The University of Cambridge (informally referred to as " Cambridge University " or simply "Cambridge" ) is a public research university pin in Cambridge, England. Originally founded in 1209 and is the second oldest university in the English -speaking world and the world's third oldest university . Early records show that the University has grown from an association of scientists leaving Oxford after a dispute with townsfolk formed . The two " ancient universities " have many common features and are often jointly referred to as Oxbridge .
Cambridge is organized by a variety of institutions , including 31 constituent colleges and comprehensive academic departments in six schools . The University is located in buildings in the city, many of historical interest. Student life is centered around the many colleges and art activities , sports clubs and associations. Cambridge has maintained many notable alumni , and 90 Nobel Prize winners are affiliated with the university. Cambridge is also a member of several scientific societies and is part of the 'Golden Triangle' of British universities. It is often placed among the best universities in the world in various rankings.
Cambridge Height ( £ 4.9 billion as of 2013 ) is the largest of all European university. In the fiscal year ended July 31 , 2013, the university had a total income of 1.44 billion pounds, of which £ 332 million was from research grants and contracts. Cambridge University Press, a department of the University , is the world's oldest publishing house, and the second largest university press in the world. Cambridge largest library , Cambridge University Library, has more than 8 million volumes and is a legal deposit library; Cambridge libraries together contain over 15 million volumes .
In post- nominal name of the institution is derived abbreviated as Cantab , a shortened form of a noun from Cantabrigiensis Cantabrigia ( the Latinized form of Cambridge ) .
Colleges:
Cambridge has 31 colleges, of which three , Murray Edwards, Newnham and Lucy Cavendish, admit women. The other colleges are mixed , though most originally all-male . Darwin was the first college men and women to recognize , while Churchill , Clare and King was the first previously all-male colleges to admit female Bachelor's , in the year 1972. 1988 Magdalena to accept the last all male college women . Clare Hall and Darwin admit only postgraduates , and Hughes Hall, Lucy Cavendish, St Edmund's and Wolfson admit only mature (ie 21 years or older on the date of matriculation ) students, both undergraduate and graduate students . All other colleges admit both undergraduate and postgraduate students with no age restrictions.
The 31 colleges are:
- Kings College , Cambridge
- Trinity College
- St. John's College
- Peterhouse
- Clare College
- Pembroke College
- Gonville and Caius College
- Trinity Hall
- Corpus Christi College
- Queens ' College
- St. Catharine College
- Jesus College
- Christ College
- Magdalene College
- Emmanuel College
- Sidney Sussex College
- Downing College
- Girton College Street
- Newnham College
- Selwyn College
- Fitzwilliam College
- Churchill College
- Murray Edwards College
- Darwin College
- Wolfson College
- Clare Hall
- Robinson College
- Lucy Cavendish College
- St Edmund College
- Hughes Hall
- Homerton College
Schools, faculties and departments :
In addition to the 31 colleges, the university consists of over 150 departments , faculties , schools , syndicates and other institutions. Members are usually also members of one of the colleges and responsibility for running the entire academic program of the university is divided amongst them. The University is also home to the Institute of Continuing Education , a center for part -time study.
A " School" in the University of Cambridge is a broad administrative grouping of related faculties and other units. Each has an elected supervisory body - the " Council " of the school - consisting of representatives of the institutions . There are six schools :
- Arts and Humanities
- Biological Sciences
- Clinical Medicine
- Humanities and Social Sciences
- Physical Sciences
- Technology
Teaching and research in Cambridge is of faculties. The faculties have different organizational sub - structures which reflect their history and partly their operational needs , a number of departments and other institutions in part. In addition, a small number of bodies entitled Responsibility " syndicates " for teaching and research, eg Cambridge Assessment , University Press, and the University Library.
Academic year:
The academic year is divided into three academic terms determined by the statutes of the university Michaelmas Term lasts from October to December ; Fastenzeitvon January to March ; Term and Easter from April to June
Within these conditions undergraduate teaching takes place within eight - week period called full terms and conditions . According to the laws of the university, it is a requirement that during this time all students within 10 kilometers of the Church of St. Mary the great live ; It is defined as the retention period. Students can only ascend , provided they meet the condition for nine terms (three years) in obtaining a BA or twelve terms (four years) for the study of Master of Science , Engineering and Mathematics
These terms are shorter than those of many other British universities. Undergraduate are also expected to prepare heavily in the three holidays ( known as the Christmas, Easter and Long Holidays ) .