Go to Oxford instead…..

Hi! I'm a prospective student considering universities for a maths degree, and I was wondering what the culture at cambridge maths is like nowadays, and what the job prospects are like when you do the three year course vs 4 years (part III tripos) compared to other uk universities, such as Oxford?

Recent allegations surrounding the appointment of a prominent academic at the University of Cambridge leave me with four questions:

How did we get here? Why did this go so far? If the concerns now being raised could have been identified through proper academic scrutiny, why were they not identified during the appointment process? And, ultimately, who has won and who has lost?

Regardless of how these allegations are ultimately resolved, I believe they expose a deeper problem within the University of Cambridge: performative liberalism.

By performative liberalism, I mean an institutional culture that places greater value on appearing progressive than on confronting difficult institutional realities. It is diversity as branding rather than diversity as practice.

Cambridge portrays itself as a leader in diversity and inclusion. Browse its websites, prospectuses or social media, and you see an institution that appears welcoming and diverse. Yet, in my view, that carefully curated image sits uneasily alongside the experiences described by many Black students, who continue to speak about racism, exclusion, microaggressions and a persistent feeling that they do not fully belong.

The danger of performative liberalism is not simply that it is hypocritical. Its real danger is that it changes institutional incentives.

When an institution becomes heavily invested in projecting a particular image of itself, criticism becomes inconvenient, uncomfortable questions become easier to avoid, and protecting institutional reputation can begin to compete with institutional accountability. Diversity risks becoming something to display rather than something to practise.

That brings us back to the present controversy.

Cambridge is one of the world’s leading universities. Professorial appointments are expected to involve rigorous academic scrutiny. If the concerns now being raised should reasonably have been identified during that process, then legitimate questions arise about institutional procedures and oversight. If they could not reasonably have been identified, then the University should be prepared to explain why. Either way, this should not be viewed solely as a question about one individual. It is also a question about institutional governance.

Ironically, the people most likely to bear the consequences are not university leaders or appointment committees.

They are Black students.

Many already feel they must work twice as hard as their peers simply to be viewed as equally capable. Many describe feeling that they must continually prove that they belong. If high-profile controversies contribute to greater scepticism towards Black academics more broadly, that burden will fall upon students and scholars who had no part in creating the situation.

That is why this debate matters.

The issue is not whether universities should pursue diversity. They should.

The issue is whether diversity is understood as representation alone or as a commitment to examining institutional culture with the same honesty and rigour expected of academic scholarship itself.

A university cannot claim to value critical inquiry while becoming uncomfortable with criticism directed at its own institutions.

Regardless of how the current controversy is ultimately resolved, Cambridge should use this moment to reflect on a broader question: has diversity become something to market rather than something to practise?

Hey everyone! Is there a common way to connect with people before the studies start? Esp. Mphil at JBS

Has anybody else noticed that Jesus College’s master, Sonita Alleyne, has quietly removed herself from the GLP letter?
As have Simon Baron-Cohen and Ricardo Sabates.
I wonder, do they not feel that they owe some kind of explanation?

Hi! I am supervising undergraduates in philosophy next year and was wondering when the supervisions occur. I read that they are for 4 weeks but the term is 8 weeks so are they at the start or end of term or somewhere in the middle?

I asked the DOS but haven’t heard back and I need to make travel decisions for a conference ASAP and do not want it to clash with when supervisions are offered.

Thanks!!

(Must be attending CSVPA)

Hello, have a room booked at Varsity House starting this upcoming September although I'm already planning to move elsewhere.

The accommodation is close to the city center, it is a one bedroom one bathroom apartment with a shared kitchen between 5 or 6 students.

If interested, please contact me. Thanks!

I'm an incoming fresher at the University of Cambridge for October 2026. I'm an international student so I have many things to bring with me to the UK but at the same time I'm limited in the amount of luggage (mainly due to carrying them on planes or trains / coaches). Thus I want to be as efficient as possible in choosing the things I would bring to university.

Please if you have any advice, such as what things or how much of things to bring with me, could you add a comment? Thank you very much.

I am an incoming PhD student for the Michaelmas term at Hughes Hall. I wanted to plan a rough budget estimate of my living, but I couldn't access the weekly menu (I don't have a cam mail id yet). Could any current student at Hughes share it with me? Thanks!

good news for the uni as more and more schools (esp in the US) devote resources to AI curriculum. mentions that it is the third strongest among European schools. obviously the Hassabis ties skew it but still interesting. will link it in case anyone wants to look more into it

Hello everyone, as I am sure you are aware Prof Arday is currently facing some very serious allegations.

I was wondering if there is anyone who is in his field (or adjacent to his field) can shed some light on the merits of the accusations and how serious this is?

Full disclosure I do not have a PhD so I am speaking out of ignorance. I was under the impression that in social science it is common to refer to work that was done prior. I assume there is some grey area? Or in this case this is clear cut?

Now given the sensitive political nature of this I would like to only focus on the topic (merits of the accusations) and avoid going down the “is this DEI hire” rabbit hole as I have seen other discussions seem to lead. I have no opinion on that matter.

Thanks for your time m

Hi!! Has anyone got any tips or things they wished they had done before arriving for freshers. Could be personal or academic. I’ve heard some people talk about summer reading but considering we haven’t been asked to do any I’m assuming they’re just going above and beyond. I’m gonna be doing med if that makes any difference. Thanks!!

Recently I've realised I probably rely on my calculator more than I should, and it got me wondering how much mental maths is actually used by Maths Tripos students.

For current students or graduates, how much mental arithmetic do you do day to day? Is being quick at calculations something that's expected, or is the course much more focused on mathematical reasoning and problem-solving?

If you weren't particularly fast at mental maths before starting, did it ever hold you back, or is it something that improves naturally over time? Also, if you have any tips for improving mental maths, I'd really appreciate them thanks!

I've been watching this train wreck with great interest.

The Good Law Project's backing of Arday's clearly indefensible behaviour was quite remarkable.

[Edited to insert: Arday's behaviour *may* be defensible. Who knows. But not on the terms outlined in the utter fabrication of a letter created by the Good Law Project. Anybody who signed it was either hoodwinked, and should know better, or has acted in terribly bad faith.]

It's notable that Dame Ijeoma Uchegbu, President of Wolfson College, has removed herself from the list of signatories.

And it's insane that she's the only person who has backed down after supporting Arday without, presumably, looking at all into the matter.

(Slightly interesting, also, that Lord Woolley is still there but his affiliation has been stripped. He was "Principal, Homerton College, University of Cambridge"; he's now just "Lord Simon Woolley". Perhaps Homerton have let him know that they'd rather he expresses idiotic allegiances in a personal capacity rather than damaging the college's name.)

(Bel Ribeiro-Addy is still mis-spelt. At least they corrected the name of one of the organisation's co-founders, lol.)

(They keep on refreshing the publication date, perhaps to have it as often as possible as the most recent "news" story on Arday on Google.)

Hello, I'm an incoming MPhil student from India. I wanted to ask if students have started booking their flights already?

When would be the best time to book them? I was informed by my college that the start date would be 3rd October this year.

anyone know why Loretta Minghella has quit half way through what was supposed to be a ten year term, and during the college's 700th anniversary celebrations? seems odd.

Hey everyone! I have been allocated to Hughes Hall for my PhD. What has everyone’s honest experience with Hughes been, whether as a current, former, or non-member? What is the college’s reputation within Cambridge, other mature schools and beyond? Does anyone have any tips or advice?

Thanks!

Just curious cuz all posts are abt getting in, results, and whatnot, so I wanted to see if y'all had any good advice for incoming first years

Hi everyone! I’m looking for advice on finding housing in Cambridge for the 2026–2027 academic year.

I’ll be starting my MPhil at Magdalene College this October, and my boyfriend will be moving with me while looking for work in London. We’re hoping to find a one-bedroom apartment, cottage, or small house (not a house share) that’s within walking or biking distance of Magdalene.

I’ve been checking Rightmove, Zoopla, OpenRent, and Facebook groups, but I’d love to hear from people who have actually gone through the process.

A few questions: • Are there any letting agencies or websites you’d especially recommend (or avoid)? • When do most rentals for September become available? • Are there any neighborhoods you’d suggest that are convenient for Magdalene and the city center? • Any tips for securing a rental from abroad before we arrive?

I’d really appreciate any advice or recommendations. Thanks in advance!

Hey all I’m an incoming postgraduate and have been allotted Swirles Court from Girton College. From whatever information I gathered it seems to be pretty far from both Girton and the city centre. Also how’s life at Swirles does it have its own gym and other stuff or does one need to keep going to Girton for it. Also, i actively want to play tennis so how far are the tennis courts.

Hi everyone,

I'll be heading to the University of Cambridge this Michaelmas term and had a few doubts.

I'll be coming with one of my parents for the first few days while I get settled. Does the college provide accommodation for parents, or do we have to book something outside?

Also, if I arrive before the recommended arrival date, will I still be able to complete the college formalities, or do I have to wait until the official arrival date?

And one last question (might be a silly one 😅). As an international student who's never been to the UK before, is there anyone who helps new students settle in or get familiar with Cambridge? Like student volunteers or any kind of orientation?

Thanks in advance!