Having taken survey responses from 441 students at the University of Cambridge, our results show that whilst the majority of students do drink alcohol, 43% of students who drink , claim only to drink 1-7 units per week. This constitutes anything between half a pint and two large glasses of wine.

Meanwhile, 9% of the students asked admitted to drinking over 30 units a week, which equates to around three bottles of wine. Wine was, unsurprisingly, elected by 45% of students as their most popular tipple. Beer came a close second, drunk most often by 30% of voters.

Varsity’s survey showed that the most popular places to drink were college bars followed by formal hall, indicative of a drinking culture specific to Cambridge.

One student commented, "on my first day, the senior tutor remarked ‘Cambridge University runs on alcohol’."

The overwhelming majority of students drink more during term time than at home, with less than 10% saying that they consumed more alcohol when they were not at Cambridge.

Forgetting the pressures of work was given as the primary reason for this.

One student commented "I drink far too much far too often. But Cambridge is stressful and many people are socially awkward without alcohol." Another confessed "It is very tempting when struggling with an essay in your room by yourself to allay anxieties with a drink. It usually gets the writing flowing, for a while."

Worryingly, 22% of students who took the survey admitted regularly getting to drunk that they couldn’t remember what happened the next day. More shockingly still, 23% students say that they have had to, at some point in their lives, seek medical attention from drinking.

Many suggest that excessive drinking is driven by drinking society culture, which defends its actions with statements such as this one student: " Boozing is not big and its not grown up, but I tell you what, its bloody good fun. I love being a massive drinking society LAD."

53% of students say they know at least one student at Cambridge who they would define as having a drinking problem. Yet, in spite of this, only 28% of the students say that they are worried about the long term effects of drinking.

Of the people who took the survey, 10% said that they did not drink alcohol at all. When asked to give reasons, the majority stated this was due either to personal beliefs, or because they did not like the taste of alcohol.

Whilst some stated personal experiences of alcoholism, one student commented "It is an incredibly expensive habit with very little positive effect for me. I don’t want to pretend to be happy for a few hours". Another said they did not drink for "fear of irresponsible behaviour that might ensue were I to become intoxicated".

 

Views on booze:

It’s either get pissed or do work; I choose to get pissed.

I have never seen the attraction of a society where your ‘objective’ is to regularly numb your brain to the point where you can’t walk or speak coherently.

The university should impose a tax on all alcohol served on university premises and students shouldn’t be allowed to take their own drink to Formals.

We’re the same as any other university. We are young and stupid; thank God!

Cambridge pushes you to alcohol.