The University of Cambridge.

The University of Cambridge is rich in history – its famous Colleges and University buildings attract visitors from all over the world. But the University’s museums and collections also hold many treasures which give an exiting insight into some of the scholarly activities, both past and present.

The University of Cambridge is one of the oldest universities in the world, and one of the largest in the United Kingdom. Its history started when groups of scholars congregated at the ancient Roman trading post of Cambridge fro the purpose of study.

The University of Cambridge has a world-wide reputation for outstanding academic achievements and the high quality of research undertaken in a wide range of science and arts subjects. The University pioneers work in the understanding of disease, the creation of new materials, advances in telecommunications and research into the origins of the universe. It trains doctors, vets, architects, engineers and teachers. At all levels about half of the students of Cambridge study arts and humanities subjects, many of whom have gone on to become prominent figures in the arts, print and broadcast media. The University’s achievements in the sciences can be measured by the sixty or more Nobel Prizes awarded to its members over the years.

The University employs Professors, Readers, Lecturers and other teaching and administrative staff who provide the formal teaching (lectures, seminars and practical classes). The University retains sole responsibility for examinations and for conferring Degrees. The Colleges have responsibility for selecting, admitting and accommodating all undergraduate students, and a student cannot enter the University unless he or she also becomes a member of a College.

Departments and Faculties.

The University’s Faculties or Departments provide teaching, supervision and facilities for research. The Faculty or Department assigns a supervisor, whose role is to guide the graduate student’s programme of study or research.

Graduate students are expected to work largely on their initiative, and with little detailed supervision. However, this varies according to area of work. If a person is studying a scientific subject, he or she will usually work daily in the Department or Faculty to which he or she belongs, often with the supervisor. If a person is studying a humanities subject, he or she will probably do much of work in one of the University Libraries, and probably have less frequent contact with the supervisor.

Most Departments and Faculties organize regular seminars, often with eminent speakers.

If a person is a student at one of the approved non-University institutions, the supervisor will be a member of the institute’s staff. The University’s administration will treat this person exactly as any other graduate student, and he or she will be entitled to use all the University facilities.

Colleges.

Cambridge differs from most other UK colleges in that it is collegiate. There are 31 Colleges. The main role of a College is to look after the student’s general welfare, including the provision and accommodation, meals and other social amenities. It also acts as a social base.

Each college is an independent foundation, electing its own teaching and research members and selecting and admitting its own student members. Colleges vary in size (from about 150 to over 1000 resident students) and age; some date back to the beginning of the University, while others only admit women.

Each College forms a distinct community, with members from most academic subjects – there is no special relationship between any College and any particular Faculty or Department.

Colleges facilities vary, but typically include a bar, student common rooms (known as Combination Rooms in Cambridge), library, laundry and computing facilities.

Some colleges have their own awards and grants.

The Process of Applying.

The application process for Cambridge (as for Oxford) starts earlier than for other Universities. The application must be received in Cambridge in October for the admission in January.

If you have a good range of GSCE results and a favourable report from school, the applicant is likely to be invited for interview. Most interviews take place in December. The college explains what is involved at interview and if any written work is set.

When the interviews are over, colleges are able to make decisions. On average Cambridge receives three applications for every place, so inevitably many applications will be rejected at this stage.

The pool is designed to even out possible imbalances in application levels between colleges, so that the best candidates find places. The major pool is held in January, and results in some candidates being offered a place by another college. Thereafter, pooled candidates will hear from this college that they are offered a place or from their original college.

Typical Costs of Studying in Cambridge.

A graduate student must pay the University Composition Fee and the College Fee for each year of the course. In addition, a graduate student must pay for his or her own living expenses and the living expenses of any dependants (husband/wife/partner/children) who accompany him or her to Cambridge.

As a guide, in 2002/03 the minimum amount per year required for maintenance is:

· Ј5,300 for one UK student studying on a course lasting 9 months

· Ј6,500 for one UK student studying on a course lasting 10 or more months

· Ј5,540 for one EU or overseas student studying on a course lasting 9 months

· Ј7,375 for one EU or overseas student studying on a course lasting 10 or more months

· Ј4,000 for one adult dependant

· Ј2,275 for first accompanying child

· Ј780 for each subsequent child

All expenses (including fees) are likely to increase substantially over three-year period of research. Fees are payable in sterling by cheque or banker’s draft. It is not possible to pay via credit card.

(from http://www.cam.ac.uk/cambuniv/pubs/history/)

Exercise 187. What are the advantages and disadvantages between attending a traditional college and enrolling in a distance education program when you can also receive a degree online? Search the Internet and see if you can find an institution that offers an online course or degree in your Major. How much is the course and how long does it take to complete it?