How you are taught
Cambridge teaching is conducted on both the University and College level and focuses around the unique small-group supervision system.
On this page
Academic support
All undergraduates have both a Tutor and a Director of Studies. Both are normally Fellows of the College, although in a few smaller subjects there are ‘external’ Directors of Studies who are usually Fellows of another college.
Directors of Studies
Your Director of Studies oversees your progress in your academic subject. They organise your supervisions, provide academic guidance, and monitor your performance and progress on the Tripos.
Tutors
Your Tutor is responsible for your educational and general well-being while you are in Cambridge. Tutors can provide advice and guidance on topics relating to your studies in general, but can also support you with pastoral matters.
The College also has Specialist Tutors, such as the Financial Tutor, Welfare Tutor, and the Accommodation Tutor.
Teaching arrangements
Teaching is arranged by both the University and by the College.
Teaching at the University consists of lectures, seminars, demonstrations, and practical work. This is organised by, and normally takes place in, Faculties and Departments of the University, and members of all Colleges participate together. Some University teaching may be optional, but most will likely be an essential part of your course.
Supervisions take place at the College. Students discuss some work they have completed in advance with a specialist appointed by their Director of Studies. Supervisions usually last an hour and take place in small groups, but can sometimes be one-on-one. Supervisions provide an opportunity for you to clarify any aspect of your work that you are unclear, puzzled, or intrigued about, and for your supervisors to press you to think about aspects that you have not covered on paper.
Supervisors write reports at the end of every term on each student, which help the Director of Studies gauge a student's progress; because of this, supervisions are a compulsory part of your academic studies and must only be missed in exceptional circumstances, e.g. illness.
