University of Cambridge

I had a fantastic three years at Cambridge and couldn't recommend it enough. There is a focus on small group teaching and weekly one-to-one supervisions as well, which is a great opportunity. There's something for everyone outside academia too. I think the attitude to pastoral care and mental health could have been better as it was essentially "sink or swim", but that was 6 years ago so things have probably improved.

I would absolutely recommend Cambridge. The quality of supervisions / lectures was outstanding for my course. The student living environment was also great - the college system made it very easy to build a community and make friends. The university provided everything needed for a productive work environment. The only thing is that the work is often very stressful and intense (with 8 week terms).

When I heard I had been accepted to study for a higher degree, in Physiology, at Cambridge University I was stunned. As a teacher these days I say to my students that someone has to study there, so it might as well be you! Not many people from my background get the opportunity, so I was determined not to waste it. It is like stepping into another world of unbelievable academic freedom. I had my own laboratory space for my research and famous scientists would visit and discuss their research. During my time at Cambridge, I had the chance to present my research finding at the Physiological Society in London and published my results in scientific journals. These are amazing opportunities and paved the way for my future career in the pharmaceutical industry and teaching. Cambridge University is located within the city of Cambridge and consists of different colleges, all with their own character. I chose Newnham College, mainly because the Graduate accommodation was excellent and the level of tutorial support was good. Newnham is a women only college and has the most beautiful gardens to wake up to and walk through each morning. Of course I would recommend Newnham College and Cambridge University for graduate or undergraduate studies!

I really enjoyed my time at Cambridge, I grew a lot as a person and came away feeling prepared to enter postgraduate research. There are lots of extracurricular options and you're surrounded by people who are like-minded and driven. The academic side does require a large amount of self-sufficiency and drive. You have the flexibility to guide your learning towards whatever interests you. You're also being taught by the experts in your field which is awesome but it means that they haven't necessarily been trained in best teaching techniques so it's your responsibility to make the most of what they are offering you. For me, that system really worked and I learned a lot but if you're the kind of person who wants a more guided approach the tutorial system may not be for you, as you're expected to drive the sessions forward with your own questions.

Completing an undergraduate degree at Cambridge is an intense experience. The demanding teaching, short terms, and close-knit college communities combine to create an environment in which both work and extra-curricular activities can become all-consuming. It was a common saying among students that one had enough time during the term for only two out of the three of work, sleep and social life; although only true in part, this gives a flavour of the pressures experienced by students who, in their schooling prior to Cambridge, may not have had to make such compromises in order to achieve everything they wanted. The demanding nature of studying at Cambridge is balanced by the sense of achievement, common endeavour, and opportunity: working with some of the top academics in their field stretches students to reach their potential; whatever your interests, there will no doubt be a welcoming community who share it - whether within your college or in the wider university; and the collective atmosphere created by the history, architecture, and indeed energy of the various institutions that make up the University was not one of stuffy tradition, but one of excitement and innovation. I think I appreciate it even more in retrospect than I did at the time. A word on the course: the Classics Tripos at Cambridge consists initially of two years of intense linguistic and literary study, during which reading of Latin and Greek texts is the dominant component of the course; this, along with a selection of optional papers, prepares students to specialise into their preferred disciplines in the third year. The supervision system is an excellent, if sometimes inconsistent, the way in which to study texts in-depth, developing skills for both close reading and thematic analysis of texts.

I’ve spent 5 years in academia and by no doubt Cambridge was the most special year of it! The charm and unique spirit of wisdom that surrounds the place made me fall in love with the uni immediately and I am convinced the uni taught me more than just the content of my degree. The offerings from world-class music to high performance level sport allow everyone to find something they truly flourish in and I’ve made friends for life by taking up some of the possibilities the uni offers!

I love Cambridge. It is a very busy place but despite what you may have heard it is not too hard to maintain a decent work-life balance, as long as you keep up with all of your work and try not to fall behind. I like the College system as it allows you to meet more people outside of your subject, for example when you go for formals or swaps. Everything is very central and most colleges only need a short walk to get into town. The course itself (engineering) covers a lot of ground but is interesting and well taught.