College
Cambridge is a collegiate university: a confederation of faculties and departments plus 31 self-governing Colleges, each with its own statutes. Every student belongs twice over - to the University for their degree, and to a College for daily life, teaching support and community.
In practice
The split of duties is simple. The University, through faculties and departments, sets course content, runs lectures and practicals, marks examinations and awards degrees. The Colleges admit undergraduates, organise supervisions, provide accommodation, dining and welfare, and assign each student a Director of Studies and a Tutor. Of the 31 Colleges, 29 admit undergraduates; all sit within about three miles of the city centre, and students from every College attend the same University lectures and sit the same examinations.
Why it matters to newcomers
Ask a Cambridge person where they studied and the answer is a College first, ahead of any department or faculty. For a newcomer it also matters practically: the College, not the University, is the landlord, the welfare contact and the front door visitors knock on.
Related
- Porter and the Porters' Lodge - the front desk of every College
- Matriculation - how College membership formally begins
- The Backs - the river side of the central Colleges
- Cambridge architecture and landmarks guide
Sources: How the University and Colleges work; What is a College?.