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Studying and career

Studying

We want you to achieve your best at Murray Edwards College. We aim to provide you with very strong teaching both within College and from across the University. Our Fellowship (our academic teachers and researchers) are highly committed with considerable expertise in their fields of study. Within each subject there is a designated Director of Studies who is an experienced academic responsible for guiding the academic progress of each college student in their care. You will meet with your Director of Studies on a regular basis. You will usually have some supervisions in College in addition to lectures, practicals and seminars held in the Departments alongside students from all other colleges. Detailed information about individual subjects is available.

The striking college library, the Rosemary Murray Library, holds around 60,000 books as well as periodicals, videos and CDs. It holds core texts for first and second year courses and much specialised material too. There are 200 places for readers and it is open 24 hours a day. The extensive collection, space and unrestricted access is much appreciated by our students especially when approaching exams or essay deadlines! An annex adjacent to the library accommodates computers, a photocopier and a colour printer for student use.

Most students arrive in Cambridge with great excitement and some trepidation at the challenges ahead. In response the College has introduced a unique programme to help you to make the most of your life at Cambridge and the career opportunities beyond: the Gateway Programme. In the first year the programme helps students to make a successful transition into Cambridge life by exploring issues such as managing time, making optimal use of the supervision system and evaluating academic expectations.

The College also has experienced personal tutors who will help you with concerns that may be affecting your studies that are not directly related to your course. They keep in touch with you during your time in college to ensure that all is going well. There is also a College nurse who holds a surgery for students most mornings.

Academic achievement

We were delighted that final year exam results at Murray Edwards in 2011/12 were again very strong with around 90% of our students graduating with a 1st or 2.1. The College is regularly amongst the top three Cambridge Colleges in terms of the 'value added'. (This means that our students make significant academic progress between their first and final years of study and reflects our focus on an environment where students can aim high and succeed.)

Into career

Cambridge students are very highly regarded by employers and most graduates are able to secure employment and a very good income. The University has a good Careers Service which is complemented in Murray Edwards College by an active and growing  Careers strand within our  Gateway Programme. Associated with the Gateway Programme is a pioneering MEC Internship Initiative which provides access to a range of College-negotiated professional opportunities.

This year (in the light of the challenging employment market) we introduced a 'Last Minute - First Post' workshop for any Finalists who had not yet secured a position.

'Gateway is a fantastic opportunity for any student at [Murray Edwards College] - both for those who have a set career path and for those, like me, who had no idea what they wanted to do! The practical advice offered is invaluable; guidance on starting your job search, the application process, interview skills and networking is given to you in a very concise and clear manner by people who listen and care about you.' Third year, History student

We keep in close touch with our graduates and are always pleased to hear about what they do in future. Graduates from Murray Edwards College are successful in a wide range of fields. The list below gives a taste of some of the diverse achievements of women who have studied at this college.

  • Jocelyn Bell Burnell (1965): Astrophysicist and discoverer of pulsars
  • Tilda Swinton (1980): Oscar-winning actress
  • Joanna MacGregor (1978): Pianist and conductor
  • Mishal Husain (1992): BBC News
  • Barbara Stocking (1969): CEO Oxfam
  • Lizzie Hawker (1995): World Champion Ultra-Marathon runner
  • Anne Louise Kinmonth (1969): Foundation Professor of General Practice, University of Cambridge
  • Lisa Burke (1995): Weather Presenter, Sky News
  • Julia King (1972): Vice Chancellor, Aston University
  • Claudia Winkleman (1990): TV presenter

Updated March 2012 (HB)