Schools, colleges and departments of the university of Cambridge

Schools, colleges and departments of the university of Cambridge

In addition to the 31 colleges, the university is made up of over 150 departments, faculties, schools, syndicates and other institutions. Members of these are usually also members of one of the colleges and responsibility for running the entire academic program of the university is divided between them. The university also houses the Institute of Continuing Education, a study center part time.
A "school" at the University of Cambridge is a broad administrative group of faculties and other related units. Each has an elected supervisory body-the "Council" of the school, comprising representatives of the constituent bodies. There are six schools:

• Arts and Humanities

• Biological Sciences

• Medical Clinic 

• Humanities and Social Sciences

• Physical Sciences

• Technology

Teaching and research in Cambridge is organized by faculties. The faculties have different organizational sub-structures which partly reflect their history and partly their operational needs, which may include a number of departments and other institutions. In addition, a small number of bodies entitled "unions" are responsible for teaching and research, eg Cambridge Assessment, the University Press, and the University Library.

School year

The academic year is divided into three academic quarters, determined by the Statutes of the University. Michaelmas Term lasts from October to December, Lent Term from January to March, and Easter term, from April to June.

In these terms university education takes place in eight-week periods called full terms. According to the Statutes of the University, is a requirement that, during this period, all students must live within 10 miles of the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, which is defined as the maintenance term. Students may graduate if they meet this condition for a period of nine (three years) in obtaining a degree or twelve terms (four years) when studying a Master of Science, Engineering and Mathematics.

These terms are shorter than those of many other British universities. Also expected to prepare college students heavily in the three holidays (known as the Christmas, Easter and long holidays).

The central administration

Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor

The Rector of the University, for which there are no term limits, is mainly ceremonial and is held by David Sainsbury, Baron Sainsbury of Turville, following the retirement of the Duke of Edinburgh on his 90th birthday, in June 2011 . Lord Sainsbury was nominated by the official Nomination Board to succeed him, and Abdul Arain, owner of a grocery store, Brian Blessed and Michael Mansfield were also nominated. The election took place on 14 and 15 October 2011. David Sainsbury won the election of 2893, taking 5,888 votes, winning in the first count.

The current rector is Leszek Borysiewicz. While the Chancellor's office is ceremonial, the president is the de facto principal administrative officer of the University. University governance is carried out almost entirely by its own members, with very little external representation on its governing body, the Regent House (though there is external representation on the Audit Committee, and there are four external members the Council of the University, who are the only external members of the Regent House).