Visiting postgraduate students
Visiting postgraduate students, who have a formal University Student Visitor Agreement issued by a department or faculty, may apply for honorary social membership of the Middle Combination Room (MCR). The College hosts a maximum of ten honorary members at any given time.
The Honorary MCR membership scheme is intended to provide visiting postgraduate students with the opportunity to make the most of the Cambridge collegiate system, and to further encourage academic diversity within Trinity Hall’s community.
Honorary social members enjoy the following facilities of the College which are granted for a maximum of two terms:
- attending social events, including formal College dinners;
- participating with postgraduates in events in the MCR;
- use of the College’s facilities including the MCR, library (reading rights only, no borrowing), dining hall, chapel, cafeteria, bar, sporting facilities, and the College’s beautiful gardens and grounds
- provision of a college pigeonhole for mail;
- subject to availability, accommodation may be arranged with the College’s Conference Office;
Honorary MCR members are not typically eligible for long-term support through the College Wellbeing Team but are welcome to speak to them and receive advice on alternative sources of support in Cambridge. They are also welcome to attend any of the workshops and events that the Wellbeing Team regularly organise for the community.
Please note that membership excludes access to financial support, the opportunity to run in elections for MCR office, or to vote for Officers, the provision of a University email address or card. Membership is not open to members of other Cambridge colleges. If you apply to another college and receive offers of membership from both that college and Trinity Hall, you must choose one, as you cannot be a member of more than one college at the same time.
The College charges a fee of £150 per term, as well as a one-off deposit of £100 (or £150 if in college accommodation). The deposit will be returned at the end of the period, once the visiting student has paid all invoices on their college account. Members will be issued with a college account where membership fees, formal dining, and food from the catering outlets will all be charged and invoiced at the end of each term.
How to apply
Please apply using this online application form where you will be asked to upload your CV and a copy of the University Student Visitor Agreement* issued by your department or faculty confirming the duration of your status as a visiting student.
Application deadlines for 2026-27
- Michaelmas – applications open on the 31 July and close on the 7 September 2026
- Lent – applications open on the 2 November and close on 1 December 2026
- Easter – applications open on the 1 March and close on 8 April 2027
* Please note that no other type of letter(s) or document will be accepted.
Contact
Please direct queries to Clare Kerr, Postgraduate Officer.