University of Cambridge

Introduction
The University of Cambridge is a confederation of Colleges, Faculties and other institutions. The University functions with a relatively small central administration, and with central bodies consisting of, and mainly elected by, the current academic personnel of the Faculties and Colleges. A large part of Cambridge's day-to-day administration is carried out by teaching staff on behalf of their colleagues, and the University's governmental structure is democratic. As Cambridge approaches its 800th anniversary, it is not surprising that the way in which the University governs itself can appear complex. These pages outline the principal elements in these procedures in simple terms and define some Cambridge terminology. They are not an authoritative statement of the University's Statutes, nor of the legal position in relation to the rights and duties of any body or bodies.

The University
We are one of the world's oldest universities and leading academic centres, and a self-governed community of scholars. Cambridge comprises 31 Colleges and over 150 departments, faculties, schools and other institutions.

The Colleges
A college is where students live, eat and socialise. It is also the place where students receive small group teaching sessions, known as supervisions. Each college is an independent institution with its own property and income. The colleges appoint their own staff and are responsible for selecting students, in accordance with University regulations. The teaching of students is shared between the Colleges and University departments. Degrees are awarded by the University. Cambridge University Press publishes the finest academic and educational writing from around the world and is dedicated to advancing knowledge, education, learning and research. Since publishing its first work in 1584, Cambridge now publishes over 2500 titles and 200 journals every year Cambridge Assessment is Europes largest assessment agency and plays a highly influential role in the research and development of school examinations in the UK and around the world.

Through its three examination boards it delivers mainstream qualifications to over 8 million candidates a year.

The Colleges
Although these notes are about the organisation of the 'University' in the narrow sense, reference must also be made to the Colleges. Each of the thirty-one Colleges is an autonomous corporation and their internal procedures vary. Like the University, each College is governed by its own statutes and regulations. The elected or appointed Head of a College may be termed Master, President, Principal, Mistress, Provost, or Warden. The Governing Body is made up of the Head and some or all of the Fellows - the elected senior members of the College whose primary duty is teaching, administration or research. Colleges are free to select their own students, subject to some minimum educational requirements imposed by the University. Three admit only women; most admit both undergraduate and postgraduate students. The pivots of the College system are the Tutors, the College officers responsible for the pastoral care of students; the Directors of Studies, who have specific responsibilities in relation to the courses of study and academic progress of their students; and the Supervisors, who carry out individual and small-group teaching which complements the lectures and practical classes organised by the University. Other College officers include Bursars, who are responsible for finance and buildings and Chaplains, whose concern is spiritual welfare. Links with the government of the University are ensured through membership of the Council and the Finance Committee which both include places reserved for College representatives. The working of the dual system is further facilitated by the fact that many teaching Fellows of Colleges also hold University teaching appointments, and many University teachers are also Fellows of Colleges.

Skinuto sa sajta: http://www.cam.ac.uk/ Aleksandar Lazarevi, III5