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University Name:

Cambridge University: Selwyn

Location: Cambridge, East Anglia Show on Map

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STAFF & STUDENTS

Undergraduates:	210 men, 182 women
Postgraduates:	127 men, 78 women
Teaching staff:	Men: 49 fellows, 1 research fellows, 33 lecturers. Women: 11 fellows, 3 research fellows, 7 lecturers.

COLLEGE & ADMISSION

Founded:	1882; women undergraduates first admitted 1976
Admission:	By conditional offer (usually A*AA at A-level, or equivalent) after interview; some places offered on A-levels, school reports and interviews. Most applicants resident in the UK are invited for interview.

STUDY OPPORTUNITIES

Library and information services:

College library (45,000 books), with law and history reading rooms. Separate IT service, access 24 hours/day. 2 computer rooms, ratio 1:42 workstations to students. 450 points with access to library and internet (points in every student room for use with own PCs). IT support from 2 staff.

LIVING

Eating arrangements:	Breakfast, lunch and dinner taken in hall; informal self-service and formal dinner.
Gate and guests hours:	College gates closed 2–6 am; late keys obtainable. Undergraduates permitted to put up a guest in their own rooms.
Other college facilities:	Bar, shop, 3 rooms for private functions, drama facilities; music practice rooms; photographic darkroom; shared sports ground with King’s College. Choral evensong 3 times weekly.
Accommodation:	All students in college: most charged £870 for ten-weeks (range £560−£1180), including utilities. No first-degree students live at home.

MONEY

Term-time work:	College strongly discourages term-time work (negligible number do). University careers service helps finding vacation jobs.
Scholarships:	Organ scholarships awarded 2 years out of 3; annual choral and instrumental exhibitions; book prizes, scholarships and exhibitions awarded to those achieving outstanding performances in university examinations.
Travel grants:	Some travel grants available
Financial help:	Variety of awards and funds including Chadwick Fund, Keasbey awards.

Student view

Olivia Wilkinson, Selwyn JCR President (3rd year Theology)

Living

What’s it like as a place to live? We live in colleges – sometimes it can feel like boarding school but that’s not always a bad thing!

How’s the student accommodation? Quite expensive but there are a range of options so if you’re feeling broke you can get a grottier room for less. The best rooms are ensuite and really new but leave a hole in your bank account.

What’s the student population like? There’s quite a few international students, an equal mix of state and private school pupils (contrary to popular belief) and a cosy atmosphere.

How do students and locals get on? Townies vs gownies lives on. There’s not much mixing at all but the locals are welcoming and pleasant so there are very few no-go areas, if any at all.

Studying

What’s it like as a place to study? The courses are quite traditional but there are lots of people around who will help you get the most out of your course and therefore it’s quite flexible too.

What are the teaching staff like? We certainly have the academic stars and the eccentrics but if you’re not suited to someone it’s quite easy to change.

Socialising

What are student societies like? Every possible society exists – there’s a societies fair at the beginning of first term to introduce people and most people are a member of at least one.

What’s a typical night out? Cindies! Cheesey music and drunk toffs.

And how much does it cost? Entrance £3−£4; drinks cheapest about £1.50.

How can you get home safely? Taxis but everyone lives so close that walking home with just one other person is perfectly safe.

Money

Is it an expensive place to live? People have money here so lots of students aren’t skint – it’s quite expensive if daddy isn’t funding you.

Average price of a pint? £2++.

And the price of a takeaway? Kebab £2.50.

What’s the part-time work situation? We are not allowed to work during term time.

Summary

What’s the best feature about the place? You know you’re at the best possible place and it spurs you on to do your best.

And the worst? The pressure to constantly do your best.

And to sum it all up? Hard work but the most enjoyable and stimulating hard work you’re ever likely to do.

Past students

Malcolm Muggeridge (journalist and broadcaster); Lord Rayner (managing director of Marks & Spencer); Simon Hughes MP, John Selwyn Gummer (politicians); Huw Davies (broadcaster); Clive Anderson, Hugh Laurie (comedians).