Cambridge operates on a three-term system: Michaelmas, Lent, and Easter.

Please note that in all cases your child has to be the primary person seeking support. The College and / or the University is not permitted to communicate directly about parental concerns.

Students have access to a range of support systems, including their Tutor, Director of Studies, College Nurse, Wellbeing Coordinator, Welfare Officers, and the University Counselling Service. For more information, please see: Student Support.

Each student is a member of a college, which provides teaching, accommodation, meals, pastoral care, and social activities. Colleges are also responsible for admitting students.

They should speak to their Director of Studies (DoS), and their College Tutor. The College may be able to offer additional support, such as bespoke skills workshops.

Assessment methods vary by course but typically include a combination of exams, coursework, and practical work.

This depends on the course they are doing, but generally main exams are held in the Easter term, from April-June each year. College based progress tests are typically held for students at the start of the Lent term in January. Medical and Veterinary Science students will have additional exams across the academic year.

Churchill College offers on-site accommodation to all undergraduates for the duration of their course.

The standard accommodation agreement covers three 10-week terms. This guarantees that students satisfy the residency requirements with the university.

Students must vacate their rooms during the Christmas and Easter vacations and at the end of the academic year. However, students can apply to their Tutors to stay during the vacations. Students are not guaranteed accommodation in their own College room out of term time and therefore may be offered a temporary room.

Students have access to our cafeteria-style dining hall and Buttery Café Bar. Our undergraduate accommodation also includes communal snack kitchens, with microwaves and small fridges.

Churchill College has the largest dining hall of all the Cambridge colleges, and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. In addition, formal hall dinners (three course meals) take place at least three times a week. Our Buttery Bar serves pizza, sushi, sandwiches, and snacks, as well as hot and cold drinks served by our baristas.

A typical two-course self-service dinner (main meal and pudding) from the Dining Hall will cost between £5.50-£6.00. Student Catering Accounts are sent fortnightly by email to help students to keep track of their spending. Payment for all meals is made through their University student card at the tills.

Formal Halls typically cost £15.10 for members and £16.25 for guests. A Formal Hall consists of a three course served meal with Coffee & tea. (Prices correct at Sept 2024)

Vegetarian and Vegan options are available daily. If your child has any special dietary requirements, they should email Catering [email protected].

If your child is concerned about their financial situation or their bills they should contact the student finance team directly by emailing [email protected] Please note, the student finance team are not able to liaise with parents directly concerning their child’s finances.

Churchill offers a range of financial support, including language bursaries, sports and arts grants, hardship funds, travel grants and music bursaries.

The University also offer hardship funds and University Sports Bursaries.

Provided your child arrives at University by the start of each term, their loan will be paid to them within the first few days. Exceptions to this are if the SLC application was made late or household income details have not been declared.

There is no application process for the Cambridge Bursary scheme. All UK students applying for a student loan to the SLC will be automatically considered for a Cambridge Bursary, provided they do not tick the box opting out of sharing financial information with the University.

Fees are usually billed termly. Students can pay online through the College’s payment portal or set up a direct debit

Please be aware the College does not directly provide healthcare for students. The NHS provides the following for free, however, students must register with a GP in Cambridge.

• Consultation with your Doctor
• Hospital treatment in Accident and Emergency
• Hospital treatment if your Doctor recommends it
• Contraceptive services
• Maternity care.

The following services are also available, but not free:

• Any medication prescribed to you by your GP (unless exempt)
  • Dental treatment
  • Eye tests, glasses or contact lenses
  • Letters or forms you may need completing
  • Some vaccinations

Students must vacate their rooms during the Christmas and Easter vacations and at the end of the academic year. However, students can apply to their Tutors to stay during the vacations. Students are not guaranteed accommodation in their own College room out of term time and therefore may be offered a temporary room.

They should contact the College Nurse or their GP. In an emergency, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, which is nearby, has an Accident and Emergency Dept.

Students should keep their Tutors updated about any illness.

Churchill College has three libraries on site. The Bracken Library, The Bevin Library, and within the Churchill Archives Centre, The Roskill Library.

The Bracken Library covers science and social science subjects, while the Bevin covers arts and humanities. The Roskill Library is a research library for political, military and scientific history.

The library collections extend beyond books, journals and online resources. We have a variety of other resources available for your use, from skeletons to standing desks to seeds.

Library staff are available to help students navigate their reading lists, find the information they need, and make the most of the Cambridge Library system. Students can drop in to the library office (staffed weekdays 9am-5pm) or contact the library team by email.

Churchill College is one of the most active colleges in terms of sports teams. Our sports fields are on site and our facilities include: Basketball / Netball / Tennis multipurpose court, Squash court, Rugby pitches, Football pitches, Cricket pitch and On-site gym. Students also use our grounds to play Ultimate Frisbee and Lacrosse team. We have a Boat Club based in the centre of Cambridge

We have an on-site Music Centre with recital spaces, recording studio and a host of instruments available for student use, including a drum kit and Steinway grand piano.

We have a Dance Studio on our premises, and several performance spaces, including the Wolfson Hall theatre. For those who prefer the back-stage, our on-site Audio-Visual team are based adjoining the Wolfson Hall theatre, and students can be trained in using AV equipment.

The Bill Brown Creative Workshops are an inter-disciplinary creative space opening October 2024.

To learn more about music at Churchill, contact the College’s Director of Music, Dr Ewan Campbell: [email protected]

Cambridge offers a wide range of clubs, societies, and sports teams. Students can join societies related to their academic interests, hobbies, or new areas they wish to explore.

Colleges and the University offer many events, including formals, balls, and social gatherings. The College has a Junior Common Room (JCR) which organises social activities.

Churchill has porters who monitor the grounds 24/7. Additionally, access to College buildings is controlled.

In the event of a serious emergency, parents can contact the Porters Lodge 01223 336000 at any time.

Cambridge is generally considered a safe city. The University and colleges provide guidance on personal safety and have protocols in place for emergencies.

Most students have access to college Wi-Fi and mobile networks. Parents can stay in touch via phone, video calls, and messaging apps.

Yes, parents are welcome to visit, however it is best to avoid visiting while examinations are taking place.

If you are looking to book accommodation in the City, it may be possible to book a room at the Møller Institute, which is located in the College grounds. Please call 01223 465500 to check availability and mention that you are a parent of a current student at Churchill to benefit from a discounted rate. Please note, the Møller Institute is not able to offer accommodation for longer-term stays of more than 5 days.

Cambridge offers extensive career support, including internships, job fairs, and alumni networks. The Careers Service provides guidance for further studies or entering the workforce.

The University Careers Service can help students find internships, placements, and job opportunities during and after their studies.

Churchill also have an exciting Summer Opportunities Bursary scheme open for any non-finalist student to apply for, please see Summer projects for Churchill students – Churchill College (cam.ac.uk)