We hope you are looking forward to starting at Peterhouse!
This page contains information for new postgraduate students. Further information for postgraduate students can be found in the Postgraduate Student Handbook. The MCR has also produced a Guide for New Petreans.
"Academical dress" means the correct academical gown worn over the appropriate clothing. This is worn on formal University and College occasions, and in Peterhouse is worn for formal College dinner in Hall, and on visits to College Officers, such as Tutors, when those visits are of a very formal nature.
Please note that postgraduates under the age of 24, without a Cambridge degree, should wear a BA status gown. Postgraduates aged 24 and over, without a Cambridge degree, should wear an MA status gown.
Admission will take place on Monday 2 October 2023. You will be expected to do the following:
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9.45 a.m. Postgraduate students new to Peterhouse will assemble in the College Hall where the Senior Tutor will give you an introductory talk including information on how the College operates, teaching arrangements, etc.
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Ensure you have bought a Peterhouse academical gown. Please contact one of the local Robemakers to do this. (Ryder & Aimes or Ede & Ravenscroft). You must have acquired a gown before lunchtime on Monday as you will need it for the photograph and admission ceremony.
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1.30 p.m. in the Peterhouse Theatre. Listen to talks by the Head Porter, representatives from Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service, St John’s Ambulance and Cambridgeshire Police. Then proceed directly to Old Court for the Group Photograph.
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2.30 p.m. Appear in the College Group Photograph on Old Court Lawn.
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3.00 p.m. Be Admitted to the College in the Combination Room.
NB – Members of another Cambridge College should participate in the photograph and Admission ceremony.
NB – Previous Peterhouse Undergraduates do not participate in the Admission ceremony, but are welcome to appear in the group photograph as a new Postgraduate student.
NB – Previous Peterhouse Postgraduates do not participate in the photograph, Admission ceremony or the associated activities.
You will meet your Postgraduate Tutor at MCR events held during Freshers’ week.
Michaelmas Term
Full Term begins on Tuesday, 3 October 2023.
New postgraduate students are expected in Cambridge by 30 September or 1 October and you will be admitted to the College on Monday 2 October 2023.
Lent Term
Full Term begins on Tuesday, 16 January 2024.
New postgraduate students are expected in Cambridge by 13 or 14 January 2024.
Easter Term
Full Term begins on Tuesday, 23 April 2024.
New postgraduate students are expected in Cambridge by 20 or 21 April 2024.
Although new postgraduate students are expected in Cambridge by the dates listed above, you may be expected to arrive at an earlier date for your particular course. Early arrival must be arranged, in advance, through the Accommodation Office.
Postgraduate students should let the Tutorial Office know the date of their arrival once travel plans have been confirmed.
On arrival at the College you should report to the Porter’s Lodge. The Duty Porter will give you your room key (if you are staying in College accommodation) and your University Card, as well as any other necessary information.
The College works with Endsleigh, student insurance, to protect the contents inside your room. You don’t need to do anything to activate this cover, but it is important for you to check and ensure that you fully understand the protection provided and whether it is sufficient for your needs. Further information is provided in the Postgraduate Student Handbook.
Students who do not hold a UK or Irish passport will need immigration permission in order to come to the UK and study at Cambridge. It is important to check before you leave home if any permission is required for you to enter and remain in the UK. The University provides lots of helpful information for international students on its website.
International students must ensure that they keep up to date with the guidance on current requirements to travel to the UK, as well as pre-arrival information which can be found here.
The Tutorial Office will contact all international incoming students before the start of term about the documentation that will need to be provided when you arrive. It is very important that you provide your immigration documents promptly when requested.
BRP Collection
If you opted to collect your BRP from the Post Office, please collect it as soon as possible.
If you are collecting your BRP from the University, the Tutorial Office will contact you before the start of term to let you know when it is available and to advise what documentation you will need to provide in order to collect it.
Digital Visa Status
Students with a digital visa status should send their share code to tutorial@pet.cam.ac.uk. This can be obtained from https://www.gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status. The Tutorial Office will contact you in due course to advise what other documentation you will need to provide.
The Tutorial Office can provide letters for official purposes. Please complete the relevant form: student status/enrolment letter or new bank account letter. You should allow up to five working days for a letter to be produced.
Information about College meal arrangements can be found in the Student Handbook. The College doesn't provide breakfast or lunch from its kitchens on Sundays. The closest shops to buy groceries are Tesco Express on Petty Cury; Sainsbury's on Sidney Street; and Marks & Spencer in Market Square. Please note that some supermarkets in Cambridge do not open until 11am on Sundays - so buy Sunday's breakfast in advance!
The College expects all postgraduate students to register with a local medical practitioner at a doctor's surgery soon after arrival. A list of local medical practitioners will be sent to you shortly after your arrival. It is advisable that postgraduate students also register with a local dentist.