Life at Peterhouse

Peterhouse is a small and vibrant College with about 75 students in each undergraduate year and about 475 students in total. Peterhouse has a uniquely friendly and welcoming environment, and is close to the main Arts, Engineering and Science faculties and five minutes’ walk from the city centre. Peterhouse has a diverse student body, and the only thing all our students have in common is their commitment and ability for their subject and the drive to work hard. 

There is a wealth of information about Peterhouse on this website, including the current Undergraduate and Postgraduate Student Handbooks, or you can download a PDF of the Peterhouse college prospectus which has similar information. 

Undergraduates

Our undergraduates come from very diverse backgrounds, all find a welcoming home at Peterhouse. See here for why Peterhouse may be the right college for you, and how to apply.

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Postgraduates

Our postgraduates are a highly valued part of Peterhouse and as a result the College has an exceptionally vibrant postgraduate community.

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Library

Even in the digital age the Library is an essential resource for all students. Peterhouse’s Ward Library is a truly exceptional space. 

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Chapel

The Chapel is a spiritual and contemplative centre and the un-mistakable central geographical landmark of College. 

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Accessibility

We have a number of wheelchair-accessible student bedrooms available and social spaces such as the Theatre, Lubbock Room, JCR and Bar are all wheelchair-accessible. However, due to the age of some of the buildings, there are a number of staircases and other places which may not be accessible to all students. For more information, please consult the University's Disability Resource Centre's guide to Colleges. 

We are happy to consider other requirements such as live-in assistants or assistance dogs, but unfortunately cannot guarantee that these would be possible and would advise you to contact us and the University's Disability Resource Centre before applying. 

See our page on AccessAble for details on accessibility
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The close-knit community is great. If you're the type of person who likes to know everyone in your year and feel that, whoever you turn to, you'll be supported, then Peterhouse is the place for you.

Craig

Study Here

Every student at Cambridge is a member of one of the colleges that make up the University. You can make an open application, but most chose to apply to a particular college. Your college will be your academic and personal home for the whole of your degree course, so it is important to choose somewhere you will feel comfortable and where you can thrive.

As the oldest Cambridge college with the smallest student body, Peterhouse offers a unique environment and is, above all, a stimulating and friendly place to be for both undergraduates and graduate students.

Peterhouse is a tight-knit and supportive community, where new students quickly feel at home, regardless of their background, and find it easy to participate in the College’s vibrant academic, extra-curricular and social life.

Contrary to popular belief, there is no 'typical' Cambridge student and the same is true of Peterhouse students: our undergraduates and graduates come from an enormously wide range of backgrounds with varied interests and opinions. Many come from overseas. The only things Peterhouse students have in common are high academic ability, a commitment to their subject and a willingness to work hard.

This diversity is nothing new. Throughout its history the College has fostered an impressive roster of illustrious alumni. These range from historical figures in every field, from poet Thomas Gray to scientists Charles Babbage and Lord Kelvin, to more recent graduates such as Oscar-winning film director Sam Mendes, bass guitarist of Radiohead Colin Greenwood and Olympic gold-medallist Stephanie Cook.

We are centrally located but off the tourist trail and in a relatively quiet part of town. All of our students are accommodated in College property for the duration of their course; there is further information available on undergraduate and postgraduate accommodation on this site.  Peterhouse provide some of the best rooms in Cambridge and at a wide range of rents. Students are able to take advantage of our outstanding facilities and support, both academic and extra-curricular, and our large grounds allow plenty of space, indoors and out, to relax and feel at home.

Undergraduates

Our undergraduates come from very diverse backgrounds, all find a welcoming home at Peterhouse. See here for why Peterhouse may be the right college for you, and how to apply.

Discover More
Postgraduates

Our postgraduates are a highly valued part of Peterhouse and as a result the College has an exceptionally vibrant postgraduate community.

Discover More
Life at Peterhouse

We regard Peterhouse as a very special place. Here you can find the many ways in which life in the College sustains our members: from the essentials of rooms and food, and the academic facilities, to sporting, arts and leisure opportunities.

Explore life at Peterhouse
Access and Outreach

We seek to draw our students from as wide a range of backgrounds as possible. See here for information on events for schools, outreach opportunities and information for teachers, parents and carers.

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Contact us

Meet the Admissions Team

Telephone: 01223 338223 or 01223 768877

Email: admissions@pet.cam.ac.uk

Address: The Admissions Office, Peterhouse, Cambridge, CB2 1RD, United Kingdom

 

 

Undergraduates

Each year Peterhouse admits about 80 undergraduates studying for their first degree. Our undergraduates are drawn from a diverse range of educational, cultural and social backgrounds and we welcome applicants from all types of schools both in the UK and abroad. We are committed to offering the widest possible access to Cambridge based on academic ability, achievement and the potential to achieve. 

Choosing which College to apply to can be daunting, particularly if you haven’t visited Cambridge before. Your College will be your home for the time you spend studying at Cambridge (and indeed the rest of your life!) and we strongly recommend applying to a College you’d feel comfortable in. Most students think their College is the best one, and Peterhouse students are no different! However, the Colleges are all more similar than they are different and the choice of College won’t affect the education you receive. The Admissions Team are always happy to show prospective applicants around or to answer any questions, or you can visit us. 

If you are predicted, or have secured, high grades in your school leaving exams we would strongly encourage you to think about applying. For entrance requirements for specific subjects, see our  courses.

We hope that you will find all of the information you need on our website, but please don't hesitate to contact us with any questions or if you wish to arrange a visit. 

Why Peterhouse?

Peterhouse is a vibrant College and a beautiful, fun place to live. See here for the many reasons why Peterhouse may be the right college for you, from its central location and great facilities to its supportive, friendly atmosphere. 

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Studying

Peterhouse has a strong tradition of academic excellence in both Arts and Sciences. This page gives general information on the teaching system in Cambridge and facilities in Peterhouse. Our Courses pages give much more detail on individual courses.

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Accommodation

Peterhouse is able to accommodate all our undergraduates and we are able to provide some of the cheapest accommodation in Cambridge. 

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How to Apply

Details of how to apply to Peterhouse: how the process works and what we look for .

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Meet the Directors of Studies

Are you considering Peterhouse as your college? Your Directors of Studies will guide you through your academic courses, so one of the best ways to make your decision is to learn more about your Director of Studies on our subjects pages.

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Offer Holders and Freshers

Information for offer-holders and new students about to start studying at Peterhouse: what do you need to do, and when?

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Current Applicants

Information for current applicants: now that you have applied, what happens next?

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