The University’s teaching and research is divided into faculties, some of which are further divided into departments for administrative purposes. Faculties and departments are responsible for the content of the degree programmes, organising the lectures and seminars, as well as setting and marking the examinations.

The teaching you receive is going to be of a high standard: Cambridge is full of world experts in your chosen subject and you will be taught directly by them. But don’t worry, Cambridge has been doing this for 800 years and millions of students like yourself have applied, survived and succeeded.

The University understands that students need a bit of encouragement so you get your very own Director of Studies (DoS) to provide you with all the academic support you need. Your DoS is assigned to you by your College but is a specialist in the subject you have chosen. He or she will organise your supervisions and keep an eye on your progress. What are supervisions? They are regular meetings, sometimes between just you and your supervisor or with a small group. You are likely to have several supervisors, all experts on different aspects of your course, so you end up with two or three supervisions a week.

It’s not like a lesson at school; it’s more a meeting of minds. Questions. Answers. Debate. Thoughts. Mistakes. Inspiration. Although it might sound a bit scary at first, once you are used to it you really enjoy the opportunity to talk about what you are interested in and to have a chance to ask questions and develop ideas. Students end up looking forward to them.