We look forward to welcoming you back to Sidney to dine, stay, or hold a special event here. As a member of the alumni community, you are also able to access libraries and a huge wealth of academic journals and articles.
Discover the exclusive benefits available to you from dining rights to hosting your wedding
- Dining rights and how to book
If you are a member of the College, and not a current student, you are warmly invited, along with one guest, to dine at High Table up to three times per year on most Wednesday or Sunday evenings during full term. There is no longer the need to hold, or be entitled to hold, a higher degree (such as the MA) or equivalent, to access dining privileges.
Each evening, six places are available in total for alumni and guests. Alumni dine free of charge, while guest meals are charged at £32.30 per person. For those wishing to enjoy wine with their dinner, there is an additional charge of £6.95 per person, and drinks in the SCR are also charged at £6.95 per person.
These occasions are intended to foster meaningful interactions between alumni and the Fellowship, offering a unique opportunity to reconnect with the College’s academic community. While you are welcome to bring guests, alumni are encouraged to engage actively with Fellows and other members of the College during the evening. Informal group reunions are best suited to other settings (such as our new alumni Formal Halls - see below).
Please note that guests must be over-18. Current undergraduate and postgraduate students (from any College or University) are not permitted to dine as guests at High Table unless in exceptional circumstances.
It is usual for members to wear academic gowns to dinner (a limited supply are available to borrow from the Porters' Lodge) but not necessary for guests unless they are members of the University. The dress code is smart.
Please note that High Table bookings must be made by 2.30pm on the day previous (or by 12.30pm on a Friday if the dinner is at the weekend). Cancellations less than 48 hours in advance will be charged for.
For more information about alumni dining rights, to check availability, and reserve a space, please contact the Development and Alumni Relations Office.
- NEW! Alumni Formal Halls
In addition to High Table Dining, we are pleased to introduce Alumni Formal Halls, which will be held once per term, usually on a Sunday evening. These occasions provide alumni with the opportunity to gather in larger groups while enjoying the unique experience of dining in Hall.
Each alumnus may bring up to three guests (aged 18+), with a maximum of 30 places available per event. To ensure fair access, alumni may attend one Alumni Formal Hall per academic year.
The cost is £32.50 per alumnus and £40 per guest. Please note that wine is not included; however, you are welcome to bring your own bottle (limited to one per person), or purchase from the Buttery on the evening (up until 7.15pm). Pre-dinner drinks will also be available in the Old Library at a cost of £5.00pp.
It is usual for members to wear academic gowns to dinner (a limited supply are available to borrow from the Porters' Lodge) but not necessary for guests unless they are members of the University. The dress code is smart.
Bookings will close two weeks before the event. After this time, no refunds will be available.
Further details and the booking form are available on our website.
- Bed and breakfast
Alumni are very welcome to book accommodation in College out of term time, subject to availability. We offer standard single rooms, en-suite single rooms, and en-suite twin rooms.
All bookings are managed by the Accommodation Office.
Please contact:
Email accommodation@sid.cam.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 1223 3 38866
- Events and weddings
Alumni are very welcome to hold their own events in College be it for a private party, dinner, or other special occasion, or business function.
We are also always delighted to host the weddings of our members in Sidney Sussex Chapel and in the College's beautiful buildings and gardens. If you would like to find out more about getting married at Sidney please see our webpages: Getting married at Sidney
All bookings are managed by the Conference Office.
Please contact:
Email: conferences@sid.cam.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 1223 3 39703
Website: https://sid.cam.ac.uk/conferences-and-events- The Richard Powell Library
You are welcome to use the library at Sidney by arrangement in advance with Library staff, except during Easter term.
Discover more about Sidney library.
- The Muniment Room (archives and special collections)
The College's archives and special collections are housed in the Muniment Room, at the end of South Court nearest Garden Court. The collection contains some rare manuscripts and early printed books, which alumni are more than welcome to visit by prior arrangement with the Archivist (telephone: +44 (0) 1223 338824; email: archivist@sid.cam.ac.uk)
- Online journal articles and resources
Everybody who has matriculated at the University receives lifelong access to JSTOR's huge wealth of journal articles and other academic materials.
For more information please consult the University's journals and online resources web page or follow the link to JSTOR.
- The University Library reader’s card
All alumni can apply for a reader’s card to access the main University Library.
To find out more about using the UL and the application process for getting your reader’s card, please visit the University Library admissions web page. (The reader’s card is different from your CAMCard).
- Further University benefits
You are also eligible for a range of other benefits from the University of Cambridge, including Cam Cards and free access to online scholarship.