Colleges of The University of Cambridge - 'Old' and 'New' Colleges

'Old' and 'New' Colleges

The University of Cambridge has 31 colleges,, founded between the 13th and 20th centuries. Since none were founded between 1596 and 1800, they fall into two distinct groups by age: the 16 'old' colleges, founded between 1284 and 1596, and the 15 'new' ones, founded between 1800 and 1977. Since Downing College was the only college founded between 1596 and 1869, it is sometimes described as the oldest of the new colleges and the youngest of the old.

The oldest college is Peterhouse, founded in 1284, and the newest is Robinson, founded in 1977.