Scholarly Community

A postgraduate's primary focus will always be their department and their studies. Colleges can also play a significant role in intellectual development, taking academic interests outside the lab, library or study room. The cut and thrust of intellectual debate takes place in college kitchens, dining rooms, over coffee during the day or a drink in the bar in the evening, or simply hanging out in the various college social spaces. The college environment enables students from across different departments to meet and engage in interdisciplinary dialogue both informally and, increasingly, through lectures, seminars or conferences held in college. Postgraduates have the opportunity to help organise such activities and to attend those given by other students or academic staff. These activities are generally open to students from across colleges, as well as to part-time students, whether a member of a college or not.

A number of colleges hold seminars and café discussion groups, some in conjunction with research institutes, such as the Institute of Advanced Study.