Cambridge is set to meet a growing demand for places by
opening three new colleges. The plans, if approved of by the
local council, will expand its student numbers by over 4,000 to a
total of 20,000 students by 2025. The expansion plans came about after Cambridge received over
15,000 applications for their 3,000 places this year, up from
13,700 the year before. Over 5,000 of the rejected applicants
scored at least three A grades. Oxford received just under 12,000
applications over a similar period. The extra places created will be split evenly between
undergraduates and the more lucrative graduate and overseas
student market. The new colleges will be the first additions to
the University since Robinson College was endowed in 1979. The development is earmarked for greenbelt land in West
Cambridge and looks set to swallow up 57 hectares of university
owned farmland. Strong opposition is expected from local
environmentalists. Part of the development will involve building new low cost
housing for academic staff. This stems from fears that the high
cost of housing in the area is harming the University’s
ability to attractARCHIVE: 1st week TT 2004
Tab creates colleges
