and 300 postgraduate students, not to mention an alumni roster that boasts royalty. Not bad, eh? That’s not all. There are 36 acres of gardens to enjoy on a gorgeous afternoon in the British spring, and while you’re taking a stroll you can seek out a descendant of the apple tree that is said to have inspired Isaac Newton’s theory about gravity. Oh yeah, and Isaac Newton also studied at Trinity College, and the university library holds many of his papers. It also hosts the original and biggest May Ball, which is always a plus if you want the authentic Cambridge experience. Trinity College, one of the largest and wealthiest in Cambridge, was founded in 1546. An extraordinary college founded by Henry VIII in 1546, and famous for the galleried walkways that flank the central quad. Sir Isaac Newton was a student, and the library was designed by Sir Christopher Wren.

Pembroke College

If you’re a history buff and like quaint, pretty gardens, then you’ll love this place - it’s like stepping back in time. The third-oldest college in Cambridge, Pembroke was founded in 1347 and is home to Cambridge’s first college chapel. It also houses a Victorian library building packed to the rafters with books, special collections and rare tomes. That’s not to say that it doesn’t have its modern aspects, though. There are some recently renovated facilities at Pembroke, including its hall. There’s a nice, diverse feel about this college as it welcomes international students as part of its traditional two-semester study abroad program or the Pembroke Cambridge Summer Programme. If you’re looking to study medicine, then look no further. Pembroke is ideally situated close to Addenbrookes Hospital, where the Cambridge Department of Medicine is based. If you’re a foodie then look no further - Pembroke has some of the best food in Cambridge. Some even say that a Michelin chef runs the kitchens. Whatever the truth is, you’d be a fool to skip the mouthwatering brunches. Dating back to 1347, Pembroke’s buildings include one from almost every century since its inception; the college chapel was designed by Sir Christopher Wren, designer of St Pauls.

Peterhouse

This is Cambridge’s oldest college and rightfully boasts of its alumni who went on to become groundbreaking inventors, Nobel laureates, and luminaries over the centuries since it opened in 1284. Oh, and TV personality and actor David Mitchell went there too. It’s somewhat more difficult to get into Peterhouse - they only admit 80 undergraduates a year, but they are open to most academic disciplines. This is one of the best colleges in Cambridge for Physics students, as it has lots of links to CERN. It’s centrally-located and small enough to be really sociable. There are plenty of social activities to get your teeth into at Peterhouse, including sporting groups, the Chapel Choir, academic societies, outdoor activities, and the Music Society. It may be hard to get into, but you’ll certainly never be bored once you’re in! Peterhouse is the oldest college in Cambridge, founded in 1284.

Churchill College

Churchill College, as you may have guessed, is named after British wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill. It’s one of the biggest, newest, and best colleges in Cambridge. Less formal, this probably isn’t the one if you’re hoping for an all-out traditional ‘Cambridgey’ experience. In its short history, it has produced a stunning 32 Nobel Prize winners, including nine in physics alone, and the college focuses on technology, engineering, mathematics, and sciences. If you choose Churchill you’ll be joining 485 undergraduates and 375 postgraduates, all of whom share fairly similar interests. If you’re hoping to study Computer Sciences, then this is one of the best colleges in Cambridge to do so. As a member of Churchill College, you can also take advantage of a personalised executive education program through the Møller Institute for Continuing Education. Funds from the programme, which helps business leaders from around the globe develop their skills, benefit student support at the college. Sporty students will like it here as there are some fab facilities, but Churchill’s is a bit out of the way so that’s something to bear in mind. Get your camera out to capture some of the cool sculptures here, and soak up the modern, laid-back atmosphere.

Queen's College

This centuries-old college is a favourite among students thanks to its rich history and fab central location along the River Cam. It’s also well-connected by bus routes that leave you on the doorstep of the Clinical School and West Cambridge science departments. The more musical amongst you will enjoy participating in the chapel choir. There’s also the impressive Old Library, which really is reminiscent of Hogwarts, where you can access 30,000 texts that span seven centuries. Queen’s has started a new programme which exists to help students who have experienced educational disadvantage. It’s a foundation year which serves as a bridge into Cambridge or other universities, and a great initiative for inclusion. The architecture of Queen’s is stunning, so defo worthy of an Instagram sesh, which attracts a lot of tourists, so bear that in mind. One of the oldest and largest of all the colleges, Queen’s combines medieval and modern architecture, and is surrounded by extensive and beautiful gardens. It is one of only two colleges that straddle the River Cam. Originally built in 1749, and rebuilt twice to the exact specifications, this famous bridge across the Cam on the grounds of Queens’ College looks curved, but is actually created from entirely straight timbers. Designed by William Etheridge in 1749, it showcases exceptional engineering and craftsmanship.

Emmanuel College

Another centrally-located (but off the tourist track) college, with around 500 undergraduate students, Emmanuel is always popular and one of the bigger colleges at Cambridge. Be warned though - it is super academic and there’s a seriously studious atmosphere here. This former 16th-century monastery now has its finger on the pulse with environmental issues, thanks to its college-wide Green Duck Scheme, so called because of the resident mallards on Emanuel’s two ponds. The scheme focuses on recycling and energy efficiency at the college, so if you’re especially interested in doing your bit for Mother Nature, then this may be the college for you. It’s also close to shops and social life to be convenient, and there’s an outdoor swimming pool to enjoy on that rarest of occasions, a sunny day in Blighty!

Selwyn College

This Victorian college has flourished into one of the most grown diverse, multidisciplinary homes that you could wish for when studying at Cambridge. It opens its doors every year to students from schools that don’t usually send alumni to Cambridge, and has courses in almost every subject, whether it be Engineering, Archaeology, or Music. Speaking of music, there’s a college choir that you can sign up to, or if you prefer more sporty activities there are plenty of teams to play for. International students can get a flavour of traditional English life with a spot of Sunday Tea in the common room, and you can get your ballgown out for the highlight of the year - the annual Selwyn SnowBall. Oh, and it’s not located on King’s Parade, so you can get a bit of distance between yourself and the tourists (they can be a bit distracting if you’re trying to knock out an essay at the last minute!)

Read also: Finding Accommodation in Cambridge

St Catharine’s College

St. Catharine’s College, or “Catz”, as the students have dubbed it, offers a wide range of courses in every major except architecture, education, linguistics, and art history. It has a great central location next to King’s College too, so you won’t have to work hard to get around on a day-to-day basis. It’s also a fairly small community where everyone knows everyone, and you can easily meet people and make college mates. St Catharine’s has a nice blend of old and new facilities and historic buildings, including a new addition, the McGrath Centre, which holds a lecture room, bar and common area. Great for hanging out with coursemates and exchanging ideas post-lecture. Catz is great if you’re into sports, but if you want to go punting on the regular then this might not be the one for you as it’s not located close to the river. Saint Catharine's College, nicknamed “Catz”, has been in place since 1473.

Trinity Hall

This is the fifth-oldest college at Cambridge and is home to around 650 students. It’s in a prime location in the centre and close to the River Cam, and is a beguiling mix of centuries-old buildings, and a new 30,000-volume Jerwood Library opened in 1998. Sports lovers will be happy here as there are some smashing sports facilities to get stuck into. Not to be confused with Trinity College, at Trinity Hall there are nearly 30 undergraduate courses to choose from and 260 postgrad courses.

Additional Colleges within the University of Cambridge

Here's a comprehensive list of all 31 colleges within the University of Cambridge:

Christ's College
Churchill College
Clare College
Clare Hall
Corpus Christi College
Darwin College
Downing College
Emmanuel College
Fitzwilliam College
Girton College
Gonville & Caius College
Homerton College
Hughes Hall
Jesus College
King's College
Lucy Cavendish College
Magdalene College
Murray Edwards College
Newnham College
Pembroke College
Peterhouse
Queens' College
Robinson College
St Catharine's College
St Edmund's College
St John's College
Selwyn College
Sidney Sussex College
Trinity College
Trinity Hall
Wolfson College

Social Life Considerations

If maintaining an active social life is a priority, consider centrally-located colleges. Clare’s College is known for its underground bar and weekly ‘Ents’ nights. For close-knit communities, explore Fitzwilliam, Girton, and Jesus colleges.

The Quintessential Cambridge Experience

For those seeking the traditional Cambridge experience with quaint customs and impressive architecture, King’s College is a strong contender, though highly competitive. Pembroke and Peterhouse, with its deer park, also offer a classic Cambridge atmosphere. Magdalen, with its candlelit formal dinners, further embodies this tradition.

Exploring Cambridge: Beyond the Colleges

Cambridge offers a wealth of attractions beyond its colleges. Don't miss The unusual-looking Corpus Clock, also known as the Grasshopper clock, is a large sculptural clock on the outside of the Taylor Library at Corpus Christi College. It was unveiled in 2008, funded by an old member of the college, John Taylor. The clock’s face is a 24-carat gold-plated stainless steel disc, but with no hands or numerals.

Recommendations

Bridge of Sighs: Queen Victoria was said to have loved this elegant, covered bridge more than any other spot in the city. Straddling the Cam between the Third and New Courts at St. John’s College, it dates back to 1831.
Corpus Christi College: Founded in 1352 - and the only college founded by townspeople, Corpus is most famous for its Old Court, which houses some of the oldest buildings in Cambridge, many with their original features.
King’s College Chapel: Perhaps the most famous of all the university buildings is King’s College Chapel, founded in 1441 by King Henry VI. The 12 large stained-glass windows on each side of the chapel are considered some of the finest in the world.
St John’s College: One of the colleges with the most to see, St. John’s has several Tudor courts with impressive towering entrances, and also offers the opportunity to walk across the famous Bridge of Sighs, while punts glide along the Cam below.

tags: #Cambridge #colleges #list