founded in 1869 by Emily Davies and Barbara Bodichon as The College for Women (1869-1872). Girton College from 1873, full university status in 1948. Sister College – Somerville College Oxford. Males and females – undergraduates 483 postgraduates 208.Girton is the most northerly of all Cambridge colleges, approximately 15 minutes by bike from the city centre. The remote location provides an idyllic haven away from the hustle and bustle of central Cambridge. It has impressive facilities including on-site playgrounds and an indoor swimming pool. It's no wonder sports teams are successful without travel time invading practice sessions. Girton students have a positive island mentality that goes beyond the endlessly repeated jokes related to their distance from the city center: “More Cambridge students have visited Australia than Girton” – and the ultimate insult, “Oh, I thought Girton was an Oxford University.” As the Girtonians point out: “They quickly know who we are when we beat them at sport!” » Most members carefully guard the secrets of this sumptuous place. The wonderful facilities are complemented by a surprisingly large car park to facilitate visits from 'loved ones' (no chance of this happening in central Cambridge). A Vision of the Women's Movement Originally the institution was located in Hitchin and was called The College. for Women, founded by Emily Davis and her colleague Barbara Bodichon in 1869. Emily, the daughter of a minister, was an activist in the women's movement. She believed that the first step toward equality and meaningful employment was a vigorous education, designed to give academic women some of the opportunities enjoyed by men. With a clear goal, she appealed and attracted the support of many leading liberal educationalists...... middle of paper ...... with a reminder of the time when women could not obtain university degrees. The two founders were very well placed. value on beautiful gardens, for creating a pleasant atmosphere, for promoting serious studies. Their vision always included “gardens and grounds and everything that is good for body, soul and spirit.” Today, Girton is a co-educational institution offering all the usual facilities, clubs and societies to its 208 postgraduate and 483 undergraduate students. There is an even gender split, with the majority (69%) of UK students educated in the public sector. Annual applications are around 500, while admissions are around 150. Much closer to the center of Cambridge, a short walk from the University Library, is the intimate and discreet Accommodation Annex, Wolfson Court, designed by Roberts and Clark in 1979. The court has its own catering facilities and porters.