Girton

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ounded 1869 by Emily Davies and Barbara Bodichon as The College for Women (1869-1872). Girton College from 1873, full college status 1948. Sister College – Somerville College Oxford. Men and Women – Undergraduates 483 Postgraduates 208.

Girton lies furthest north of any Cambridge college, about a 15-minute bike ride away from the city centre. The far-flung location provides an idyllic haven far away from the hustle and bustle of central Cambridge. It has impressive facilities, including on site playing fields and indoor swimming pool. Little wonder the sporting teams do well with no travelling time invading training sessions.
Girton students have a positive island mentality rising above the endlessly repeated jokes that relate to their distance from the city centre: ‘More Cambridge students have visited Australia than Girton’ – and the ultimate insult, ‘Oh I thought Girton was an Oxford college.’ As Girtonians point out: ‘They soon know who we are when we thrash them at sport!’
Most members guard the secrets of the sumptuous location with care. The wonderful facilities come complete with a surprisingly large car park to facilitate the visits of ‘nearest and dearest’ (no chance of that in central Cambridge).
A vision of the Womens’ Movement
Originally, the institution was located in Hitchin and was called The College for Women, founded by Emily Davis and her colleague Barbara Bodichon in 1869. Emily, a clergyman’s daughter, was an activist in the Women’s Movement. She believed the first step to equality and meaningful employment was a vigorous education, designed to give academic women some of the opportunities enjoyed by men. With clear purpose she launched an appeal and attracted support from many leading liberal educationalist...

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...with as a reminder of the time when women could not be awarded university degrees.
Both founders placed great value on beautiful gardens, for the creation of an agreeable atmosphere, to promote serious study. Their vision always included ‘gardens and grounds and everything good for the body, soul and spirit.’
Today Girton is co-educational providing all the usual facilities, clubs and societies for its 208 postgraduates and 483 undergraduates. There is an even gender divide with the majority (69%) of British students having been educated in the state sector. Applications per year number around 500, while the intake is about 150.
Much closer to central Cambridge, just a short walk from the University Library, is the intimate and understated accommodation annex, Wolfson Court designed by Roberts and Clark in 1979. The court has its own catering facilities and porters.

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