Sidney Sussex MCR
Welcome to Sidney Sussex MCR
The Middle Common Room (MCR) is Sidney's friendly and outgoing postgraduate community, and consists of all the PhD, Masters, Clinical Medicine and Vet students. Whilst academic life for postgraduates revolves around the various Departments that make up the University, social life is often closely linked to your college. Sidney’s MCR committee runs various events throughout the year so our community can get to know one another, and we also maintain a space within college where members can hang out, relax or study together.
Who are we?
We provide an important social space where you can meet other students, participate in regular social events organised by the MCR committee, join a sports society, and make use of study spaces and other facilities.
When you arrive at Sidney, the MCR will welcome you with our Fresher’s week, during which there will be lots of fun events and informative sessions designed for you to get to know your fellow students and settle into life in Cambridge.
Throughout the year the committee will continue to organise social events. Formal Hall is just one example! Formal Hall are formal dinners in the College dining hall which are often themed and always hugely popular. We promote interaction with other Cambridge Colleges by organising 'swaps' with their Formal Halls.
If you're looking for quieter outlets from your study, then you can come along to a relaxed yoga session in College, or to an informal brunch. We also have academic events such as the postgraduate seminar suppers where you can engage with fellow scholars and learn new things.
In the summer, we organise our well-known garden party, a highlight to enjoy at the end of the year once exams have been written and theses compiled.
Moreover, you can always relax, study, or socialise in our MCR complex - a large room for the exclusive use of Sidney postgraduates. It's equipped with sofas, work spaces, a TV with games consoles, film projector, and separate kitchen and study spaces.
Sidney Sussex is in the heart of Cambridge, directly opposite Sainsbury's and you can't help but become immersed in the bustling student atmosphere of the city. However, within the College walls you'll find a remarkably peaceful space, where you can explore the stunning gardens, get down to some serious study, eat in the beautiful dining hall, or simply hang out with friends.
Sidney has a well-stocked library and computer suite, squash court, top-notch gym, a great student-run bar, several music practice rooms, and access to some of the best outdoor sports facilities in Cambridge.
There are also funding opportunities for field trips or conference visits. The prestigious Fox Fellowship, which offers a fully funded year of study for humanities or social science students at Yale, is run out of Sidney.
Sidney’s MCR prides itself for its open, friendly and welcoming atmosphere. We can’t wait to meet you!

