Hawking was an undergraduate at Oxford University, but he is more closely associated with Cambridge University. He studied for his PhD at Trinity Hall and became a fellow at Gonville and Caius College and he maintained a close connection with it for the rest of his life.

Gonville and Caius College lowered its flag to half-mast in honor of its fellow on Wednesday and opened a book of condolences in the porter's lodge. The college was among the earliest at Cambridge to be made wheelchair-accessible, partly so it could better accommodate Hawking.

Olivia Vanstone, a 20-year-old student in her second year at Gonville and Caius College, said she was shocked to hear of Hawking's death.

"I think he was very lucky to live such a fulfilled life," she said. "I think he was predicted to live two years after his diagnosis, so, to die at the age of 76, I think we shouldn't be in mourning, as such, but celebrating the successful life he lived."

Leonard Ng, 31, an engineering student from Singapore studying for a PhD, said Hawking was an inspiration among PhD students at Cambridge.

"He's taught me tenacity, just to push on, mental discipline in general and to achieve the objectives I want in life, especially academically," Ng said.