Christ's College, Cambridge

Christ's College, Cambridge
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Name	Christ's College, Cambridge
Established	1505
Affiliations	University of Cambridge, Cambridge Theological Federation

Christ's College, Cambridge, a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, was founded in 1505 by Lady Margaret Beaufort, mother of Henry VII of England. The college has a long history of academic excellence, with notable alumni including Charles Darwin, John Milton, and Sylvia Plath. Christ's College has strong ties to Trinity College, Cambridge, King's College, Cambridge, and St John's College, Cambridge, with which it often competes in University of Cambridge-wide events, such as the Cambridge University Boat Club and the Cambridge University Rugby Union Football Club. The college is also affiliated with Murray Edwards College, Cambridge, Newnham College, Cambridge, and Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge.

● History

The college was founded in 1505, when Lady Margaret Beaufort purchased the Hospital of St Rhadegund and converted it into a college. The college's early years were marked by a strong focus on Divinity, with many of its early students going on to become Bishops of the Church of England, including Matthew Parker and John Whitgift. During the English Civil War, the college was a stronghold of Royalist support, with many of its students and fellows fighting on the side of Charles I of England at the Battle of Marston Moor and the Battle of Naseby. The college has also been associated with the Cambridge Platonists, a group of Philosophers that included Ralph Cudworth and Henry More, who were influenced by the works of Plato and Aristotle.

● Admissions

The college admits students from a wide range of backgrounds, with a strong focus on academic achievement. Students applying to the college must sit the Cambridge University admissions tests, including the Thinking Skills Assessment and the Biomedical Admissions Test. The college also offers a range of Scholarships and Bursaries to support students from lower-income backgrounds, including the Gates Cambridge Scholarship and the Chevening Scholarship. Christ's College has a long-standing relationship with Hills Road Sixth Form College, The Leys School, and The Perse School, with many students from these schools going on to study at the college. The college is also a member of the Sutton Trust, a charity that aims to improve access to higher education for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

● Buildings and grounds

The college is situated in the heart of Cambridge, with its main site located on St Andrew's Street and Mill Lane. The college's buildings include the Chapel of Christ's College, Cambridge, which was designed by George Gilbert Scott and features a range of Stained glass windows, including works by Edward Burne-Jones and William Morris. The college also has a range of other facilities, including the Old Library, which houses a collection of rare books and manuscripts, including works by William Shakespeare and John Donne. The college's grounds include the Fellows' Garden, which is a tranquil oasis in the heart of the city and features a range of plants and flowers, including Roses and Lavender. The college is also close to the River Cam, which offers opportunities for Punting and Rowing.

● Student life

Students at the college are members of the Junior Combination Room, which provides a range of social and recreational facilities, including a Bar and a Common room. The college also has a range of student societies, including the Christ's College Boat Club, the Christ's College Rugby Club, and the Christ's College Drama Society. Students at the college can also participate in a range of University of Cambridge-wide events, including the Cambridge University May Ball and the Cambridge University Jazz Orchestra. The college has a strong sense of community, with many students living in college accommodation, including Wychfield, New Court, and Third Court. The college is also close to the Cambridge University Students' Union, which provides a range of services and facilities for students, including a Shop and a Café.

● Notable alumni

The college has a long list of notable alumni, including Charles Darwin, who studied Theology at the college and went on to develop the theory of Evolution through Natural selection. Other notable alumni include John Milton, who studied Classics at the college and went on to write the epic poem Paradise Lost, and Sylvia Plath, who studied English literature at the college and went on to become a renowned Poet and Novelist. The college has also produced a number of notable Politicians, including John Gummer, who served as Secretary of State for the Environment, and Norman Fowler, who served as Secretary of State for Health and Social Security. Other notable alumni include Rowan Williams, who served as Archbishop of Canterbury, and Diane Abbott, who has served as a Member of Parliament for Hackney North and Stoke Newington.

● Academics

The college has a strong academic reputation, with a range of Academic departments and Research centers. The college is particularly renowned for its teaching and research in Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science, with many of its students going on to study at MIT, Stanford University, and California Institute of Technology. The college has a long-standing relationship with NASA, with many of its students and researchers working on projects related to Space exploration and Astronomy. The college is also a member of the Cambridge-MIT Institute, a partnership between the University of Cambridge and MIT that aims to promote collaboration and innovation in Science and Technology. The college has a range of Academic programs, including the MPhil and PhD programs, which are designed to provide students with advanced research training and skills.