St John's College News
How should I dress for the interviews?
How should I dress for the interviews?In whatever makes you feel the most comfortable and confident! There is no need to dress formally at all, and a lot of applicants opt to dress “clean but casual”. Remember that it will be winter, and it may be bitterly cold and raining: dress appropriately!read moreWhat do you really look for in an applicant?
What do you really look for in an applicant?Our students come from every imaginable background and have the widest possible variety of experiences, interests and skills. The one thing they share is intellectual curiosity, enthusiasm for their subject, and the potential to get the most out of what a Cambridge degree has to offer. These qualities are often clear in the school record, but they may be apparent in a range of other ways.…read moreLanguage & Literature
Language & LiteratureEnglish literature Among the earlier English material, William Thynne's 2nd edition of the works of Chaucer (1542) stands out, with its woodcuts of the various pilgrims. Moving into the 17th century, notable items include the first collected works of Ben Jonson (1616), and the first collected poems of John Donne (1633). The earliest Shakespeare in the Library is the relatively common Fourth…read moreClassics
ClassicsTexts Typically for a library developing over the 16th to 18th centuries St John's special collections contain a fair number of classical editions from the entire span of the period. The earliest printed book in the Library is one of the very first printings of a classical text, Fust and Schoeffer's 1466 edition of Cicero's De officiis. There are over seventy other classical incunabula…read moreHighlights from the collections
Highlights from the collectionsThe following is a list of on-line images of some of the more interesting early printed books in the collections organized chronologically. This is by no means an exhaustive list and is subject to ammendment and expansion. Digital images of provenance evidence and notable bindings associated with early printed books are also available via the Provenance and Binding Index. If you would like…read moreWilliam Wordsworth (1770-1850) relics
William Wordsworth (1770-1850) relicsBreakfast cup, saucer, and plateWhite porcelain, decorated with coloured flowers and birds. Each piece is marked on the bottom 'No 12672 %'. Measurements as follows.Tea cup 75mm H, 102mm W at top, 57mm W at bottom.Saucer 28mm H, 170mm W.Plate 22mm H, 200mm W.Given to Wordsworth by Sir George Howland Beaumont (1753-1827) and used by him 1816-1850. Given to the Library by Mrs J.M.E. Brownlow,…read moreJohn Shelton Regulator c.1764
John Shelton Regulator c.1764DescriptionJohn Shelton was a famous London clockmaker. He made five astronomical regulators for the Royal Society for timing the transits of Venus in 1761 and 1769. Regulators were accurate clocks used specifically for timing transit observations to the exact second.This regulator, in a veneered mahogany case, dates from c. 1764 and measures 1905 x 440 x 240 mm. The brass face measures 300…read moreMiscellanea
MiscellaneaArms of St John's College Cambridge in fabric Sewn in blue, white, red, gold, and green thread. 205 x 195mm. Clearly cut from a larger item, perhaps a pennant or flag. Given by Professor Richard Perham (Master 2004-7), Oct. 2007. Lower Library Artefacts Box. Autograph of Sir John Cheke (1514-57) On slip of paper, mounted in wooden, glazed frame, 122 x 47mm. The inscription, in a fine italic,…read moreMedals, awards, plaques, and seals
Medals, awards, plaques, and sealsAllen, William Edgar. Two rectangular bronze plaques by I.L. Blanchot, 7.5cm x 5.8cm. 1. Obv. Bust of Allen, r., under which Wm Edgar ALLEN. 2. Obv. Picture of the Edgar Allen Library above which EDGAR ALLEN | LIBRARY, below SHEFFIELD UNIVERSITY, to the left GIBBS & FLOCKTON ARCHTS. Edge. OPENED BY H.R.H. THE PRINCE OF WALES K.G. APRIL 26TH 1909.…read moreThe Materia Medica cabinet of William Heberden (1710-1801)
The Materia Medica cabinet of William Heberden (1710-1801)Description William Heberden was a Fellow of St John's College and a noted physician who first identified angina pectoris. Between 1740 and 1748 he delivered an annual course of lectures at Cambridge on Materia Medica, a range of vegetable, animal, and mineral substances supposed to have some medicinal virtue. This cabinet contains the collection he formed to illustrate his lectures. Cole states…read moreCoins
CoinsThe College's collection of coins is housed at the Fitzwilliam Museum (see below). The following few items remain in the College Library.Contemporary forgery of Edward I pennySilver, 18mm, worn. Obv. Crowned bust of king, facing front Leg. EDWAR ANGL DNS HYB. Rev. Long cross, three pellets in each quarter Leg. CIVITAS LONDON.In envelope labelled '…read moreClothing
ClothingSt John's College Rugby cap and blazer c. 1890. Cap: black with vertical red stripes, badge of eagle and crown in gold thread. Blazer: black with vertical red stripes, three pockets, five buttons. These items belonged to Thomas Leonard Jackson (matric. 1889, BA 1892) who played for the College Rugby team throughout his undergraduate career and served as captain during the 1891-2 season. He also…read moreBusts and masks
Busts and masksAdams, John Couch (1819-92) Plaster bust by unknown sculptor. Upper Library. Marble bust by Albert Bruce Joy, c.1873. Given by Mrs Adams. Hall. Ascham, Roger (1515-68) Profile portrait carved in wood. Formerly one of a series from the walls of an old house in Southampton. Given by Henry Gaselee, 1904 (See CM696/8, 10 June 1904). Upper Library. Baily, John (1805-77) Marble bust by John Bailey,…read moreKennedy Memorial Trust
Kennedy Memorial TrustThe Kennedy Scholarship offers interesting opportunities for postgraduate study in the USA at Harvard University and MIT.Eligibility Criteria: Both newly graduated and those who have gained experience outside academia are welcome to apply.Award Offers:Full fees and health InsuranceTax free stipend of at least $26,000Generous contribution towards flightsAdditional travel grant of $2500Further…read moreOn Christmas Night - New Choir CD Released
On Christmas Night - New Choir CD ReleasedOn Christmas Night – the Choir’s latest recording features traditional carols as well as a selection of Christmas choral music.Available from Monday 26 September online, from the Front Lodge or from the Choir Office at £10 each.read moreWhat should I put in my personal statement?
What should I put in my personal statement?We firmly believe that the personal statement is just that: personal. We therefore can’t be too prescriptive as to what you should or shouldn’t include, but you might want to tell us what has inspired you to apply for your chosen subject; why you think the Cambridge course is the right one for you; how you see yourself using your degree in the future. You might also want to tell us a bit about…read moreDoes John’s accept re-sits?
Does John’s accept re-sits?We are happy for applicants to re-sit individual A-level modules, as long as this is done and the result included in their final A2 result. Please note, however, that we do not accept re-takes or re-sits of final examinations.read moreCan I study for a Joint Honours degree?
Can I study for a Joint Honours degree?Not in Cambridge at present. However, it is possible to transfer from one Tripos to another with the approval of both Directors of Studies. Details can be found in the Cambridge Admissions Prospectus. At John’s you will be considered for admissions in the subject that you want to study when you first come to Cambridge.read moreCan I apply for deferred entry?
Can I apply for deferred entry?The College is pretty neutral with regard to Gap Years, and we really have no bias one way or the other (although some subjects, such as Maths, would expect you to do some revision before coming up to Cambridge to get back up to speed!). However, you should be aware that the College does need a firm commitment to a particular year of entry, and this has to be indicated on your Cambridge…read moreWill you accept my combination of A-level subjects?
Will you accept my combination of A-level subjects?If you have any doubt about the suitability of your A-level subjects for the subject you want to read, contact us. We’ll be able to answer your particular query.read moreDissertation Expenses
Dissertation ExpensesGrants equal to one half of the cost actually incurred in typing an Undergraduate dissertation or a dissertation for the MPhil degree will normally be met by the College.Current students should contact their Tutor for further information.Grants will not normally be made towards the cost of typing dissertations required in some departments as intermediate stages from PhD students, and will only…read moreTutor Hardship Fund
Tutor Hardship FundThis fund is available to help junior members in financial hardship. Assistance may be either by way of grant or (interest-free) loan. If you are a current student, your Tutor will be able to advise whether a grant/loan from this fund is available to you. Please do not hesitate to contact your Tutor, who will be happy to advise you, if you find yourself in financial difficulty.read moreThesis Binding
Thesis BindingFrom 1 November 2017 Graduate students can apply to the Graduate Hardship Fund in cases of financial hardship, towards the costs of printing and binding thesis for the PhD, MSc and MLitt degrees. Students should indicate if they will or will not receive a college contribution on their application form. Details about the amount of the College's contribution this academic year will be available in…read moreCollege Hardship Grants
College Hardship GrantsThrough donations, the College has received modest funds to assist with cases of hardship.Current students should book an appointment to see their Tutor if they wish to apply for a grant, or need to discuss their financial situation at any time.read moreBell, Abbott and Barnes Funds
Bell, Abbott and Barnes FundsThe Bell, Abbott and Barnes Funds help students in unforeseen financial difficulty. The funds provide short term grants to assist students while longer term plans are put in place. Further information, including eligibility criteria, is available at the link below.Students should not hesitate to contact their Tutor to discuss any matters of unforeseen financial difficulty.read more