The Middle Common Room (MCR) is Sidney's friendly and outgoing postgraduate community, and consists of all the PhD, MPhil, Part III, and LLM students.

For postgraduate students at Cambridge, academic studies circles around the Department. Our social life, however, is often closely linked to our Cambridge College, and in this the MCR plays a key role.

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 dinners where you can engage with Sidney’s scholars and Fellows.

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, and a separate kitchen space.

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 and friendly atmosphere.

If you would like to learn more about us, visit Sidney's MCR website where you can take a look at the MCR President’s Address, browse through the material of our freshers' welcome page, or contact us if you have a specific question in mind.