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Social life

"The sense of community is great and everyone gets on well together — whatever background they are from. In fact, you don't often find out where people come from; we tend not even to talk about it."

Harry, Second Year, Engineering.

A dramatic performance in the theatre Churchill's physical make-up — a cohesive community around a single, attractive site that is very easy to socialise in — facilitates the College's being so friendly and open. All Colleges say they are friendly, and all pretty much are, in truth, but Churchill is exceptionally so. People in Churchill — academic staff and students alike — come from every sort of background, all over the world, and share a determination to engage and make friends across national, social and cultural divides. There are typically around 450 undergraduates here and nearly 300 postgraduate students. Around 25% of our undergraduates and most of our postgraduates come from outside the UK. Churchill has always been committed to widening participation and a notably high proportion of its undergraduates are state educated. But we are resolutely opposed to discrimination and admission is based solely upon academic merit and potential.

A musical rehearsal in progress Outside work, student life tends to centre around informal socialising — in College or with the friends you will make in other Colleges — or takes place via clubs and societies, of which Churchill has over 50. For you, relaxing and unwinding after work might mean Ultimate Frisbee or playing football for one of the College teams; it might mean a choir concert or orchestra rehearsal; it might involve editing Winston, the College's newsletter/magazine; or it might simply involve relaxing at Churchill Café or a film night in the theatre.

Jogging in the grounds A lot of activities and events are organised or presided over by the undergraduate and postgraduate student unions — the JCR (Junior Common Room) and MCR (Middle Common Room). Making decisions democratically via open meetings, these are vibrant and dynamic bodies with great community spirit. The JCR and MCR officers represent student interests on all of the College's key decision-making committees. They leap into collective action to help with Open Days and Freshers' Week. On Fridays in term-time they run our legendary "Pav", the only weekly student club night in Cambridge, which is usually preceded by dinner in Hall.

"The only free weekly club night in Cambridge. Bar is very sociable. Formals are a great way to get together and special to Cambridge."

Marc, Third Year, English.

Student life at Cambridge

Relaxing on one of the College sculptures