Cambridge University: Jesus

Friendly, medium-sized college just off the tourist track (an advantage in summer). Only 3 minutes’ walk to city centre with full range of shopping facilities. College is one of the few in Cambridge that has all its sports grounds and facilities on site, giving an atmosphere of openness as well as producing a strong sporting tradition; participation is possible at all levels, including very active women’s teams. Rowers head of the river and football team cup champions. Significant number of international students but few mature. Students are well-integrated, from all social backgrounds and very active in university activities. Flourishing college music society and drama. College rooms tend to be warm and well-furnished. All students housed − first years in college, most 2nd and 3rd years in college houses (literally opposite). Students can have paintings in their room for a year from the college art collection. Food is quite good and formal hall (3-course, waitress-served meal to which gowns must be worn) is cheap, high quality and served 5 nights a week. Lively and popular student bar, full-sized snooker table, reading room and TV room. New library and computing centre. Jesus positively encourages applications from the state sector, and across the board in terms of subjects; no strict quotas in operation. Usually somewhere in the middle of the Cambridge academic league tables. Most Fellows approachable and willing to listen to students and their problems.

Housing: All students housed; rents average for Cambridge. Eats: Meals in college good value. Pizza Express in same street, cheap burger bars nearby. Drink: Last orders late (11.30 pm) in student bar; good brands. Good cocktails at the Maypole. Nightlife: Balare, Fez Club, Twenty Two are good student clubs. Locals: Generally friendly. Sports: Sport free on college site. Travel: Travel scholarships available. Financial help: Very generous system of college grants and loans. Best features: Friendliness. And worst: Difficulty in getting permission for parties or entertainments.

Alastair Cooke (journalist), John Biffen MP,  Jacob Bronowski (scientist, writer and broadcaster), Raymond Williams (writer, cultural commentator), Sir Sam Brittan (ecomonic commentator), S T Coleridge (poet), Archbishop Cranmer, Laurence Sterne (author), Thomas Malthus (economist), Prince Edward, Nick Hornby (author).

Enquiries to JCSU President, tel 01223 339339 (messages), email jcsu-president@jesus.cam.ac.uk.