Graduating undergraduates embrace in the sundial garden

Why Wolfson?

Wolfson is a college for mature students (aged 21 and over) and postgraduates that is dynamically engaged with the world.

Graduating undergraduates embrace in the sundial garden

What makes Wolfson special?

There are 31 colleges at the University of Cambridge, and it can seem like a difficult decision to choose which one is right for you. Wolfson is a little different. As a mature college, we're exclusively for postgraduates and undergraduate students who are aged 21 or over at the beginning of their studies.

Here, you’ll live, study, and socialise with students from more than 90 countries. We have no hierarchies: there’s no high table and our social spaces are shared by everyone, which means you’re just as likely to sit next to the College President as you might a student from another continent.

We’re a college that's committed to the idea of life-long learning, and we specialise in academic, professional, and personal support to help you succeed in your studies. We offer a specially-designed study skills programme, WolfWorks; our exceptional Lee Library is open 24/7, 365 days a year; and we have dedicated College tutors to support you throughout your studies.

All our undergraduates are guaranteed accommodation in College for their first three years, whether it’s a single room, ensuite, shared house, or family flat. All our blocks have access to self-catering kitchen facilities, and rental fees are inclusive of utilities and cleaning. Our dining hall serves three high-quality meals a day with Formal Halls held twice a week during term time.

Whether you join our rowing crews, sign up for the Wolfson Entrepreneur Society, laugh along at our Wolfson Howler comedy night, sing in our choir, or grow your own veg in the student garden, you’ll be able to find the sporting, social, cultural, and intellectual activities that suit you. And if you join our Interdisciplinary Research Hubs, you’ll unite with Wolfson students, Fellows, and members in tackling the big issues facing the world today.

Located on a single site just beyond the city centre, surrounded by glorious gardens and with facilities including a tennis court and gym, Wolfson is an inspiring and supportive environment where you can fulfil your potential and use your studies to help change the world.

To find out more, hear from our students about the academic community at Wolfson, via YouTube.

Our community

  • We are culturally very diverse, with students from more than 90 countries. This creates a highly stimulating College environment for interdisciplinary and international conversation.
  • We are egalitarian: unlike other colleges, there is no ‘high table’ where Fellows eat separately, or separation of 'common rooms' or other social spaces. All College members, including Fellows, visiting academics and students, mingle together in social and academic circles.
  • As a mature college, the average age in our student body is 25, with individual ages ranging from 21 to over 70. We also provide additional support for students with families.

Academic life

  • We host a wide variety of academic events, including a lecture series in humanities, debates, panels and invited speakers.
  • Our Interdisciplinary Research Hubs bring together Fellows, students and other partners to investigate pressing problems in the world today.
  • The Wolfson Research Event is an annual interdisciplinary conference organised by students to showcase the diversity of research carried out across College.

Social life

  • There's a wide variety of social spaces in College, including our Club Room with a coffee and drinks bar, and two pool tables; the Lee Room with board games, games consoles and a full-size snooker table; and beautiful College gardens.
  • We have a variety of sports clubs and social societies, and run regular College events and socials organised by our students' association (WCSA).
  • We host the infamous Wolfson Howler comedy night, which has staged headliner performances from the likes of Dane Baptiste, Fern Brady, Phil Wang, Ed Gamble, Russell Howard and Adam Kay.

Food and dining

  • The dining hall is open three meals a day, seven days per week. There is always a vegetarian and a vegan option, and students receive a 25% discount.
  • Our food is delicious and Head Chef Tim works with the students to provide international themed menus across the year.
  • We have formal hall twice a week during term, with themed events including Burns' Night, Boat Club Dinner, St David's and Festive Formal Hall.

Accommodation 

  • We have some of the most affordable rooms of the Cambridge Colleges, with a range of four prices for a single room.
  • Our rent is all-inclusive: there are no extra charges for electricity, gas, water, IT, insurance or cleaning.
  • We have several options for licence periods, with cheaper "Termly licences" as short as 26 weeks (9+9+8 weeks).

Our location

  • The College is in a quiet and beautiful part of Cambridge, just five minutes’ walk from the Sidgwick site, where most Humanities faculties (English, Law, Modern & Medieval Languages and History) and lecture halls are situated, ten minutes from the University Library, and fifteen minutes from the town centre.
  • We are also conveniently located for the West Cambridge site, where the Mathematics Faculty, Vet School, Cavendish Laboratory and Computer Laboratories are found.
  • We are very close to the beautiful Grantchester Meadows, where you can walk and picnic by the river.

Financial support

Academic support

  • We have an excellent College Library, which is open 24/7, 365 days a year; you can take food and drink inside; and students can request books for the collection.
  • We provide study skills advice through our bespoke WolfWorks programme, and run a writing centre by and for students
  • Our PhD Mentoring Programme pairs students with Fellows or Senior Members working in a related subject. 

Student services

  • We provide a comprehesive range of student services to cover all aspects of life in Cambridge, including academic, pastoral, wellbeing, financial and technical support.
  • Our College Nurse offers confidential help with a range of health problems, including assessment, advice and support for minor injuries and illnesses.
  • We employ a dedicated Student Wellbeing Advisor, who can support you with any mental health, wellbeing, or stress-related difficulties.

Alumni

  • The College fosters alumni relations through regular communications and dedicated events. Many Wolfson alumni maintain a close relationship with College, and regularly return for informal visits.
  • Students remain members of Wolfson College for life, and all our alumni can enjoy a range of benefits at Wolfson.
  • Our international alumni network, supported by our bespoke platform Wolfson Connect, provides mentoring and networking opportunities both in Cambridge and across the globe.