How the Cambridge College System Works

The Cambridge college system is one of the university’s most distinctive features, but it can also make the application process seem more complicated than it really is.

Do you apply to a college or to the university? Does your college teach your entire degree? Are some colleges easier to enter? What happens if another college offers you a place?

The simplest way to understand Cambridge is to remember that every undergraduate belongs to two connected communities:

• the University of Cambridge

• an individual Cambridge college

Your faculty or department organises much of your course, while your college provides accommodation, academic support, pastoral support and a smaller student community.

Cambridge has 31 colleges in total, 29 of which accept undergraduate applications. Every Cambridge undergraduate belongs to one of these colleges.

This guide explains how the Cambridge college system works, what colleges do and how to choose one without becoming lost in statistics, architecture and centuries of slightly baffling terminology.

Before deciding whether this type of university experience would suit you, read whether Oxbridge is right for you.

The Cambridge College System at a Glance

Responsibility	College	Faculty, department or University
Student accommodation	✓
Dining facilities	✓
College library	✓
Common rooms and social spaces	✓
Personal and pastoral support	✓
Director of Studies	✓
Tutor	✓
Organising supervisions	Usually	Sometimes
Lectures and seminars		✓
Laboratories and practical classes		✓
Overall course structure		✓
University examinations		✓
Specialist academic facilities		✓
University-wide clubs and societies		✓
Awarding the Cambridge degree		✓

The precise balance varies between courses. A science student may spend much of the day in laboratories and departmental teaching, while a humanities student may divide their time between lectures, libraries, independent study and college supervisions.

Whatever you study, your college is only one part of your Cambridge experience.

What Is a Cambridge College?

A Cambridge college is a smaller academic and residential community within the wider University of Cambridge.

Colleges have their own:

• students

• academic staff

• accommodation

• dining facilities

• libraries

• common rooms

• welfare teams

• clubs and societies

• traditions

• governing bodies

They differ in age, architecture, size, location and atmosphere. Some occupy famous historic buildings in the city centre, while others have larger, quieter or more modern sites further out.

However, colleges are not separate universities.

Students at different colleges who are studying the same subject follow the same Cambridge course and attend the same University lectures, seminars and practical classes. Your college does not provide a different version of the degree.

This means that a History student at King’s and a History student at Girton are both studying for a University of Cambridge degree.

Students deciding between the two collegiate universities should also read Oxford vs Cambridge: Which Should You Choose?.

What Is the Difference Between a College and a Department?

Your college and academic department perform different but connected roles.

Your faculty or department organises your course

Your faculty or department is responsible for much of the academic structure of your degree.

It may organise:

• lectures

• seminars

• laboratory sessions

• practical classes

• specialist teaching

• course materials

• academic facilities

• examinations

• assessment regulations

• departmental libraries

Your department is where you will meet students studying your subject from across the Cambridge colleges.

Your college supports your academic and personal life

Your college normally provides:

• accommodation

• meals

• a college library

• social facilities

• financial and welfare support

• a Director of Studies

• a personal Tutor

• supervision arrangements

• clubs, societies and sports teams

• a smaller student community

Cambridge colleges also play an important role in undergraduate admissions. They assess applicants, conduct interviews and make offers. Some college-level entry requirements or admissions arrangements can differ, so applicants should check the details for both their course and shortlisted colleges.

This structure gives you access to the resources of a major university while still belonging to a smaller community where people are more likely to know you personally.

Does Your College Teach Your Whole Degree?

No.

Your college will usually organise your supervisions, but you may be taught by academics from:

• your own college

• another Cambridge college

• your faculty or department

• a specialist research centre

A college cannot employ a specialist in every topic covered by every undergraduate course. When necessary, it will arrange for you to be supervised by an appropriate academic elsewhere in the University.

Lectures, seminars and practical classes are normally organised centrally through your faculty or department. Students studying the same course attend these sessions together regardless of which college they belong to.

Choosing a college therefore does not restrict you to the research interests of a handful of academics.

Your course should always come before your college preference. Use How to Choose the Right Degree Course to compare compulsory papers, optional topics and assessment methods before investigating individual colleges.

How Do Cambridge Supervisions Work?

Supervisions are one of the best-known features of undergraduate teaching at Cambridge.

A supervision is a small academic teaching session involving:

• a supervisor

• usually one to three students

• work prepared in advance

• detailed discussion and feedback

A supervision normally lasts for around an hour. How frequently you have them depends on your course and the particular papers you are studying.

Before a supervision, you might be asked to:

• write an essay

• complete a problem sheet

• analyse evidence

• prepare a translation

• read academic material

• work through calculations

• prepare a presentation

• review laboratory work

During the supervision, your supervisor may:

• question your reasoning

• discuss your written work

• identify weaknesses in an argument

• correct misunderstandings

• introduce another interpretation

• ask you to solve an unfamiliar problem

• suggest ways to improve your approach

Supervisions are designed to deepen your understanding rather than simply repeat information from lectures. They give you regular opportunities to test your ideas, receive direct feedback and ask questions.

Are supervisions always held in your college?

No.

Your college will usually arrange your supervisions, but the person with the most relevant expertise may work elsewhere.

You could therefore have some supervisions:

• in your own college

• at another college

• in an academic department

• online, where appropriate

Travelling to another college for teaching is a normal part of Cambridge life.

Are supervisions the same as Oxford tutorials?

They are very similar.

Oxford uses the term tutorial, while Cambridge uses supervision. Both involve intensive small-group teaching, independent preparation and direct academic discussion.

There may be differences in how individual courses and colleges organise them, but neither format is universally easier or better.

Read Is Oxbridge Right for You? to consider whether this type of learning would suit you.

What Is a Director of Studies?

Your college assigns you a Director of Studies, commonly shortened to DoS.

Your Director of Studies is an academic who oversees your progress within your subject. They are normally an expert in your area and are often, although not always, based at your college.

Your Director of Studies may:

• help organise your supervisions

• discuss your academic progress

• advise you about paper or module choices

• explain course expectations

• help resolve academic difficulties

• communicate with supervisors

• direct you towards additional support

• write academic references

They may supervise you personally, but they do not necessarily teach every part of your course.

Your Director of Studies gives you a subject-specific point of contact within your college, while your faculty or department manages the broader course.

What Is a Cambridge Tutor?

Your college will also assign you a Tutor.

Despite the name, your Tutor is not primarily there to teach your academic subject. They provide personal and pastoral support.

Your Tutor may help with:

• settling into university

• health or wellbeing difficulties

• financial concerns

• personal circumstances affecting your studies

• accessing college or University support

• administrative issues

• accommodation problems

• discussing interruptions to study

Your Director of Studies focuses mainly on your academic progress, while your Tutor supports your wider wellbeing and circumstances. Cambridge colleges assign students both roles as part of their academic and personal support structure.

You may not need frequent support from your Tutor, but knowing that a specific person is responsible for looking out for you can make a large university feel more manageable.

Do You Live in Your Cambridge College?

Most Cambridge undergraduates live in accommodation owned by their college.

This accommodation may be:

• on the main college site

• in a nearby residential building

• in a college-owned house

• on another college accommodation site elsewhere in Cambridge

Students should not assume that choosing a famous historic college guarantees a room overlooking its best-known courtyard. First-year and later-year accommodation may be spread across several locations.

Cambridge states that college accommodation is guaranteed for three or four years for individual undergraduate students without children. Contracts are typically shorter than private rental agreements, generally lasting around 27 to 39 weeks rather than a full year.

You do not usually need to apply separately for first-year accommodation after receiving an offer. Your college will explain its room-allocation process.

Why does college accommodation matter?

Your accommodation may affect:

• your rent

• your journey to lectures

• access to kitchens

• catering arrangements

• your friendship group

• whether you need to move out during vacations

• how close you live to college facilities

• how long you can remain in college accommodation

Before choosing a college, compare:

• how many years of accommodation are guaranteed

• where rooms are located

• room prices

• contract lengths

• bathroom arrangements

• kitchen access

• catering requirements

• vacation storage

• accessibility

• distance from your department

Our guide to university accommodation covers the wider questions students should ask about rooms, costs and contracts.

Do Cambridge Students Ever Live Privately?

Some students do live outside college-owned accommodation, although college housing is a central part of the Cambridge undergraduate experience.

A student might rent privately because:

• they want to live with a particular group of friends

• they are living with a partner or family

• they have specific accommodation requirements

• they prefer greater independence

• college accommodation does not suit their circumstances

Students who live outside their college remain full college members and can continue using college academic, welfare and social facilities.

Private renting can provide flexibility, but it may involve:

• a longer contract

• utility bills

• deposits

• dealings with a landlord or letting agent

• travel costs

• responsibility for household administration

Compare the full cost rather than assuming that private accommodation will automatically be cheaper. Read Halls vs Private Accommodation and Student Accommodation Contracts Explained before signing anything.

What Facilities Do Cambridge Colleges Provide?

Facilities vary, but undergraduate colleges normally provide core services such as:

• a dining hall or cafeteria

• a library

• study spaces

• common rooms

• accommodation

• social facilities

Other facilities may include:

• cafés or bars

• gyms

• sports grounds

• boathouses

• music rooms

• theatres or performance spaces

• chapels

• gardens

• computer rooms

• laundries

• bicycle storage

• student kitchens

Most colleges offer broadly similar essential facilities, accommodation and support, but

individual buildings, opening hours and arrangements differ.

Think about which facilities you would genuinely use.

A college with enormous sports grounds may be perfect for one student and largely irrelevant to another. A 24-hour library, reliable kitchen access or accessible accommodation may have a much greater effect on your daily life than a particularly photogenic courtyard.

What Is College Food Like?

Most colleges have a dining hall or cafeteria where students can buy meals.

Depending on the college, this might include:

• breakfast

• lunch

• dinner

• informal cafeteria meals

• formal dinners

• vegetarian and vegan options

• meals for particular dietary requirements

Some colleges provide extensive self-catering facilities, while others expect students to use college catering more regularly.

Before applying, ask:

• Are kitchens available in first-year accommodation?

• Is there a minimum meal charge?

• How much do meals cost?

• How well are dietary requirements supported?

• Are meals available during weekends and vacations?

• Can students choose between catered and self-catered living?

Do not assume that every Cambridge college has the same arrangements.

Food charges can form a noticeable part of the cost of living at university, particularly when a college requires students to pay a fixed catering charge.

How Much Does Cambridge College Accommodation Cost?

Accommodation prices vary both between colleges and between rooms at the same college.

A college may offer several room categories based on factors such as:

• room size

• location

• bathroom facilities

• age of the building

• kitchen access

• length of contract

One advantage of college accommodation is that students often do not need to pay rent for 12 months. Cambridge’s undergraduate accommodation contracts typically range from around 27 to 39 weeks, although individual college arrangements differ.

When comparing costs, investigate:

• weekly rent

• contract length

• utilities

• internet

• insurance

• catering charges

• laundry costs

• deposits

• vacation storage

• charges for remaining during holidays

A room with a higher weekly rent but a shorter contract may cost less overall than an apparently cheaper private room with a full-year tenancy.

Our guides to Budgeting for Students and Hidden Costs of University can help you calculate the real total.

What Academic Support Does a Cambridge College Provide?

Your college provides a local network of academic support around your course.

This can include:

• your Director of Studies

• supervisors

• college teaching staff

• librarians

• study-skills support

• academic progress meetings

• subject societies

• mentoring or peer support

Supervisors provide direct guidance on the material you are studying, while your Director of Studies monitors your broader academic progress.

The college can help identify difficulties and connect you with the appropriate support. However, Cambridge students are still expected to take substantial responsibility for their own work.

Students preparing for the transition should read Study Skills for University and Time Management at University.

What Pastoral and Wellbeing Support Does a College Provide?

Colleges provide personal support alongside services offered by the wider University.

Depending on the college, this may include:

• Tutors

• welfare officers

• college nurses

• counsellors

• chaplains

• disability contacts

• peer supporters

• harassment and misconduct advisers

• financial support staff

• senior Tutors

Applicants with particular needs should investigate the support at individual colleges rather than assuming every arrangement is identical.

Useful questions include:

• Who should a student contact when struggling?

• Is support available outside normal office hours?

• How are disability adjustments arranged?

• Is accessible accommodation guaranteed?

• What happens if illness affects academic work?

• What financial hardship support is available?

• How does the college support students returning after an interruption?

Needing support does not mean you are less suited to Cambridge. Knowing what you require and asking early can make the transition much easier.

Read Looking After Your Mental Health at University for guidance on recognising difficulties and accessing support.

What Is Cambridge College Social Life Like?

Your college provides an immediate social community within the wider University.

College activities may include:

• formal dinners

• parties

• film nights

• quizzes

• student performances

• music

• talks

• sports teams

• subject societies

• cultural events

• welfare activities

• charity fundraising

• student campaigns

Colleges contain students from a mixture of subjects and year groups, so you are not surrounded only by people studying the same degree.

You will also meet students outside your college through:

• lectures

• practical classes

• laboratories

• University societies

• sports

• volunteering

• student media

• friends at other colleges

Your college provides a starting community, not a restriction on your social life.

Students concerned about arriving without an established friendship group may find Making Friends at University reassuring.

You can also explore how extracurricular activities work in Joining Societies.

What Is a JCR?

At Cambridge, JCR commonly means Junior Combination Room.

It can refer to:

1. the undergraduate student body within a college

2. the elected student committee representing undergraduates

3. the physical common room used by students

The exact terminology and structure can vary between colleges.

A JCR committee may be involved in:

• representing student views

• organising social events

• welfare campaigns

• equality and diversity work

• communicating with college authorities

• managing student facilities

• supporting clubs and societies

You may also hear MCR, which generally relates to postgraduate students, although individual colleges may use different names.

You do not need to learn every Cambridge abbreviation before applying. The mysterious language becomes remarkably ordinary after about a fortnight.

Our guide to Freshers’ Week Explained covers more of the terms and activities students encounter when starting university.

Are All Cambridge Colleges the Same?

No, but their essential functions are similar.

The 29 undergraduate colleges all form part of the same University and provide a combination of accommodation, facilities, academic support and community life.

The main differences include:

• size

• location

• architecture

• accommodation

• facilities

• catering

• costs

• traditions

• accessibility

• the number of students studying each subject

• the age profile of students

• admissions arrangements for certain courses

• the general atmosphere

These differences can affect your everyday experience, but they do not create different versions of a Cambridge degree.

Students sometimes spend more time comparing dining halls than comparing course structures. That is, lovingly, the wrong way round.

Do Cambridge Colleges Specialise in Particular Subjects?

Cambridge colleges contain students from a mixture of courses rather than specialising in one academic area.

However, not every college accepts applications for every course. You must check which colleges offer the subject you want to study before creating a shortlist.

Some colleges may:

• admit more students for a particular course

• have several Fellows working in related fields

• possess specialist resources

• have a strong subject society

• use particular interview arrangements

This does not make one college universally “best” for a subject.

Students from different colleges attend the same University teaching, and colleges can arrange supervisions with specialists elsewhere.

Begin by checking required subjects for university courses and the official Cambridge course page. College comparisons should come afterwards.

Do You Have to Choose a Cambridge College?

No.

When applying through UCAS, you can either:

• select one Cambridge college

• make an open application

You cannot apply to several Cambridge colleges simultaneously.

When you choose a college, that college normally assesses your initial application. If you make an open application, Cambridge allocates your application to a college after the application deadline.

Choosing a college expresses where you would prefer your application to begin. It does not guarantee that any eventual offer will come from that college.

What Is a Cambridge Open Application?

An open application means that you apply to Cambridge without selecting a preferred college.

On the UCAS application, the campus code for a Cambridge open application is 9. Cambridge then allocates the application to a college.

After the application deadline, open applications are allocated to colleges that have received fewer applications per available place for the relevant course. The allocation process is intended to create a more even distribution of applicants.

An open application may suit you if:

• you genuinely have no college preference

• several colleges appeal equally

• location and accommodation differences do not concern you

• you are comfortable being assigned to any eligible college

It may not be the best choice if:

• you have important accessibility needs

• you prefer a particular interview format

• accommodation arrangements matter strongly

• you want a women-only college

• you are applying to a mature college

• a particular college’s course requirements suit you better

• there are colleges you would not be happy to attend

Cambridge recommends choosing a college rather than making an open application when a particular college is a strong fit for your needs or preferences. Once you have chosen or been allocated a college, you cannot request a transfer to another during the application process.

Does Making an Open Application Improve Your Chances?

You should not make an open application because you believe it creates an admissions advantage.

The open-application process redistributes applications, but the same academic selection principles still apply.

Cambridge’s admissions policy aims to ensure that, as far as possible, an applicant’s chance of admission does not depend on their choice of college. The pooling system allows other colleges to consider strong applicants when the original college does not have space.

Make an open application because you genuinely do not mind where you are allocated, not as a tactical shortcut.

Does Choosing a Cambridge College Affect Your Chance of Admission?

Cambridge’s admissions process is designed to reduce the effect of college choice, although colleges are directly involved in selecting applicants.

The University’s admissions policy states that an applicant’s chance of admission should, as far as possible, not depend on college choice.

This is supported by the pooling system, through which colleges can review applicants originally assessed elsewhere.

However, applicants should still examine college-specific details because colleges may differ in areas such as:

• some entry requirements

• interview format

• submitted-work requirements

• college admissions assessments

• policies concerning particular qualifications

• consideration of exams taken across different sittings

Cambridge advises applicants to check the course page and individual college information carefully.

Why college acceptance rates can mislead you

Choosing a college according to one year’s acceptance rate is rarely a sensible strategy because:

• applicant numbers change

• available places vary by course

• the academic strength of applicants is unknown

• applicants may be pooled

• some students receive offers from another college

• small cohorts can produce dramatic percentage changes

A college that appeared less competitive last year may attract many more applicants this year.

Choose according to academic requirements and personal fit, not an imagined back door into Cambridge.

What Is the Cambridge Winter Pool?

The Winter Pool is a process that allows Cambridge colleges to consider strong applicants who were not offered a place by the college that initially assessed them.

If your original college believes your application is strong but cannot offer you a place, it may place your application in the pool.

Other colleges can then review it and may:

• make you an offer directly

• invite you to another interview

• return the application to the original college for further consideration

The purpose is to help ensure that strong applicants can receive offers regardless of the college to which they originally applied or were allocated.

Being pooled is not a rejection. It means your application is being considered more widely across the University.

Can Another Cambridge College Offer You a Place?

Yes.

You may:

1. apply to one college

2. be interviewed by that college

3. enter the Winter Pool

4. receive an offer from another college

Cambridge confirms that successful applicants may be offered a place by a college they did not originally select. Offer holders can take time to consider the alternative college and may be able to visit or contact it before responding.

Before applying, ask yourself:

Would I be happy to study at Cambridge if a different college offered me a place?

When the answer is no, think carefully about whether Cambridge as a whole is the right choice.

Your course and University should matter more than securing one particular courtyard.

How Should You Choose a Cambridge College?

Start by identifying which colleges accept applications for your course.

Cambridge suggests creating an initial shortlist of around three to five colleges and comparing the factors that genuinely matter to you.

1. Check the admissions details

Compare:

• subject requirements

• typical offers

• any higher college-specific conditions

• submitted work

• college admissions assessments

• interview format

• policies relating to your qualifications

Do not assume the process is identical in every detail at every college.

Use Understanding University Entry Requirements to distinguish between minimum requirements, typical offers and competitive applicant profiles.

2. Compare the location

Consider the distance from:

• your faculty or department

• laboratories

• libraries

• the city centre

• shops

• sports facilities

• the railway station

• green spaces

All 29 undergraduate colleges are within approximately three miles of central Cambridge and a relatively short distance from most academic departments, but cycling or walking times still differ.

A central college may be convenient, but it can also attract more visitors and noise. A college further out may offer larger grounds, quieter accommodation or stronger on-site facilities.

3. Compare accommodation

Check:

• how many years are guaranteed

• room locations

• prices

• contract lengths

• kitchens

• catering arrangements

• bathroom facilities

• accessibility

• vacation rules

Remember that not all accommodation will be on the college’s famous main site.

4. Consider college size

A smaller college may offer a close-knit atmosphere where students quickly recognise one another.

A larger college may provide:

• a broader student community

• more facilities

• more societies

• larger year groups

• more students studying your subject

Neither is automatically better.

5. Investigate facilities

Think about what you will actually use:

• library hours

• study spaces

• sports facilities

• gyms

• music rooms

• kitchens

• gardens

• bicycle storage

• social spaces

Do not award fifty imaginary points for a boathouse when you hate boats.

6. Compare costs

Investigate:

• accommodation prices

• catering charges

• deposits

• laundry

• storage

• college grants

• hardship funding

• travel support

• book grants

A college’s financial support can be just as relevant as the headline rent.

7. Check accessibility

Applicants with particular needs should ask about:

• step-free routes

• accessible bedrooms

• accessible bathrooms

• lifts

• hearing support

• distances between sites

• access to dining and library facilities

• arrangements for personal assistance

Historic buildings can present challenges, but facilities and adaptations vary significantly.

8. Think about atmosphere carefully

College atmosphere is difficult to judge objectively.

Applicants frequently describe colleges as:

• lively

• quiet

• traditional

• informal

• political

• sporty

• musical

• academic

• friendly

Treat these labels cautiously. College communities change each year, and two students can experience the same place very differently.

Use open days and student conversations to test broad impressions.

Should You Choose the Most Famous Cambridge College?

Not necessarily.

Some colleges are especially well known because of:

• historic buildings

• tourist interest

• famous former students

• television appearances

• architecture

• traditions

• their location beside the River Cam

Fame does not mean that the college:

• teaches a better degree

• has better accommodation

• will suit your personality

• is closer to your department

• provides the facilities you need

• improves your career prospects

A less famous college may offer:

• lower accommodation costs

• more modern bedrooms

• better kitchen access

• larger grounds

• a quieter environment

• stronger accessibility

• a location that suits your course

• a community size you prefer

Choose the place where ordinary student life appears to suit you, not the college that looks most dramatic on a postcard.

Should You Visit Cambridge Colleges Before Applying?

Visiting can be extremely useful, but it is not essential.

During a college visit, try to see more than the main court.

Look at:

• student bedrooms

• the library

• dining facilities

• social spaces

• bicycle storage

• accessible routes

• accommodation outside the main site

• the journey to your department

Ask current students:

• Where do first-year students live?

• What are the kitchens like?

• How are rooms allocated?

• What does accommodation cost?

• How active is the JCR?

• What support is available?

• How often do students eat in college?

• What is inconvenient about living here?

• How far is the department in reality?

The final question is useful because “only ten minutes away” has been responsible for some heroic acts of cycling.

Read How to Get the Most from an Open Day and prepare using Questions to Ask at an Open Day.

When travelling is difficult, use college websites, virtual tours and online events. Our guide to Virtual Open Days: Are They Worth It? explains how to make online research more useful.

Are Any Cambridge Colleges Women-Only?

Yes.

Two Cambridge undergraduate colleges currently accept applications from women only:

• Murray Edwards College

• Newnham College

Applicants should check the colleges’ current eligibility policies and guidance when deciding whether either is suitable.

These are full Cambridge colleges whose students study the same University courses and attend teaching alongside students from other colleges.

College membership does not limit your academic or social contact to students of one gender.

Which Cambridge Colleges Are for Mature Students?

All Cambridge colleges can accept applications from mature students.

However, three colleges are exclusively for students who will be aged 21 or over when beginning their course:

• Hughes Hall

• St Edmund’s

• Wolfson

These colleges are specifically organised around mature undergraduate and postgraduate communities.

A mature college may appeal if you prefer:

• living with students closer to your age

• a community containing many postgraduate students

• facilities and support designed around mature learners

• fewer assumptions about a traditional school-to-university route

Mature applicants are not required to choose one of these three colleges. They can apply to any college that accepts their course and for which they meet the eligibility requirements.

Read Applying to University as a Mature Student before deciding.

Can You Change Cambridge College?

During the application process, you cannot request a transfer after you have selected or been allocated a college.

Once enrolled, changing college is also not a normal way to resolve dissatisfaction with accommodation or college life. It would generally involve exceptional circumstances and formal processes.

You should therefore research your options carefully.

However, remember that:

• most colleges offer broadly similar core support

• you may be offered a place by another college through pooling

• your course takes place across the wider University

• your friendships and activities will extend beyond your college

You do not need to identify a mythical perfect college. You need to choose one you would be happy to join while remaining open to another Cambridge college making the eventual offer.

Does Your Cambridge College Affect Your Degree?

Your college affects aspects of your experience, including:

• accommodation

• supervision arrangements

• welfare support

• social life

• college facilities

• local traditions

It does not create a separate academic qualification.

Students on the same course attend the same University lectures, seminars and practicals regardless of college membership.

Employers do not receive a fundamentally different Cambridge qualification because one student attended Trinity and another attended Homerton.

The college may be an important part of your memories and identity, but the University of Cambridge awards the degree.

Common Myths About Cambridge Colleges

“Each college is a separate university.”

No. The colleges form part of the University of Cambridge’s collegiate structure.

“Some colleges offer easier Cambridge degrees.”

No. Students on the same course follow the same University course and attend the same central teaching.

“You should apply to the college with the highest acceptance rate.”

College statistics do not reveal the quality of the applicant group and are affected by pooling. Last year’s figures are not a reliable admissions strategy.

“An open application improves your chances.”

An open application redistributes your application but does not lower the academic standard required.

“Your college teaches every part of your course.”

No. You may be supervised by specialists from other colleges or departments.

“You cannot make friends outside your college.”

Students meet through courses, societies, sport, volunteering and University-wide activities.

“The oldest college must be the best.”

Age tells you very little about accommodation, costs, accessibility or whether the community will suit you.

“Choosing a distant college means hours of commuting.”

Cambridge is compact. All undergraduate colleges are within approximately three miles of the centre, although travel times to individual departments still vary.

“Being pooled means your application has failed.”

No. Pooling allows other colleges to consider your application and can lead to an offer elsewhere.

Cambridge College Comparison Checklist

Before selecting a college, compare the following.

Course and admissions

• Does the college accept applications for your course?

• Are there college-specific subject requirements?

• Is submitted work required?

• Is there a college admissions assessment?

• Are interviews online or in person?

• Does the college have policies relevant to your qualifications?

Accommodation

• How many years are guaranteed?

• Where do first-year students live?

• What does each room category cost?

• Are kitchens available?

• What are the contract lengths?

• Can students remain during vacations?

• Is accessible accommodation available?

Location

• How far is the college from your department?

• Is it close to libraries and shops?

• Would you prefer a central or quieter location?

• Are you comfortable cycling?

Facilities

• What are the library opening hours?

• Are there suitable study spaces?

• What sports or music facilities are available?

• Is there secure bicycle storage?

• Are the facilities accessible?

Food

• Is catering compulsory?

• Are kitchens available?

• How much do meals cost?

• Are dietary requirements well supported?

Community

• How large is the undergraduate population?

• How many students study your subject?

• Does the social atmosphere appeal to you?

• What activities does the JCR organise?

Finances

• What is the total accommodation cost?

• Are there fixed catering charges?

• What grants or hardship funds are available?

• Are book and travel grants offered?

Personal fit

• Can the college meet your support needs?

• Would you feel comfortable living there?

• Would you accept an offer from another Cambridge college?

The last question is important because the pooling system means that your eventual offer may not come from your original choice.

Final Verdict: How Does the Cambridge College System Work?

The Cambridge college system gives every undergraduate a smaller academic and social home within the wider University.

Your faculty or department organises much of your course, including lectures, practical classes and overall assessment. Your college provides accommodation, supervision arrangements, personal support, facilities and a local community.

The key points to remember are:

1. Cambridge has 31 colleges, 29 of which accept undergraduate applications.

2. Every undergraduate belongs to a college and the wider University.

3. Students at different colleges follow the same Cambridge course.

4. Colleges normally arrange small-group supervisions.

5. Your Director of Studies oversees your academic progress.

6. Your Tutor provides personal and pastoral support.

7. College accommodation is usually available throughout an undergraduate degree.

8. Not every college accepts every course.

9. You can select one college or make an open application.

10. Open applications are allocated after the application deadline.

11. The Winter Pool allows other colleges to consider strong applicants.

12. You may receive an offer from a college you did not choose.

13. College choice should be based on fit, not acceptance-rate tactics.

14. Your degree is a University of Cambridge qualification.

Your college can influence where you live, who supports you and how your daily life feels. It does not determine whether your Cambridge degree is more or less valuable.

Choose according to practical factors that matter to you, then remain open-minded. Many students become fiercely loyal to a college they had barely heard of before receiving their offer.

Cambridge College System FAQs

How many Cambridge colleges accept undergraduate applications?

Cambridge has 31 colleges in total, and 29 accept undergraduate applications.

Do all Cambridge colleges offer every course?

No. You must check which colleges accept applications for your chosen course before selecting one.

Can I apply to more than one Cambridge college?

No. You can choose one college or submit an open application.

What happens with a Cambridge open application?

Cambridge allocates your application to a college after the application deadline. The allocation aims to balance the number of applications per place for your course.

Does an open application reduce my chances?

An open application is not intended to advantage or disadvantage you. Cambridge’s admissions system aims to prevent college choice from determining an applicant’s chance of admission.

Can Cambridge move my application to another college?

Your application may be considered by other colleges through the pooling system. You may receive an offer from a college you did not initially choose.

Are supervisions always in your college?

No. Your college normally arranges them, but your supervisor may work at another college or department.

Is accommodation guaranteed?

Cambridge states that college accommodation is guaranteed for three or four years for individual undergraduate students without children. Specific arrangements vary by college.

Do Cambridge colleges have different entry requirements?

Some requirements and admissions arrangements can vary by college, including particular subject conditions, assessments, submitted work or interview format. Always check the current course and college pages.

Which Cambridge colleges are women-only?

Murray Edwards and Newnham currently accept applications from women only.

Which Cambridge colleges are for mature students?

Hughes Hall, St Edmund’s and Wolfson are exclusively for students aged 21 or over. Mature students may also apply to other eligible colleges.

Which is the best Cambridge college?

There is no single best college. The strongest choice depends on your course, accommodation preferences, budget, location, accessibility requirements and preferred community.

Should college choice determine whether I apply to Cambridge?

No. The course, teaching style and wider University should matter more than one college.