About Peterhouse

Peterhouse is the oldest of the Cambridge colleges, founded by Hugo de Balsham, Bishop of Ely in 1284 and granted its charter by King Edward I.

As a charitable institution dedicated to education and research, the College has made its own distinctive contribution to society for over 700 years, surviving the Reformation, Civil War and the upheavals of every century since.

It remains the smallest college in terms of number of Fellows and students, but as the late Noel Annan put it in his 1999 survey of the universities and society, The Dons, this small College has always had "an intellectual influence … out of all proportion to [its] size".  Eminent Petreans include: Charles Babbage - originated the concept of a programmable computer, Henry Cavendish - discovered hydrogen and measured the Earth’s density, David Mitchell – Comedian, and Air Commodore Sir Frank Whittle - developed jet propulsion.

Peterhouse has a range of facilities, including conference rooms, a gym, bar, music practice rooms, computer room, libraries and beautiful gardens.