The Open Guide to Cambridge

Selwyn is a college of University of Cambridge, based in the West of the city, slightly north of the one-time village of Newnham. The college comprises around 350 undergraduates, 200 postgraduates, and 60 fellows. Selwyn is set in large grounds adjacent to the University's Sidgwick site. Founded in 1882, Selwyn's main buildings form a red-brick neo-gothic courtyard, known as "Old Court", in the style of older colleges. Cripps Court, built in 1969, sits on land a short distance along Grange Road from Old Court. A third court, "Ann's", is currently being built within the grounds of Old Court. An attractive, if undistinguished, college, few tourists reach Selwyn. The college has strong connections with New Zealand, being founded in the memory of New Zealand's first archbishop.

The college regularly claims to be at the "geographic centre of the University", which requires some considerable fancy footwork to justify.

The college crest, which can be seen above the main gatehouse, is remarkable in that it includes gold set on silver, violating the law of tincture. Violations of this rule are extremely rare.