Incoming students (Freshers)

Congratulations on joining Queens’ College, and we look forward to welcoming you in September.  Please check this page regularly, as further information and links to useful sites will be added over the coming months.

There are other pages specific to new postgraduates and new undergraduates about events which will take place during your first few weeks in Cambridge.

Queens' Freshers' Programme 2023

Queens' Freshers Programme 2023 (for Undergraduates and Postgraduates) - *updated 20 September 2023*

Pre-arrival and orientation information

Health

Our section on the College's Health & Wellbeing Services and the University’s Health Guidelines will provide you with information on health and wellbeing.

Our Health & Wellbeing Team will be in touch with you and you will be invited to complete a Health Information form. It is also important that you register with a Cambridge doctor (GP) as soon as possible after your arrival in Cambridge.

Passports and Visas (this section is applicable to ALL students)

All students will need to bring a form of photo ID. Please see a list of acceptable documents.

If you are travelling from overseas and require a visa to study in the UK please refer to the International Student Office’s website for information. You will not be able to matriculate and start your course without your passport and current Cambridge-sponsored visa, and you will need to attend the College's Registration on Thursday 29th September 2023 where your documents will be checked and scanned.

STUDENTS ON A VISA:

  • BRP collection will be at the College's New Student Registration day on Thursday 28th September 2023 (students on pre-sessional courses will be contacted sooner).

Arriving in Cambridge 

Please note that all information below may be subject to change.

The first two weeks at the start of the Michaelmas Term are usually filled with introductory sessions, both at college and in the departments, completing administrative tasks and formal induction into the university and college.

You will receive an e-mail through which you can book your arrival time at Queens' to avoid to ensure social distancing and to avoid any overcrowding of our limited, temporary, parking spaces.

On arrival you will be able to collect your University card from the Porters’ Lodge.

You will be expected to attend the events on the College's Freshers' programme. This includes Matriculation, which marks the formal admission of a student to membership of both the University and the College. Whilst University matriculation will take place online, we are planning College matriculation events which include the signing of the College matriculation book at the matriculation dinner. A matriculation cohort photograph will take place as per the Freshers' programme, and students will be invited to book a slot for having their individual photograph taken. Further details regarding these events and gown hire will be sent out in due course.

You will need to attend Faculty/Department inductions.

Open a UK bank account as soon as you arrive. International students should bring enough money to last their first week in Cambridge as it can take some time to open an account. The bank will need confirmation of your status as a student, and the Tutorial Office can provide you with such a letter, which will be sent you via e-mail, unless you specifically ask for a hard copy to be posted to you.

The Tutorial Office can provide you with an electronic Student status/proof of address letters for other purposes, by completing your request on-line. Please allow at least three working days for the Office to process your request, especially due to the high volume of requests at the start of the academic year. Please note that incoming freshers will receive any student status letters they requested by e-mail.

All students MUST register with a doctor as soon as possible. 

Set up your Cambridge e-mail address.

If you are living in private, non-college accommodation, please update your term-time address via your CamSIS self-service as soon as possible, ensuring that this and your contact details are kept up-to-date at all times.

If you are receiving a maintenance loan from Student Finance, the Financial Office will be in contact with you with guidance on how to trigger the payment. Please read the further information.

Other sources of welcome and information

There are many other University organisations which provide welcome activities and/or useful services. These include:

Safety & Welfare

Key Tutorial Policies

International students: