Research, research, research! The application process for your preferred course and for any available scholarships takes time and effort. In order to give yourself the best possible chance, you must give yourself enough time to adequately prepare. I would recommend that you conduct your own research well in advance, at least a year before you intend to apply, in order to ensure that you meet the various deadlines and eligibility requirements.

For extensive information on the application process, available funding and more, have a look at: the University of Cambridge Postgraduate Admissions website, the University of Cambridge International Student website  and the Cambridge University Alternative Prospectus. You can also take a virtual tour of the University of Cambridge, which will allow you to explore the location of the colleges, your discipline-specific facilities and general life in Cambridge.

You are required to select a first and second college preference when you submit your application. Whilst the university does not guarantee that you will receive membership from one of your preferred colleges, over 65% of applicants are offered membership at their first or second choice. If your application is not accepted by either of your preferences, it will be passed to further colleges until you are accepted. But do not fear, you will become a member of a college (it is not possible to attend the university otherwise).

Questions to consider when choosing a college include: Do you have a preference for a large or small, old or new college? Would you prefer a college that accepts postgraduate students only or women only? What sort of accommodation do you want or need? What amenities are important to you (i.e. sporting or music facilities)? How far away is the college and its postgraduate accommodation from your academic facilities (i.e. your laboratory or library)? Are you applying for funding that is attached to a particular college?

As an Australian, it is hard to get a feel for a college when you are on the other side of the world. Have a look at the University of Cambridge’s “College Key Facts and Figures” website, which provides useful resources for each college and check out YouTube as most colleges have posted video tours. Also, the University of Cambridge generally, and each college individually, run virtual Postgraduate Open Days every year, usually in early November (you will need to google the dates and details). However, do not let your choice of college cause you unnecessary anxiety. No matter whether you get your first or second college preference, or neither, everyone I know ends up falling in love with their college and would not swap it for the world!

Whilst you are undertaking full-time postgraduate study, it is a requirement of your degree that you live in or close to the Cambridge city centre. The majority of postgraduate students live in accommodation provided by their college. Once your college membership is confirmed, your college will contact you about their available accommodation. The quality, location, cost and accessibility of this accommodation varies from college to college and this is something to research when selecting your college preferences. However, some people prefer to find their own accommodation, particularly if they are coming to Cambridge with a partner or have accessibility requirements. The most important thing is to confirm your accommodation well before you arrive in Cambridge, including what date your lease will start. For most college accommodation, your lease will not start until a few days before Michaelmas term commences.

The usual route from Australia is to fly into London and then catch a train from a major London train station, such as Kings Cross Station, to the Cambridge train station. (Note, the train services to Cambridge are operated by Greater Anglia or Greater Northern, not the London Underground). For further information, check out the University of Cambridge International Student Pre-Arrival Information website, specifically the “International Student Guide” and the “Finding Your Way to Cambridge Guide”.

The National Health Service (NHS) is the UK’s state healthcare system providing a wide range of services including appointments with a doctor and hospital treatment. The Australian Government has a reciprocal health care agreement with the UK, which means that some of your medical costs will be covered whilst you are in living in Cambridge, such as visits to an NHS doctor or nurse. Note, that you will need to pay for prescription medications or dental services.

Under the NHS system, you must register with a local GP surgery in order to be seen by a doctor. You should register as soon as possible after your arrival in Cambridge. Your College will advise you about this process and may recommend a GP practice. Note that, as part of the registration process, you will mostly likely need to show your Australian passport and Medicare card.

You need to consider how you will manage your finances whilst in Cambridge. It is possible to use Australian credit and debit cards in the UK but they may incur overseas usage fees. Opening a UK bank account could prove useful, for instance, you need a UK bank account in order to purchase a UK sim card.

All the major UK banks have physical branches in Cambridge, such as HSBC, Barclays, NatWest, Lloyds and Santander. Alternatively, some students use “digital banks”, such as Monzo. You will need to conduct your own research in order to determine what course of action is best for your circumstances.

If you decide to open a bank account with one of the major UK banks, this can only be done after you arrive in the UK as you will need to make an appointment at that bank and provide a letter from your college as evidence of your UK address. Understandably, these appointments are in demand at the start of each academic year and it will usually take some time to make all the necessary arrangements. It is therefore advisable to ensure you have access to funds you can use for your initial expenses during the first few weeks in the UK.

For more information regarding opening a bank account please click here.

The opportunities to make social and professional networks at Cambridge University are endless! You will soon discover that you can easily fill your days five-times-over with all the events and functions that are held during each term.

To summarise, there are three main avenues through which you can form connections. The first is your course. You will be studying, sharing library space, and generally hanging out with your fellow course members on a regular basis. This is a great way to connect with people in your specific field of interest.

The second avenue is your college. If you are in college accommodation, you will live with members of your college, and your college’s MCR will run a variety of academic, social, musical and sporting activities. In the long tradition of rather eccentric Cambridge terminology (for an extensive list, check out this website ), an “MCR” is a college’s postgraduate committee that is elected at the start of the academic year. I highly recommend you consider running for a position, it is a great way to get involved in the life of your college.

The third avenue is the university-wide societies. If you can dream it, there is a society at the University of Cambridge dedicated to it! Joining a society is a great way for you to deepen an existing interest or try something new. Have a look at the Cambridge Student Union’s website for a list of current societies.

The University of Cambridge is one of the best universities in the world. Your course will be exciting and intellectually challenging but it may also be exhausting and at times overwhelming. Please keep in mind that you are not alone and there are many sources of support available to students.

• First, you should feel free to reach out to your course conveyors and members of your Faculty for guidance.

• Second, your college will have a variety of academic, medical and personal support services that you can utilise.

• Third, the Cambridge Student Union has a Student Advice Service, which provides assistance in relation to all aspects of the student experience.

• Fourth, the University of Cambridge provides free student counselling , as well as useful accommodation, disability, and careers services.

• Finally, your friends are one of your most valuable sources of support. It is very easy to lock yourself away and lose yourself in academic tunnel vision. Make sure that you take breaks, catch up with friends, and share what you are going through. No doubt you will find that you are all in the same boat or should I say punt!

Time runs differently at Cambridge. One minute you are arriving and then, in what seems like the blink of an eye, you are saying goodbye. Make the effort to forge connections with your course mates, college cohort, and members of your faculty. Look for opportunities to learn new skills, join a club or society, and attend interesting events. Take the time to explore the city – walk along the Backs at sunrise, climb to the top of Castle Mound at sunset, and enjoy a Chelsea bun from Fitzbillies. Remember that academia is only one facet of the Cambridge experience. This truly is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so make it count!