What do you pay for?

Girton College accommodation fees are inclusive of utilities, cleaning services, wifi and contents insurance.

The only variation in residence fee is for an en-suite room rather than a standard room with shared bathroom facilities. The residence charge is usually fixed for the first three years of your course.

The accommodation charge includes Contents Insurance (except for couple and family accommodation).

This is set by the University of Cambridge and collected by Girton College, on behalf of the University, via an annual payment. The fee is dependent upon course and fee status. Please note that a separate College fee is charged only to those doing a Master of Advanced Study course/degree.  

• Further information about University Postgraduate Study Fees

Contents insurance is included for students in College residence at no extra fee.

Students not in College residence, or in Couples or Family accommodation, are encouraged to arrange their own insurance.

• Find out more about Accommodation Content Insurance

All students have a University or “Uniware” card which can be used to make purchases at the Porters' Lodge, cafeterias or on UPAY (used to pay for things like Formal Hall).

At the start of each term (with the exception of the final term of their course) each student’s card comes with a £500.00 credit.

At the end of each term the amount that has been spent is added to the following term’s College Bill for payment.

If you exceed your credit limit you can top it up in the Porters’ Lodge.

This is charged separately to students who are not living in College accommodation.

It covers the cost of access to non-academic College facilities such as the swimming pool and other sports facilities as well as subsidised meals in the College cafeteria and Social Hub.

This is paid by all students in their first year at the College in three termly installments billed via the College Bill.

It is used to cover the cost of any possible damage to your room or College property and is used to pay any debts incurred after your final bill has been issued, such as Uniware (food) card charges, library fines, etc.

The remaining amount is refunded within one month of you graduating or your degree being approved.

These could be for accommodation requested outside of the tenancy agreement such as early arrival or accommodation during the long vacation.

These may be utility charges in College-owned family/couple accommodation where they are not included in the rent of the property.  

They may also be a specific residence charge, damage charges over and above the Security deposit amount or room transfer fees. You would be notified about any of these in advance of being charged.

This is the cost of your course. It covers teaching and access to faculty or department academic resources.

Not all courses cost the same, and it is important to make sure you have identified any additional costs associated with your specific course.

Find out more via Postgraduate Study - University of Cambridge.

These are paid to the College and cover the cost of the facilities and support that Girton provides.

For most postgraduates, the College fee is included in the University fee - only those on a MAST course will see a College fee listed separately.

This refers to your living costs whilst at Cambridge and is an estimate of how much you will need for accommodation, food, clothing, books, travel, etc.  After arrival, if you would like assistance with budgeting, you may contact our Financial Welfare Officer (fwo@girton.cam.ac.uk).  

• Advice from the University of Cambridge