About Us

As the first Cambridge University college to admit graduates from outside Cambridge, Fitzwilliam was at the forefront of the movement towards opening up graduate study at the highest level to all suitably qualified students. All our Nobel laureates were post-graduates. The so-called Middle Combination Room (MCR) is the social and academic organisation for Master's students, PhD students and undergraduates who are past their third year of study. Members of the MCR constitute 40% of the junior members of Fitzwilliam. Constitutionally we are part of the Junior Members Association (JMA) together with the JCR, but we have a separate budget and committee. Our elected committee (MCRC) organises social events, administers our rooms in The Grove and represents the interests of graduates towards college and the university.

We are privileged to have three rooms in The Grove. On entering the foyer a brass plaque on the left will lead you into the MCR lobby, on the walls of which are displayed the group photographs of decade upon decade of Fitzwilliam graduates. The lobby door opens up into the front parlour or reading room, which is a more formal seating area where we provide a selection of newspapers. Adjacent is the informal back parlour, consisting of a comfortable seating area, TV, DVD player, music centre and a cupboard housing sports equipment, including football, frisbee and squash racquets. French windows lead out onto our south-facing terrace where we have a BBQ. The central feature of the terrace is the Narnia-lamp and on sunny days the MCR deck chairs allow a little relaxation here. There is also a small kitchen which stocks tea and has a Nespresso machine, capsules for which can be purchased from Ebay.

Fitzwilliam, or 'Fitz' as it is universally known, is one of the larger colleges in Cambridge. Thanks to its purpose built location it can house almost all its students on site. Those who do not want to live there have the option of taking college housing off site or renting privately. The close proximity of all students to each other allows for a unique sense of belonging. We sit together in the library, eat our lunch together and have our social activities together. This means we are part of each others day-to-day lives, we share in each others pains and celebrate our achievements. It is the perfect work-life balance. You might think this quite usual at Oxbridge, but such an experience is difficult to find now. It is quite genuinely our college and not, like so many others, an institution which simply provides housing and administers our eating arrangements. The tightly knit community also allows for a comfortable relationship between students, fellows and staff.

Fitzwilliam's history is unique amongst Oxbridge colleges. It was conceived in 1869 by a Royal Commission as an institution to which students at Cambridge could be affiliated to if they did not wish to become members of an ordinary college. Although it is hard to believe it when one sees the grand buildings along the river Cam, most colleges were founded with the intent of allowing the most talented students to study, even if they were very poor. By the middle of the 19th century, Oxbridge had the reputation of being a rich young man’s playground. The aim of Fitzwilliam was to attract the best students who did not wish to join the system of colleges which were very expensive and, at the time, not always focused on academia. Located close to the Fitzwilliam Museum, Fitzwilliam Hall took its name from the Earls of Fitzwilliam.

The senior academic and administrator at Fitzwilliam was then known as the Censor and successive Censors did much to establish the collegiate spirit. In the 1880s Fitzwilliam Hall assumed a coat of arms, a testimony to the self-assurance members of College had in those days. By the early twentieth century, what was now known as Fitzwilliam House, was beginning to collect funds to establish itself as a college. A testimony to Fitzwilliam's unique camaraderie is our sport field which is a living war memorial: Members of Fitzwilliam Jouse bought the land, levelled the pitch and built the pavilion with their own hands to commemorate their friends that died in the war. After the Second World War the property of Fitzwilliam House in the centre of Cambridge was sold and Fitz moved to a purpose built site in the grounds of the small stately pile of The Grove. Fitzwilliam received its Royal Charter in 1966, three years after which it celebrated its hundredth birthday.

The Grove is Fitzwilliam's central feature. Built in 1813 its architecture contrasts harmoniously with the more modern buildings surrounding it. Originally the home of the architect who built it, it was later the home of Charles Darwin's widow Emma, who was born into the prestigious porcelain manufacturing family Wedgewood. Later it became the home of the Armstrong family. Their crest can be seen along side the Fitz shield in the lobby, the stair hall of which includes original William Morris wallpaper. Other rooms house the SCR, the Master's dining room and various college offices.

Fitz MCR takes its responsibility towards environmental protection seriously and has an active Environment Committee which meets regularly. Our college is making impressive progress in improving its environment management practices, having shot up from 22nd in the Environment League Table for colleges in 2008, to its current position of 4th. The college has taken steps to improve its energy efficiency and to cut down water consumption. Recycling facilities are available on the college premises. Fitz café has Fairtrade status and offers a variety of Fairtrade coffees, teas, juices, chocolates and other delicious items. Fairtrade promotion events are organised every year.

Famous alumni include Norman, Lord Lamont, former Chancellor, and David Starkey, the historian famous for his TV shows and appearances on Question Time. Others include a Prime Minister, cabinet ministers, Nobel prize winners, bishops, battle of Britain heroes, revolutionaries and the guy who invented Big Brother. Since Her Majesty the Queen granted Fitzwilliam its current status by charter, Fitzwilliam's association with royalty has continued. HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh is a frequent visitor to the College, their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain are honorary fellows (watch out for the King of Spain's tree in the grounds) and their son HRH Felipe, Prince of Asturias, Crown Prince of Spain is our patron.

When the College officially applied for a grant of Arms, they had been in use for over eighty years. It had been designed for the boat club in the early 1880s. The designer of the arms combined the ancient arms of the University with that of the Earls of Fitzwilliam. It has since been officially granted and recorded by Her Majesty’s College of Arms and is the only college arms to reference those of the University. Uniquely, the circumstances of its creation meant that the Queen permitted all Fitz students to use the coat of arms.

At the University of Cambridge you will be required to wear academical dress on several occasions. Such as matriculation, certain formal events and when you graduate. If you wish to come to formal College dinners, including MCR Formal Hall, you will have to wear a gown. The university outfitters A.E. Clothier, Ryder & Amies and Ede & Ravenscroft will be able to advise you best which gown you require. You can also hire gowns. However they are so frequently required, that most people own theirs. Most occasions where gowns are worn also require you to be smartly dressed. For gentlemen this means a shirt, tie and suit and equivalent smart wear for ladies.

Fitzwilliam MCR is the only Oxbridge MCR to have its own tie. The tie features the college mascot, the billygoat, holding a scroll with our 1869 foundation date. Our heritage is further celebrated by using the original Fitzwilliam colour, cardinal red, as background. It is available from the Porters’ Lodge and is to be worn by members of the MCR, the most senior college officers and exceptionally distinguished alumni.

On very special occasions you might be asked to wear ‘black tie’ which is a dinner jacket, tuxedo or smoking for gentleman and elegant evening dress for ladies. When invitations at Fitz state ‘black tie’ this will be the preferred option of dress - you will never be forced to wear one!

This graphic is for guidance only.