Hey everyone! My name is Abubakar Mohamud, I’m a first-year HSPS student at Robinson College. I decided to apply to Cambridge quite late, so I didn’t have the opportunity to visit colleges prior to my application. One of the main reasons Robinson College stood out to me was the fact that it is the newest of the Cambridge colleges. It is modern but also retains a lot of the Cambridge traditions such as formals. I think it is important to note, when deciding on a college, to consider what aspect of university life is important to you and choose your college based on that.
Robinson has a reputation for being quite a social college, and that’s helped by the bops(parties) we run every week. At times, it doesn’t really feel like the typical Cambridge colleges and there is a really relaxing atmosphere here. Everyone here is supportive and welfare support has been excellent during this pandemic. Other colleges do offer more generous bursaries but the experience and overall support on offer at Robinson is excellent.
Robinson has a well-deserved reputation for having some of the best food in Cambridge. As a Muslim student, I was quite worried that there would be no halal options in the canteen. The kitchen staff here are incredibly accommodating to your dietary needs.
Robinson College is conveniently located; the college is far enough to avoid all the tourists, but less than a ten-minute walk (or a three-minute cycle) west of the city centre. The college is just behind the University library (a minute walk), very close to the arts faculties on Sidgwick Site and the science buildings in West Cambridge (so you don’t have to trek for your morning lectures).
Robinson College is famed for its red brick buildings, which divides opinion. Inside the college itself, there are some spectacular gardens, renowned as being some of the most beautiful gardens Cambridge has to offer. Our gardens are open to all members of the college and, unlike in many other colleges, students are permitted to walk on them. A lot of students take advantage of the gardens in the summer period, playing frisbee and enjoying the weather.
Since Robinson College was founded in 1977, accommodation is pretty good, and all the bedroom and kitchen facilities are quite nice. The majority of rooms are en-suite, and you would only have to share a toilet with one or two people at most. All first-year students are accommodated in the main building (staircase bedrooms) and accommodation is guaranteed for all three years at the college. The only downside is that accommodation is quite expensive compared to other colleges. This is because Robinson College is not a very expensive college, and bursaries and financial support are not as great as the richer colleges.
You can find more about Robinson College by having a look at our website. I would also recommend having a look at the Robinson College Students’ Prospectus. It is written by the students of Robinson College, and it provides an alternative perspective to life here at Robinson College:
