New Students

All students must complete the Student Registration exercise every year in order to make sure that the information held on their student records is correct.  For Freshers, this is also the way that you can get your CamSIS log-in details, access to your @cam email address and your Desktop Services).  The Student Registration Exercise is not a way of registering for, or applying for, a course of study.

You will receive an email from the University (not the College) which will give you instructions about how to log into your Self-Service account and complete the registration.  Please do not try to register until you get the email from the University but you are advised to do it as soon as possible after receipt of the email.  Registration is a simple process and will only take you a few minutes.  Further information is available on the Student Registry website.

New students get access to their university email accounts after they have completed the Student Registration exercise.  This is important because it is the email address that the College and University offices will use to contact you. You might also hear this email address referred to as your "CRSID" email address, because it is your CRSID at the start:

'crsid'@cam.ac.uk

If you haven't received your registration email by 10th September, please see the UIS pages: Getting Started with IT at Cambridge  and Frequently asked questions.

After you have access to this email, you are expected to check this inbox at least once per week. It will be the primary way that members of the College and University contact you.

The College has a comprehensive security system on-site equipped with CCTV, which covers all of the grounds, building entrances and common areas of the College. Access control doors are in all residential buildings and key areas of the College. A Porter is on duty 24 hours a day.

Students are asked not to leave bags or other valuables unattended anywhere in the College. For students who are resident in College, personal contents are covered by the insurance the College has taken out but you should confirm the cover now and check that it is sufficient for your needs.

CamSIS and the Cambridge University Skills Portal

CamSIS is the University’s system for handling information relating to your student record. You will need to use CamSIS to make any changes to your contact details and to validate your personal data. You will need to use your Raven password to log in to the system and further information will be provided at the start of your course.

The UIS and your computing accounts

The University Information Services (UIS) department has further information about Getting Started with IT at Cambridge.

You will receive an email before starting your course from the UIS providing a link for you to complete Student Registration in CamSIS, before continuing on to collect your password for the three UIS accounts (Raven, Exchange Online email and Desktop Services). See the UIS pages if you haven't received your registration email by 10th September.

College IT registration and internet access

Download it registration internet 0

If you are already registered as a NHS patient in the UK, you can now register with a Cambridge GP online. It is also useful for all students to bring any medical history information and up to date immunisation records. You will be directed to complete an online student health form by our Wellbeing Team before term begins. Please ensure you complete all questions when registering online.

You can find more information about medical care and our Student Health Advisor on the Wellbeing page, and a list of local GP practices on our local services page.

Please check your protection against vaccine-preventable diseases before you come to Cambridge:

If you don't already have a UK bank account, is a good idea to open one as soon as possible as it can take some time. You will find branches of the major banks in the city centre. Students are advised to begin the process of opening an account online and in advance of arrival.  Once all students have arrived, Tutorial will send everyone a student status letter (we are not able to issue these until you are resident in Cambridge); if you need a letter sooner, please visit the Tutorial Office.

For those not taking a UK tuition loan, fees are payable at registration; you do however have a 14 day grace period to make the payment but you may wish to consider having arrangements in place in case your bank account takes more than 2 weeks to set up, i.e. transfer of funds.  For those overseas, you could see if any banks allow you to open a bank account online before you come to the UK or check with your bank in your home country to see if they have any special arrangements with any UK banks, as this may help you to open an account or transfer money. Please be aware that international bank transfers incur bank charges. You must therefore ensure that the amount the College actually receives covers your fees in full, or you will still be liable for any shortfall arising from the deduction of bank charges.

All new Black undergraduate, foundation year and postgraduate students are warmly welcome to register for an online induction session coordinated by a student team from Cambridge's Black Advisory Hub.  This per-term online induction event is an opportunity for new students to learn how to confidently navigate relevant student services, ask questions of current Black students from a range of colleges, courses and societies.  It will be followed by a programme of in-person activities during term time. 

Buying a gown is optional. Gowns are only usually worn at Formal Hall, and graduation. At Homerton, gowns are optional at Formal Hall though if you wish to dine at other Colleges you may be required to wear a gown. You must wear a gown to graduate, though most students rent one for the day. 

If you wish to buy a gown, you can get them from Ryder and Aimes and Ede & Ravenscroft.  If you choose to get a gown, please bear in mind that all colleges do not have the same gown so you must get one for Homerton.  The gown that undergraduates would wear during their course is the same gown that they wear for graduation.

Undergraduate Students should purchase an Undergraduate Gown. 

Postgraduate and PGCE students should ensure they purchase the appropriate gown.

If you already hold a degree from Cambridge: the appropriate gown for your previous degree

If you don't already hold a degree from Cambridge:

• And you are 23 years old or younger: BA Status gown
• And you are 24 years old or older:  MA Status gown.

For any queries about academical dress please contact: praelectors@homerton.cam.ac.uk

All full-time students are exempt from paying Council Tax. The Tutorial Office will send Cambridge City Council a list of students who are not living in College. This list will contain term-time addresses so it is important that you update CamSIS with your latest address. The Council no longer require you to give them a Council Tax Exemption Certificate. 

M.Ed students are not eligible for Council Tax Exemption as they do not meet the minimum requirements for hours of study per week. Please note: if you are living in a house with non-students, only your portion of the Council Tax will be deducted from the bill.

You shouldn’t need to provide any certificate or confirmation of your student status to either the Council or your landlord to receive your Council Tax exemption.

You will be issued with a “student status letter” which confirms you are a student once you have completed the registration and started your course. We cannot issue this document any sooner under any circumstances. 

• The University has rules on full-time students keeping and using a car in Cambridge. All undergraduate students, and postgraduate students under 24 years of age are required to apply for a Motor Licence: Motor Vehicles | The Proctors' and Marshal's Office (cam.ac.uk) if they wish to keep a car in Cambridge. The application must be supported by your College Tutor or the College Dean. Postgraduate students aged 24 years or older do not need permission to keep a car in Cambridge, though we would ask students to think carefully about their transport plans before bringing a car to Cambridge- cars are often not the most effective mode of transport. Please note, in any case, holding a Motor Licence does not mean parking in University, Faculty or College car parks is permitted. 

   

• Separately, full-time students must apply for a College parking permit if they wish to park their car in Homerton: Student Parking Application | Homerton College (cam.ac.uk). Please note that a parking permit is not guaranteed, even if you hold a Motor Licence from the Proctors. Parking permits are generally issued to resident students (live onsite) and need the car for academic reasons, such as school or hospital placements, or have disability and/or access needs. Non-resident students (living offsite) are only issued parking permits if they have disability and/or access needs.

   

• If you are requesting parking at the College for access to another institution, including the Faculty of Education, this will be denied. You should contact the relevant institution directly.

   

• Part-time students do not need to apply for a motor licence. Please note that only part-time students are only offered parking in College during their on-site residentials, or when in College accommodation. College is unable to provide parking for access to another institution, including the Faculty of Education, you should contact the institution directly.

If you need to apply for both a Motor Licence and a College parking space, we would recommend you do both at the same time. If you need a signature for the Tutor’s note [as part of the application for a Motor Licence], please send this to your Tutor or to dean@homerton.cam.ac.uk.

Please note that undergraduate students should not expect to bring a car to Cambridge in most circumstances and you will need exceptional circumstances to be considered.

Parking in College is available for travel days so that you can move your belongings for loading/unloading only. You will not be able to leave your car onsite unattended without an appropriate parking permit. 

Contact dean@homerton.cam.ac.uk for all student parking enquiries.