How to Choose a Cambridge College
Which Cambridge college should you choose? This is one of the most exciting parts of the Cambridge application process! There are 29 undergraduate colleges at Cambridge University.
Every college has a different ‘personality’, as well as different facilities and accommodation options. You’ll still go to lectures and seminars in your university department, but your college choice will determine your day-to-day living experience.
In this guide, we’ll look at Cambridge college rankings, acceptance rates, and the best colleges for the most popular subjects at Cambridge, as well as giving you the inside info on the best accommodation and facilities at different Cambridge colleges.
Cambridge Colleges Rankings
Cambridge colleges are ranked on the Tompkins Table. This is a ranking of undergraduate academic performances in final year exams. In other words, the Tompkins Table only shows the academic rigour of a college - it does not rank accommodation, funding, or facilities.
If you regard academic performance very highly, then the Tompkins Table can be a good guide for your college choice. Most recently, Christ’s College topped the table, closely followed by Trinity and Pembroke. However, there’s more to college life than academic performance. The Tompkins Table shouldn’t be your only guide. Instead, list out your top three priorities - that could be accommodation with an ensuite, or lively social events, or good sports facilities - and use them to rank your choice of Cambridge college.
Cambridge Colleges Acceptance Rate
In 2019, 19,359 students applied to Cambridge University, and 3,528 were offered places. Clearly, competition for places is high! That’s why many students wonder whether some colleges have a higher acceptance rate - if you choose a college based on acceptance rate, could you increase your chances of getting in?
Some colleges definitely have a lower acceptance rate. At Clare Hall, Emmanuel College, Jesus College, King’s College, St. John’s, Trinity College, and Trinity Hall, applications are significantly higher than acceptances. On the other hand, at Fitzwilliam, Homerton, and Robinson, applications and acceptances are in balance.
However, overall, for top applicants, college choice does not have an impact on the chances of being offered a place at Cambridge. The Cambridge Admissions team may even assign you to a different college if you’re not accepted by your first choice but you’re still considered a top applicant. You can make an open application, too - this means you get assigned a college by the university admissions team.
The Most Popular Cambridge Colleges
In 2020, Trinity College was the most popular college for hopeful applicants, closely followed by Jesus College and St. John’s College. These colleges are often the most popular because they have classic ‘Cambridge’ architecture, are centrally located, and have plenty of funding. Applying to a popular college will not affect the likelihood of your application being successful - so, if you really like one of the more popular colleges, go for it!
The Best Cambridge Colleges for Law
Downing is often considered ‘the law college’. It has the largest student-run college law society in Cambridge - The Cranworth Society - which provides plenty of opportunity for networking and learning more about solicitors and chambers. Gonville and Caius College is also highly regarded for law, as it has diverse law fellows who a committed to student learning.
The Best Cambridge Colleges for Medicine
Pembroke is in a good location for medicine students, as it is one of the closest colleges to Addenbrookes Hospital, where the Cambridge Department of Medicine is based. That being said, Addenbrookes Hospital is reachable from most colleges by bike, so it shouldn’t be your only consideration. Fitzwilliam has great on-site facilities for medic students and provides all its medicine undergraduates with their own textbooks.
The Best Cambridge Colleges for Natural Sciences and STEM
Churchill College takes on about 35 NatSci Students every year, meaning it’ll be easier to meet subject peers and people with similar interests. Churchill College is also the biggest college for Computer Sciences. If you’re studying Computer Sciences, though, Robinson is also a great choice, as it’s close to the university computer labs. If Physics is your thing, then consider Peterhouse, as it has lots of links to CERN, while Trinity College has produced 32 scientists who have won the Nobel Prize!
The Best Cambridge Colleges for Social Life
If you want to enjoy Cambridge’s nightlife alongside your studies, then opt for a centrally located college. Clare’s college is famed for its underground bar, where it hosts weekly ‘Ents’ nights (‘ents’ is a commonly used phase in Cambridge - it refers to a party or night out).
There’s more to socialising in Cambridge than going out, though. Fitzwilliam, Girton, and Jesus have a reputation for having a friendly college community.
The Best Cambridge Colleges for Accommodation
The best way to find out about college accommodation is by visiting - or at the very least, looking at gallery pictures on college websites. Queen’s is a great option if accommodation is your priority, as all of its accommodation is on-site. They have cheap formals and lunch options, too! Robinson is your best bet if you want to guarantee an ensuite room - it has more modern accommodation, and nearly every room is an ensuite.
The Most ‘Cambridge’ Cambridge College
Perhaps a strange way to categorise a college - but, if you’re looking for the authentic Cambridge experience, you’ll be looking for a historic college with fancy formals. King’s has impressive architecture, and Pembroke has a quaint, cosy feel. Peterhouse is the oldest Cambridge college and even has its own deer park. Finally, Magdalen has candlelit formal dinners every night - you can’t more Cambridge than that.
Our expert team of Oxbridge grads can help you at every stage of the application process - whether you want advice on finding the best college for you, help with a stand-out personal statement, or intensive prep before your interview! Find out more here.