Cambridge is an elite and prestigious university located in the city of the same name in Cambridgeshire, in the eastern part of England. The university was founded at the beginning of the 13th century. There are still many medieval traditions and customs here that are honored and strictly observed by students and teachers.
The University of Cambridge is constantly competing for the palm in the scientific world with Oxford. Once immigrants from the University of Oxford founded Cambridge, where part of the students and teaching staff immediately moved. In various ratings of educational institutions, either Cambridge or Oxford is in first place. But in the end, it was Cambridge that was recognized as the best university not only in Great Britain, but also in the world.
History of the educational institution
In 1209, in the town of Oxford, there was a murder of a woman, in which one of the students of the local university was accused. Because of this, unrest began, and in order to stop them, the administration of the educational institution decided to expel the student. But some of Oxford's employees and students did not agree with this decision. Therefore, they moved from one English city to another - Cambridge, where another university was created. This is one of the versions of the founding of the second higher educational institution in the UK. There are others, but this one is the most believable.
In 1231, King Henry III issued a special charter, granting educational institutions and communities the right to train their members and partially exempting them from taxation. Two years later, Pope Gregory the Ninth adopted the bull, which allowed Cambridge graduates to engage in teaching. This recognition from the head of the Christian Catholic world has significantly increased the status of the university. Cambridge's credibility grew after the adoption of two more bulls:
- In 1290, Pope Nicholas the Fourth awarded the educational institution the status of Stadium General, which translates from Latin as “a place where students from all over the world are welcome”;
- The new status was reaffirmed in 1318, when Pope John XXII recognized Cambridge as an institution open to scholars, researchers and students. This meant that everyone could study at the university, attending lectures and seminars, or conduct training for other students.
At the end of the 13th century. the first colleges began to emerge, this process continued in the 14-15 centuries. The first college was Peterhouse, and the youngest is Hommerton, which received college status only in 2010. The essence of the emergence of the college system was to enable students to pray for the souls of college founders. Therefore, next to them were chapels, abbeys or small temples. But in 1536, Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries, which influenced the activities of the colleges. First, the canon law faculty was closed. Secondly, the teaching of the subject "scholastic philosophy" was canceled. As a result, new subjects appeared in the curriculum:
- Mathematics;
- Bible Study;
- Classic.
All this entailed the secularization of Cambridge education and its transformation into a secular educational institution. But Henry VIII used the university not only to attract students, but also to satisfy his own ambitions. He wanted to rid the country of the influence of the Pope, so he strongly supported the ideas of Luther and the Reformation. In particular, in Cambridge they began to teach Lutheranism as a separate academic subject. One of the king's tasks was to form a wide stratum of the English intelligentsia, who went through the Cambridge school. One of these new intellectuals was Thomas Cranmer, whom Henry elevated to the status of Archbishop of Canterbury Abbey. So the king demonstrated, on the one hand, adherence to new trends in education and religion, and on the other, he sought to create his own church. The result of the actions of Henry VIII was the emergence of the Anglican Church, headed not by the Pope, but by the king himself. The priests and adherents of the new church were brought up within the walls of Cambridge.
In the development of the university from the 17th to the 21st centuries. the following important points can be highlighted:
- In the 17th century. Cambridge became the center of Christian schism and the source of the Puritan movement. In many colleges of Cambridge, students and teachers opposed the restriction of powers of the counties, the usurpation of power by the king. This is how the non-conformist movement was born, whose representatives were university graduates. They preached the ideas of Puritanism from the pulpits of monasteries and abbeys, their listeners were people who later created settlements and colonies in North America;
- From the end of the 17th century. and until the middle of the 19th century. the Cambridge administration places the main emphasis on teaching applied mathematics and mathematical physics. These subjects have become compulsory for students of all specialties. To earn a Bachelor of Arts, students took an exam in mathematics called Tripos. The students who successfully passed this test were called Ranglers. This "degree" was once proudly carried by world-famous mathematicians and scientists - I. Newton, J.C. Maxwell, G. Hardy, W. Hodge. Through their specialization in mathematics, Cambridge scientists have made unique discoveries in pure mathematics, and these results are internationally recognized. Research in geometry, mathematics and algebra is still ongoing. Special courses have been established at Cambridge to keep students and researchers interested in the development of mathematics. After graduation, the graduate receives a diploma "Specialist in Advanced Research";
- Until the early 1870s. all members of the University council were to be ordained;
- During the First World War, the university began to experience financial difficulties, so the state allocated funds to support it. Thanks to this, Cambridge annually began to receive a special grant from the government. In the 1920s. the educational institution began to train and graduate doctors of sciences.
Education for women
Women's education occupies a separate place in the history of Cambridge. This is due to the fact that before the 19th century. only men had the right to study at the university, and women began to be enrolled here only in the late 1860s. For this, special colleges were founded:
- Gerton (1869);
- Newnham (1872);
- Hughes Hall (1885);
- New Hall (1954);
- Lucy Cavedish College (1965).
Examinations for women were first taken in 1882. Until the end of the 1940s. not a single woman was on the university council. At the end of the 19th century. girls and women began to receive diplomas that were issued to men. The bachelor of arts degree began to be awarded to the fair sex since 1921.
In the 1970s. Gerton Women's College - allowed the admission of young men to its members. Until now, other girls' colleges are not accepting male students.
Cambridge structure
A university is a collegiate institution of higher education, which means:
- Each college and university itself has the right to be self-governing;
- Own property and territory;
- Own sources of income;
- Its own educational process, which may differ from teaching in neighboring educational institutions.
Among the main functions of the faculties, it should be noted such as:
- Reading lectures;
- Conducting seminars;
- Organization and conduct of research;
- Approval of training programs.
The head of the university is the central administration and the vice-chancellor.
Also, the infrastructure of the university includes such objects as:
- Libraries - university-wide, faculty and specialized at colleges;
- 31 colleges;
- 150 departments, schools (arts and humanities; biological sciences; clinical medicine, humanities and social sciences; physical sciences; technology), faculties and other educational institutions;
- Laboratories;
- Sports and gyms;
- Audience;
- Dormitories;
- Clinics and hospitals;
- Computer classes;
- Syndicates that organize the publication of newspapers, the work of libraries, the giving of lectures, the monitoring of the educational process, etc.
Features of colleges
For a long time, these educational institutions played a secondary role in the life of the university. The duties of the administration of the training colleges included the distribution of scholarships among students. For a long time, there were hostels at the colleges, i.e. accommodation for students. But over time, they were swallowed up by classrooms, conference rooms and laboratories. Hostels were gradually replaced by hostels.
Colleges are required to provide students and faculty with the following opportunities:
- Housing;
- Social benefit - scholarship, grant, other type of financial support;
- Social protection;
- Organization of the educational process.
Colleges have their own inspection departments called academic councils; its faculty and college councils.
Admissions committees work at each such institution, so the enrollment of applicants for the chosen specialty is carried out purely by the colleges themselves, without the intervention of the central administration.
Claire Hall and Darwin only admit graduate students, while Hughes Hall, Edmund, Wolfson and Lucy Cavendish only accept adult students (over 21 years old). Other colleges enroll everyone without age restrictions.
College curricula have their own characteristics, so you need to carefully study the proposed subjects in a particular specialty.
Residence
Cambridge students have the right to choose where they want to live. This can be a student residence or homestay.
If you choose the first option, accommodation will be organized in one of the following establishments:
- Standard College House, where students are accommodated in single rooms. Shower and toilet are located on the floor. Although you can choose a room with a private bathroom;
- Dormitory at the Manor campus, which is located in the north of Cambridge. But it should be borne in mind that there are age restrictions - students over 18 are allowed to move in. For 16-17 year olds, special permission from parents is required, who should be aware that the campus is common for girls and boys;
- Perback House, part of the Queens Campus. Students who have turned 18 years old are also populated here;
- Trypos Court, also designed for adult students.
Many students choose to stay in private dorm rooms as it allows them to live their lives and in a convenient location. Many hostels are close to public transportation, shopping, entertainment, museums and laboratories.
Homestay accommodation is suitable for underage students and those looking to immerse themselves in British life, culture and language. Family life includes:
- Cleanliness and convenience;
- Safety;
- Support from family members;
- Accommodation in a single or double room;
- Regular two meals a day;
- The presence of a landline phone.
Directions and specialties
Training can be carried out according to bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs. All specialties are divided into two main areas:
- Classical or humanitarian;
- Scientific.
The first covers such specialties as languages (Romance, Germanic, medieval, Eastern, Slavic), theology, music and art, economics, politics, law, literature, medicine, physics and mathematics, IT and information systems, biology, pedagogy, geography, philosophy, history, linguistics, theology, anthropology and archeology.
The scientific direction is represented by chemical and industrial engineering, mathematics, medicine, veterinary medicine, computer and mathematical sciences.
Tuition fees and grants
The University of Cambridge is public and also receives funding from private foundations, charitable organizations, donations, contributions from philanthropists and famous alumni. The distribution of income and expenses occurs between the university and the colleges. All these sources of financial aid have brought Cambridge to first place in terms of wealth and wealth among universities in Europe and fourth among American universities.
Tuition fees in 2017-2018 will be:
- For humanitarian students - £ 16.608-18.522;
- For students in specialized specialties and engineering - £ 21,732-25,275;
- For medical students - from £ 40,200.
The cost of education is determined by the faculty and the prestige of the specialty. The most accessible are humanitarian programs. The prestigious and, accordingly, expensive include medicine, veterinary medicine, business and entrepreneurship.
Tuition fees are paid in the following ways:
- Per semester;
- For the academic year;
- For the entire program.
Additionally, you need to pay contributions to college funds, each of which sets its own fees. On average, this is 5-6 thousand pounds. Do not forget that each student must pay from £ 1,000 per month for room and board. You have to pay separately for insurance, purchase of textbooks and transport.
For local students and foreigners, there is the opportunity to receive a scholarship or grant that will partially cover tuition and fees. The number of grants is limited for bachelors and significantly expanded for masters and graduate students. Among the most popular scholarship and grant programs, it is worth noting:
- Kapitza Cambridge Scholarship;
- BP / TNK Kapitza Cambridge Scholarship;
- The Gates Cambridge Scholarship;
- Shell Centenary Chevening;
- Shell Centenary Chevening Cambridge Scholarship.
Admission process
Documents for admission to Cambridge must be sent between June and mid-October, or even earlier. The applicant must go to the following sites and download the relevant questionnaires:
- http://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/applying/ucas-application (Application for study, which is in the Cambridge University system);
- http://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/applying/saq (Internal form).
Papers are allowed to be submitted both in paper and electronic form.
Applicants who wish to study at a college or university of Cambridge must meet the following requirements:
- Potential;
- Independence of judgment;
- Academic ability;
- A real desire to study in the chosen specialty.
The admission procedure takes place in several stages:
- From April to May, it is recommended to study the programs that are in Cambridge, as well as contact the coordinator or advisor of the selected program;
- June-October is the time for filling out applications for admission and processing other documents;
- September-December - interview. Interview locations change every year. These can be Hong Kong, Singapore, China, Canada, Australia.
To enter a university or colleges, applicants must have a fully completed secondary education (the so-called A level) and select the subjects in which they will take the entrance exams.
Every foreign student is obliged to unlearn one or two courses at level A, in order to then receive a preparatory degree of level A. You can study at a university in your home country, and then go to Cambridge.
Applicants with only the highest scores in the subjects of the chosen specialty have the advantage. It is also important how active a person is. Achievements in Olympiads, conferences, competitions, research projects are taken into account.
It is imperative to pass an English proficiency test, the results of which in IELTS should not be less than 7 points.
The disciplines that will need to be taken in the entrance exams depend on the direction, specialty and training program of the applicant.
The University of Cambridge (Cambridge University or University of Cambridge), one of the oldest universities in Europe and the second oldest in Great Britain, was founded in 1209 by scientists who left the University of Oxford due to conflict with the local population. In 1214, they developed a set of rules and laws that became the basis of the academic and daily life of the University of Cambridge. In addition to religious studies (theology), the first Cambridge students studied philosophy, logic, mathematics and classical languages. Later, other exact and human sciences were added to the list of compulsory subjects.
The oldest building of the University of Cambridge, the so-called. The school of Pythagoras, was built before the founding of the university, in 1200. The first college, Peterhouse, was founded in 1284. At the moment, there are 31 colleges in Cambridge, including the colleges proper, the so-called. "Dormitories" (halls) and the aforementioned Peterhouse.
The University of Cambridge is one of the most ancient and conservative universities in the world, and any student of this university inevitably becomes part of the centuries-old Cambridge traditions. For example, the worst student was given a symbolic wooden spoon. The last time a paddle-sized spoon was given was in 1909 to K. Holthouse, a student at St. John's College. In some colleges, the dining room is allowed only in formal attire, consisting of a dark suit, student gown and a rectangular hat with a tassel. Upon admission, each student is required to undergo a matriculation rite, which consists in pronouncing the student's oath in Latin before the chancellors of the university. No less solemn is the graduation procedure, during which the student also takes an oath in Latin and changes his old robe for a new one, corresponding to the new degree he has received. The graduation procedure takes place in the Senate House, and students are admitted to the ceremony by seniority, in strict accordance with the time the college was founded. In addition, each college has its own specific traditions and rituals.
Cambridge University is especially famous for its successes in the bosom of the exact sciences and medicine. No other university in the world has donated so many Nobel Prize winners to the planet as Cambridge. 88 alumni and university professors have received this prestigious academic award. 29 of them received prizes in physics, 25 - in medicine, 21 - in chemistry, 9 - in economics, 2 - in literature and one - a peace prize. Famous medieval scholars such as Isaac Newton and Francis Bacon studied here. It was in Cambridge that the founders of modern nuclear physics — Lord E. Rutherford, N. Bohr, and J. R. Oppenheimer — worked, taught, and did research. In addition to tremendous successes in the exact sciences, Cambridge is also famous for its achievements in politics: 15 British prime ministers and 25 heads of government of other countries were trained in Cambridge. Among the graduates and teachers of Cambridge are also famous writers such as A. A. Milne, L. Stern, J. B. Priestley, W. M. Thackeray, C. Amis and Cl. Art. Lewis. A graduate of Trinity College and the creator of Lolita, the great Russian-American writer Vladimir Nabokov, was educated in Cambridge.
We remind you! To study at Cambridge, you must not only have an impeccable academic profile, but also solid funds to pay for your studies.
Year of foundation
Location
East Anglia
Number of students
Student satisfaction
Academic specialization
When entering the University of Cambridge, a domestic student usually faces a serious problem: "How to choose the right college?" The fact is that the system of Cambridge colleges, similar to the Oxford one, is fundamentally different from that adopted in other higher schools in Europe and the former Soviet Union. After completing classes in a faculty or laboratory, the student spends most of his free time in college; the student's social, sports and everyday life takes place there. Each Cambridge college is a separate structure that houses dorms, a library, a computer center, lecture halls, gyms and gyms, a park, a canteen, a choir, theater, music room, chapel, and more. When you choose a college, you are essentially choosing your social circle and lifestyle for yourself. That is why it is extremely important to choose exactly the college that best suits your taste.
When choosing a college, you should pay attention to the following factors:
- college academic profile;
- location;
- prestige;
- the duration of the provision of a place in the hostel;
- external appearance.
In order to make your choice, we advise you to carefully look through the Internet sites of various Cambridge colleges. Traditionally, students choose the most prestigious and wealthy colleges, such as Trinity, St. John's College, Trinity Hall, Kings College, Jizzas College and others. Being attached to these colleges, students generally have no problem finding a place to live in a hostel, additional funding for research projects, playing sports, etc. Given the massive influx of students every year, finding a place to live outside of college can be a major challenge. For this reason, choosing a college should be taken very seriously.
The University of Cambridge has more than 150 faculties, departments, research centers and institutes, united in 6 separate schools:
- Arts and Humanities,
- Biological Sciences,
- Clinical Medicine,
- Humanities and Social Sciences,
- Physical Sciences,
- Technology.
The academic year is divided into three semesters (trimesters):
- Miklmas (October-December)
- Ribbon ("lean trimester"; January-March)
- Easter (Easter Trimester; April-June)
Trimesters at the University of Cambridge are shorter than at the rest of the UK and take 8 weeks each. It is assumed that during the long vacations between trimesters, the student should actively engage in independently.
Photos
The history of Cambridge began in the first half of the 13th century. The opened university became a kind of haven of salvation for several dozen Oxford students who fled from their native educational institution due to constant uprisings and conflicts in it. The shelter turned out to be not temporary, and from a small building it turned into a beautiful architectural complex.
From the very beginning of the university's existence, student self-government played a large role in it. Cambridge issued a university constitution and established legislatures. In this regard, the university is similar to a small, well-developed country, where about twenty thousand students are citizens. And three thousand teachers help them master new knowledge.
University faculties
Cambridge is a university with a special structure of faculties. The university administration oversees the work of thirty-one colleges. Each of them has its own scientific profile. In 3 colleges belonging to the university, only women study. All other divisions have not practiced separate training for a long time. But admission to one of these colleges is not at all training in Cambridge, but only preparation for admission to the university.
The university has 6 departments, each of which has several faculties.
A Cambridge student can study at:
- Department of Arts and Humanities. If you are close to architecture, history, theology, music, philosophy, you should look for the desired profile in the faculties of this department. It also offers the study of modern and ancient languages, art, oriental studies.
- Department of Biological Sciences. This is the best place for those interested in biology, genetics, botany, pharmacology.
- Department of Clinical Medicine. Among the students are future neurologists, oncologists, gynecologists, psychiatrists and doctors of other specialties.
- Department of Humanities and Sociology. It trains anthropologists and sociologists, economists, historians, lawyers, criminologists.
- Department of Physics. Students who like chemistry, astronomy, physics, geography, mathematics come to study at the faculties of this department.
- Technological department. Its faculties study computer and engineering technologies, the basics of business and management.
Features of admission to the university
What is required of applicants for undergraduate programs?
- Filling out an online application on the UCAS website. Since the competition is large, you must submit it 12 months before the entrance examinations.
- Provide one of the certificates confirming a high level of English proficiency (A-Levels, IELTS, Pre-U). The scores for each of them should be as positive as possible.
- Have a good interview. The university welcomes students who know how to think outside the box, which is why during the interview, the commission often asks unexpected questions or gives additional tests. Such as a basic law test or a cognitive skill test.
What is required of future undergraduates?
- Submit an introductory application through the UCAS website.
- Provide a bachelor's degree, where academic achievements are marked with high marks.
- Obtain an IELTS or TOEFL certificate (minimum scores are 6.5 and 100, respectively).
- Successfully pass the test, the content of which depends on the chosen specialization.
And if you need to go to graduate school?
An applicant needs to comply with all the requirements that are relevant for candidates for a master's degree and write an essay on what kind of scientific activity he will conduct during his studies. It is important not just to outline your plans in general terms, it is necessary to name an approximate topic of scientific work and choose a scientific curator from among the teachers.
Requirements for applicants for MBA programs:
- Application for admission submitted through the UCAS website.
- A resume describing work experience in a specialized specialty.
- GMAT, IELTS or TOEFL test scores.
- An essay written in the entrance examinations.
Studying at Cambridge for applicants for a bachelor's degree lasts three to four years, students spend 12 months on master's and MBA programs. And future graduate students receive a diploma immediately after completing the started scientific project.
Famous graduates
Former university students have achieved success in various fields. This university graduated from politician Oliver Cromwell, scientist Charles Darwin, writer Vladimir Nabokov, Prince Charles and 15 other prime ministers of the British Kingdom, 25 presidents of different countries of the world and several Nobel Prize winners.
Tuition and Accommodation Fees
The cost of studying in Cambridge for foreigners is slightly higher than for British citizens. Part-time jobs during training are prohibited, therefore, all applicants are required to confirm their ability to pay for their studies.
One year of study under the bachelor's program will cost 15-30 thousand pounds. Master's students for the same period pay from 20 to 26 thousand pounds, and graduate students to study costs 20-36 thousand.
MBA business programs have the highest value. For 12 months of study, you need to pay 45 thousand pounds.
Life outside of school
The administration of the university made sure that students appreciate both the rich study at Cambridge and the excellent conditions for recreation created at the university and student residences. For example, the design of student rooms is approached with special diligence. The hostels even have interiors styled like the Middle Ages (of course, with modern comforts).
The rooms are kept in order by maids, and the laundry is done by the laundry staff. University students shouldn't worry about food either, because a great lunch can be ordered in a cafe. If a student prefers food of his own preparation, there are kitchens equipped with everything necessary in the hostels at his service.
Respect for sports is an important part of British education. There are more than 100 Cambridge Sports Clubs that allow everyone to choose the right physical activity. You can ask the instructors who are constantly present at the sports fields for help on its correct distribution and scheduling of training.
Numerous university activities make it possible to have fun on the weekend, from intellectual competitions to dance parties.
The University of Cambridge is one of the oldest universities in the world and one of the largest in the UK. Cambridge's academic achievements are known throughout the world and are a testament to the intellectual potential of its students and faculty. The university was founded in 1209, and the first college with its own independent system in 1284. With 28 coeducational colleges and 3 women's colleges, the university has a world-renowned reputation for excellence in academic excellence and excellence in research across a wide range of disciplines, as exemplified by the award of more than 80 Nobel Prizes to scholars. The university has its own constitution and is a self-governing entity with its own legislature (Regent House), which includes 3 thousand teachers and administrative staff. The administrative body of Cambridge is the Council, and the General Board of Faculties coordinates the educational policy of the university, which includes more than 100 departments, faculties and schools. Today, 18,000 students study here, about 17% of whom are foreigners. More than half of the students have a preference for the humanities.
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Books
- New algorithms of computational fluid dynamics for multiprocessor computing systems, V. M. Goloviznin, M. A. Zaitsev, S. A. Karabasov, I. A. Korotkin. In this monograph, intended for students, graduate students and research workers, the material of the long-term work of a large group of specialists in the field of ...
- The story of Henry Esmond, Esq., Colonel in Her Majesty's Queen Anne's service, written by himself, William Thackeray. This book will be produced in accordance with your order using Print-on-Demand technology. William Makepeace Thackeray, the famous English novelist, was born on July 18, 1811 in Calcutta, where ...
