The University Today

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 510.

Cambridge is a 'collegiate' university. This means that students and academics usually must belong to an individual college before they can become members of the University. This is why there is no single 'campus' as in many other universities, but rather a collection of smaller neighboring communities. Students taking their first degrees ('undergraduates') live and study largely within their own colleges; the role of the University is to set their examinations and award them degrees. The main link between the colleges and the University lies with the Fellows (senior members) of the colleges, most of whom hold lectureships and professorships in the University. These posts are grouped into the faculties and departments of the University, each of which represents a single subject. The faculties organize the curriculum and set the examinations. They also provide lectures, laboratories and libraries in their buildings, which are scattered throughout the city.

The University is a self-governing body. AChancellor is a largely ceremonial post, usually given to a prominent statesman or member of the Royal Family. The real power rests with the Vice-Chancellor. Discipline is maintained by University officials called 'Proctors'. But it was not until 1926 that women could be members of University Faculties and hold teaching posts, and only in 1947 were women finally allowed to hold degrees.