Cambridge University - Student View

A very diverse university and, although it is pretty and old, the student stereotypes of Living Soap and Porterhouse Blues cohabit fairly successfully. Cambridge is varied enough to accommodate all types, and most will find their niche.

It's a collegiate university: your application is to an individual college and much of your student life revolves around your college - eating, most sports clubs, facilities, and a fair amount of teaching. Colleges are different, and it is worth looking at a few, but don't agonise too much over your choice. The main points to consider are whether a college admits students to study your subject; also its size, location, wealth; whether it is old or new; percentages of independent/state school students; and male/female balance (or women only).

Workload is on the heavy side, but normally manageable. Lectures are organised by the university and you can attend any lecture you want. Supervisions, arranged by your college, ensure you have grasped the principles of your subject and will be able to perform in exams.

The college also sees that the whole academic package works out OK for you through the director of studies in your subject. Despite positive moves in a number of subjects, assessment is still predominantly by exams. Combined degrees are rare, but changing course is usually relatively easy. Drop-out rate is amongst the lowest in the country.

Over 400 university-wide societies and clubs, catering for everything from martial arts to politics via drama, music, hill-walking and philosophy. Cambridge lacks a focus for big events - there is no central SU building for gigs etc.

College life is sometimes claustrophobic, but basically friendly and supportive. Cambridge town centre is picturesque and dominated by the university. It is geared entirely towards students and tourists (some students have trouble keeping the latter out of their rooms). Lively for a not over-sized town, though character changes out of term. Excellent market and good number of good pubs. Venues like the Boat Race and various jazz clubs attract good names from the small to mid-sized gigs circuit. Most tours get to either the Corn Exchange or the Junction. London is one hour by train.