Information for new undergraduate students
If you have met the conditions of an offer and have a confirmed place at the University, you may find the following information useful before you arrive.
| Accommodation | Accommodation is provided by your College and is guaranteed for three years for all students*. Your College will send you more information about accommodation along with the arrival and registration details. *Accommodation guarantee applies to single undergraduates without a family, and to all Colleges except St Edmund’s. |
| Arrival and registration | Information about registration will be sent to you in the post by your College. Some Colleges also put information on their websites. You can access the online Student Handbook, which tells you everything you need to know about studying at the University of Cambridge. You may also find that the University map comes in handy. |
| Clubs and societies | Details of the University’s various clubs and societies can be found online: Student societies (www.societies.cam.ac.uk), Sports clubs (www.sport.cam.ac.uk). CUSU also runs a Societies Fair (see Students' Union below) and has a comprehensive Societies Directory where you can find out more. |
| Computing facilities | When you arrive in Cambridge, the University Computing Service will provide you with an email account and access to computing facilities (further computing information will be posted to you but is also available online). If you want to bring your own computer, you should seek advice from your College about any necessary arrangements. |
| Course information | More information about your course and/or a reading list may be sent to you by your department. Again there may be information for new students on the department’s website. Please note though that some of these pages will not be available outside the University’s network. Lecture list for 2010-11 (from the Reporter Special Edition No.1). The lecture list for 2011-12 will be available from late September. |
| Disability resources | The Disability Resource Centre provides information, advice and support to students with a disability. Information and contact details are available at www.cam.ac.uk/disability/. |
| Funding | Detailed information about financial arrangements is available from the Directgov Student Finance website. The University of Cambridge, through the Newton Trust, provides Cambridge Bursaries of up to £3,400 a year to UK students who qualify for a higher education maintenance grant. For more information about the Cambridge Bursary Scheme, see the website (www.cam.ac.uk/cambridgebursary/). To apply for a Bursary, you will need to complete a short online form when you arrive in October. Your College may also be able to offer additional scholarships and/or financial help. |
| Health advice | Advice for new undergraduates about healthcare can be found in our Student Handbook (www.cam.ac.uk/staffstudents/studenthandbook/welfare/healthcare.html). |
| International students | Information about visas and immigration is available at: www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/pbi/. CUSU International produces an International Freshers Guide, which will be available in August, as well as running a pick-up service and various events for new international students. More information can be found on their website (www.international.cusu.cam.ac.uk). |
| Pre-arrival events | Freshers' Parties will take place during September in many parts of the UK. All new students are welcome to attend. Some current students will also be there to talk about life at Cambridge and to answer questions. Full details are available on the Alumni Relations website. |
| Students' Union | Cambridge University Students' Union (CUSU) is the central students' union in Cambridge, although each College also has their own student organisation. CUSU produce a Freshers’ Guide, available in August, which includes information and advice about all aspects of student life, from fees to what to bring with you, which will be sent to you in the post. CUSU also runs a Societies Fair to introduce you to the University’s various student societies and sporting clubs (see clubs and societies above for more information). |
| Term dates | Dates of term are available online at www.cam.ac.uk/univ/termdates.html |