- Address:
- Girton College (map)
Huntingdon Road
Cambridge CB3 0JG - Telephone:
- +44 1223 338999
- Fax:
- +44 1223 338896
- Email:
- admissions@girton.cam.ac.uk
- Website:
- http://www.girton.cam.ac.uk/
- MCR:
- http://sites.google.com/site/girtoncollegemcr/
- See also:
- Graduate Studies Prospectus Entry.
Girton College began as the ‘College for Women’ in 1869, and moved to its present extensive site on Huntingdon Road in 1872. Girton is unique among Cambridge Colleges in being the only women’s college to decide to admit men, which it first did in 1979; men now make up about half of a graduate population of about 170. One of the great advantages of Girton is its diversity: as well as many home students and a number from the European Union, Girton has overseas students from all over the world. Arts and sciences are both well represented, as are doctoral students and those following one-year taught courses. This diversity makes for an extremely well-balanced and relaxed college atmosphere.
Because the main College is a little outside the centre of Cambridge, Girton established a second site off Grange Road, very close to the town centre. About 100 graduates live here at Wolfson Court or in College houses around Cambridge. Girton can provide accommodation for a number of couples and also graduates with children. Indeed at Wolfson court there is a recently opened supervised nursery for parents to leave their children in safety while they study.
In addition Wolfson Court has 40 graduate rooms reserved for graduates who are new to Cambridge; there is a cafeteria, a computer room and a library, as well as the Middle Combination Room, where graduates can meet and play table football, pool, read, watch television or watch films on the home cinema entertainment system. Parties, outings, both formal and informal dinners at Wolfson Court and at College provide many opportunities for graduates to meet and contribute to a lively and friendly graduate community. Recent events that graduates have organised for themselves include punting trips, a group skiing trip, hikes in Snowdonia, barbecues, croquet competition and the weekly film night.
The bar at Wolfson Court is used regularly to host events such as the now famous Wolfie Open Mic Nights, in which musicians can come along and jam with folk from all over the university in order to expand their musical horizons.
Girton also has a strong sporting tradition and the college facilities available to graduates are quite extensive including a swimming pool, gymnasium, tennis courts, football field and a cricket pitch. Yes, we own our own croquet set too! The Girton rowing club is currently very strong and many graduates on year long courses take advantage of this.
Graduates are encouraged to be involved in the running of the college from day one and their needs are well represented to the college in the form of the MCR committee. For an academically supportive, broad minded, active and wide ranging graduate experience Girton is highly recommended.