Varsity

Varsity is the longest-running student newspaper at Cambridge University, with a history that dates back to 1947. It stands out as one of just three fully independent student newspapers in the UK. The paper is released every Friday during the university's term time. After being published every two weeks for three years, it returned to a weekly format in Michaelmas 2015.

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English

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#146041

United Kingdom

#9705

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#198

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Articles

The case for reading weeks

6 days ago | varsity.co.uk | Katie Nicholson

First year History students get a reading week in Michaelmas and in Lent. But why only history and why just one year? Admittedly, there are discrepancies in fairness here. The demands of reading weeks do differ across colleges. Some students only had seventeen pages to read in a week – less than most are required to read in a day. Nonetheless, the History Tripos is a step ahead of other degrees, providing students with something others lack.
Student protesters glue Cambridge Barclays shut

6 days ago | varsity.co.uk | Wilf Vall

Student activists glued Cambridge’s Barclays branch shut on Wednesday (07/05), protesting the bank’s ties to fossil fuels and the decision to ban trans women from its female toilets. Protesters attached glue to the locks of the building’s doors in the early hours of the morning, forcing staff to wait outside until the doors were unsealed at 1pm.
Ways to cure your revision board-dom

1 week ago | varsity.co.uk | Heather Leigh

Cambridge is nothing if not repetitive. The 8-week cycle of essays, lectures, supervisions, and holding back tears in the library is as predictable as ever, which is why — as annoying and clichéd as it sounds — it is important to take a break. With the allure of pubs, picnics, and punting, we really are spoilt for choice.
Pembroke Master announces Chancellorship candidacy

1 week ago | varsity.co.uk | Elizabeth Bratton

Chris Smith, the Master of Pembroke and former Cabinet Minister, has announced that he will be running for the position of University Chancellor. The House of Lords member was the Secretary of State for Culture, Media, and Sport under Tony Blair, and served as the Chairman of the Environment Agency from 2008-2014. In 2015, he became the Master of Pembroke.
Graduating Cambridge student interrupts ceremony with pro-Palestine speech

1 week ago | varsity.co.uk | Charlie Rowan |Wilf Vall

A Cambridge student graduating on Saturday (03/05) interrupted the ceremony to protest the University’s “complicity” in “genocide in Gaza,” breaking the four-month High Court injunction against protests in Senate House. The student, wearing full sub fusc academic dress, proceeded to the centre of the Senate House room and held up a Palestinian flag, before making a speech. She stated: “Cambridge University is complicit in genocide in Gaza.
Proposals to alleviate ‘culture of overwork’ passed by University’s governing body

1 week ago | varsity.co.uk | Wilf Vall

Cambridge is the only UK University to use a class ranking system for all subjectsAmika Piplapure for Varsity Recommendations to alleviate a “culture of overwork” passed Cambridge University’s governing body earlier this week, committing the University to review its teaching practices to better student wellbeing.
‘Ethical candidate’ enters Chancellorship race, taking aim at ex-BP CEO’s fossil fuel ties

2 weeks ago | varsity.co.uk | Wilf Vall

Tony Booth, a former education professor and activist, has launched a bid for the Cambridge Chancellorship, claiming to be the only candidate standing on an “ethical” platform. Booth, who was a Research Fellow at the Cambridge Centre for Commonwealth Education, announced his candidacy for the role of Chancellor, vowing to “call for the University to be an ethical force in the world and a champion of education and the future of its students”.
Sandi Toksvig enters Cambridge Chancellor race

2 weeks ago | varsity.co.uk | Wilf Vall |Kezia Douglass

Broadcaster and comedian Sandi Toksvig is standing for Cambridge Chancellor, becoming the sixth candidate in the race, Varsity can exclusively reveal. In an X post, Simon McDonald, Master of Christ’s College, announced he had “just submitted Sandi Toksvig’s nomination papers to be Chancellor of University of Cambridge.” The post also included a photo of a completed Chancellor candidate form, including 79 “supporters forms” from those nominating Toksvig.
Local election shake-up? Six in ten students set to vote

2 weeks ago | varsity.co.uk | Nick James

Six in ten Cambridge students intend to vote in the upcoming local elections, which is more than average, and the majority are voting for left-leaning parties, Varsity’s survey finds. On Thursday 1 May, Cambridge students will be able to vote for Mayor of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, as well as councillors for the Cambridgeshire County Council. Those in East Chesterton and West Chesterton will also vote in by-elections for the Cambridge City Council.
Vladimir Kara-Murza on prison, learning, and a future for Russia

2 weeks ago | varsity.co.uk | Wilf Vall

Free Russian Foundation with permission for VarsityI’m not someone who is often lost for words. But, huddled in a secluded corner of the University Library Tea Room, I find myself trying to think of how to start an interview that, by Vladimir Kara-Murza’s own admission, should not have happened.