Robinson College

Address:: Robinson College (map)
Grange Road
Cambridge CB3 9AN
Telephone:: +44 1223 339100
Fax:: +44 1223 351794
Email:: graduate-admissions@robinson.cam.ac.uk
Website:: http://www.robinson.cam.ac.uk/
MCR:: http://www-stud.robinson.cam.ac.uk/mcr/
See also:: Graduate Studies Prospectus Entry.

As the newest college (1977), the innovative design of Robinson includes beautiful landscaped gardens set around a lake combined with a remarkable chapel well known for its magnificent stained glass windows. Robinson is generally regarded as one of the friendliest, most laid-back colleges in Cambridge with an informal approach to many of the University's ancient customs. It is well-suited for the student who wants to benefit from the academic excellence of Cambridge in a relaxed and peaceful environment.

Accommodation is of an excellent standard, with considerable choice over size (and therefore cost) of rooms; there are two flats for married couples. All rooms have fast Internet connections. First year students are generally housed on site, and three-year students are guaranteed college accommodation for the duration of their degrees. Two newly built houses, offering some of the highest standard student accommodation in Cambridge, have recently become available to graduates (October 2008). During the undergraduate holidays, the college often doubles up as a conference centre, but graduates usually keep their rooms during this time.

Facilities in the college include a computer room, music practice room, two theatres, a games room and squash courts. There are tennis courts and a sports field a mile distant. The informal attitude of the college is reflected in the lively atmosphere of the college bar, and the party room which often features live music and D.Js. The food in the cafeteria very good, and formal dinners at Robinson are amongst the very best in Cambridge- especially the chef's chocolate desserts!

The Robinson staff are among the friendliest in Cambridge and there's a good relationship between graduates and undergraduates, who mix freely in the college's sporting teams, music and drama societies. Graduates and Fellows are encouraged to mix at termly formal dinners and annual sporting fixtures. Student input is seen as important and graduate representation on all the major college committees ensures that our needs are addressed.

Robinson has a very active graduate community. It is close-knit, representing many nationalities, ages, subjects and attitudes. Most graduates did their first degree at universities other than Cambridge. An enthusiastic MCR committee coordinates a variety of graduate events while organising the day-to-day running of the Common Room: a warm, pleasant wood-panelled room with a new widescreen TV, an impressive DVD collection, daily newspapers, tea and coffee facilities, and computers with printer - arguably the nicest room in college. The MCR also contains a variety of sporting equipment, games and a selection of reference books. Activities to bring people together are organised regularly - ranging from weekly film nights and Girls' night to frequent exchange dinners with other college MCRs, and fancy dress parties (Robinson has a long-standing reputation for throwing some of the best MCR parties in Cambridge!). In the summer, cricket and football matches are organised, as well as garden parties. Graduates are entitled to three free formal dinners each term, for which the MCR provides free sherry, soft drinks and port.

Robinson is not the wealthiest college, but does offer an annual fund of £250 per student for academic travel expenses. The College may also assist in cases of financial hardship - a number of new funds are currently being established to complement the existing sources of finance. A Robinson College Graduate Research Scholarship, worth up to £1000 p.a. has been awarded since 1997/8. Other college funds are mentioned in more detail in the MCR Student Handbook.

As with all Colleges, graduate life is what you make it. Robinson is not the Cambridge that the tourists come for, which somewhat paradoxically, makes it a more pleasant and stimulating place to live and work.

For more information about the college, please send an email to the MCR committee on robinson-mcr-com@lists.cam.ac.uk.