Cambridge University: St John's

What's it like as a place to live? I find Cambridge to be a very pleasant place to live − everything is very close at hand and there are a good range of shops etc, although nightlife is a bit limited. John's in particular is very central and extremely beautiful. That is one of the really nice things about Cambridge − you are just surrounded by beauty everywhere you go. For someone from London it is probably a little bit provincial but in reality Cambridge has a good range of services and is generally speaking very safe (FH). Incredibly convenient, and hassle free. Everything one needs is in the city which is on our doorstop. So within John's we have the beauty, gardens, and architecture, and beyond the walls the buzz of the city – ideal! (WC).

How's the student accommodation? In John's accommodation is pretty good. Most first years live in Cripps, which is spacious but with sparse kitchen facilities and rather institutional bathroom facilities. That said, they are usually clean and do the job. Accommodation for older years tends to have more character but almost all second years have to share a 'set' of rooms in which you have to pass through one bedroom to get to another. I think price-wise it is slightly on the expensive side of average but reasonable for what you get. Overall accommodation at John's is good and crucially, you will live on site for at least three years of your course (FH). Accommodation is almost always college based unless by choice. At John's we house all students in college accommodation, with the most modern and spacious. All have access to high speed internet, and vary from the 500-year-old Courts, to group hostels. The price is also brilliant and much cheaper than other universities (WC).

What's the student population like? Like every brochure will tell you, the population is diverse. I know people from every type of background. There is an imbalance towards privately-educated students and students from the South, particularly at John's. Having said that, I don't think that makes any bearing on the friendships people form or the way people behave towards one another. The student body is friendly and mostly fairly cohesive (FH). John's has an internationally diverse population which flourishes with the help of the college finances and schemes. The communal environment of the Buttery Dining Room, Formal Dinner in the Dining Hall, and a Common Room assist in keeping the population close and supportive (WC).

How do students and locals get on? For most students there is little or no interaction with locals 'townies' as they're known to us, although there are organisations like community volunteering and various churches which make efforts to bridge the rather wide gulf (FH). No issues as far as I'm aware (WC).

What's it like as a place to study? Facilities are pretty much as good as you could wish for in terms of labs, libraries etc. Some of the lecture theatres are a bit cramped, especially for Classics and History but this is more than made up for by the excellence of the libraries and moreover the faculty itself. The supervision system is brilliant, giving you a genuinely personalised education. History (my subject) is very flexible from the very beginning. Other courses tend to be more prescriptive in the first year allowing specialisation from the second year onwards, but it does vary. Courses tend to be quite traditional on the whole, although they are traditional in structure, not in content, which is cutting-edge in most cases. There is a very fulfilling academic atmosphere and there are talks from academics on extra-curricular subjects almost every night of the week (FH). The faculties are awesome from architecture to the vast computer and library facilities. The courses vary but are all enjoyable and challenging to their students, perfect for the Cambridge mind. This certainly makes one feel ones degree has a great deal of value (WC).

What are the teaching staff like? Teaching staff are as varied as any other group of people although I do know people supervised by THE leading authority on their subject. All the supervisors I've had do care − if you see them every week for a term it's hard for you not to build up some kind of relationship. There are some more unpleasant ones but they tend to be simply to push people hard rather than be vindictive towards students. The opportunity to have 1-1 contact with them is incredible and not something you get elsewhere, apart from Oxford (FH). Academic experts in their own field who take the time to lecture, give Q &A sessions, and one to one (or small group) Supervisions to impart their expert knowledge and give guidance (WC).

What are student societies like? There are loads covering just about everything you could want to do. Most sports are college based, which is great as it means that people of really quite a low level can be involved by being on, say, the second college team rather than the 19th university team. Most people I know are involved in some kind of society to some level or another. Rowing, rugby, football, the Union (debating and social events) and music are all very popular (FH). Uni wide there are an incredibly long list of societies, for all! In John's we have funds for any society students desire, and they are easily and quickly set up. From Massages and Tea, to all political leanings and Film, there is something for everyone (WC).

What's a typical night out? Pre-drinking in someone's room until about 11, then to one of three not-particularly-good but nevertheless fun clubs until anything between 1 and 3am, then possibly more drinks somewhere. Alternatively people may begin by having a meal in hall and drinking lots of wine with it and then going to the college bar before going out. There are also college 'ents' which are parties in college, these can be a bit naff but a few are weekly fixtures attracting large crowds (FH). Clubs, cinema, plays, operas, and musical concerts take up our nights (WC).

And how much does it cost? Bottle of wine for pre-drinks £4, entry £3−£7, a drink on a student night £1.50−£4 − so you could spend less than £10 if you're disciplined, even less if you arrive early before they charge entry. £15−20 if you buy a few drinks in the club and perhaps get some chips afterwards. At an ent, entry is usually about £3 and drinks about £1.50 (FH). Some nights are free (eg some clubs before 10pm some concerts, plays etc) others typically £4 or £5 (WC).

How can you get home safely? John's is no more than 5−10 minutes walk from any of the main clubs in Cambridge down well-lit streets, usually fairly well-peopled with others returning from clubs etc. There are alleys which are a bit unsafe and there have been isolated fights, but generally it is very safe and I feel comfortable to walk back on my own, though this is not to be recommended (FH). Everything is on our doorstep so we tend to walk in groups. Otherwise there are friendly taxi services (WC).

Is it an expensive place to live? Yes and no. Accommodation and food are reasonable and the college provides generous support for books etc. I spend nothing on transport as I can walk or cycle everywhere. Nights out aren't hugely expensive. At John's sports are heavily subsidised so I spend nothing to be part of sports clubs. On the other hand, there are quite a few formal dinners, which aren't compulsory by any means, but it is very nice to go and most people do, which can be £30−£50 which is a big hit, also 'swaps' whereby groups from different colleges go out to dinner together, even to a cheap restaurant, can add up. There are a lot of people who have accommodation etc paid by parents which means you don't hear so many complaints about money, but people are by no means rolling in it. If you had only your student loan without qualifying for a bursary or parental support you would struggle but John's is extremely generous and would NEVER let someone drop out because they couldn't afford to be there. The long holidays also allow you to work then to save up a bit (FH). Not at all. But even if we were to run out of money... the college has a vast and helpful hardship fund accessible by every student as well as additional bursaries for the hard-up student and learning and research funds for books and software accessible by every student (WC).

Average price of a pint? Cheapest £1.50, usually about £2.60 in a college bar (FH).

And the price of a takeaway? Burger and chips about £5-ish? Pizza with coupons in a group about £4−£5(FH). £8−£12. There are usually student-aimed vouchers too (WC).

What's the part-time work situation? The university is not keen at all on part-time jobs. There are some available, but on the basis that you work very limited hours. I think Cambridge, as an affluent tourist town, has quite a lot of opportunities but the limiting factor is your college − I think they are more sympathetic if you are in financial difficulties (FH). We are not encouraged to find work during term time, but in vacations work is readily available. At John's we have the chance of being employed for tasks around college and can earn around £8–10 pounds an hour for administrative work (WC).

What's the best feature about the place? The brilliant people (FH). It's a bubble, a world in of itself without the usual hassle and worries. Instead we can excel in our activities and enjoy beautiful landscapes (WC).

And the worst? You feel like you live in a goldfish bowl (FH). Its false reputation and stereotype as a "toff-only" place, which makes no effort to help with access schemes. It really does, obviously and evidently, do an awful lot more than all the other universities, but is still used as a scapegoat for stuck politicians and unfairly targeted (WC).

And to sum it all up? The best place you could possibly come to university − exciting, intense, friendly, inspiring (FH). Of St John's College, A world class institution which encourages and nurtures its students in every way and supports us as much as it can. Providing the best in all fields. Of the Uni − An incredible, unparalleled, place to live and study (WC).

William Wilberforce (social reformer), Paul Dirac (physicist), William Wordsworth(poet), Derek Jacobi (actor), Rob Andrew (rugby player), Douglas Adams (author), Piers Paul Read (author and playwright), Jonathan Miller (satirist, director), Manmohan Singh (Prime Minister of India).