Students first came to Cambridge in 1209, and the first college (Peterhouse) was established in 1284. There are now 31 different colleges connected to the University of Cambridge. There are also several scientific museums (many great scientific discoveries were made at Cambridge).

Tutorials are normally given by a member of staff (or a postgraduate student) from the same college. Students usually live in a room inside their college, or in a hall of residence in another part of Cambridge. Most of the land and property in the centre of Cambridge is owned by the colleges.

Much of the daily life of the college (for example: security, post/deliveries, room/meal bookings) is dealt with by the porters, who are based in the building at the entrance known as the porter's lodge. Students pass through here to check their mail before cycling to their lectures (these are organised by the university and are attended by people from any college).

Colleges may only be open to the public at certain times of the day (the most popular ones charge an entrance fee), and are usually closed to visitors during the exam period between mid-April and mid-June. Students and visitors are not allowed to walk on the grass inside the colleges. Colleges each have their own chapels. The most famous is King's College Chapel, which has one of the top choirs in the country (the carol service from here is broadcast on radio and television before Christmas each year); members of the public are welcome to join services of worship in the chapel, but must pay to visit it at other times.