University Scheme 

What is the Universities Scheme?  

Tradition and continuity are two of the values which characterise the relationship between Freemasonry and universities.  It was nearly 200 years ago that the first university lodge was founded at Oxford, and since then, it has introduced many thousands of young men to Freemasonry  

A lodge at Cambridge followed soon afterwards, and currently twenty seven other lodges are pursuing a similar course, each in its own way.  Their membership includes undergraduates, postgraduates, senior members of the university and alumni, ranging in age from 18 upwards.  

The success of Apollo University Lodge at Oxford and Isaac Newton University Lodge at Cambridge has provided the inspiration for the Universities Scheme, which was set up at the beginning of 2005.  Its objective is: ‘To establish and/or enhance arrangements and opportunities for undergraduates and other university members to enjoy Freemasonry’.  

The scheme is being spearheaded by the Assistant Grand Master, David Williamson, who explains: “We know from these long-established university lodges that students, whether undergraduates or postgraduates, enjoy Freemasonry to the full.”  

“But young men are under-represented in the Craft in this country, so we want to make the Craft more accessible. The recent approval by Grand Lodge to halve the fees for under-25s will act as an encouragement.”  

If you’re interested to know more, please follow these links to the two lodges in our Province that are participating in the Universities Scheme.  

Hull Old Grammarians Lodge No 5129, Hull         www.5129.karoo.net

Alcuin Lodge No 6300, York                              www.alcuinlodge.org.uk