You’ve seen the glossy brochures. You’ve heard the legends. But what’s it actually like to study at Cambridge?
Beyond the ivy-covered walls and Nobel-worthy faculty, Cambridge life is a wild and wonderful mix of:
- Quiet libraries and loud debates
- Intense essays and bizarre traditions
- All-nighters and candlelit formal dinners
This blog takes you inside the real, daily life of a Cambridge student — academically, socially, emotionally, and everything in between.
The Academic Experience: Welcome to the Deep End
Cambridge academics are relentless, personalized, and immersive.
The cornerstone? Supervisions.
What are supervisions?
- Weekly (or twice-weekly) 1-on-1 or 2-on-1 sessions
- Held by fellows or professors from your college or faculty
- Focus on your essays, problem sets, or project work
- You must defend your logic, argue your interpretation, and think on your feet
Example:
You submit a 2,000-word essay on the fall of the Roman Empire.
In your supervision, your tutor picks apart your thesis, challenges your assumptions, and pushes you to refine your ideas — all in 45 minutes.
It’s not easy. But you come out smarter every single time.
What your week may look like:
| Day | Morning | Afternoon | Evening |
| Monday | Economics lecture | Research at faculty library | Chill dinner with flatmates |
| Tuesday | Write essay | Supervision on trade policy | Punting or debate club |
| Wednesday | Lab work (STEM) | Coding at café | Jazz night or poetry slam |
| Thursday | Attend society meeting | Group project brainstorm | Pub quiz at college bar |
| Friday | Submit essay + meet with tutor | Gym or rowing training | Formal Hall (black-tie dinner) |
| Weekend | Catch up on reading | Trip to London / nature walk | Netflix + laundry + prepping |
📘 Yes, it’s intense. No, it’s not all work.
College Life: The Cambridge Social Engine
Cambridge isn’t one university. It’s 31 mini-universities, aka colleges.
Every student belongs to a college, and that’s where you:
- Live
- Eat
- Study
- Get tutored
- Build your social circle
Each college has its own vibe:
- King’s – progressive, artsy, activist-friendly
- Trinity – huge, historic, high-achieving
- Pembroke – warm, social, and scenic
- Robinson – modern and chill
- St. John’s – beautiful but competitive
Colleges have their own:
- Formal dining halls
- Chapels or prayer rooms
- Libraries
- Common rooms
- Bars (!), cafés, gyms, and music rooms
🧑🤝🧑 Most of your closest friends will be from your college, not your subject.
Mental Health & Pressure
Let’s be real — Cambridge can be overwhelming.
You might face:
- Essay deadlines every week
- Imposter syndrome (“Everyone here is smarter than me”)
- Social exhaustion from bouncing between events, classes, and people
- Burnout if you don’t pace yourself
But you’re not alone. Support includes:
- College-based welfare teams (peer reps, tutors, chaplains)
- Free counseling through the University Counselling Service
- 24/7 helpline (Cambridge Nightline)
- Mental health workshops and self-care clubs
🧠 Cambridge expects excellence — but it’s learning to protect wellness, too.
Social Life: Quietly Wild
Cambridge social life is:
- Quirky
- Intellectually playful
- Low-key but unforgettable
Here’s what makes it special:
Formal Halls
- Fancy 3-course dinners served in candlelit dining halls
- You wear gowns (academic robes), say Latin grace, and toast tutors
- Happens several nights a week, depending on your college
Societies & Student Clubs
- 700+ student societies (everything from AI to anime)
- Political debates at the Cambridge Union
- Open mic nights, jazz bands, salsa clubs, coding societies, creative writing groups
College Bars & Secret Traditions
- Most colleges have student-run bars
- Every college has at least one bizarre tradition (e.g., garden streaking, boat-burning, or secret societies like “The Apostles”)
Balls & May Week
- Black-tie summer balls (called “May Balls”) include:
- Champagne fountains
- Live music till sunrise
- Ferris wheels, silent discos, fire-breathers
- Held at the end of the year — an elite student party culture
🥂 You’ll never forget your first Formal, Ball, or secret club invite.
Lifestyle: Cozy, Connected, and Bike-Powered
Cambridge is:
- A small town, built around the university
- Incredibly bike-friendly — almost everyone cycles
- Full of independent cafés, bookshops, gardens, and quiet riverside paths
- 50 minutes from London by train
You don’t need a car.
You do need a decent coat and a reliable bike.
🛴 And a bell — trust us.
International Students: Supported & Celebrated
With 35%+ international students, Cambridge is incredibly global.
You’ll find:
- National & cultural societies (South Asian, African-Caribbean, East Asian, MENA, etc.)
- Language exchanges, visa support, international common rooms
- Chaplaincies and prayer spaces for all faiths
- Cross-cultural mentorship programs
You’ll meet people from:
- India, Nigeria, Brazil, USA, Singapore, Ghana, Germany, UAE, Japan, and more
🌍 No matter where you’re from, you won’t be alone.
Summary: Life at Cambridge
| Life Category | What It’s Like |
| Academics | Intense, personal, deep |
| Supervisions | Weekly 1:1 sessions that push your thinking |
| Student Culture | Quirky, low-key, and full of options |
| College Experience | Close-knit, identity-shaping |
| Mental Health | High pressure, but support systems in place |
| Lifestyle | Historic town meets modern minds on bikes |
Glossary / Sources
- Cambridge Life Overview
https://www.cam.ac.uk/about-the-university/student-life - Supervisions Explained
https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/supervisions - Colleges List & Vibe Guide
https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/colleges - Student Societies & Clubs
https://www.cambridgesu.co.uk - Wellbeing & Mental Health Support
https://www.studentwellbeing.admin.cam.ac.uk
