Information for new postgraduates 2025

Information for new postgraduates with a confirmed place

More information on the Welcome talks and Matriculation amongst other subjects can be found on the intranet from the beginning of Term, the beginning of October. Login here with your Downing [@dow] credentials.

We look forward to welcoming you to Downing. At registration, you will need to do the following:

• Provide original documentation to confirm your identity - we are unable to register you without these.
• If you are a visa holder, you will need to bring:
  - your original passport
  - any visa share code (or if not yet granted, proof of application)
  - date of entry to the UK (date stamp in your passport or other evidence, such as flight ticket, boarding pass, email confirmation), which will be scanned.
• Student Loan payment authorisation - If you are a new Clinical Medic, Clinical Vet, PGCE student or have taken out a Postgraduate Master's Loan from the Student Loan Company, the process to release your student loan will start as soon as we have seen either your UK passport or driving licence.
• Collect your Registration documentation and University Card.

If you need to gain access to the College, please ring the bell on the wall just inside the College gates, or call the Porters’ Lodge on 01223 334800.

Your CRSid 

The University will send an email, inviting you to complete Student Registration, usually a few weeks before term begins. At the end of the exercise, there is an opportunity to collect your CRSid@cam email address/Raven account if you are a new student. This will also enable you to access the Downing College intranet where more information for Freshers/current students is available. 

All students are required to complete this exercise on an annual basis, even if you have studied at Cambridge before.

Welcome and Matriculation

Thursday 9 October 2025

All new full-time Postgraduate students (and part-time students where the normal residential term dates apply) will be formally welcomed into College membership by the Master and Praelector at a Matriculation Ceremony.  Matriculation will consist of welcome talks in the Howard Building Assembly Room from 9am in the morning, with a break for lunch, followed by the group photograph and your Matriculation ceremony. The Tutorial team will email you with more details and arrival times. College is hoping to organise part-time matriculation events. Information will be distributed to the relevant students nearer to the start date of their course.

Academic Gown/purchase

Wearing a gown is a symbol of your joining the community of scholars. You first wear a gown for Matriculation. You will also need a gown for other formal occasions, to attend Formal Hall and for your graduation.  It may be possible to hire, borrow or purchase gowns, subject to availability, for such occasions from the Graduate Union. However, many new postgraduate students opt to have a gown of their own, which can be purchased directly from Ryder & Amies. Before ordering your gown, when the College has received notification of your confirmed place, the Tutorial and Admissions Office will email a voucher code (from mid-August onwards), which is redeemed at checkout to receive a discount on the cost of any postgraduate gown over £50.00. It is important to wear the correct gown. Consequently, please contact the outfitter if you require any guidance before making a purchase. Alternatively, please refer to the Graduate Union's Gown Guide for further information.  Gowns are available at a much reduced price compared to significantly higher prices in the city (approximate cost: £95 for a BA gown or £110 for an MA gown).

If you haven’t yet already done so, you will need to purchase a Downing College academic gown from Ryder & Amies. Wearing a gown is a symbol of your joining the community of scholars. You first wear a gown for Matriculation. You will also need a gown for other formal occasions, to attend Formal Hall and for your graduation.

Postgraduate Matriculation dress code

Dress code is as follows, which is defined without reference to considerations of gender identity or expression:

• Smart black suit
• Long, smart black trousers or a smart black skirt
• White shirt or white blouse (all shirts should be collared and worn with a dark tie or cravat)
• Smart black day dress (not evening or party wear)
• Smart black shoes (no trainers or similar)
• Jeans, shorts or other casual clothing is not allowed
• The correct postgraduate academic gown must be worn throughout (please do not wear an undergraduate gown)

Reception and Dinner

• From 6:45pm in the Grace Howard Room.
• Please note: all students must adhere to Matriculation dress code.

Checklist

Any queries should be directed by email to the Tutorial and Admissions Office.