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Why Girton

Whoever you are, whatever your background, you are very welcome here at Girton

A Beautiful Location

Girton sits among 50 acres of natural woodlands, orchards and wildlife habitats. The Main Site is on Huntingdon Road which offers easy bike and public transport access to the centre of Cambridge - about 2 miles away.   

Check out the location of the College here in relation to other places / departments in Cambridge.  Linked also is a a map showing the U-Bus route from Girton Main Site or Eddington (near Swirles Court) through the city out to Addenbrooke's Hospital.  

Outstanding Facilities

Girton offers heritage buildings, library, Social Hub Café, indoor swimming pool and some of the best on-site sporting and leisure facilities in the University. We are also proud to offer state-of-the-art postgraduate accommodation. See more here.

An Esteemed History

Girton was the first residential institution for the higher education of women in Cambridge, founded in 1869, going mixed in the 1970s.  Find out more about our remarkable history here.  

Excellent Support

We are a College that knows and takes an interest in every student as an individual. There is a tradition of inclusion, and a well-developed ethic of care. All postgraduates are allocated a Postgraduate Tutor. The Tutor's role is to maintain year-round interest in the well-being and academic progress of their students – to advise, encourage and to signpost. Tutors normally work in a different academic field from their tutees, and do not teach them; nonetheless they take a close interest in their tutees' academic welfare and progress, where necessary intervening to advise and help. If a tutee has any problems concerning their general welfare, academic work, finances, health, or other concerns, they should not hesitate to contact their Tutor. For further information about the range of support Girton offers students, see Welfare & Support.

A Student Community 

We have a large, international postgraduate community that contributes towards providing a vibrant, friendly and inclusive experience for all. Our annual intake is around 190 new postgraduates and we have a total postgrad population of around 370.  Our student-elected MCR, a traditional acronym meaning Middle Common Room, represents both a room in College (at Swirles Court) as well as the graduate student body itself. It provides social support, representation on College committees and entertainment - see the MCR pages for more information.

An Academic Community

Girton has a diverse, world-class Fellowship (academic members) who are actively engaged in cutting-edge research. Along with its tutors, Girton also has a supportive and approachable team of staff and fellows to help and advise postgraduates. With regular opportunities for in-College skills training and academic development (the Girton Skills Programme), this environment offers every student the opportunity to achieve their very best. 

All Cambridge students are members of a college as well as the University. Broadly-speaking, the University provides teaching and research supervision. The College is the hub of your social and academic community, offering moral support, companionship and intellectual enrichment.  For more explanation about the relationship between Departments, Colleges and the University, click here.  

Support for New Postgraduates 

Girton offers a full pre-arrival induction programme led by Tutorial staff and current postgraduates for both offerholders and confirmed postgrads. 

Funding Opportunities

Postgraduate Research Scholarships are open to all prospective applicants via the University Graduate Applicant Portal, with deadlines of 1 December or 5 January, depending on the course you are applying for.  See Fees, Finance & Funding for more information.

Once in residence, modest funds are available to assist with travel/conference costs

Girton Skills Programme   

Postgraduate Admissions Office

List of Courses at the University

Chat to current Cambridge postgraduates - this is University-wide not just College-wide.  

Widening Participation for postgraduates at the University of Cambridge

  • AIM PhD - AIM PhD is a 6-month, online programme to assist applicants from underrepresented groups with their application to doctoral study at the University of Cambridge.

Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding - Applicants who do not yet have a University email account should email altguide.pgfunding@admin.cam.ac.uk to receive an access pin. Current Cambridge students and staff can use their University email address to register online for access to the Guide.  

Life at Girton

Find out more about living and learning in our friendly, informal and supportive community

Discover more