FAQs
General
Who is an alumnus/alumna of the University?
An alumnus/alumna of the University is someone who has both matriculated within the University and studied within the University on an approved course for a certain period.
Who/what is CARO?
CARO stands for the 'Cambridge Alumni Relations Office' and we are here to help you to keep in touch with the University and with former Cambridge students worldwide.
What communication is there between CARO and alumni?
The alumni magazine, CAM, is produced 3 times a year. To get your copy or to tell us about a change of address, please email us.
We also send out a monthly e-bulletin to all alumni for whom we have email addresses. If you don't already receive it, please email us.
You can also keep in touch with CARO through Facebook, follow us on Twitter and on LinkedIn.
How do I update my contact details?
Please fill in the update form or send us an email. We will then update your record and notify your College.
Online Services
Where do I update my details?
If you are an alumnus/alumna, please register / log in.
If you are not an alumnus/alumna but have a relationship with the University, please fill in our online update form.
What is the difference between registering and logging in?
The first time you visit the password protected area of the site, you must register. Once you have registered you will choose your preferred email address and a password that you will use to log in from then on.
Where does my data come from?
The University Development Office (CUDO) and Alumni Relations Office (CARO) look after the University's Alumni Database (see the University's data protection statement.
CARO keeps in touch with all University alumni and provides services to them, whilst CUDO focuses on relationships with potential and existing donors. Colleges also have alumni databases and the University and the Colleges co-ordinate their approaches.
The University updates its database with information provided primarily from alumni themselves, but also from colleges and Cambridge in America (the University's affiliate office in the US). The alumni data found within this site has been initially transferred from the University alumni database and is regularly updated.
Why do I need to log in?
CARO have provided enhanced online services so that you can view and modify your contact details and manage your e-communication preferences. In order to keep your information safe, this is password protected.
What information do I need to register?
1) Alumni membership number. This is found on your CAMCard and flysheet that comes with the CAM Magazine. If you do not know this number, fill out the submit your details form.
2) First College. This is the College where you studied for your first Cambridge qualification. If you did not attend a College please fill out our online submit your details form.
3) Date of birth.
What if I am unable to register?
If you are having problems registering, please fill out our request form.
What if I have already registered but cannot log in?
You may have not completed the registration process. Please try registering again. If you are still unable to log in please contact us.
What if I have forgotten my username or password?
Please reset your password.
How are CARO providing these services?
Please visit the online services section of the site for more information.
What if I do not want to be part of these online services?
Please visit the online services section of the site for more information and instructions on how to fully opt out.
Wording on register / log in page
If this is the first time you are seeing this page, please register. You will need your alumni membership number which can be found on your CAMCard or on the flysheet with your CAM magazine. If you do not know your alumni membership number, please fill out the request form.
If you do not have a first College, please fill in our online update form.
Opt out
You can choose what type of communications your receive and how much to interact with the site by logging in. However, if you want to opt out of this facility entirely, please email ioptout@alumni.cam.ac.uk with the subject 'I opt out' (or should we have a form for this?) or call +44 (0)1223 760163. We anticipate doing more by email in the future and you will miss out those communications if you opt out.
CAM
How do I contribute to CAM?
We are always delighted to receive your letters and encourage the debate that inevitably arises from these communications. Letters that are not printed in CAM, will be posted on our website.
We have introduced a far more extensive books section on our website. To have your book featured in this section, please email contact@alumni.cam.ac.uk with a synopsis of the book and a jpeg of the front cover.
How do I advertise in CAM?
Please contact our Media Agent Landmark on landmark@lps.co.uk or 020 7692 9292 to get a quote.
Alumni Benefits
What benefits do alumni receive?
Alumni are entitled to a wide range of benefits including a CAMCard which entitles you to membership of the University Centre, free entrance to College grounds and discounts from Cambridge University Press, Heffers, local hotels and restaurants, and more. Alumni can also sign up for cantab.net, the University's email for life service.
Where can I purchase alumni merchandise?
We have limited stock remaining of the 800th Anniversary merchandise including tea towels, umbrellas, eco bags, cool bags and lapel pins. If you wish to place an order please call +44 (0)1223 760150.
How do I get a CAMCard?
If you do not have a CAMCard and would like one, please fill in our update form. If you need a replacement CAMCard, please email benefits@alumni.cam.ac.uk with your name, current address, matriculation year and college, or telephone Reception on +44 (0) 1223 332288 and we will happily send you a new one.
Please Note:If you are just about to graduate with your first undergraduate degree from Cambridge we will be issuing a welcome pack to you within the coming months. As part of this, you will automatically be issued with a CAMCard.
I'm interested in one of the trips in the Alumni Travel Programme, how do I find out more information and make a booking?
You can search trips by using our interactive map, or email contact@alumni.cam.ac.uk to be sent a copy of the current Travel Programme brochure. Â If you would like to make a booking, please contact the relevant trip operator directly.
Alumni Groups
How do I find my nearest local Alumni Group?
Local Groups are listed in the Alumni Worldwide Directory which is sent to all alumni living outside the UK with the Easter edition of CAM.
You can search for Groups online.
How do I start an Alumni Group?
If there are no Alumni Groups local to you, then please email networks@alumni.cam.ac.uk. We can check how many alumni are in your area and we will look into helping you set-up a Group in your area.
How can I improve my Group?
Read our Alumni Volunteer Handbook which is packed full of helpful hints and tips or email networks@alumni.cam.ac.uk if you have a particular issue you would like to discuss.
How can CARO help me publicise my event?
Due to space restrictions, we only publicise events run by recognised Alumni Groups on our website. As there are so many events around the world we are unable to advertise individual events in CAM or in the e-bulletin but do please email networks@alumni.cam.ac.ukif you would like us to add your event to our Forthcoming Events listing.
Alumni Events
What regular events does CARO arrange?
Alumni Weekend is held in late September and is a wonderful opportunity to look behind the scenes of different Colleges and Departments and hear from Cambridge experts on the latest teaching and research. Bookings open in May. We also run a comprehensive programme of alumni events throughout the year, in addition to a monthly alumni drinks night in Cambridge.
How do I find out about alumni events?
Our website is regularly updated with events that are taking place for alumni, Cambridge local events, and events that are organised by individual groups. We also post information in the e-bulletin and in CAM.
Past students
How do I make contact with some old friends from Cambridge with whom I've lost touch?
Please email us to make an initial enquiry, making sure you give us as much relevant information as possible. If we do have their details on our database, we won't be able to release them to you due to the Data Protection Act, but we will be able to contact them on your behalf. If we don't hold any details for them, then we will contact their College in the first instance, and then put a free notice on our website and in CAM, asking anyone who has any information to get in touch.
Can you help me organise a reunion?
If you are looking to plan a reunion event, we may be able to include a notice in the monthly e-bulletin, and on our Facebook page. Please email us for more information.
How do I trace an ancestor who may have been to Cambridge?
For enquiries before 1900 (including women) there is now an online database. For any other dates prior to the 1940s, or if you have any questions, please contact the University Archivist.
How do I verify a degree?
Please email Student Administration and Records or call 0044 (0)1223 332309.
How do I get a copy of my or degree certificate?
Please fill in the online form at http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/univ/degrees/certificates/ to purchase a copy from the Student Records and Statistics Office.Â
I'm coming back to Cambridge; where can I stay?
You should contact your College in the first instance to see if they have any availability (normally only out of term time), or Conference Cambridge to check availability at other colleges. You could also check out the various local hotels with which you can get a discount on production of your CAMCard. For commercial accommodation please see the Information website or telephone +44 (0) 1223 457581.
An alumnus/alumna I know has died, who do I need to tell?
Please email us and we will update the record and notify the College. Due to space restrictions we cannot print obituaries in CAM, however sometimes there is space in College publications, so do check.
Other
How could I give back to the University?
Please email us and let us know in what way you would like to support the University, or search the Worldwide Directory for details of local groups with whom you can get involved.
How do I find out about the progress of the University's 800th anniversary fundraising campaign?
You can track progress on the Campaign website.
Alumni Relations Office 
Alumni Relations Office 