Fresher activities and things to do

30 September

NEW!  1 October link for Routes to Support - 10.30 am Sign up to attend using this link.  

3 October - link for signing up for Garden and Library tours between 1 and 4.  Chapel Box Room available as a quiet room between 1.30 and 4.30.  

Checklist of Events and Things to Do - ideally, print this out and mark the events into your calendars.  Let us know if you have conflicts between Department and College events.  

To sign up for individual photographs on 2 October in the Stanley Library after the Matriculation photo, go to this link and make the following choices:  

Register and join the University Newcomers and Visiting Scholars with families group.    

Cambridge announces a new Mature Student Society.  

For those with Partners and/or Families living with you in Cambridge, please take a look at the link below to see how you can apply for a Partner Card.  There are also other resources 

Black Advisory Hub - First Year Induction Programme

All new Black undergraduate, foundation year and postgraduate students are warmly welcome to register for an online induction session coordinated by a student team from Cambridge’s Black Advisory Hub. This pre-term online induction event is an opportunity for new students to learn how to confidently navigate relevant student services, ask questions of current Black students about their experiences, as well as meet other Black students from a range of colleges, courses and societies. It will be followed by a programme of in-person activities during term time.  

The first online event is scheduled for Thursday 19 September, 1-5pm.    If you are commencing your studies in 2024-25, are a self-identifying Black student and would like to attend the initial online event, please find the registration link here.  For more information, please look for updates on the Black Advisory Hub website, or email contact@blackadvisory.hub.cam.ac.uk 

The International Student Office has prepared this helpful guide suitable for anyone arriving to Cambridge.  It outlines the various ways that you can arrive.  Here's a link to a map of Cambridge.  

Girton College Main Site address is Huntingdon Road, Cambridge  CB3 0JG

and the Swirles Court address is Pheasant Drive, Eddington  Cambridge  CB3 1AQ

There are two sets of term dates in Cambridge and three terms - Michaelmas, Lent and Easter. The University term begins 1 October and Full term (the teaching term for undergraduates) begins approximately a week after University Term.  These dates primarily pertain to undergraduates but postgraduates are still required to "keep term" so should be aware of them.  Please plan to be in Cambridge by the 1st of October if at all possible.  

For those in College-owned accommodation, the College leases begin on Tuesday 24 September, therefore, the best window in which to arrive in Cambridge is between the 24th and the 1st - ideally not earlier unless you are undertaking an in-person pre-sessional course.  Please contact us as soon as possible if your arrival date is before the 24th.  

If you are allocated a room in Swirles Court OR are living in private accommodation, please check in at the Swirles Court Porters' Lodge. Depending on how early you arrive, you may not have a University card available immediately and may have to use a temporary card until it arrives (issued by the Porters). 

If you have been allocated to the Grange or Girton Gate, please check in at the Main Site Porters' Lodge and they should have your University card there.  

If your University card is not available or you live in non-College accommodation, please email postgraduate.office@girton.cam.ac.uk and we will check into its whereabouts for you.  

For more information about University cards, please see the section below.  

More information about Accommodation and moving in is available here.  

Here's a map of the Main site of the College.  

It's important that you inform the College (and the Accommodation Office if moving into our accommodation) and your Faculty/Department if you will arrive after 1 October. Particularly if you are on a Student Visa, you will need to come to our office as soon as you arrive in Cambridge so that we may scan your documents BEFORE YOU START STUDYING.  

Most Masters courses have an arrival deadline of 21 October, while PhD courses offer a latest start date of 9 November, but you should check directly with your Department/Faculty.     

We have a small cohort of part-time students each year. You are welcome to attend all induction activities that you are able to and should be in contact with the Postgraduate Administrator if you have any questions and to inform us when you might come to Cambridge so that we can hopefully plan to meet you. 

You will have full access to all Girton facilities. Check with the Postgraduate Office about where you can obtain your University card before coming to Cambridge.  

If you need assistance with short-term accommodation when in Cambridge, you may email the Accommodation Manager at accommodation@girton.cam.ac.uk to check on availability of rooms in College, however, it is unlikely that there will be any, particularly at the start of Michaelmas Term, so you may need to plan to book privately.   

Girton offers a Partner card to our postgraduates' partners and families who live with them in Cambridge, on application.  You can read more about it at this link.  Start out by speaking to your Postgraduate Tutor (allocated around 1 October).  Once you've applied on your partner's behalf, the Postgraduate Tutors Committee will make a decision on the application - this can only happen once you are living in Cambridge and usually after 1 October.  

Also of interest to those with families is the University Childcare Office.  It's a great idea to get connected with them soon after you arrive.  They have groups and events as well as some bursaries available to those with children and may be able to assist with information about schools in Cambridge.   

Register and join the University Newcomers and Visiting Scholars with families group.  

Watch for College-run events for those with families.  You are all very welcome at Girton.  

You have been sent a registration link for the fourth webinar on Wednesday the 25th of September at 1.15 pm.  If you are in Cambridge, we ask that you make the effort to come to College in person for that meeting - it will be in Old Hall.  

All of the other webinars have been recorded and are available on the Offerholder webpage (where the offerholder webinars were available and link sent).  

When:  1 October 10.30 am 
Where:  MCR Room at Swirles Court 

Sign up using the link sent to you by the MCR and available on the Offerholder webpage (where the webinar links are).  This is an important opportunity to hear from our Head of Welfare and Wellbeing about accessing support at College and at the University.    

When: Wednesday 2 October, 8:30am
This is a group photograph open to all postgraduates starting at Girton this year, whether or not you've been in a matriculation photo before. Whilst it is not compulsory, it is a wonderful way to mark the beginning of your journey at Girton and at Cambridge and we hope that you will take part as it is also an archival record for the College of this year's class. 

Location: Outdoors in Emily Davies Court, Girton College (main site)
Dress code: Please wear your academic gown (see information below about gowns) and smart clothes and do bring an umbrella in case of rain. 

There is also an opportunity for you to have individual photographs taken just after the group photograph. Please use the link on this form to book 5-minute slots for an individual photograph. Choose Girton 2 October. Don't worry if you can't make the times or if they are already booked - you can wait for a quick opening to have yours taken.  You will have the opportunity to purchase the group and individual photographs at a later time.    

Please arrive promptly.  It will not take very long if everyone is prompt, so you should be able to get into town for other events by 9.30 if necessary.  You could share a taxi with a few who need to leave quickly after the photograph.  

After the photograph, you are invited to enjoy brunch in the Great Hall with members of the MCR - it will be available between 8 and 10 am.  

Where:  Old Hall, Girton College Main Site
When:  1, 2 and 3 pm - you will be allocated to one of these three groups

Consent Workshops are compulsory at Girton for all new students and are facilitated by an established provider who specialise in providing consent workshop for young adults and students. 1 pm surnames A-G; 2 pm H-R and 3 pm S-Z.  

Consent workshops are educational sessions designed to teach students about the importance of consent and boundaries in sexual relationships. These workshops are conducted by trained educators and can cover a wide range of topics related to consent, including communication, consent in different situations, and understanding the impact of power dynamics on consent.

The purpose of these workshops is to help students develop a clear understanding of what consent means and how to communicate their boundaries in sexual situations. This can help reduce the incidence of sexual assault and promote healthy, respectful relationships.

There will be some concurrent activities at the Main Site running during this time period - Garden and College library tours as well as quiet room set aside between 1.30 and 4.30.  

When: Thursday 3 October, 6 for 6:15pm - please be prompt
Where: Marquee, Girton College Main Site

Please read this Welcome Letter prepared for you by the Postgraduate Tutors.  You'll be sent an email prior to term telling you who your tutor is.  You are invited to join them for drinks before the Freshers' Formal - you can enjoy drinks even if you are not attending the Formal.  You don't need to sign up for this reception.

Dress code: Both the reception and dinner are "gowned" events, so please have your academic gown by then and wear "smart" clothes (don't need to be black but something you would wear out for a nice dinner - please no trainers (running shoes).

When: Thursday 3 October, 7:15pm
Where: Dining Hall, Girton College

The Postgraduate Freshers' Formal Hall in the Dining Hall is your first opportunity to experience a College formal and have dinner with your new colleagues. You will be sent an invitation from the Catering Department with information about how to sign up for this free event - you'll get a chance to let them know of any dietary requirements beforehand. 

Dress code: Both the Tutors' reception and dinner are "gowned" events, so please have your academic gown by then if at all possible and wear "smart" clothes (don't need to be black but something you would wear out for a nice dinner and, please, no trainers (running shoes). 

The Freshers' Formal isn't compulsory but it is a wonderful way to jump into College life and spend time with new colleagues and College Fellows (Academic body) whilst eating lovely formal hall food.  

Please ask members of the MCR if you have any questions about Formal Hall dinners at Girton and in Cambridge in general.  They'll be happy to help.  

The College’s postgraduate students’ society, the MCR, will have a welcome desk at Swirles Court and social events planned for you starting on around the lease start date – exact dates and times have been shared via the WhatsApp group.  The most recent version of the Term card (dated 21 Sept) is here.    

At the start of your University career, and at the beginning of each subsequent academic year, you will be sent an email from 'studentregistration@offices.admin.cam.ac.uk' asking you to verify your data (please make sure to check your 'Junk Email' folder for this message).  If you are new to Cambridge, you will be sent this email sometime in September, depending on when you've fully confirmed so don't worry if you still haven't received it by the end of September. It's an automatic process that is managed directly by the University, not the College. It will arrive soon after your confirmation starting at the end of August.  If you don't receive the email, you may still initiate the process by going to this link and clicking on "Create New Account".

It is compulsory that you do this each year but particularly in your first year, as at the end of the process, you will be taken into the pages (“University IT account collection”) where you will be allocated your University email address and Raven password. The latter allows you to log in to almost everything within the University.  Guidance is offered here.  

Please make a note of this password – you may change it and if you do, PLEASE wait a couple of hours before trying to access email otherwise you may get locked out and need to ask to reset your password (email ithelp@girton.cam.ac.uk).  Please note that it can look like you’re finished after confirming your personal details, but you do need to keep going in order to get your email! 

It is vital that you read your '@cam' emails regularly so please add it as an account to your phones and/or forward it to your personal email address.

There are two ways to receive your '@cam' email: 

• Use Webmail – go to the Outlook Web App interface; type in your Username/Email = CRSid@cam.ac.uk and Password (your Raven/UIS Password)
• Use an email client on your laptop:  Instructions for setting-up various email apps (Outlook, Apple Mail, Windows Mail, Android Mail etc.) can be found here.

If you require assistance with this, you may contact the College IT office or ask a colleague who may have already connected themselves successfully.  

Just to let you know that as of 1 October, all emails sent from the College and Department will be sent to your Cambridge email address. 

University Lookup Directory

After you’ve obtained your University email address and Raven password, we recommend that you change what’s called your University Lookup Directory listing from your initials and surname to your full name (i.e. from W.J. Klein to Wendy Klein). HOWEVER, please change it a full LEGAL name, not a “known as” name so that you can be easily identified.

You can update your lookup page yourself (you'll need to login with Raven Access to access it, so can't access it until after 1 October).

This is the process by which new students become members of Girton College and of the University of Cambridge. Matriculation consists of signing an online form which you will be sent by email around 1 October. Once you've received this, please complete the task as soon as possible, as it is your formal registration with the University.

If you already have a degree from Cambridge, regardless of the College, you do not need to matriculate again. 

Everyone starting a new degree this year or in the previous Lent or Easter Terms, may be a part of the Matriculation photograph on Wednesday 2 October 2024. There will be a Matriculation Dinner in mid-November for those who have not been to one at Girton.  This is separate from the Freshers' Formal on 3 October to which all new postgraduates are invited.  

All Cambridge students are expected to buy an academic gown. To know which gown to purchase (dependent on past degree and your age), you can look at this pdf.  Gowns are worn at Formal Halls at all Colleges in Cambridge and at major College events.  Postgraduates are invited to purchase their academic gowns from Churchill Gowns.  When purchasing, they will sell you the correct gown so if you have a question, you may ask them on the 30th.  

Churchill will be onsite at Swirles Court selling gowns on Monday 30 September from 10 am to 1 pm in the MCR Room.  See the information on this flyer (PDF). New students should obtain an academic gown in time for their Matriculation photograph (on 2 October in Michaelmas term).  For those who arrive later than this, Churchill will have a few Postgraduate gowns available for sale on Friday 4 October from 1.30 in the Stanley Library at Main Site.  

You may also buy one online from Churchilland have it delivered to your Cambridge address (there will be a charge for delivery).  They are also available from one of the outfitters in Cambridge - they will likely be more expensive than Churchill. 

On arrival and on presentation of photo ID, you will be issued with a University Card. 

The timing of its availability will be affected by how early you arrive to Cambridge. The bulk of cards for those living in Swirles accommodation, for those living out of College accommodation and part-time students will be available at Swirles Court Porters’ Lodge after 24 September 2024. Those living in the Grange should collect their cards at the Main Site Porters’ Lodge.  If you have confirmed quite late, please check with the Postgraduate Office before making a trip in to ensure the card is available.  

The card gives you access to College gates, doors and your student room at Swirles Court; enables you to pay for food at the subsidised rate via UPay in all College eateries including the Dining Hall and the Social Hub; allowed you to borrow books from the College Library (once you've registered with the library).  Access to your Department, Faculty and University Library can be added by the personnel at those places.    

If you lose your card, please inform the IT Office (ithelp@girton.cam.ac.uk) immediately. They will order you a replacement which you will be charged for (about £15.00). 

College requires you to complete the following online documents by 15 October. 

• Data Protection and IT Regulations 
• Drugs and Alcohol Policy

All students: 

ID checks will happen when you either have your passports scanned (Overseas students) or pick up your University card - you will need to present your photo ID to the Porters in order to receive your card.  You are also asked to take your photo ID when you meet your Postgraduate Tutor for the first time.  

Overseas:

If you arrive before 24 September, please contact postgraduate.office@girton.cam.ac.uk to arrange a time to have your documents scanned. 

Of you arrive after the 24th of September, the Postgraduate Student Services Office will offer bookable sessions for scanning of your immigration documents. You'll need your passport, Student visa entry vignette (or other visa) and evidence of when you entered the country if this applies to you (if you've entered via an e-gate). An email with further details about this will be sent to you so if you have not received it and think you should have, please email the above address.  You can find out which documents to present here.   

If you have elected to collect your BRP from the University, College will let you know when it has arrived and you will be able to pick it up at one of these bookable sessions. Some of you may need to go to the main Cambridge post office to get your BRP.  There's no need to worry if you do not yet have your BRP.  If you have applied for your visa in the UK, you will likely be issued with digital status and will be sent information about how to obtain a share code to return to us.    

There may be others of you who are not on a student visa but need to bring in documents - please wait for instructions from the Postgraduate Office.  

Please note that there is no longer a requirement to register with the police. 

UIS (University Information Services) produce information for new students that is very worth reading - it is available at this link.

The College IT Department is located on the A Corridor at the main College site. Further information can be found here or by emailing ithelp@girton.cam.ac.uk. 

You will not have a Cambridge email address until you go through the Student Registration procedure (see above).  You will be sent the Student Registration email once you have fully confirmed - the emails begin going out mid-September. 

Two documents that you'll find helpful.  

• Helpful IT information about WiFi, printing, and accessing your email
• A checklist of recommended IT equipment you may require (PDF)

If asked to submit a new photograph to the IT office, please follow the guidelines at this link.  

Students receive a bill for rent and prepayment at the start of Michaelmas term and a bill for full fees in November, and then further College bills in both Lent and Easter Terms. Click here for Information about Bills, Fees and Charges. 

Late payment fees will be charged for overdue payments so if you cannot pay on time it is very important that you contact your tutor in advance of the due date. International students can utilise TransferMate for easy overseas payments.  

We've created a sample Costs and Fee Statement for your information. View sample statement (PDF).

Please read the following documents:  

• Bursar's Letter (PDF)
• Paying your bill (PDF)
• Bursary FAQs (PDF)

The National Health Service (NHS) is the UK’s state healthcare system providing a wide range of health care services including appointments with a doctor, hospital treatment and dental care. 

All students are strongly advised to register with a NHS Doctors Surgery (office) as soon as possible. Why Register with a GP?.

The majority of Girton students register with the Huntingdon Road Surgery, however if you are not living in College or Swirles Court, another surgery may be more convenient.

• Click here for further information about healthcare for International students.  

The College has two nurses and all students whether resident or non-resident, may consult the Nurses who hold regular surgery hours in the College Health & Wellbeing Centre at the Main Site (down the A corridor). The nurses can treat minor ailments/ minor injuries and can give health care advice.  

To do:

• Read the Nurses' Welcome Letter 
• Go through the Health Check List 
• Once received, please return the confidential Health Questionnaire that will be sent to you directly starting in September - if you don't receive it, please first check your junk mail and if not received, then email nurses@girton.cam.ac.uk
• Double check the information about vaccinations 

Also helpful are the University's Wellbeing web pages.  

The University offers a Counselling service to students.  It also offers a number of self-help leaflets on a wide variety of issues and concerns. Please contact your Tutor for more information once you have received your allocation.  

If you require a letter to open a UK bank account, please email postgraduate.office@girton.cam.ac.uk with the request, letting us know which bank you've chosen. Please try to limit it to one bank and allow a 48-hour turnaround. We will prepare the letter and send you a pdf version. Bank letters are only available after you have arrived in Cambridge.  

The International Students Office offers this document for information.  

If you have do not yet have a Cambridge address, some of the online-only banks like Monzo and Revolut shouldn't need proof of address.  

The College Chaplain, Rev Dr Tim Boniface, is in charge of all matters connected with the services and use of the Chapel. He is also available to help any member of the College with any personal problem or difficulty.  The College Chapel (located not far from the Library) is also available to anyone of any faith or none as a quiet space.  

The Chaplain will hold a Welcome tea on the 6th of October from 4.30-6 pm to which anyone is welcome.  The location is yet to be confirmed.  

• View the Chaplains welcome letter (PDF) (coming soon)

The Director of Chapel Music, Dr Gareth Wilson, invites you to become involved in the musical life in College in his welcome letter. 

• View Gareth's welcome letter (PDF)