New to Cambridge?

FAQs about living in Cambridge

• How do I get to Cambridge from the airport?

  There are direct coaches/buses from Heathrow, Stansted, Luton and Gatwick airports. Coaches can be booked in person or at www.nationalexpress.com. There are direct trains from Stansted and Gatwick. Trains from Heathrow and LCY involve changeovers and may not be the best option if traveling with many suitcases. Trains can be booked in person or at www.nationalrail.co.uk. If staying in college accommodation, you will need to take a taxi from the train station or bus stop to your college porter’s lodge where you will check in and collect your room key. If living offsite, you may need to take another taxi to your accommodation from there. Taxis can be booked with the Panther app or by calling their service on 01223 715715. Depending on the distance, the taxi trip can cost up to £10-£12. Please note that you may need to self-isolate upon arrival.

• What is a college, and how does that intersect with my department?

  Your college is where you are based while at Cambridge. Colleges provide accommodation, organise supervisions and coordinate with departments to ensure the welfare of students. There are 31 colleges at Cambridge, some of which are female-only, graduate-only, mature students-only or some combination of these. No one college is dedicated to one department. Hence, colleges allow students studying different disciplines to interact.

• How do I commute to Cambridge?

  If you live within a walking distance of your department or place of work, then walking is a good option. However, there might be interesting events happening in farther areas of Cambridge, so other travel options are good to know. Cycling is the next cheapest and most reliable form of commuting in Cambridge. However, beware that bike theft is rampant, so be sure to get a good lock. Also, get a helmet and bike lights for safety, and remember the UK drives and cycles on the left. The bus can also be a good option if there are bus stops near your home and work although, to be frank, buses are not always reliable. The university has a subsidized U bus for staff and students - £1 for a single ticket with a university card, but again the U bus may not conveniently run along your route. Use Google maps to find other city buses that run within your route. Taxis, though expensive for everyday use, can be another travel option and can be booked through the Panther or Uber mobile apps.

• How do I get a bike?

  Some good stores to get a new bike are Rutland cycling, Halfords, Decathlon UK and Argos. Make sure to read the reviews! It is advisable to buy the bike in-person so you can avoid having to assemble it yourself and you can test it out to get the seat height adjusted etc. You can also buy second-hand bikes from bike repair shops in Cambridge or from someone who is selling their bike. Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree may have some deals (but beware that sometimes people sell stolen bikes on these platforms).

• How do I get around to other places in the UK?

  Trains are the most convenient way to get around to other cities, and tickets are cheaper if booked online and in advance. If you are a full-time student (even if you are more than 25 years old) and you plan to travel rather frequently, you can apply for a 16-25 discount railcard. There is a £30 for one year option and a £70 for three years option. The railcard can save you 1/3 off most rail fares across the country. Buses are another option although they often take longer. They can be booked online and in advance as well. The Young Persons Coachcard allows you to save 1/3 on standard bus fares if you are a full-time student. The Coachcard costs £12.50 for a year or a three-year card for £30.

• How do I get a UK phone number?

  If your phone is unlocked, you may buy a SIM card for as low as £1 from a retail store e.g. Boots, Wilko, Argos etc. Popular mobile service providers include giffgaff, lycamobile, vodafone etc. You can also order a SIM for free and get it shipped free from the providers if you order online. You can use a pay as you go option or a recurring monthly plan option depending on your needs. You will need to set up a bank account to use the recurring monthly plan which you can set up yourself through the website of the mobile service provider.

• How do I set up a bank account?

  Barclays is the most popular bank choice among students but there are a few other options for banks in Cambridge - Lloyds, HSBC, Metro bank, Virgin Money and Santander. It is generally advised to set up an account with a bank that has a physical branch in Cambridge. You will need to book an appointment in advance and show up in person to open a bank account. The banks are very busy at the start of the academic year so it is good to be strategic about this. To open a bank account, you will need your passport, UK visa and a letter from your College for proof of residence. Your debit card and card pin would be sent separately to your mailing address about a week after the account set up. Most banks do not charge a fee for your account or to use your card for payments in the UK.

• How do I access healthcare while in Cambridge?

  Students on a student visa paid the IHS and so can access NHS care free of charge like a permanent UK resident. You may still need to pay for dental and optical treatment and any prescribed medication. You should register with a doctor as soon as possible after your arrival in Cambridge. Your College will give advice on this and may recommend a Doctor’s surgery (known as General Practitioner or GP). You will need your passport and a letter from your College as proof you are a student. The GP will be your first point of contact for your health needs and you must be referred to a specialist by your GP. You can book appointments by calling the GP office. If you are feeling unwell while in College, let your College know. Most Colleges have a nurse who will be able to give you advice and may arrange for a doctor to visit you.

• What about dental care and eye care?

  Dental care and eye care are not covered by health insurance. For dental care, there are two bands of pricing which are the more affordable NHS band and the private band. You can find NHS dentists near you by searching here. The pricelist for check-ups and treatments are listed on the websites of the dental practice. It is generally good to register with a dentist and go for check ups twice a year. Eyecare needs can be accessed at Specsavers or pharmacies like Boots.

• What do I need to do to survive the winter?

  It gets pretty cold in the winter but Cambridge does not typically get a lot of snow. Be sure to invest in a very warm duvet (10-13.5 tog), very warm good quality winter jacket(s), long sleeve tops and sweaters, scarves, hats, gloves (windbreaker gloves if cycling) and warm socks. Snow boots are not needed as Cambridge does not get much snow. It is not advisable to cycle if there is snow or ice on the ground as this can be dangerous. It will also get dark early (as early as 4pm) during the winter. Bike lights are a must for safety during this period. Also, you may want to take Vitamin D supplements during this time especially if you notice you are having unexplained fatigue.

• Where can I get my hair done?

  The popular afro hair stylist in Cambridge is Mama Sara, who can be contacted via details on her website. You can also contact Grace at +44 7891493466 for home service. There are many barber shops in Cambridge and the most popular appears to be Smart Services Ltd which is a joint barbershop and computer repair shop on Regent Street. Dukels Ltd on regent street stocks a good supply of afro hair care products and extensions for hair products.

• What about food?

  There are many restaurants in Cambridge that serve ethnic food but there are limited options for African or Caribbean food. There are two Nandos chains in the City Centre, two Nigerian restaurants, Africfood and Eko kitchen and a few North African restaurants such as Bedouin and Al Casbah. There are also two Caribbean restaurants, Aunty Pam’s kitchen and Rock of Virtue Eat Out. These restaurants are often listed on Deliveroo or Uber Eats but can also usually be contacted on the phone for take out or delivery. Note that Aunty Pam’s kitchen does not have a physical restaurant space and delivers about once or twice a week. If you would like to cook your own cultural food, ingredients can usually be obtained from international grocery stores located on Mill Road. (PSA: There are also two stores on Histon Road).

• How do I find a place of worship?

  Places of worship have been streaming their programs online since the lockdown. Visit their websites to find out more. There is a beautiful central mosque located on Mill Road. Another smaller mosque is located nearby on Mawson Road. There are many options for churches in Cambridge. The popular churches among students include: Kingsgate Community Church, King’s Church, RCCG City of David, RCCG City of Zion, City Church, The C3 and Holy Trinity Church. There are a few options for Catholic and Methodist churches, and there is a Cambridge Seventh Day Adventist Church on Hobart Road (near Mill Road). There is also a Buddhist temple near Milton Road. Note that most colleges have ecumenical chapels on the college campus.

• How do I get involved in groups I identify with or in things I am interested in?

  Whether looking for a space for your religious/faith identity or LGBTQ identity, or love for the arts, there is space for many identities and interests at Cambridge. If something is missing, you can always start one! Visit the Cambridge Student Union site to search the list of student societies at Cambridge. The SU will host a virtual and physical freshers’ fair in the first week of October for students to meet and join clubs and societies. ASCU will be at the virtual fair, so look out for us and stop by to say hi! Another great way to meet people is through the Newcomers and Visiting Scholars programme, targeted at anyone formally attached to Cambridge and partners and children of those new to Cambridge.

• What are the Cambridge-y things to do?

  Cambridge-y things to do include going punting on the River Cam, visiting the Fitzwilliam Museum, walking or cycling to Grantchester, visiting the botanic garden, attending plays and concerts at the ADC theatre, Cambridge Arts Theatre, The Corn Exchange & many more, attending formals at different colleges and going to a Garden Party or a May ball.

  Formals are 3-5 course formal dinners held on certain days at the different colleges and are a good way to enjoy a bit of luxury and get to meet people. A spot costs something the range of £13-20 depending on the college and whether you are a member or a guest. You can attend a formal at your college by booking a spot in advance or at another college if a member of that college books you as their guest. Some colleges require that formal attendees wear gowns so make sure to check that.

  May balls are annual themed gala events that take place around June in some colleges. May ball tickets range between £80-£180 depending on the college. Garden parties are smaller, cheaper and less formal summer parties that also take place at different colleges. Tickets can range from £20-£80 depending on the college.

  Annual Africa-centric events to look out for:

  • Africa Together Conference by ASCU

  • Motherland Conference and The ACS Affair (a gala) by the African Caribbean Society (ACS)

  • Cambridge Africa Business Conference by The Judge Business School

  • Africans in STEM Symposium by the Africans in STEM team

  • TEDx Euston

• Is travelling around Europe worth it?

  Potentially! Travelling in Europe is cheap but if you require a visa to travel, it can become rather expensive quite quickly. The key to making your travel dreams work is to budget and plan as far ahead as possible. Sources of costs include: visa (about £120, there are extra processing fees atop the £80 visa fee), return train to London for visa appointment, travel health insurance, return train to airport, hotel, flight, local transport in destination, food, sightseeing etc. You may find information on required documents for a Schengen Visa here and how to book a visa appointment here. Note that not all European countries are in the Schengen area so be sure to double-check and research on the required visa application route for such a destination. Good flight+hotel deals can be found on the kayak website.

• How can I get advice or guidance on career prospects at Cambridge?

  The Careers Service is a great resource for career guidance. In addition to workshops, they also offer appointments for application review, career exploration, drop-in chat, finalist career planning and interview preparation. Visit their website to learn more and be sure to activate your Handshake account and subscribe to relevant newsletters to get the most out of the platform. For specific information about working as an international student, visit this page.

• Is racism bad in Cambridge?

  Overt racism does not occur very frequently in Cambridge but a person of minority ethnic background may experience covert racism. ASCU provides a safe space to share these experiences. If you feel you have been a target of discrimination because of your race or any other identity, please do not hesitate to reach out to us so we can discuss how the society can be of support for you to get help and/or demand action. Also, please share your experience of racial discrimination on the End Everyday Racism website. This program aims to document incidents of everyday racism that occur at Cambridge to provide a better awareness and understanding of the problem.

• What can I access for mental health services in Cambridge?

  The University Counselling Service offers confidential help and support to students and is staffed by a team of professionally qualified counsellors, University Sexual Assault and Harassment Advisors (SAHA), and Mental Health Advisors (MHA) who are familiar with the difficulties that can be encountered by international students, coming from a wide range of backgrounds, religions, and cultures. Counselling can help with homesickness and adjusting to a new culture, as well as other common student difficulties including anxiety, stress, low mood, and academic concerns. Many personal, relationship or identity problems can be helped through counselling, e.g. family difficulties, bereavement, issues with self-esteem and confidence, or dealing with difficult dilemmas and decisions. They run a number of workshops and a mindfulness programme to help students thrive. You can also book a counselling session with them.

• Is there any support for people with children?

  The University has two nurseries open to students offering places for children from three months to school age. The Childcare Office also provides Holiday Playscheme facilities which operate during the state school holiday periods (excluding Christmas and Bank Holidays) for school-age children. The Childcare Information Service aims to support families of the University community. The service offers information on family related issues including childcare, schooling, health care, financial support and local community resources. There is also information for student parents on college provision for families and possible financial support available. More information can be found on the website of Childcare Office. Each College has a designated Childcare Contact. Eligible EU and overseas students may be able to apply to the Central Childcare Bursary Scheme, which awards grants to help with childcare costs (income, expenditure and childcare costs are assessed). A great way to adjust to Cambridge is through the Newcomers and Visiting Scholars programme which is not only targeted for anyone who is formally attached to Cambridge, but also for partners and children of those new to Cambridge.