College Guide

Peterhouse

Peterhouse is a rather small college in terms of its student population and its grounds. We have a big 'deer' garden in the back of the college which looks onto the back of the Fitzwilliam museum. In Easter term when the weather is nice everyone can be found in the deer park doing work, catching some sun or bringing their meals outside to eat with friends. The dining hall in Peterhouse is a very known one as we always eat in the dining hall as opposed to only formals and we have a fire which gets lit in the Winter. Formals at Peterhouse are very atmospheric as they are candlelit - it has a very cozy feel to it. One other benefit of studying at Peterhouse is that because the student population is so small you are known on a more personal basis by the Porters and the welfare supporters in college.

Introducing your JCR Class Act Officer

Francesca Marrocco

Hey everyone, my name is Francesca and I am a second-year law student as well as Class Act Officer of the Peterhouse JCR.
As Class Act Officer I mainly help in college when it comes to writing finance related proposals and help promote the use of grants in college.
When I am not doing Class Act related things I am either enjoying some free time outside of work or I am doing things for my other extra-curriculars such as the Peterhouse Law Society.

Key Facts

~80 UG students per year

~£4800 median yearly rent (2022-23)

Free gym

Music practice room and theatre space

Inclusive prayer space available

Vegetarian, Vegan meals available daily

Gender expression fund available

Good accessible accomodation

Q&As

What is your favourite thing about Peterhouse?

The small student population as this means that the community is very close knit and everyone is lovely and happy to stop for a chat or sit with you in hall!

Describe your first year accommodation.

All the first years (besides around 10-15) live in the same accommodation building - St Peter's Terrace (SPT) - this allows you to get to know everyone very fast.
SPT is being renovated on a house-by-house basis at the minute which means in a few years it should be fully renovated with new kitchens and flooring etc.

What is the food like?

There isn't a Halal meat option in our college currently, but our JCR is working on this.

Besides this, the food is somewhat on the more expensive side but many students at Peterhouse still dine in hall.

Does Peterhouse provide additional funding?

We have a hardship fund, travel grant, language learning grant, Hardship loan, scholar's awards, scholarships and many more.

What welfare provision does Peterhouse offer?

We have pastoral support, as well as a mental health qualified nurse and welfare advisors.

We also have JCR welfare officers who run things such as free fudge and smoothies and in Easter term they organised to have Shetland ponies to visit college.

What are the facilities like at Peterhouse?

Students have the option of opting out of the room ballot for medical and pastoral reasons by contacting their tutors during the Easter term. They can then choose their rooms before the room ballot takes place. Wheelchair-accessible rooms are located in the William Stone building, which also has a lift. Otherwise, most college accommodation is not step-free. The Friend's of Peterhouse Theatre is often used for music concerts and talks, and for the annual fresher's play.

What would you change about Peterhouse?

Generally, Peterhouse is known as a more old-fashioned college and this can be reflected in the architecture, but also in the fact we still do not have Halal meat in college.
While the college is changing it is definitely still behind when it comes to some student issues.

Other Resources

JCR website (Undergrad community)

College website