The Samuel Butler Room

• Grad talks. Grad talks offer Johnians a chance to share their research with the college community in a relaxed and informal setting. Talks are held periodically throughout Michaelmas and Lent terms, typically before BA Table, and consist of a 12-minute presentation followed by discussion. Complimentary wine is provided for attendees. Speakers are welcome to enjoy a complimentary formal dinner at any time during the term as a thank-you for their contribution. Sign-up sheets for grad talks are sent out at the start of Michaelmas and Lent terms.

• Postgraduate research symposium. Each year, in Lent term, the SBR hosts a one-day research symposium open to all postgraduate students. This event gives Johnians the chance to share their research with the college community and alumni in a more formal setting, similar to what might be seen in an academic conference. Symposium talks are a maximum of 15 minutes, with an extra 5 minutes allotted for questions. Complimentary refreshments are provided for attendees between sessions, and a special drinks reception is held in the SBR after the conclusion of the final session. Sign-ups for symposium talks open at the beginning of Lent term.

Throughout the year, the SBR hosts multiple parties: sBrOILER ROOMS, end-of-term parties, etc. Announcements are made via e-mail and on our Instagram.

• Postgrads dine with fellows. Every term, fellows invite postgraduate students to dine with them at high table. Tickets are free, but limited. They are available on UPay. Postgrads should not attend more than once per academic year.
• BA Table. Every Tuesday and Friday during term, one of the three hall tables is reserved for graduate students. Be sure to purchase your BA Table ticket in advance on UPay, as it often sells out. Tickets are exclusive to graduates.
• Swaps. Swaps are inter-collegiate dining events where we dine at other Cambridge colleges and invite them to dine with us. These events may include parties, and we also have swaps with colleges like Balliol (Oxford), Trinity (Dublin), Ghislieri (Italy), and Uppsala (Sweden).
• Port & Sherry. Port & Sherry is offered in the SBR after hall on Fridays, for free!

The SBR hosts a wide range of events over a span of two weeks to welcome postgraduate freshers. These events are integrated into a programme comprising mandatory freshers activities such as registration, matriculation, and orientation as well as university-wide activities such as the CUSU Freshers’ Fair and Societies Fairs.

These exclusive events for postgraduates, fellows, and visiting fellows offer unique opportunities to engage with history, culture, and the college community. Enjoy historical walks, museum tours, cheese tastings, wine cellar tours, and social gatherings like dining with fellows. Special events such as ghost stories and commemorative evenings provide a mix of learning and entertainment throughout the term.

This guide has been produced by the SBR Committee and Postgraduate office to help you, new postgraduate students, during your arrival and first few weeks in Cambridge and at St John’s College. We advise you skim over it at least once, and then you can refer to each section in more detail as and when you need to.

You can read the guide on this site or download a copy here.

Starting a new part of your life can be exciting, but it can also be stressful and intimidating. Finding the right person to talk to can make life much, much easier.

Contacts in college.

• Your College tutor is available for non-academic matters, including financial support, personal difficulties, problems with your supervisor, etc.

• The College Nurses are trained and confidential counsellors as well. Please get in touch with the Nurses if you would like to be referred to the college counsellor.

• The Chaplain, is available as a confidential listener for all members of college, whatever their religious convictions.

• Student Services (F staircase Chapel Court) can help with College issues, such as bills, student cards etc.

• All new students are given a graduate buddy who can help you settle into college and answer any questions you may have. They’ll meet up with you at least twice during the first term, and be a friendly face as you get used to Cambridge postgraduate life.

• The SBR Committee welcomes questions, and welfare officers are especially available to direct you to the appropriate people/places.

Welfare Resource Pack. For a comprehensive list of resources that are available you within college, the university, and the city of Cambridge, see the Welfare Resource Pack.

Anonymous welfare request form. Your welfare officers are committed to helping you with any questions or concerns you may have. We acknowledge that sometimes it can be challenging to come forward with questions or concerns. This is why we have created an anonymous form with space for you to ask a question or make a welfare-related request. It will be forwarded to the welfare officer(s). All responses are completely anonymous, and no email addresses or CRS IDs will be traceable.

Graduate students at St John’s College typically live in the College’s hostels, located around Cambridge. These include older, more affordable terraced houses and larger, newer homes, which are more spacious but farther from the town center. Traditional college-style accommodation is also available.

Rooms vary in size and rent, with most containing a sink and basic furniture like a bed, desk, wardrobe, and shelves. Many rooms have wireless internet, connected to the College’s network. Bathrooms, showers, and kitchens are shared, with kitchens offering communal spaces and storage but no provided cooking equipment. Most hostels have common rooms and are equipped with some appliances, such as microwaves and kettles, left behind by past residents.

The Graduate Study Room or GSR is located on the second floor of 1 All Saints Passage, behind the Old Divinity School, and can be accessed with your Cam Card. This study space is exclusively for postgraduates. There are monitors, desk space, whiteboards, and other amenities. There is also a reading alcove with some couches for relaxing in between study sessions.

For detailed directions on how to access the room, please click here.

The Samuel Butler Room (SBR), located in the corner of First Court, is the heart of the SBR society. It’s a space for social events, and serves port and sherry before and after BA Table. Accessible to all St John’s graduates with a University Card, the room offers a quiet, comfortable environment for studying, relaxing, or meeting peers. Inside, you’ll find a TV with a Wii, board games, a pool table, a piano, and a small kitchen. We encourage graduates to use the space responsibly and tidy up after use so everyone can enjoy it.

Map of St John’s College with important locations for postgraduate students highlighted.