Undergraduate offer holders

This information is for those holding unconditional and conditional offers of places to study at Downing College. Any questions not addressed here can be directed to the Admissions Office via email.

Please don't forget to let us know if your email address is changing! Just email admissions@dow.cam.ac.uk.

What happens when you get your exam results

You will receive an email on or shortly after the A-level results day in August 2023. This will direct you to the information for incoming Undergraduates in Michaelmas Term 2023. 

Accommodation

All Downing College first-year students will be offered accommodation in college.  You will be sent a link to an online questionnaire to complete and return in late August 2023. 

Please note that the accommodation company called Downingstudents.com is completely unrelated to Downing College and does not provide accommodation for Downing College undergraduates.

We will then contact you again in early September if you are due to start your course in October 2023, with:

  • information about the accommodation that has been reserved for you
  • the name of your personal Tutor and your Director of Studies
  • information about arriving at Downing

Reading lists

It is important to try to do as much of the recommended reading as possible before you arrive in Cambridge as work starts almost immediately when you arrive. See the Reading lists page.

If you need any further information please contact the Admissions Office.

Cambridge Bursary Scheme

If you are a UK or EU (with settled or pre-settled status) undergraduate student with a household income of below £62,215 then you are likely to be eligible for a Cambridge Bursary of up to £3,500 per year.  The Cambridge Bursary is in addition to any loan for maintenance or tuition fees which you receive from the UK government.  Most UK students do not need to apply separately for the Cambridge Bursary, you will be automatically assessed by the Student Loans Company as part of your application for student Finance from the UK Government.

There is further information on the Cambridge Bursary Scheme and how to apply here.

Stormzy Scholarship

Information and eligibility criteria for the Stormzy Scholarship can be found here.

Disability

The College and University work together to offer all disabled students the maximum possible support.

Now that you have received an offer, we would like to give you a further opportunity to let us know if you have a disability and if you will require any support or advice when you come up to Cambridge.

If you have already disclosed your disability as part of your application you do not need to get in touch but if you have not, please contact the Admissions Office now.

Student Registration and IT

In late August you will be sent an email from the Student Registry containing detailed instructions and a link to the CamSIS Student Registration web pages. You should complete the registration process before you arrive in Cambridge.

Please make sure your email address at UCAS is current and contact the Admissions Office if your email address is changing.

When to arrive

Undergraduate International Freshers (EU and Rest of the World only) – TBC. All early arrivals must request permission in advance by email. (** see below.)

International students are deemed to be those who have not previously lived or attended school in the UK Please note, some international students arriving early may be required to stay in a temporary room, and will not be able to gain access to your permanent room until Saturday 30 September 2023. You will be given full details by the Housekeeping Office.  Registration for all students will take place on Saturday 30 September 2023.

Undergraduate Freshers (Home – UK only) – on Saturday 30 September 2023.

Registration will take place on arrival at Downing College.  You will receive an arrival slot by email. New students will be granted permission to arrive earlier if they are unable to travel on Saturday 30 September due to religious reasons or if they have a compulsory pre-sessional or language course with an earlier start date.

** In all cases of early arrival, permission must be sought in advance by email from the Undergraduate Admissions Officer: admissions@dow.cam.ac.uk

For general enquiries, please contact freshers@dow.cam.ac.uk.

Welcome to Cambridge events

A number of events in the UK and overseas are organised by Cambridge alumni. You may be interested in attending one of these events but please note that these are not events necessary for student induction and there is absolutely no obligation to attend. Please note that some events require the payment of a fee.

Setting up a bank account

International students (including those from EU countries) with confirmed offers are advised to make an appointment with their chosen bank (if necessary) to set up an account, so that you can request the required letters and confirmation from the Tutorial and Admissions Office in advance of arrival at Downing College.  If you have given at least one week's notice for this request, your pre-requested letters can be collected from the Tutorial and Admissions Office when you arrive.  You will need to let the Tutorial and Admissions Office know your request, including the name and address of your chosen bank and any specific details that may be required, by emailing Admissions Officer on admissions@dow.cam.ac.uk

Term dates

The College operates a system of Normal Periods of Residence (NPR) which allows students to be in residence for a few days at either end of University Full Term.

University Full Term

Each teaching term (also known as Full Term) is eight weeks long. There are three terms per year:

  • Michaelmas (running from October to December)
  • Lent (January to March)
  • Easter (April to June).

Full Term dates are available on the University of Cambridge website.

Useful links

Information for International Students

The first few weeks at Cambridge - University information