Alumni and Development Office

The Alumni and Development Office is the primary contact point for all alumni of the College. The Office organises regular events for alumni, including reunion dinners, drinks receptions, and the annual Old Darwinians’ Garden Party. It publishes The Darwinian, which is mailed to all Old Darwinians across the world. An e-bulletin with news from the College is also sent periodically.

The Darwin College Society was set up in 1987 to encourage Old Darwinians to maintain contact with the College and with each other. Membership of the Society is free and automatic for all former graduate members, former Fellows and members of the Governing Body. The Society is run by a committee of Old Darwinians and Fellows, and assists the College Alumni and Development Office in its work.

See further Alumni and Supporters

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Smoking Policy

The College has a smoke-free policy. Smoking is not permitted in any College buildings, rooms or bedrooms, and only in designated areas of the College grounds.

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College merchandise

The College tie, scarf, cuff-links, shield, teddy bears and other items can be purchased from Messrs Ryder & Amies, online here or at their shop at 21 King’s Parade, Cambridge. The DCSA, the Development Office, and the Porters’ Lodge also offer a small selection of similar items for purchase.

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College Photograph

The College photograph is usually taken on a Friday lunchtime in October. Once the date has been decided it will be advertised around the College and in the DCSA What’s Up email newsletter. All members are invited to take part. Copies of the photograph can be purchased from the Bursary.

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Cambridge University Careers Service

The Careers Service provides careers advice and information to all current University of Cambridge undergraduates, postgraduates, postdocs and alumni. They are impartial and can work with you from day one to explore options, connect with employers and navigate the complex job market – saving you time and maximising your employability.

The services offered include one-to-one consultations; major careers events each year; an extensive programme of briefings and skill sessions; coordinated employer presentations; CV and application resources; and a job vacancies database.

Register and access a wealth of resources at www.careers.cam.ac.uk

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Wolfson – Darwin’s Sister College in Oxford

Like most Cambridge Colleges, Darwin is twinned with a sister College at Oxford, Wolfson, which is also a Graduate College. There is an annual Sports Day held in the Lent term, organised by the DCSA Sports Officer, hosted by Darwin and Wolfson in alternate years. In addition, each College offers hospitality and accommodation to visitors from its sister College.

The Darwin-Wolfson Sports Day 2024 will be held on Saturday 30th March, at Darwin.

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Term Dates

The University of Cambridge term dates can be found here.

Further information on Terms of study can be found here.

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Guidance for Darwin College supervisors

This page supplements the generic intercollegiate guidance (Raven password required) and provides details that may be useful.  Please contact us if anything is unclear or if you have questions.  The Deanery Office will answer quickly and clearly.

Practical information

Please submit your reports each term at least a week before the end of Full Term.  See the relevant University webpages for term dates.  That timing allows Directors of Studies and Tutors to discuss reports in end-of-term meetings with students.

We also ask Directors of Studies to approve supervision reports within a week of the end of Full Term.  These arrangements allow payments to reach supervisors in the last week of December, March and June.

Details of the College’s policies on such matters as safeguarding, fitness to study, discipline, free speech and other matters may also be found online.  These policy documents supplement the general safeguarding guidance given to all supervisors but are not intended to impose any further requirements on you as a supervisor.  Guidance on supervisor expectations are here.

Supervision reports should contain the following:

  • An account of what has gone well and areas for improvement.
  • Brief commentary on work rate and participation.
  • Advice for the DoS and Tutor to pass on to the student.
  • Comments looking forward to revision and preparing for examinations (if applicable).

If you have serious academic, pastoral or welfare concerns about a Darwin student please contact the Deanery.

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