Pembroke is one of the smaller colleges in Oxford.  This is one of its strengths as it helps to create a tight-knit community. Pembroke also has the advantage of being situated right in the heart of the city. There are many libraries and cafés in walking distance but the college also has its own library (open 24-hours a day, which can be useful on occasion) and its own café known as Farthings. 

In the first year the weekly workload typically involves one tutorial (for which students needs to produce a ~2000-word essay), eight lectures, two labs (each around three hours’ long), a synthesis session (where the more contentious areas of biology are discussed) and a computer class.  Tutorials often cover subjects that are beyond the course specification and are designed to help deepen and broaden the specific interests of individual students.  The tutorials may seem daunting at first but students quickly adjust to them.

The Biology course is fascinating and has the scope to allow everyone to explore their interests in as much depth as they choose.  

I’d generally start my day by visiting the MCR to make a coffee and have a chat, before heading to my department to work. Pembroke’s library is also extremely useful, and had a huge number of books I needed for my politics and international relations papers (and they will always try and order hard to get books for you!)