Churchill

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Founded 1326 as University Hall by Richard de Badew. Refounded 1338 as Clare Hall by Elizabeth de Clare. Became Clare College in 1856. Sister College – Oriel College Oxford. Men and women – Undergraduates 510 Postgraduates 300. Clare College is situated just a little to the west of Cambridge city centre and is one of the institutions that make up ‘The Backs’, a collection of magical colleges that sit beside the beautiful River Cam near Queen’s Road. It is the second oldest college in the university, after Peterhouse, and educates 300 postgraduates and 510 undergraduates. The college, along with next-door neighbour King’s, has a track record of being liberal and progressive with a clear and open admissions policy. It was in the first batch of Cambridge colleges to accept women in 1972 and now has an even gender mix. A pioneering policy to broaden admissions has resulted in Clare now having more state educated students (67%) to independent among homegrown members. The Clare student newspaper ‘Clareification’ has a cult following and recently won ‘Best University Paper’ despite criticism by its own master as being ‘an unholy cross between the Sun (tabloid) and Private Eye (satirical)’. Idyllic setting ‘I didn’t know places like this really existed, I thought they were the invention of film makers’, one English tourist exclaimed as I was taking my photographs. ‘The Backs’ are the most romantic and most photographed part of Cambridge and Clare boasts the oldest current bridge that spans the peaceful river with its fleet of punts gently gliding by. This stone bridge has fourteen balls adorning it of which one has a missing slice -– according to legend an angry builder removed this because he was paid less than expected. Some of the mor... ... middle of paper ... ...e of educating the orphaned sons of bakers, one such orphan was William Whitehead (1715-85) who went on to become Poet Laureate in 1757. Avoids pretentiousness Clare students enjoy a diverse and supportive community that fosters mutual respect – avoiding pretentiousness at all levels. A full range of societies, sports clubs and art projects are on offer to provide members with the opportunity to recharge their batteries. The college has a renowned music society that offers substantial grants to gifted students, a debating society for those who enjoy arguing and an investment fund, managed by members keen to gain experience of the stock market. Clare looks for enthusiastic applicants who display a passion and commitment to their subject coupled with high academic ability and a capacity for hard work. A working class educational background is definitely not a barrier!

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