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Studying in halls, University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
Cambridge

Official 2018 Cambridge Postgraduate Offer Holders

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Hi I'd like to ask pros and cons for living in private student accommodation in the first year of PhD.

I'm desperate to live in studios with my own kitchen during my PhD, but the college accommodation (St. Edmunds) does not provide any studios.
As I'm planning to live outside the college accommodation in my first year, I'm quite worried that I might not be able to socialize with others..

How do you guys think of living outside the college accommodation in the first year of PhD?
Studying in halls, University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
Cambridge
Original post by lovescenario
Hi I'd like to ask pros and cons for living in private student accommodation in the first year of PhD.

I'm desperate to live in studios with my own kitchen during my PhD, but the college accommodation (St. Edmunds) does not provide any studios.
As I'm planning to live outside the college accommodation in my first year, I'm quite worried that I might not be able to socialize with others..

How do you guys think of living outside the college accommodation in the first year of PhD?


I believe it won't be the case you will not be able to socialize with others, as you will be very close to people doing your same PhD programme.. For instance, in my case, I'm guessing, I will hang out more with people from the Centre of Latin American Studies.

I'm thinking of looking for private accommodation as well. My college is Girton College, which has an insanely high accommodation fee (like +700 per month) for their en-suites. I do not think my maintenance stipend will be enough to cover these fees and live ok. I've been looking at the cost of rooms in shared houses and they seem much more affordable.
Original post by lovescenario
Hi I'd like to ask pros and cons for living in private student accommodation in the first year of PhD.

I'm desperate to live in studios with my own kitchen during my PhD, but the college accommodation (St. Edmunds) does not provide any studios.
As I'm planning to live outside the college accommodation in my first year, I'm quite worried that I might not be able to socialize with others..

How do you guys think of living outside the college accommodation in the first year of PhD?


Original post by andreabcdef
I believe it won't be the case you will not be able to socialize with others, as you will be very close to people doing your same PhD programme.. For instance, in my case, I'm guessing, I will hang out more with people from the Centre of Latin American Studies.

I'm thinking of looking for private accommodation as well. My college is Girton College, which has an insanely high accommodation fee (like +700 per month) for their en-suites. I do not think my maintenance stipend will be enough to cover these fees and live ok. I've been looking at the cost of rooms in shared houses and they seem much more affordable.


I'd just caution that the courses are hard work. Socialising with your department is perfectly possible, but the departments have little or no social space and so everyone has t be in synch to make a special effort to go to a social space, that soon gets tricky when people have their own schedules. Whereas in College accommodation, you can come 'home' make like a cabbage and then just more or less fall out of the door and find someone to socialise with, with a bar, social space and your own rooms within a few hundred metres. Unless you don't want to join in College life, then living in for the first year is the norm, establish your self in College and balance your workload and social life, then move out in the second year (or into College houses if your College has them)

When you are comparing college accommodation with private, be absolutely sure you are comparing like with like in terms of bills being included (ie internet, you won't be on the Uni network) and duration of contract etc.
Original post by lovescenario
Hi I'd like to ask pros and cons for living in private student accommodation in the first year of PhD.

I'm desperate to live in studios with my own kitchen during my PhD, but the college accommodation (St. Edmunds) does not provide any studios.
As I'm planning to live outside the college accommodation in my first year, I'm quite worried that I might not be able to socialize with others..

How do you guys think of living outside the college accommodation in the first year of PhD?


TBH I think it's pretty common for postgrads to live out of college - a lot of colleges don't have much in the way of accommodation for them anyway, especially if they're coming with partners and/or families. I wouldn't worry about it - just go to all the college social events and such at the start of the year and you'll meet people that way :smile:
Reply 204
Avatar for simski
simski
1
I just got an offer for MPhil Education (Education, Globalisation and International Development), I applied in December but one of my referees just submitted his reference a few weeks ago. They didn't ask for any additional reviews. Did you also have a written task as part of your application?
Original post by simski
I just got an offer for MPhil Education (Education, Globalisation and International Development), I applied in December but one of my referees just submitted his reference a few weeks ago. They didn't ask for any additional reviews. Did you also have a written task as part of your application?


Hi, got in for the same programme too. My supervisor submitted my reference 2 days late. I had an interview in Jan then an offer a week later. Also did the writing task. It was so difficult because I had no idea what to say and didn't fully understand the reading.. But I prefer it to writing a proposal
Reply 206
Avatar for simski
simski
1
Original post by fofomorse
Hi, got in for the same programme too. My supervisor submitted my reference 2 days late. I had an interview in Jan then an offer a week later. Also did the writing task. It was so difficult because I had no idea what to say and didn't fully understand the reading.. But I prefer it to writing a proposal


Congratulations on the offer! I started my application too early so spent ages working on the written piece only for them to change the piece in August 🙈I graduated in 2015 so i also felt a bit out of practice, but at least it paid off in the end! I didn't have an interview though, what kind of stuff did they ask?
Hey there,
So here is my timeline:
PhD in Education
December 6th - Submitted
Sometime in January had communication with the department about addtional application info
February 27th - Got invited for the interview
March 1st - Interview
March 8th - GAO
March 16th - Conditional Offer made
No idea about funding
Hey everyone!

I got my offer this week to read for an MPhil in Genomic Medicine! Does anyone know what date the SFE postgraduate funding applications will open (apparently some time in early summer?)?

Application submitted: 13th February
Interview: 2nd March
Recommendation by department: w/c 5th March
GAO: 12th March
Conditional offer made: 14th March
College: TBC (being considered by Corpus, unsuccessful at King's)
Funding: Too late to apply for University-wide funding; will self-fund and apply for Gov loan - interested in finding out about other sources too!

Thanks! :smile:
How can I track my college application? I've only seen the "seeking college membership" for over two weeks now. But I've read that some of you already know that your application for a specific college has been unsuccessful.
Hi guys! I've got a conditional offer from Cambridge but the academic condition seems to be too difficult to meet. I wonder what academic conditions did you guys receive... Do I still have a chance if my final results are a bit lower than what is required in the academic condition? I appreciate any kind of advice/reply. Thank you very much!
Original post by bicmark
How can I track my college application? I've only seen the "seeking college membership" for over two weeks now. But I've read that some of you already know that your application for a specific college has been unsuccessful.


It actually said that I was unsuccessful at King’s College on my self-service account. So I think, unless you see it explicitly written, there’s no way of knowing. If it helps, that’s now disappeared and it says “seeking college membership”, which makes me feel like I’ve been pooled - I’m a bit gutted because I really want to be a part of Corpus (unless I’m jumping the gun... fingers crossed haha!).
Original post by Vincent_y.li
Hi guys! I've got a conditional offer from Cambridge but the academic condition seems to be too difficult to meet. I wonder what academic conditions did you guys receive... Do I still have a chance if my final results are a bit lower than what is required in the academic condition? I appreciate any kind of advice/reply. Thank you very much!


Sorry, I’m not able to help because I applied already knowing I have my first and the academic requirement for me was a high 2.1 (I graduated in 2016!). Just do your absolute best - don’t give up just yet! What’s the condition? I remember reading in the handbook for self-service that you should send your transcript and it’s up to their discretion - I’m sure they would let you in if it were only a small slip from the condition!
Original post by KaranBatth1993
It actually said that I was unsuccessful at King’s College on my self-service account. So I think, unless you see it explicitly written, there’s no way of knowing. If it helps, that’s now disappeared and it says “seeking college membership”, which makes me feel like I’ve been pooled - I’m a bit gutted because I really want to be a part of Corpus (unless I’m jumping the gun... fingers crossed haha!).


I was accepted by Corpus a few weeks ago - if its any help, I was accepted within about 48 hr after my application went to them (first choice).
I just got an email from Gates saying that I did not pass to the interview stage... there goes Cambridge funding :/
Original post by KaranBatth1993
Sorry, I’m not able to help because I applied already knowing I have my first and the academic requirement for me was a high 2.1 (I graduated in 2016!). Just do your absolute best - don’t give up just yet! What’s the condition? I remember reading in the handbook for self-service that you should send your transcript and it’s up to their discretion - I’m sure they would let you in if it were only a small slip from the condition!
Thank you very much for the reply! Really appreciate it. I'm studying the Netherlands and the condition is 9.0 which is much higher than 8.0 (1st equivalent)...
Original post by aleatorio
I was accepted by Corpus a few weeks ago - if its any help, I was accepted within about 48 hr after my application went to them (first choice).


I put Corpus as my first choice too! But, still waiting... ah well... I’ll just see what happens - main thing was getting into the uni over my chosen college! 😂
Original post by Vincent_y.li
Thank you very much for the reply! Really appreciate it. I'm studying the Netherlands and the condition is 9.0 which is much higher than 8.0 (1st equivalent)...


No problem. Loads of good luck - I’m sure you’ll smash it! :smile:
Original post by Vincent_y.li
Thank you very much for the reply! Really appreciate it. I'm studying the Netherlands and the condition is 9.0 which is much higher than 8.0 (1st equivalent)...


I'd definitely send them an email asking about this - my degree (Mphil IR and Politics) required a 1st to apply, and my academic condition was an 8.0. A 9.0 average seems ridiculous - there's only been one in my undergraduate degree from the last three years!
Original post by Vincent_y.li
Thank you very much for the reply! Really appreciate it. I'm studying the Netherlands and the condition is 9.0 which is much higher than 8.0 (1st equivalent)...

Definitely drop them an email for clarification. I am also studying my Master's in the Netherlands at the moment and my condition is a 8.0. At my department, if you get a 9.0 average and a 9.0 on your thesis you can get a summa *** laude already!

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