Why Newnham?

Newnham is the women’s college in the heart of Cambridge – led by women, for women.

 

150 years ago, a group of radicals – philosophers, campaigners, scientists, writers – came together to create a Cambridge College unlike any other. They dreamt of a College that would be friendly and challenging, with huge gardens open to everyone, and where Fellows and students would talk on equal terms. Newnham today makes that real.

Our founders wanted a College that would be beautiful and sociable, with warm brick buildings looking out to stunning gardens where students picnic, work and relax. From historic rooms with balconies to stylish modern en-suite rooms, all Newnham undergraduates live on site and are always close to their friends. Postgraduate students can choose dedicated graduate houses and flats nearby, with a lovely common room in College.

A College for women, led by women

Newnham is a College for women, led by women. It’s a place where you’ll see women hold the most senior roles; where you’ll have the pastoral and academic support to live life to your full potential. Your teaching and social life will be with women and men from across the University, and you’ll come home to a College that supports women 100 per cent.

We offer the financial support you need to flourish – from core bursaries and scholarships, to funds to help you access opportunities outside your studies. No-one should be prevented from fulfilling their academic potential because of costs.

Newnham life

Our gorgeous library, one of the best in Cambridge, was first built in 1897, when early women students couldn’t use the University libraries. The Old Labs, the original women’s laboratories, are now a performance space, with weekly concerts.

Our spacious central site is right next to the Sidgwick Site, with the science and engineering departments five minutes’ cycle away. Our sports fields, tennis and netball courts are all on site; so is our roof-top glass-walled gym, looking out over the Cambridge skyline.

Students enjoy choosing between well-equipped kitchens to cook with friends, the Buttery for relaxed meals, or dining in style in Hall. And there’s always coffee and cake at our chilled café-bar.

Hear directly from some of our students and see our Student Life pages, which will also give you plenty of information about College life including the accommodation options on offer, the societies you can join, support available to help you flourish, as well as a handy student A-Z guide.

If you want to dream big, and receive practical support for your dreams, join us.