College Guide

St John's

St. John's is one of Cambridge's larger colleges with about 170-180 people in each year. This means there are plenty of people to make friends with and a bustling community! Despite the larger size, there is still a great community feel and you get to know people in your year and other years really well. We have a beautiful newly-refurbished buttery (eating area) with plenty of green space to relax in. The River Cam flows through the middle of the college, providing excellent photo opportunities! It is lovely to relax on the backs (the green space at the back of the college) to get a break from work, especially in the summer. The college was founded in 1511 by Lady Margaret Beaufort, affectionately known as ‘Maggie' amongst Johnians. St. John's is also home to Folly, the Master's black Labrador who often likes to pop in and say hi. You can also take her out on walks!

Key Facts

~170 UG students per year

College size across the uni ranges from 80 - 200 students/year

~£4800 median yearly rent (2022-23)

Median rent ranges from £4100 - £7100 across the uni, including mandatory catering charges. Note this is a rough guide only, and there will be cheaper options as well

Free gym

Music practice room

Inclusive prayer space available

Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-free meals available daily

No gender expression fund :(

A fund to reimburse students for items that make them more comfortable with their gender presentation, including but not limited to binders, packers, and concealing underwear

Good accessible accommodation

Q&As

What is your favourite thing about St John's?

Sophie

The incredible facilities we have available to us!

Describe your first year accommdation.

Sophie

I was fortunate to have quite sizeable accommodation in my first year, with my bedroom being divided from my desk/living area by a sliding wall. I shared a bathroom with my flatmate who lived next door and then we had a kitchen between 8 of us. The kitchen had 2 fridges, 2 microwaves, 2 kettles and 2 electric hobs, each with 4 stoves on them. There was a table and 4 stools and plenty of cupboard space as well! My accommodation cost just below £1,900 per term (although this is subject to change with the rent increases).

What is the food like?

Sophie

The food has vastly improved since the buttery's refurbishment and I particularly enjoyed eating at the buttery in Easter Term last year when I didn't fancy cooking. There are plenty of options which taste equally as good as one another for a reasonable price. The food in Hall is also really delicious and a special treat my friends and I enjoy a few times each term.

Does John's provide additional funding?

Anon

St John's has some of the best funding opportunities in Cambridge, especially if you are from a low-income background. You can read about it here

What welfare provision does St John's offer?

Sophie

We have a female/non-binary, male/non-binary and mental health officers on the college JCR as well as 2 college nurses and a college counsellor.

What are the facilities like at St John's?

Sophie

We have ground floor accommodation available alongside en-suite bathrooms as well. The gym has treadmills, rowing machines, exercise bikes, cross trainer, set of dumbbells and various leg and arm machines. There is also a free weights room available for use after training.

Other Resources

 JCR website (Undergrad community)

 College website

Get in touch

@YourCambridgeSU

@YourCambridgeSU

@YourCambridgeSU

caredig.aptomos@cambridgesu.co.uk

Cambridge SU

Charity No. 1189287

3rd Floor, University Centre

Granta Pl, Mill Lane

Cambridge, CB2 1RU

0808 1641 222

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