Inside Cambridge's booze-fuelled May Balls — where students end the night skinny dipping

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June 21, 2017 7:54 AM

The photos tell a story about life as a Cambridge student.

Did someone say damsel in distress?

Elaborate celebrations take place at the end of every academic year at the University of Cambridge.

Students of all year groups don their ball gowns or bow ties and prepare for a night of eating, drinking, dancing, swimming, and general overindulgence.

Called May Balls, but hosted in June, the celebrations are a final post-exam blowout before students head home for the summer.

Each college hosts its own May Ball, but they're not all created equal. Tickets for balls at the biggest colleges with the most funding can cost up to £350, according to the "Which May Ball" blog, which is run by students.

On Monday, two of the biggest college May Balls coincided: Trinity College and Jesus College.

Drinking and merry-making continue all through the night. "Survivor photos" are a longstanding tradition for those who have the stamina to make it till dawn.

This year was no different. Students ended the festivities with a skinny dip in the river Cam, which must have been a welcome relief from Monday's 31-degree heat.

Scroll down to witness the May Ball aftermath in all its boozy glory.

Hi! Welcome to May Ball, 2017. Exams have gone well or terribly and you're finally ready to let loose and blow off some steam. Here's how it's going to pan out.

May Balls are a glamorous affair. Dress codes can be black or white tie and usually have a theme. Themes this year included 'The Night Circus,' 'Monopoly,' and 'Outerspace'.

Source: Which May Ball.

According to The Mirror, revellers enjoyed a five-course meal, followed by oysters, a hog roast, and a chocolate fountain.

Source: The Mirror.

It doesn't come cheap, though. Tickets for the biggest colleges balls can cost upwards of £350 — not counting VIP options. That's not something to jump about.

College budgets for the May Ball vary from the relatively low-key to the downright absurd. Competition between colleges to put on the best show is hot.

According to Cambridge's student magazine, Varsity, Trinity College's budget for the May Ball in 2015 was £286,000 ($361,000).

Source: Varsity.

A big part of the May Ball budget is spent on fireworks, which take place over the River Cam. Punts fill the Cam as students clamber to get the best view of the overhead action.

Well-known acts often perform at the Balls. Last year's headliners included Tinchy Strider and The Hoosiers.

People who make it through the entire night make it into 'survivor photos', which often end in a dip in the Cam.

Swimwear: Optional.

Although, some opt to keep their feet dry.

The future of Britain's intellectual elite has never looked so bright.

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