News
Latest College News
Stay up to date with the latest from Magdalene, including College announcements, academic achievements, alumni updates, feature articles, and highlights from recent events.
Armstrong Arts and Humanities Essay Competition Winner Announced 2026
Magdalene College is delighted to announce the winners of the Armstrong Arts and Humanities Essay Competition 2026. The competition invited Year 12 students from UK state-maintained schools to submit a response to one of twelve essay questions, which encompassed a variety of Arts & Humanities subjects available to study at undergraduate level at the University of Cambridge.
Peckard Prize Winner 2026
Congratulations to Ms Anna Viehhauser, winner of the Peter Peckard Memorial Prize 2026, for her essay on Roma and Sinti Activism and Holocaust Memory Politics.
Admissions, Outreach and Support
Magdalene’s expanded outreach and admissions work has driven record application numbers, helping attract talented students from diverse backgrounds across the UK and beyond.
The Pepys Building Restoration Update
The Pepys Building has undergone major restoration, including stripping back its interior and a new roof, revealing the historic 17th-century roof timbers. Work is now focused on installing services and finishing details, with completion expected for the 2026/27 academic year
Magdalene Matters 56
The latest Magdalene Matters is out now! Issue 56 features College news and stories from Members, including an update on the Pepys Restoration Project, insights from Admissions, Outreach and Support, a look at Magdalene maintenance in the 18th century, new developments in neurotechnology, coverage of the Magdalen and Magdalene Sports Day, and more.
Mr Denis Murphy (1937-2026)
It is with deep sadness that the College announces the death of Mr Denis Murphy (1957), Honorary Fellow, Emeritus Fellow and former Senior Bursar of Magdalene College.
Magdalene alumna prepares for historic Indian Ocean rowing expedition
Dr Susannah Cass (2006), a Magdalene alumna and experienced ocean rower, is preparing to attempt a world‑first 5,500 mile unsupported crossing of the Indian Ocean as part of the Brainwaves crew.
Admission of the Fellows
We were delighted to admit three new academics to the Magdalene Fellowship today: Professor Thomas Krieg, Dr Julia Khodko, and Dr Dean Jobin-Bevans.
May Bumps Marquee
The Mallory Club invites the College community to support the Magdalene Boat Club at this year’s Mays Marquee on Ditton Meadow, held on Saturday 20 June, for the final day of the May Bumps.
Magdalene College Choir Tour to Hungary
The College Choir has recently completed a successful multi-city tour of Hungary, performing in Budapest, Pécs, and Szeged.
Easter Residentials 2026
Over the Easter holidays, Magdalene hosted its annual residentials for students from our link areas of Merseyside, the Isle of Man, and North Wales.
Professor Eamon Duffy FBA awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws
Congratulations to Magdalene Emeritus Fellow Professor Eamon Duffy FBA (1979) on being awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws by the University of Notre Dame at its 2026 Commencement.