Fitzwilliam College
Fitzwilliam College (or Fitz as it is usually known) was founded in 1966 out of the Non-Collegiate Students Board, known as Fitzwilliam House (itself founded in 1869). Fitzwilliam House was created to provide undergraduates unable to afford membership of a college a place to study and Fitzwilliam College continues this tradition of accessibility to this day; it boasts a high proportion of state school students (70-75 %) and grants a small number of "low-entry" offers to gifted students from impoverished backgrounds.
Fitz prides itself on having a welcoming and friendly atmosphere particularly to those students who feel intimidated by the Cambridge mystique.
Location
With the foundation of the college came its move from opposite the Fitzwilliam Museum to its current location between Huntingdon Road and Storeys Way some ten minutes walk from Magdalene Bridge. The first buildings on the new site were designed by Sir Denys Lasdun and are somewhat reminiscent of a 1960s car park. However, Fitz is like an ugly person - beautiful on the inside, the red brick exterior housing wonderful gardens. There are even reports of a deer living amongst the trees and flowerbeds, although these sitings usually occur in the early hours the few days after exams have finished.
Fitz is like an ugly person - beautiful on the inside
The college buildings have been undergoing many improvements in recent years and a new library and IT facility is in the process of being built. Fitz forms part of the triumvirate of "Hill Colleges" (along with Churchill and Murray Edwards) which have various musical and theatrical collaborations as well as a feeling of solidarity against the stuffiness of the older town-colleges.
Famous alumni
Fitzwilliam college’s most notable alumni include Former Chancellor of the Exchequer Norman Lamont, TV historian David Starkey and sporting greats such as cricketer Derek Pringle and rugby player Alastair Hignell.
For more information about the college and their opening times please visit their website