- Address:
- Hughes Hall (map)
Mortimer Road
Cambridge CB1 2EW - Telephone:
- +44 1223 334898
- Fax:
- +44 1223 311179
- Email:
- admissions@hughes.cam.ac.uk
- Website:
- http://www.hughes.cam.ac.uk/
- MCR:
- http://mcr.hughes.cam.ac.uk/
- See also:
- Institution admissions pages, Graduate Studies Prospectus Entry.
Away from the tourist-thronged centre of town, nestled amongst the green spaces of Fenners (the University cricket ground) and Parker’s Piece, on the borders of Town and Gown, lies Hughes Hall. The many exotic cuisines of Mill Road’s restaurants and shops are a stone’s throw away, and the Grafton Centre with its shopping, banking, and cinema not much further.
Diversity is a common theme here at Hughes, even in the grounds and buildings, ranging from the red-brick Victorian manor of the Main Building to the modern luxury of the Fenners building. Accommodation is generally very good, although in some types of accommodation a few of the rooms are a little small, and some kitchens a little pokey.
Meals in Hughes are a treat. Excellent food (amongst the best to be found at any college) at very affordable prices served in the new dining hall with views of Fenners Cricket Grounds, intermingled with excellent company. Not only do Fellows mingle with students, but the theme of diversity continues through into the student body at Hughes – international students from all over the world make up a large proportion of our membership, and while courses such as the LLM, MBA and PGCE have particularly large cohorts, there is a wide array of subjects studied, from PhDs in nuclear physics to BAs in Archaeology and Anthropology. Members age in range from 21 upwards, to over 50, although the majority are perhaps between around 21 and 35. This diversity leads to a rich and varied social life – the College Bar is popular most of the year round, as are the excellent Formal Halls (with frequent ‘exchanges’, involving reciprocal invitations to other colleges). There is a genuine feeling of community, particularly amongst those living in, or who choose to be involved in college life.
Hughes has a very active Music Society, with frequent classical recitals; there are also excellent talks from experts in their fields, throughout the year. There are also a wide range of sports societies, from badminton to squash (some of which are more active than others), and the University gym as well as Kelsey Kerridge swimming pool and gym are immediately next door.
Hughes is not the most affluent of colleges, and as a result is somewhat sparse on some facilities; the library is very small indeed, although a new one is being built in 2008, and most postgraduates use their department’s libraries. However, grants are available for books, travel, and so forth. Fees are in line with those at other colleges, although the initial system of deposits and such can be tricky, especially for those requiring accommodation and for international students. The relationship between college administration and students is especially good at present, with the college taking real cognisance of student opinion on a range of very material issues.
Hughes Hall is a lively and close-knit college, egalitarian and multifaceted. It’s a great college of which to be a member.