How does a Collegiate university, like Cambridge, compare to a non-Collegiate university?
At Cambridge, a Collegiate university …
- Your accommodation building is on-site at your College, or in town but still owned by your College – and you rent through them, not a private landlord. You can be a mix of ‘catered and non-catered’ (you have a small kitchen, and your College cafeteria)
- You live with other students who are members of your College
- You have an academic tutor called a Director of Studies who is also a member of your College and is there to look after you and your peers also studying your subject
- You have smaller-scale College based events, societies and sports teams
- You’re a member of your College, as well as University, for life – being invited back for dinners and events
At a non-Collegiate university…
- Accommodation buildings on-campus are called ‘halls of residence’, and can be catered or self-catered. If you live off-campus, you tend to live in a private house in the same city and rent off a private landlord
- You tend to live with other students who also go to your university
- You have an academic tutor based at the university faculty for your subject who you can go to for support
At Cambridge and a non-collegiate university…
- Your degree is awarded from the University you attend (ie. The University of Cambridge, The University of Sheffield, The University of York)
- Your course content, exams and teaching are organised by the University subject departments (also known as ‘faculties’)
- You attend lectures and group teaching sessions with students from across the university
- You can get involved in university-wide societies and sport
- You have access to central university-organised services – such as a careers service, financial support, counselling services and a student union
