• Jesus College, Cambridge

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Jesus College
Established: 1496
University: University of Cambridge
Address: Jesus Lane, Cambridge CB5 8BL
Telephone: +44 1223 339339
Website: http://www.jesus.cam.ac.uk/
Student Union/JCR website: http://jcsu.jesus.cam.ac.uk/
Admittance: Undergraduates and postgraduates (men and women)


Contents

Undergraduate Student Statistics

  • Total Undergraduates in 2007-8 = 524 (293 men + 231 women)
  • Total Undergraduates in 2006-7 = 503 (279 men + 224 women)
  • Students admitted to their current course in Oct 07: 167 (92 men + 75 women)
  • Students admitted to their current course in Oct 06: 153 (87 men + 66 women)

Source: The Reporter Special Issue: Student Numbers 07-08

Jesus Application Statistics See College applications and admissions statistics

Jesus Application Statistics per subject See Appplication Statistics

57% of Jesus acceptances in 2007 and 58% in 2006 were from state school students (source).

Name

The college is officially called “The College of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint John the Evangelist and the glorious Virgin Saint Radegund, near Cambridge; commonly called Jesus”. For obvious reasons it is very rarely called by its official name.

Location

Jesus College is a fairly central college, though slightly off the tourist trail, giving you both the benefit of being right by the city centre without being constantly invaded by tourists as tends to happen in other central colleges. Because of its location the college also benefits from having a majority of its sports facilities onsite, and most conveniently located for the boat houses which are about 8 minutes by foot, or 5 by bike.

Accommodation

All accommodation is provided either on site or in college owned houses on Jesus Lane and Malcolm Street. First years live on the main site in:

  • Chapel Court
    • Newly rebuilt for 2012-13 so no information yet.
    • Mostly en-suite, a few bedsits

The college has some of the more expensive accommodation in Cambridge but it is good value, however the lack of cheap accommodation has been criticised by some students. Chapel Court is one of the largest blocks of accommodation, and is currently under renovation, due to be complete for the academic year commencing 2012. Chapel Court used to have about 60 very cheap bedsits (i.e. not en - suite, single room) for freshers. Unfortunately for those looking for affordable rooms, these have almost all been converted to en-suites. There are a few bedsits left for freshers, but the vast majority will be living in en-suite rooms in North Court, Library Court or the new Chapel Court. In later years, most live in the college-owned houses on Jesus Lane and Malcolm street. Rooms are not en-suite and so much cheaper.

Almost all accommodation is provided for 10 weeks a term, although some first years have a slightly shorter tenancy. The clear benefit of this is that you don't have to pay rent for the whole year, but you do have to pack up your room each term if you live in college and possibly in the houses. For later years, around half the houses are on a 9 month tenancy which means you don't have to move out at the end of each term. The College provides FREE secure storage for all students outside of term. If you want to stay in the holidays you may have to move to another room, pay extra rent, and put up with hundreds of American students/European executives running around.

Projected termly rent prices for 2011/12:

  • A - £782.40 short tenancy, £927.95 standard tenancy, £1043.20 long
  • B - £891.18, short, £1056.22 std, £1188.24 long
  • C - £979.44 short, £1160 std, £1305.92 long
  • D - £1048.54 short, £1242.71 std, £1398.05 long
  • E (set) - £1147.59 short, £1360.10 std, £1530.12 long
  • F (en-suite Chapel and Library Courts) - £1192.89 short, £1413.80 std, £1590.52 long
  • G (en-suite North Court) - £1222.73 short, £1449.16 std, £1630.31 long

Freshers are all housed in ...

  • North Court - 12 En-suite, G
  • Library Court - 44 En-suite, F
  • Chapel Court - 80 En-suite, F
  • Chapel Court - 8 Bedsits, B
  • Second Court - 15 Bedsits, A or B

NB long tenancy is not usually available for freshers

Staircase L has split sets, kitchen between two... and there are two showers in there.

Social Spaces

The Marshall Room is where the daily papers can be found and also your pigeon hole. There are vending machines, a pool table (20p) and a TV in the back room, where many congregate for that student staple - Neighbours.

Gardens

There are two gardens which students will rarely enter, but in the summer undergraduates are allowed on most of the grass courts, as well as the Orchard, which we are allowed on all year round. This has clear benefits for revising outside in Easter term, amidst the beautiful sun-bathed surroundings and the relative peace of the college. There is also a nature trail through the wooded borders of the college.

Dining/Hall

Food at Jesus is very good, kitchens however are slightly more variable. In houses there are fridges, freezers and ovens but in college this is unlikely, with microwaves and one hob provided. The cheapest accommodation kitchens do not have hobs or ovens but do have microwaves (which have an oven setting) and fridges. Most sets come with their own kitchen (small and usually referred to as a Gyp room) with a fridge and hob but you will have to purchase other kitchen assets. Formal hall food is normally very good and is relatively cheap for students (£6.15) and £8.25 for guests. You can bring your own wine and are served a three course meal. No corkage is charged. In a recent review of College formal Halls Jesus was ranked 3rd overall based on price, food and atmosphere. Gowns and smart clothes are required. Latin grace and general formal protocols, but all to be taken with a pinch of salt. Note: Do not annoy the Butler.

Bar

Our barman, Steve, is a bit of a legend in Cambridge and serves up some awesome offers. There are a range of lagers available and always a guest ale along with Jesuan, the college's very own ale. There is an extremely popular Cocktail night and various other cheap deals, varying from term to term. Details can be found on his part of the JCSU website. The bar is modern and non smoking, another room upstairs holds various events such as acoustic nights. There is also the forum space for larger events, which are normally held three times a term. Bar is open till 11.30 most nights, midnight on Sat, rather than closing early to get people back to work. We do fairly well in the Tompkins table though.

JCR

Jesus is slightly more politically active than other colleges, as shown by its recent high turnout in both the JCSU (the name of the JCR) and CUSU elections. The JCSU is very prominent and is based on welfare as opposed to political needs. The college certainly does not have a political leaning with almost all political oppinions being represented. Students feel comfortably entering into friendly, lively debate on a wide range of issues.

Library and Computing

Library

The Quincentenary Library was opened in 1995 to celebrate the 500th Anniversary of the college. It has a large range of Part 1 books, and books can always be ordered in, often being made available in the library in a matter of days. There is plenty of work space available, and the large amounts of natural light and the helpful librarians make it a pleasant place to work. The Library is open 24 hours a day.

Computer Suite

The Kwok room is located in the Library and has a large number of computers, meaning there is never a queue. Printing is 4p a sheet or 5p for double sided printing, and the Kwok room is open 24 hours a day.

Room Connection

An extremely fast broadband connection is included in the termly rent, at a cost of £26. The Jesus limit is 30GB p/month.

Academic Performance

Jesus's ranking in the Tompkins Table (which ranks 29 colleges by their Tripos exam results): 7th (2008), 9th (2007), 10th (2006), 7th (2005), 9th (2004), 10th (2003), 9th (2002), 11th (2001), 13th (2000).

Welfare

There are a wide range of people to talk to, including tutorial advisers, peer supporters and the JCSU Welfare Committee to name just a few. All of these are widely advertised and extremely approachable people.

There is also a strong chapel community in Jesus. Our Chaplain is very popular and as well as being a tutorial advisor, hosts a number of 'welfare' events throughout the year including "friday night potentially improving films" with such classics as 'The Lady Killers'. Both the Chapel and the Chaplain are highly valued and utilised by Christians and non-Christians alike.

Sports

Obviously there are loads of sports things, we're really lucky having fields on site and also a small gym and squash courts. Many college teams are very strong including Football, Hockey, Rowing, and Frisbee and there are opportunities for all to get involved with sport, regardless of their ability.

Jesus was declared the third sportiest college in Michealmas 2009 by The Tab. See The Tab article: The College Cup revealed

Atmosphere

Jesus is a very laid back college. Because of the fact that all of the students (both Under- and Post-Graduates) live in close proximity, the college has a great sense of community, in which all feel welcomed and accepted. The college is also particularly strong in sport.

Jesuans are a particularly loyal bunch (in a friendly way of course). Support for college sports and activities is etremely strong. Almost everyone owns the college scarf - although this probably has more to do with the our 'highly fashionable' red and black colours.

There are a few cool quirky things such as student run "Chapel Sessions" which is like a free half hour of music ranging from classical stuff to weird electronic ambient mixes. Its just a nice vibe with candles/cushions/sitting on the floor in a place with good acoustics!

We have acousto above the bar, which is like a regular busker night - turn up and play kind of thing. Also, comedy smokers in there too - I've been to a couple and one in particular was actually really good.

We don't have a massive amount of film showings although there have been a couple projected up in the room above the bar- -usually as they're documentaries or something that a student or society has wanted to kind of show the world. I think in my first or possibly second year there was a film club which did show a film weekly in the Coleridge room, so it's certainly possible to set something up.

There's no particular political orientation to the college that I've noticed.

Despite being called Jesus, religion is not central to college life. We have a chapel which runs services etc but attendance is purely optional, and the Christian Union is fairly quiet and certainly doesn't push views.

Going for interview

Most interviews take place in the first 3 weeks of December, though there are exceptions. The college offers up to two nights accomodation for applicants who need it, though if your interview falls during term time (most early december dates) then you may have to make alternative arrangements. It is recommended that you arrive at least half an hour before your interview, so that you can report to the Marshall room in order to be directed by undergraduates to your interview room.

Facilities

  • Chapel (image 1, image 2, image 3)
  • Canteen and dining hall (image 1, image 2)
  • College bar
  • The Marshall Room (Common room) with daily papers, vending machines, a pool table (20p which the machine spits back out), table football, and a TV in the back room (image)
  • Library (24/7)
  • Music room
  • Snooker room
  • Small gym
  • Squash courts
  • Sports fields on site
  • Boathouse in the river (Jesus is the closet of all the colleges to its boat house)

Student-eye view

Jesus College is an absolutely wonderful place to live and study. The college is warm and inviting and, because of this, most of us consider it to be the best college in Cambridge. It is generally well regarded among other students in the University - coming within the top 3 for the 'colleges I would like to go to other than my own' poll.

How Jesus is different to other colleges: In terms of how Jesus differs - it's bigger than most colleges; John's and Trinity are as big, or bigger, but are also swarming with tourists and, in Trinity's case, overrun with maths students (mathmos, for future reference). Formal is cheaper than most, and generally decent quality.One of the better sporting colleges, too, if that's of importance to you.

Charles I said of Cambridge that he would wish to pray at King's, eat at Trinity but live and study at Jesus - this comment conveys the relaxed atmosphere of the college and its surroundings.

Look up Jesus in the CUSU Alternative Prospectus

Links

Retrieved from "http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/Jesus_College,_Cambridge"

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