Cambridge University: Downing

What’s it like as a place to live? Cambridge in general and Downing College in particular are great places to live and work. The college buildings are beautiful, the location is fantastic for most lectures, the city is reasonably safe and there are lots of things to do around the city.

How’s the student accommodation? In general the college accommodation is of a very good standard and is much cheaper than you could find on the private market – one of the plus sides of Cambridge Uni is that most colleges (and Downing is no exception) can house almost all of its undergraduates, not just those in their first year.

What’s the student population like? Trying to define the student population is like trying to push water uphill. There is so much diversity and cross-college friendships that the whole university becomes one massive community, with almost every possible background represented.

How do students and locals get on? Cambridge does have some problems with local teenagers occasionally taking issue with members of the university but this is thankfully rare. Cambridge is a safe city, and even in the so-called ‘trouble hotspots’ it can’t be described as a no-go area. As long as people are sensible and never walk alone after dark in poorly lit areas then there should be no problems.

What’s it like as a place to study? Cambridge has an unfair reputation for being stuffy and full of tradition, that courses are archaic and teaching methods hark back to the early 1900s. In reality teaching at Cambridge is world-class and cutting edge. The unique supervision system gives Cambridge students such a head start over other Universities that we even get longer holidays! Studying at Cambridge can be challenging, but as long as you put the effort in, the rewards are fantastic.

What are the teaching staff like? Students at Cambridge are taught by the same people who publish the research papers that make Cambridge renowned the world over as a hot-bed for academic excellence. All teaching staff are world-class experts in their field and they take a real interest in how their students are progressing. As you learn more you will find that the supervisors will be discussing things with you that concerns current and cutting edge research that they are carrying out, and you will gain a fantastic insight into the future of your field.

What are student societies like? Cambridge students may work hard, but we know how to party just as hard as well. Having a busy social life is essential to remain happy at uni, and Downing College has an abundance of societies who try to take your mind of studying for a while. Downing is a keen sports college, and even those who have no interest in participating will often find themselves watching the rowing on the river with bated breath. Clubs for everything from drama to tea drinking are catered for in college, and then there are the hundreds of Uni-wide societies for more niche things.

What’s a typical night out? Cheap drinks in the student bar before hitting the town and a nightclub called Cindies (real name Ballare)

And how much does it cost? The Downing student bar has pints at around £1.80, shots at around £1.20 and bottles at around £1.50, and that doesn’t include the regular special offers. Cindies is usually about £5 to get in, and then drinks are quite cheap (but more than the student bar ... obviously!)

How can you get home safely? Downing is ridiculously close to Cindies and so it is very easy to just walk home, but if you want a taxi, and have no money, there is an emergency taxi scheme operated by the porters who will pay for your taxi for you when you arrive at college, on the proviso that you repay them at a later date.

Is it an expensive place to live? Time to bust another popular myth about Cambridge – you don’t need to be rich to survive. Cambridge is actually quite a cheap place to live, and accommodation is usually cheaper than at other universities. Your student loan, combined with an unrivalled bursary system, means no student need ever leave Cambridge due to financial concerns

Average price of a pint? £1.80 in the student bar, anything from £2.10 to £3 in pubs and clubs

And the price of a takeaway? £5.95 for a pizza, £4.60 for a Chinese, £4.40 for an Indian and all within a 30 second walk of the College’s main gates.

What’s the part-time work situation? The university discourages people from getting part-time jobs as the studying at Cambridge is considered to be a full-time commitment. However for those who are worried terms are much shorter than at other universities and so you can earn more money during the vacations. There is the opportunity to earn some spare cash by doing shifts on the college bar, or by working in the library.

What’s the best feature about the place? The beauty of the college, combined with the world-class teaching and the fantastic supervision system – also the kudos having a degree from Cambridge will give you when you are job hunting.

And the worst? Lots and lots of work at a level which is much harder than A-level means some people find it difficult to adjust at first, but perseverance is the key, as well as maintaining a healthy balance between work and socialising. You may also find you are having to explain to friends that not everyone at Cambridge is a rich snob, and most of us are perfectly normal!

And to sum it all up? Always apply, even if you think you won’t get an offer at Cambridge, it is only one space on your UCAS form, and you might just end up at one of the best universities in the world!

Sir Graham Smith (Astronomer Royal); John Cleese (comedian); F R Leavis (literary critic); Lord Goodman (lawyer, political adviser), Prof Lord John Butterfield (medical scientist, Vice-Chancellor of university); Michael Winner (film director); Mark Cox (tennis player); Michael Atherton (cricketer); Sir Peter Hall, Trevor Nunn (theatre directors); Thandie Newton (actress).

Visit www.downingjcr.co.uk, www.downingents.com.