We look forward to welcoming you to Downing in October!

Essential information relating to living and studying at Downing as a new student will be published here over the next few weeks.

2025 Foundation Year and Undergraduate Freshers’ Accommodation Form

Accommodation for Freshers will be allocated from rooms in Griphon House, Howard Lodge, Kenny A, Kenny B and staircases J and L.

Please enter your preferences for the cost of accommodation, what we call the Licence Fee. There is a selection of rooms for Freshers ranging in price from bands 2 to 10.

Due to the limited number of rooms available to Freshers each year, we cannot guarantee a room to match every preference with regards to cost, however we will endeavour to meet any medical or other essential need that you advise on your accommodation form. 

Submit your preferences via this online form

Please complete and submit the form by Friday 22 August 2025 at 12 noon. 

We regret that it may not be possible to satisfy accommodation requests if this form is not completed by this date.

Details on Licence Fees and information on rooms can be found in the Accommodation section of our website. 

We would be grateful if you did not contact the Accommodation Office directly at this time to discuss your accommodation.

Post 

Prior to 4 October 2025, please do not arrange for deliveries to arrive at College as we do not have the space and capacity to receive these items.  

Student Registration

In late August, you will receive by email an invitation to complete your Student Registration with the University of Cambridge and also to complete a Downing College accommodation form.

Once you have completed your University of Cambridge registration, you will receive your Cambridge credentials [CRSid@cam]. After this, you will automatically be sent your Downing credentials [CRSid@dow], which will enable you to access the Downing College intranet where more information for Freshers is available.

Undergraduate arrival dates for Michaelmas Term

Undergraduate Freshers

If you are an International Fresher you should already be aware of the arrival dates. If you are an International Fresher who has previously studied in the UK your arrival date is Saturday 4 October 2025.

For all other UG Freshers your arrival date in College is Saturday 4 October 2025 between 10am and 2pm. Earlier in September, you will receive by email an arrival slot of 30 minutes (eg. 11am to 11.30am) from the Tutorial team. Car parking will be regulated by arrival slots as a way of managing the number of people on site.

Returning undergraduate students

If returning to College accommodation, please plan to arrive no earlier than 9.00am on Sunday 5 October. 

Arrival and Registration: Saturday 4 October 2025

You will be allocated an arrival time which will sent out in early September - these allocations are not transferrable between students. 

If you are an International Student and would like to arrive earlier (from 2pm Thursday 2 October ), you must request this on your accommodation form, this is only normally considered if you have not previously lived or studied in the UK.

Registration in College

When you arrive at your allocated time you will complete your registration, for this you will need: original photo identification (such as a passport, National Identity Card, or UK photo driving licence) photographs of ID will not be accepted

Students arriving early will also need to attend registration on Saturday 4 October 2025.   

Freshers' Parents' and Carers' Welcome Tea

Parents and Carers of Freshers are warmly invited to join the Master and Fellows at a welcome afternoon tea which takes place on Saturday 4 October 2025 from 2pm until 3.30pm. Light refreshments will be served. 

Parking for this event is not available unless you are a Blue Badge holder. 

Undergraduate Matriculation: Tuesday 7 October 2025

* COMPULSORY attendance; Freshers are required to attend all in-person matriculation events, which include talks, photograph, ceremony and reception/dinner. You will be notified of the details in due course.

For Undergraduate matriculation all students must adhere to the Matriculation dress code:

  • 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
  • A Downing undergraduate academic gown must be worn throughout. You have been sent information on how to purchase the correct gown (please do not borrow/purchase a gown from a student from another College, as the gowns for each College are different)

College Clubs & Societies Fair: afternoon of 7 October 2025

Open to both undergraduate and postgraduate students in the Dining Hall.

A range of clubs and societies will be taking part, including sports clubs, academic societies, musical societies and many more.

Matriculation Reception and Dinner

From 6.45pm in the Grace Howard Room

Please note: All students must adhere to Matriculation dress code. 

Disability or Medical conditions

Tell us about your circumstances when requested by the College Wellbeing Team.   

The College Wellbeing Team will contact all students to ask them to complete a ‘Health Questionnaire’.

You should also contact the Accessibility and Disability Resource Centre (ADRC) about:

  • A disability or medical condition - this information can be about a diagnosed disability or a disability you think you may have
  • Check what is covered by the term disability.
  • support you received at school or College
  • Adjustments you may need in teaching, learning and exams and accessibility
  • Accessibility requirements

Please see the University's Accessibility and disability services for further information. 

Downing College library induction tours Michaelmas 2025

The Maitland Robinson Library will be offering tours to new users or anyone wanting a refresher. Expect tours to last around 20 minutes. No need to book - just drop in between the following times:

Monday 6 October: 11am - 12pm / 2pm - 3.30pm

Wednesday 8 October: 11am - 12pm / 2.30pm - 4.30pm

If you can’t make these times, don’t panic!  Short (often drop-in) library inductions can be arranged throughout the year, just speak to staff or email: library@dow.cam.ac.uk

University Library (UL) orientation tours

The UL are also offering multiple 45-minute orientation tours of their building and physical resources. Check the left of the screen (or the ‘Booking/availability’ link on mobile) for all available dates and times.