What Magdalene can offer
At Magdalene, you will discover an exceptional environment for postgraduate study. As part of one of the world's leading research universities, we uphold Cambridge's prestigious academic legacy. Our close-knit postgraduate community fosters a dynamic and inspiring atmosphere for learning and collaboration, with students from diverse backgrounds and disciplines.
Experience Academic Excellence
Engage with distinguished academics who are leaders in their fields. Our College fosters an intellectual environment where you can explore your research interests and enhance your skills. Benefit from access to extensive library resources, state-of-the-art research facilities, and numerous opportunities for collaboration across disciplines.
A Thriving Community
Life at Magdalene extends beyond academics. Our vibrant postgraduate community offers ample opportunities for social interaction and professional development. Participate in guest lectures, seminars, and social events in the Middle Combination Room (MCR), where you can connect with fellow students and faculty. Enjoy special dinners, speaker meetings, and cultural events that enrich your experience at Magdalene.
A welcoming riverside home
Magdalene is one of the most beautiful Colleges in Cambridge, with a long history and the longest river frontage, plus punts for students to use. Just five minutes from the Market Place, the College is close to the city center but remains peaceful. Our gardens are open to all Members year-round. First-year postgraduates are guaranteed accommodation on or near the main site, with some rooms available for later years.
Scholarship opportunities
Postgraduate study is costly, and most students require external funding. Magdalene offers several full and partial scholarships for postgraduates. Third-year PhD students can apply for election to College Bye-Fellowships. For further information please see our Postgraduate Scholarships and Bursaries page.
Bye-Fellowship competition for PhD students
Magdalene offers a unique opportunity for PhD students in their third year to be elected as Bye-Fellows. This comes with free College accommodation, membership of the Senior Combination Room, and full High Table dining rights. Two Bye-Fellowships are awarded each year—one in the arts and one in the sciences.
The College also offers prestigious Junior Research Fellowships for Early Career Researchers who have recently completed or are finishing their PhD. These three-year positions provide a stipend, accommodation, and High Table dining rights. Magdalene typically has six to nine JRFs at any time.
Excellent facilities, for study and leisure
Magdalene postgraduates have their own Middle Combination Room (MCR) in First Court, offering a social space with reading and TV room.
Students have full access to College facilities year-round, including the Bar, Computer Suite, seminar rooms, and sports facilities such as gyms, Squash and Fives courts. Popular sports include rowing, football, rugby, and netball, with many other activities available through College or University clubs.
Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the New Library is a purpose-built space in College for Magdalene students to meet, work, relax and find inspiration. Winner of the 2022 Sterling Prize for Architecture, the New Library is a state-of-the-art facility and the best College library in Cambridge.
World-class networking opportunities
Magdalene's Fellowship includes leading academics, lawyers, business figures, artists, musicians, diplomats, and politicians. Postgraduates have opportunities to engage with Fellows through seminars, events, and dinners.
Within the MCR, you will meet future leaders across various fields, forming friendships and connections that can last a lifetime.
Graduating from Magdalene means joining a global alumni community of nearly 8,000, with active groups worldwide and ongoing opportunities to stay connected through the Alumni and Development Office.
The best MCR in Cambridge
Every College may say it, but Magdalene’s MCR truly stands out.
The MCR is both a space and a community. It serves as a dedicated postgraduate common room and as a student-led body with an elected committee advocating for postgraduate interests. MCR officers sit on key College committees, with the President attending Governing Body meetings.
The MCR organises a lively programme of social and academic events, bringing the postgraduate community together throughout the year, find out more on the MCR website.