Darwin is the oldest and largest of Cambridge’s graduate colleges, with around 800 current members from 75 different countries. We were also the first College to admit both men and women as students and fellows. Informal, inclusive and interdisciplinary – our intake is generally around 48% scientists and 52% arts and humanities graduates – Darwin is a wonderful place to further your studies.
Situated centrally, close to most University Departments and Faculties, our award-winning Study Centre and peaceful gardens overlook the River Cam. We also boast the finest College bar in Cambridge!
Dr Duncan Needham
Dean & Senior Tutor
INFORMATION PAGES FOR APPLICANTS AND OFFER-HOLDERS
The Offer:
An offer of a College place will be emailed out to all successful applicants, together with other information. If you have any queries relating to your College offer please contact the Deanery Office as soon as possible. Any questions about your admission to the University must be made directly to the Postgraduate Admissions Office.
Acceptance slip:
This lets us know that, circumstances permitting, you intend to take up your place. It should be returned as soon as possible. If, at a later stage, you are unable to take up your place then please email to let us know. You will also need to withdraw via your self-service page or by contacting the Postgraduate Admissions Office directly.
Postgraduate Admissions Office: Communications to offer holders
"Meeting your offer conditions - 31 July deadline"
"University of Cambridge plans for next academic year"
Applications need to be made via the StarRez portal, a link to which can be found in your offer letter. Rooms will be allocated at the beginning of August and you will be notified by email.
All room keys will be available for collection from the Student Support Desk in the Old Library. Please remember to sign and return a copy of your licence.
Darwin has a limited amount of accommodation suitable for couples and families. We recommend that anyone interested in this type of housing should also be aware of the University Accommodation Service.
Full details of Darwin College accommodation can be found here.
The College departments have produced videos here which aim to provide all the information you may need. However, should you need to contact a specific department directly then please feel free to do so:
Admissions queries: deanery@darwin.cam.ac.uk
Accommodation queries: accommodation@darwin.cam.ac.uk
Fees queries: accounts@darwin.cam.ac.uk
Cambridge University Student Union (CUSU) organises Freshers' week events for new students.
All students who have had their admission confirmed will receive an email from the Student Registry regarding this mandatory process. This is done purely to ensure that information held about you is correct. If you hold a confirmed offer this should appear in your in-box from the middle of August. This information is sent out by the Student Registry on a weekly basis so those being confirmed after this date will still be included.
For those new to Cambridge, completion of this exercise also enables you to obtain your passwords (Raven) early. Please complete this as you will need your passwords to log on to the wifi network in Cambridge (eduroam).
For further information on IT please follow this link.
Cambridge is well served by public transport links from all major UK airports. The nearest airport to Cambridge is London Stansted, followed by London Heathrow and then London Gatwick. From London Stansted the rail transfer to Cambridge takes approximately 30 minutes. Further travel information can be found on this link.
Travel from all other UK airports to Cambridge is also fairly straightforward but may take longer.
Cambridge railway station is approximately 20 minutes’ walk (around one mile) from the city centre. There are a taxi rank and bus stops in front of the main entrance and buses run every 10 -20 minutes to all University sites.
Every year we set up a registration point where all new members can complete the various formalities involved in joining the College. These involve an ID check (passport or other photo id), collection of your student card and other information.
The DCSA (Darwin College Students Association) are happy to be contacted. They are very knowledgeable and can provide advice about where to obtain any necessary items; cooking utensils, clothing, bikes etc. Each member will also be provided with a DCSA Welcome Guide.
Depending on when your visa was granted, you may have been informed that you were required to register with the Police after arrival in the UK. However, following the repeal of the requirement to register with the Police in August 2022, you will no longer need to do this.
Further information can be found on the International Student Office website.
The DCSA are responsible for many welcoming activities for new students, regular social events, and many clubs and societies in Darwin which you will be encouraged to join. They also provide additional welfare support for which more information is available here.
The DCSA's committee details are available here.
Welcome events start at the end of September and will run for about two to three weeks around the start of term. Taking into account the current social distancing measures some of these will be bookable on-line events only.
The University and College try to offer the best support possible to students. To ensure that we are aware, as early as possible, of any special arrangements you may need (accommodation, exam arrangements), you should complete the online form on the Disability Resource Centre DRC website or email disability@admin.cam.ac.uk
University Sustainability, Environment & Energy
CamGuides (free online resource for all Master's students with a taught element):
Cambridge University Students' Union (CUSU)
Postgraduate Admissions Office
International Students Office (ISO)