Cambridge University is one of the most prestigious universities in the world. Established in 1209, it has a rich history of academic excellence and has produced some of the most noteworthy scholars and thinkers. One of the unique features of Cambridge University is its college system where students live, study, and socialize in a small community within the larger university.
Cambridge University Colleges
Cambridge University has 31 colleges, each with its own distinct character and history. Here is a list of the colleges:
- Christ’s College
- Churchill College
- Clare College
- Clare Hall
- Corpus Christi College
- Darwin College
- Downing College
- Emmanuel College
- Fitzwilliam College
- Girton College
- Gonville and Caius 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
- Trinity College
- Trinity Hall
- Wolfson College
- Homerton College (Cambridge’s only university-sponsored college for teaching education)
- Westminster College (Cambridge’s only ecumenical theological college)
Cambridge College Characteristics
Each college has its own unique character and traditions. For instance, King’s College is known for its famous choir, while Trinity College is renowned for its beautiful gardens. St John’s College has the largest undergraduate population, while Peterhouse is the oldest college. Robinson College is one of the newest colleges, founded in 1977.
The college system allows for a sense of community and belonging within the larger university. Students live on college grounds, take meals together, and participate in extracurricular activities organized by the college. This system fosters a unique environment where students can form close relationships with peers and faculty.
Admissions to Cambridge Colleges
Applying to Cambridge University requires students to apply to a specific college, rather than to the university as a whole. Each college has its own admissions process and criteria. Prospective students should research each college thoroughly to determine which one best fits their interests and academic goals.
Cambridge University and its colleges have a reputation for academic excellence and intellectual rigor, with many esteemed alumni, including Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Stephen Hawking, and Emma Thompson. The college system provides a sense of community and belonging that is unique to Cambridge and contributes to the university’s academic success.
