Magdalene College, The Buildings Surrounding First Court

Magdalene College features a collection of buildings surrounding the First Court, with the West Range completed around 1575, though construction likely began earlier. The street front was entirely refaced with red brick and freestone dressings in 1875. This range has two storeys with attics, and the West arch of the main gateway dates to around 1585, featuring a Roman Doric surround. The fenestration of the West front has remained unchanged since around 1690. Inside, there is a room with panelling from around 1600 and several 18th-century fittings.

The North Range, which includes the Chapel, dates from the late 15th century and has undergone significant alterations, including a refacing in the 19th century. The Chapel was modified to a Classical style between 1733 and 1756 by Jeremiah Robinson and was restored around 1850, during which most 18th-century features were removed. The original eight-bay roof remains, and the glass was designed by Pugin. Gothic panelling, a screen, and stalls were added between 1847 and 1851, with paving from 1755. The Tile Library contains the 1756 reredos from the Chapel, and the windows feature late 15th and late 16th-century heraldic glass. This range also includes some 17th and 18th-century panelling and four pilasters from the English Church of St Mary at Rotterdam.

The East Range includes the Hall built in 1519, which was wainscoted in 1585 and completely altered internally in 1714. The lantern on the roof dates to around 1815, and the original seven-bay roof remains, although the ceiling from 1714 was altered in 1911. The fine double staircase, gallery, and screen are all features from 1714, reusing older materials. Most of the glass is from the 19th and 20th centuries, and the screens passage is lined with 18th-century panelling. The Small Combination Room has panelling from around 1600, originally from No 25 Magdalene Street.

The South Range was built at various times in the late 15th century, partly rebuilt in the 16th century, and altered in the 18th century. It is constructed of red brick, partly cement-faced, with most windows renewed. The South front was restored by F C Penrose in 1873. The interior has been largely modernized but retains some of the original room arrangements.