Colleges and postgraduate applications

When you join the University, you become a member of a College. Your College is separate to your academic department. 

In your application, you'll be asked if you want to select up to 2 College preferences. If you don't have a preference, we will allocate one for you.

What is a Cambridge College?

Colleges are friendly and supportive communities of academics and students from a mix of subjects. 

There are 31 Colleges in total, each with its own facilities and traditions.

What the Colleges offer

Your College will offer:

• facilities, such as a library, dining hall, and sports and fitness spaces
• social, cultural and recreational activities to enhance your personal development
• accommodation in College-owned properties (availability and location can vary)
• a tutor who can advise on pastoral matters
• welfare and practical support like:
  • monitoring your progress
  • helping you settle in
  • mental health support
  • providing advice on childcare
  • access to a wider welfare team, which might include a nurse, chaplain, and counsellor
• financial support in cases of unforeseen financial difficulties
• opportunities to teach undergraduate students, where applicable

College funding is sometimes available. Check the Applying for University funding for details.

College locations

All Cambridge Colleges are within 3 miles of Cambridge city centre. Most are a short distance from the academic departments.

College accommodation may be on the main College site or off site. This varies depending on the College. You can find out more about where you'll live in Cambridge on the postgraduate accommodation page.

Many students walk or cycle around the city. Regular buses also connect the main University sites and the centre of Cambridge.

Find the main College sites using the University Map

Selecting College preferences in your application

When you apply, you can opt to tell us which 1 or 2 Colleges you would prefer to be part of. If you don't select a preference, we'll allocate you to one of the 31 Colleges. 

Places at each College are limited so you might be assigned a College you did not state as a preference. 

If you have specific access needs, we recommend that you select College preferences. You should contact the Colleges you are interested in about your needs before you apply.

No matter which College you join, you will:

• have access to the same University resources and facilities as students at other Colleges
• study alongside students from other Cambridge Colleges on the same course
• be part of your academic department

 Check the percentage of offer holders given membership at their preferred Colleges

If you're a continuing student

If you would like your current Cambridge College to consider your application, select your College as one of your 2 preferences.

Before you apply, contact the Graduate Tutor at your preference Colleges. You should also contact the Graduate Tutor at your College to let them know about your intentions.

Being offered a place at Cambridge

Your application will first be considered by the relevant academic department. They will decide whether to recommend you are offered a place at Cambridge. Your College preferences do not affect this decision.

If you’re offered a place, your application will be considered by your preferred Colleges first. If you didn't select a preference or your preferred Colleges are full, your application will be passed on to a different College. The College will consider factors like their capacity before selecting you for membership. 

If you're made an offer for more than one course, you’ll usually be given membership by the same College for all of your successful applications.  

Changing your College preference

You can request to change your College preferences up to the point that you get an offer of admission to the University. You can only ask for this once. 

Contact us to make a request