Cambridge University: Pembroke

What's it like as a place to live? I love living in Pembroke. Cambridge is really easy to get around and everything is very close to Pembroke − no more than 5-10 minutes cycle away at the very most.

How's the student accommodation? Overall the rooms are comfortable, but not luxurious. First years living in college have a wide range of price brackets to choose from, with the more modern rooms feeling very hotel-like, but the older rooms allowing for a more traditional feel, with high ceilings and large windows. The older rooms can be a little chilly in the winter, but heaters are available too. Cost-wise, Pembroke was recently found in a student newspaper report to be the best Cambridge college accommodation in terms of value for money.

What's the student population like? There is a mix of students from across the country, with lots of international students too. The diversity of backgrounds leaves something to be desired, still. While Pembroke isn't dominated by students previously from London public schools, the student body is overwhelmingly white and middle-class. Nevertheless, people are still really friendly, and there's always lots going on for people to get involved with.

How do students and locals get on? In the city centre, there aren't any real no-go areas. However, Cambridge is definitely student-dominated at night, with few locals to be seen, and relatively little mixing between students and locals. Even the clubs that aren't completely dominated by students will have specific 'towny' nights, where students will, unfortunately, be made to feel unwelcome by the locals.

What's it like as a place to study? The courses overall are very traditional, with few 'new' courses at undergraduate level. Further, many students are put off by the compulsory papers that many subjects will make you take (chemical engineers, for example, have to start out as physics or engineering students, and can't specialise until after first year). However, there is an opportunity to switch courses for third year papers (and graduate with a degree in 'English and Philosophy', for example), though there is no opportunity to study multiple courses side by side (with the exception of the advertised options, such as Archaeology & Anthropology, which can only be taken as a pair).

What are the teaching staff like? As can be expected, the teaching staff is full of international academic stars. However, unlike at many colleges, the teaching staff at Pembroke tend to be very interested in their students, and this creates a really healthy atmosphere where the big players in their particular fields are very willing to feed the eager minds, inside and outside of the formal teaching situations.

What are student societies like? Societies are the centre of most students lives, with so many to choose from, both within each college, and with the university as a whole. Whatever you're interested in, there will be a club for it, and the societies are always keen for new members.

What's a typical night out? A night out usually consists of dining in college (cheap and boozy, bottle of wine included) or a curry house, followed by drinks in a college bar or a city-centre bar if you're feeling rich, and then a club (probably Ballare – known to the students as 'Cindies').

And how much does it cost? Maximum of around £30, but you could do it for around 15 quid if you skimped on dinner and didn't go to a city-centre bar.

How can you get home safely? Walk in groups, or take a cab. Cambridge is pretty small, so you're looking at a 10 minute walk back to your accommodation. If that.

Is it an expensive place to live? Cambridge can be pretty pricey, if you choose to dine formally every night, and indulge in everything it has to offer. However, most people find that the loan easily covers normal living, which is impressive considering the kind of quality of food and drink you can get for that.

Average price of a pint? In the Union Society £2, college bars £2.50, pubs £3.

And the price of a takeaway? £10 with beer, £15 with a bottle of wine.

What's the part-time work situation? Part time jobs are strictly not allowed. If you're in need of the money, your college will help you out. Terms are only 8 weeks, so there's no real time to be doing part-time work on the side.

What's the best feature about the place? The atmosphere is amazing, and really varied – if you just want to get some work done, people understand, but if you're up for a big night out, there's always someone about.

And the worst? There are only 3 clubs, so unless you're happy with more or less the same night out every week, this probably isn't the best place for you!

And to sum it all up? Not at all like what you'd expect.

Ted Hughes (poet); Tom Sharpe (author); Clive James (comedian); Edmund Spenser, Thomas Gray (poets); Tim Brooke-Taylor, Peter Cook (comedians); Eric Idle (comedian and actor); Bill Oddie (conservationist and presenter); Ray Dolby (Dolby Laboratories); William Pitt (Prime Minister); Christopher Hogwood (conductor and harpsichordist); David Munroe (author); Lord (Jim) Prior (former Northern Ireland Secretary); Lord Chief Justice Taylor; Chris Smith MP.

Email JP Committee at jp@pem.cam.ac.uk