Director of Studies
Every Cambridge undergraduate is allocated a Director of Studies, known as the DoS: a College academic responsible for their coursework and progress in a particular subject. The DoS advises on course and paper choices, engages supervisors on the student's behalf, and monitors progress through supervision reports.
In practice
The DoS meets students at the start and end of each Term to agree a programme of work and review results. Through the year they track supervision reports on the Colleges' shared reporting system and step in when studies are neglected. They also guide examination entries, discuss results and write references. Most Directors of Studies are Fellows of the student's own College; in smaller subjects the DoS may be based at another College, Department or Faculty.
Why it matters to newcomers
The DoS is the academic safety net behind every undergraduate: one person who notices when a student drifts. For families, it helps to know that this role exists and sits in the College rather than in a distant department. Professionals meeting Cambridge academics will also meet many DoSs: directing studies is part of normal College academic life.
Related
- Supervision - the teaching the DoS arranges
- Tripos - the examinations the DoS guides students through
- College - the body that appoints the DoS
Sources: Director of Studies role description; Directors of Studies at Queens' College.