Cambridge is used to a reputation of being the best of the best but a new survey by Which? University has highlighted deficits in student enjoyment of the lighter side of Cambridge life with disappointing scores for sport, nightlife and student union activities.

The survey, conducted with YouthSight’s Student Panel, was based on the responses of 16,000 students over 2012 and 2013, rating British universities on sport, creative arts, politics and the diversity of their student union activities and nightlife. University College London and the Universities of Glasgow, Birmingham and Leeds were particularly good performers in all categories.

Neither Cambridge nor Oxford settled into their usual positions within the top ten when rated for sport provision, with many students citing the lack of a university sports centre or a perceived lack of opportunities to beginners. David Roper, captain of the Fitzwilliam College squash team, suggested some of the problems arise from the intense workload at Cambridge, saying it was "unrealistic to expect similar levels of participation".

He added: "People that are more concerned with how good their university is with sport than with their course aren't the kind of people that come to Cambridge. The standard of sport is actually really high in the University teams though: the facilities are there, and when people make time to do it, they do it at a high standard."

In even worse shape was the Cambridge clubbing scene. The university received the seventh-lowest score of all the institutions surveyed, with only 39 per cent of students saying that Cambridge has a “diverse local nightlife.”

That said, Emma Wigmore, a second-year law student and regular clubber from Emmanuel College, told Varsity: “I think it’s pretty good for a small city. It’s never going to be as good as big city nightlife, but clubs like Fez and Revs play decent music and it looks like they’re doing more this coming year.”

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Cambridge performed much better in the creative arts and politics, coming out seventh and sixth respectively. Siana Bangura, a recent history graduate from Peterhouse, commented: “As dry as Cambridge is, there is a very strong creative energy and you don't have to look far to find yourself in the company of an aspiring writer, actor, musician, or artist. There is plenty of opportunity to find the young creative in you.”

Generally, however, the university presents a good picture. 89 per cent of students report they are satisfied with their course, with a national average of 85 per cent. It also has the fourth-highest average graduate salary, of £25,900. Nationwide, 26 per cent of students say they wish that they had done more research into their course or institution, while a tenth regret their choice or course.