Helpful guidance

Getting started with IT at Cambridge

You will receive an email from Student Registry in September giving you instructions on how to access your University Information Services (UIS) accounts with your Common Registration Scheme identifier (CRS ID) and password. This will allow you to access authenticated University services in advance of your arrival.

Further information on setting up your University account can be found on the University Information Services (UIS) page on the University website.

Student IT services

University Information Services (UIS) provides many University-wide IT services, in addition to those offered by Girton. 

The IT services for students page on the University's website contains lots of useful information.

All students are required to complete a Data Protection and IT Regulations Declaration Form prior to their arrival at College.

The form is to inform you of the College’s responsibility with regards to Data Protection and how your personal information will be processed. Furthermore, it sets out the rules and regulations that you must adhere to when using the University and College’s IT systems. 

If you have any questions or concerns regarding Data Protection please email data.protection@girton.cam.ac.uk

All undergraduate students need to wear a gown for certain events in College, such as formal meals in Hall and in the College Chapel. Please read the following  Academic Dress notes from the College Praelectors regarding gowns and what should be worn with them. 

Churchill Gowns will be selling undergraduate gowns in the Stanley Library on Friday 4 October from 1.30pm. You do not need to purchase a Churchill gown if you do not wish to, but you must have a gown in time for your meeting with the Mistress and the Matriculation photograph.

The prices charged by other robe-makers can vary a great deal, but second-hand gowns can sometimes be obtained from various robe-makers in Cambridge, but they must be of the correct pattern for Girton College. There may be a few second hand gowns available from Student Services. Please email us if you are interested in one (noting that students receiving a Cambridge Bursary will be prioritised). 

Undergraduate and Postgraduate students are invited to apply for Jill Vlasto Choral Exhibitions which are awarded for all voices: soprano, contralto, countertenor, tenor, baritone and bass. Holders of these awards, worth up to £350 per annum and tenable for three years, will sing in the Chapel Choir and take an active role in the musical life of the College.

Auditions will be held in the College early in the Michaelmas Term. Those interested in applying are asked to email Gareth Wilson, Director of Chapel Music, at gw377@cam.ac.uk or nota1cambiata@hotmail.com.

The deadline is 25 September 2024.

About Girton College Chapel Choir:

Girton choir is now one of the best chapel choirs in Cambridge with a rapidly-growing profile. We undertake at least one international tour each year, having most recently been in Portugal & Spain (July 2024), Italy (July 2023), Germany & Austria (2022), Italy and Singapore (both in 2019), Israel & Palestine (2018), Portugal (2017), Canada (2016), and Hong Kong (2015), and make weekend visits to major British cathedrals with a trip to Lichfield cathedral planned for the forthcoming year. Sadly, our tour to Mexico in 2020 had to be postponed, but we undertook a very successful and enjoyable domestic tour in July 2021. In addition to Radio broadcasts (our most recent one being on BBC Radio 4 last December) we have also made a CD recording each year for the past seven years having made two in June 2021 and July 2021, and one each in July 2022, July 2023, and July 2024. These are released internationally and have received great critical acclaim; our 2020 release entered the worldwide Classical Charts at no.9 and was nominated for an International Classical Music Award, while our 2024 release reached no.8. You can listen to them here. 

The choir sings two weekly services but the workload is often divided so that the average time commitment is just over five hours per week. There are around twenty-six singers in the choir each year and our social ethos is strong, relaxed, and friendly. You can find out more about what we do on a weekby-week basis by visiting our pages on Facebook (The Chapel Choir of Girton College, Cambridge - UK) and Instagram (girtoncollegechoir), and lots of our recordings can be heard on YouTube, Spotify, iTunes, etc. 

Gareth has provided more information in their welcome letter.

Cycling is one of the primary modes of transport in Cambridge and cycle safety is very important to us. Do read through the following information and equip yourselves with helmets, good locks and front and back lights.

• Welcome to Cycling in Cambridge - your guide to safe and considerate cycling in Cambridge (PDF)
• Cycle Lighting - when must you use cycle lights and what is required (PDF)
• Save Our Cycles - love your bike - lock it and log it (PDF)

Check out the Camcycle website, they are a local charity which works for more, better and safer cycling in and around Cambridge.

The mission of the Language Centre is to:

"Increase multilingualism amongst students and staff of the University; and to promote, encourage and support the learning of languages for personal, academic and professional purposes." - University of Cambridge Language Centre

To achieve their mission, the Language Centre aims to:

• Ensure access to outstanding language teaching and support for language learning for all current members of the University;
• Support the highest levels of academic achievement by students whose first language is not English;
• Exploit the latest technologies and pedagogies to develop bespoke language teaching and learning materials, for use across the University;
• Foster learner autonomy in language learners, whether studying independently and/or attending courses within the University;
• Provide bespoke professional advisory services to support individual language learners;
• Provide high quality learning resources in multiple media, both physical and virtual, in a wide range of languages;
• Collaborate and share expertise with other language learning providers within the University and in other organisations nationally and internationally;
• Promote language learning and access to university language study to students in schools and colleges.

You can find further information about the Language Centre on their website

Parking permits are restricted due to limited parking available at College. Parking is only available in Mare's Run.

Permits will be granted for the following only:

1. Blue Badge holders 
2. Medical/access needs
3. Sport – please note that partaking in sport is not a guaranteed reason for a permit

Applications must be made by completing the College Parking Permit Application Form.

All applications will be considered. Priority will be given to applicants applying in categories 1 and 2.