This week I thought I’d write a quick blog about Lancaster University’s collegiate system. For those applying to Lancaster, you may be unaware that Lancaster University has colleges and may be uncertain as to what implications this holds. The purpose of this blog shall be to provide a brief overview of the function and mechanics of the college system at Lancaster.

Lancaster University is among a very small handful of Universities, including Oxford and Cambridge, to have a collegiate system. Lancaster has nine colleges consisting of; Bowland; Cartmel; County; Furness; Fylde; Grizedale; Lonsdale; Pendle and Graduate college. The first eight colleges are for undergraduates and the last college, `Graduate college` is for postgraduate students who have chosen to continue their studies after graduating with their undergraduate degree. Upon receiving a place on a degree course at Lancaster University, you will also be assigned a college.

College assignment is not based on your nationality or subject- it is not the case, for instance that all English Politics students are assigned to Cartmel college. Instead, students of all disciplines are present in all colleges which makes for an extremely diverse body of people within each college. Each college at Lancaster University has its own accommodation, so you will be living in halls of residence alongside your college members. This makes for an interesting environment in which you could be living in a room with a geographer to the room on your right, an engineer to the room on your left and a mathematician in the room opposite you. In my first year, although I was taking PPE, there was a German economist, a Polish law student, a Hungarian biomedical student and a Greek business and management student also living on my corridor. This kind of diversity is really good in that it can spark interesting and varied conversations which do not have to be confined to your subject specific course or your home culture.

Further to this many social events are held within each college. Each college has its own bar, nights out, annual extravaganzas and Fresher’s events. When I was in first year I remember my college, Furness, hosting Casino nights (only gambling with plastic chips, not real money, I’m afraid!), foam party clubbing events and dress up nights. Moreover, those in your college are most likely to become your closest friends. These are the people you will be graduating with when you finish your course.

Sporting activities are often organised within colleges, with different colleges having different sports teams which are often pitted against one another. To add to the fun, academic staff members are also college members which provides a great opportunity for college students versus staff matches.