As a graduate, Pembroke College has a lot to offer. While I was navigating the many projects of my DPhil, I knew that I had an anchored support in my MCR, and with the wider community and staff in college. Being part of Pembroke College also positively impacted my research, whether it was by discussing with other fellows, or by encouraging me to go and present my projects at conferences.

Many of my fondest memories have been made in Pembroke and the MCR. I've mentored in the JCR - MCR Mentorship Scheme, presented at the MCR’s academic symposiums, and received support from the Dean of Graduates Fund for fieldwork and conferences. Pembroke has not only supported my academic pursuits but also provided a nurturing and inclusive community that has greatly enriched my DPhil journey.

I chose Pembroke as a postgraduate student for two main reasons. First, so many of its Fellows were engaged in the sort of research I wanted to pursue myself, and there are opportunities to get involved in discussions of their work.

For graduates, the MCR is a second home. My recommendations for anyone about to embark on their journey would be to be brave and open-minded. Pembroke, and Oxford at large, have so many wonderful opportunities, academic or extracurricular. Absolutely take advantage of them, your involvement and the people you meet will shape a very memorable experience! 

Pembroke has a thriving community that celebrates your successes and stands by you when things don't work out. The MCR  does a great job at embracing diversity of thought, conviction and opinion. I learn from academics, fellows and students every day. It makes me a better leader and a more nuanced writer.

I want to encourage everyone who doesn't feel 'good enough' because I've been there. In and amongst various personal hardships of the past 3 years, I have been surrounded by wonderful tutors and fellow students who have helped me along the way. So thank you Pembroke!

I decided to apply to Pembroke after the open day – I had visited a number of different colleges but none of them had quite the same welcoming feeling, a feeling which was cemented again during my time at interviews, where I met many more wonderful people and was able to experience more of daily life in college.

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. 

At first I was anxious about the workload, but once I arrived I soon realised that it’s very manageable - almost everyone seems incredibly passionate about what they're reading, whether that’s medicine or Machiavelli, and that sense of enthusiasm made getting into the groove much easier.

I have absolutely loved my time at Pembroke, and am incredibly grateful not only for the Jeremy Forty Scholarship, which will enable me to pursue my graduate research, but also for the opportunities and support I received throughout my undergraduate degree from all college members and staff: tutors, fellow students, and everyone who contributes to making Pembroke such a welcoming community.

As well as Pembroke’s welcoming charm which undoubtedly helped me settle in, their financial support has been of tremendous value. Book grants have allowed me to broaden my French literary repertoire, while exam prizes and scholarships have reduced my anxiety and financial concerns, allowing me to focus more on my studies and enjoying university to the fullest.

My main advice to those who feel they don’t match the “typical Oxford student” is to continue to engage with reading on your subject that interests you, and keep pushing yourself. If you can, apply to the outreach support that you have available to you – even if it’s online, it can really help.

At first I was anxious about the workload, but once I arrived I soon realised that it’s very manageable - almost everyone seems incredibly passionate about what they're reading, whether that’s medicine or Machiavelli, and that sense of enthusiasm made getting into the groove much easier.

I want to encourage everyone who doesn't feel 'good enough' because I've been there. In and amongst various personal hardships of the past 3 years, I have been surrounded by wonderful tutors and fellow students who have helped me along the way. So thank you Pembroke!

As a graduate, Pembroke College has a lot to offer. While I was navigating the many projects of my DPhil, I knew that I had an anchored support in my MCR, and with the wider community and staff in college. Being part of Pembroke College also positively impacted my research, whether it was by discussing with other fellows, or by encouraging me to go and present my projects at conferences.