Education at University of Cambridge

Education at Cambridge The University of Cambridge has provided courses in Education for over 130 years.

Over this time we have gained an excellent reputation, both for education as an academic discipline and for outstanding professional training. The Education Tripos at Cambridge is an exciting undergraduate degree which allows you to combine the diversity of educational issues with the study of a particular subject.

Education, as a major social science in its own right, explores the intellectual, social and psychological development from birth through to adulthood and the role of literacy, language, cognition and creativity in learning. It examines the historical contexts shaping educational ideas and movements, and the underlying philosophical principles and political beliefs promoting notions of meritocracy, equality, social inclusion, poverty alleviation and human rights.

It considers educational issues and related policy in global contexts, and explores creative teaching and learning.

The Faculty of Education is based in awardwinning buildings on Hills Road, just south of the railway station. It has a specialist library, IT facilities and a cafĂŠ, in addition to the many teaching rooms and offices. There is a student population of approximately 150 doctoral students, 380 Masters students, 420 PGCE students and 120 undergraduates.

Active research is at the heart of the Faculty and this forms the foundation of our undergraduate teaching. Students are taught by academics who are at the forefront of their fields and who specialise in cutting-edge educational research.

Currently there is an academic staff of 11 professors, 4 emeritus professors, 7 readers and some 40 lecturers/senior lecturers, along with many associated academics and over 50 support staff. Prospective students are always welcome to visit the Faculty buildings.

Why study Education at Cambridge?

Education – with the pursuit and dissemination of knowledge at its heart – is one of the most important and powerful cultural currents of change and growth in the modern world.

Social justice, the arts, the learning mind, education and gender, language and literacy, new technologies, values, policy and practice in classrooms across the world – studying Education at Cambridge offers you fresh perspectives on the key role of education in different societies; past, present and future.

The Education course is unusual for Cambridge in that it allows you to combine the academic study of education with another subject. It is therefore, in effect, a combined honours degree: you take specialised papers offered by the Faculty of Education, that cover the academic disciplines of education – history, philosophy, psychology and sociology – as well as global issues in Education, while also taking papers from the relevant Faculty for your accompanying subject.

Students are able to flourish in an environment where they can develop high level skills in

analytical writing, research methods, evaluations of practice and critical engagements with policy, alongside pursuing interests including dramatic productions, literature, music, science, languages and humanities.

In addition to exploring educational issues from philosophical, sociological, historical and psychological perspectives, students take thematic papers on issues in education and global perspectives. They also develop qualitative and quantitative skills through original research and analysis, investigating the past and present to inform the future. Like most Cambridge courses, the Education Tripos offers students the ability to specialise after studying an initial broad basis of knowledge.

“Fundamentally, education is about truth and communication grappling with these ideas historically, sociologically, psychologically and philosophically is an incredibly strong foundation for a huge variety of careers.”

Kenichi, Education student

Where can studying Education lead?

The Education Tripos has been designed for students who may be thinking of a wide range of careers as well as to students who have already decided that they would like a career in teaching. The attractiveness of the course lies in its diversity and flexibility. The course will appeal to any student with an interest in philosophy, psychology, sociology and history; to those keen to develop an understanding of global and national issues in education; and to those who want to engage with fundamental questions about social justice. The chance to do all of this, whilst continuing to pursue your own specialist subject, is available at Cambridge.

For those who want to teach, the Education Tripos can provide an excellent foundation for the Faculty’s outstanding PGCE courses in Early Years, Primary or Secondary teaching. It also prepares students well for postgraduate study routes at Cambridge and many other top universities. The Faculty offers the opportunity for further academic study on full or parttime Masters courses, or by entry to the PhD programme.

The career options for an Education Graduate are extremely varied: Education related careers, including: • • • • • • • •

teaching (primary, secondary, higher education) educational psychology and neuroscience educational research government policy and administration educational publishing arts, culture, heritage and museum education educational journalism, and the wider media educational activities within the community (including drama and music)

The range of careers that a typical Cambridge Graduate can enter, including: • • • •

law (via conversion courses) management and human resources business and consultancy civil service

Careers related to global perspectives including: • • • •

international organisations and businesses NGOs international development agencies charities

Other paths: Many students go on to careers linked to their combinable subject and a large number of Cambridge students carve careers from the huge amount of extra-curricular opportunities available (music, theatre, sports, politics etc)

The University provides comprehensive Careers Service support for students and alumni.

Student and alumni profiles What do the students think?

“The unique structure of Education means that you get supervised by many more people than in most subjects.

This diversity of knowledge and methodologies is a real asset of the course.”

“Studying for a degree in Education opened a wealth of options to me - it begins a process of life-long learning that’s a really hard habit to break”

“Everyone thinks they’re an expert about Education because everyone’s experienced it in some form, but once you start to study it as an academic subject you realise how much more there is to learn about learning!”

“The best thing about Education is being trained up in four different foundation disciplines, so you learn to read differently, write differently but most importantly to think differently about something that often seems common sense.”

“The ability to combine Education with another subject means you get to study in two completely different but often complementary subjects. You get breadth like no other Cambridge Tripos.”

What do Education students do next?

Tobias – completed the Cambridge PGCE then took up a primary teaching post in the UK.

Kenichi – stayed at the Faculty to complete a Masters in Politics, Development and Democratic Education.

Julie – completed a PGCE, taught in a primary school in East London, now a teacher training methodology and resources advisor in Rwanda with VSO.

Clementine – stayed at the Faculty for a Masters in Children’s Literature, followed by a PhD in Education and now a Junior Research Fellowship.

Joe – joined a graduate scheme to become a buyer for a major department store.

Ruth - worked as a Local Government Officer in a Local Authority School Improvement Department whilst studying for a Graduate Diploma in Law, now a Trainee Solicitor.

Claire – worked for CBeebies at the BBC, now an audience researcher for news programming.

Laura – working in schools liaison and outreach in the higher education sector.

Sophia - worked as Assistant Manager at a New York restaurant, now an Office Manager at a Private Equity company whilst pursuing education research.

Degree structure • The Education Tripos is an exciting, inter-disciplinary combined honours degree designed to give you the opportunity to engage in the intensive study of education, while developing knowledge of a particular specialist subject. The balance between education and your specialist subject is maintained throughout the degree, with a wide range of papers to choose from within the Faculty of Education and your specialist subject.

The majority of subject teaching takes place in the relevant Faculties with students studying those Triposes; the exception is for some English and Drama specialist work which takes place through the Faculty of Education.

• Like all other degrees at the University of Cambridge, Education is divided into two Parts. Part I occupies the first two years, with examinations at the end of that period, and Part II the final year. As a preparation for the second year all students sit a Preliminary Examination at the end of their first year.

• From the very start of the course students will take papers in the Foundation Disciplines of Education – History, Philosophy, Psychology and Sociology, looking at their contribution in three areas; childhood and adolescence; teaching and learning; culture, values and diversity.

• The first year thematic paper, Language, Communication and Literacy, focuses on the social, psychological and cultural contexts within which spoken language and literacy are developed, taking a global perspective on the issues raised.

• The second year thematic paper, Modernity, Globalisation and Education, examines the roots of Modernity, its transformations and consequences, its impact on global developments, and the challenges created for education and society through three sections: Modernity and the Western Enlightenment, Human Rights, Justice and Education.

• Final year papers currently include Education, Inclusion and Diversity, exploring contemporary challenges experienced in educational and social contexts in times of increasing global and local diversity; Children and Literature, focusing on key developments within children's literature in English, and the impact it can have; and Creativity and Thinking, exploring 'creativity' in relation to how we learn to think about, engage with and understand the world.

• The final year also includes a Research & Investigation project leading to a 10,000-word dissertation. Students may choose to specialise in an educational topic of their choice for this research.

Previous research topics have included: Young people’s understanding of war and terrorism; the exclusion of children with autistic spectrum disorders; creativity and performativity in the elite secondary classroom; boys’ anxieties about masculinity; democracy and student voice; divergent thinking and executive functions in children; creativity and rehabilitation with homeless adult learners; gender and Shakespeare; cognitive benefits of multilingualism; primary children’s attitudes to their bodies and eating; early numeracy understanding; historical impact of modes of examination; the extent to which free schools can be ‘free’; critically evaluating the strategy of the Millennium Development Goals; the construction of children’s National Identity; parents’ use of, and attitudes to, public

libraries; the use of anthropomorphic language in A Level Chemistry teaching; the impact of philosophical justifications for teaching creative writing; adolescent boys’ and girls’ perceptions of young women in popular culture; faith schools in a secular society; educating children to be ‘authentic’ human beings; the place of fiction in a natural education; the usage of local dialect and Standard English within primary school settings; the existence and causality of differences in educational achievement between the North and South of Italy; home education and the government; the role of sexuality within the field of education; boys’ magazines in the 19th century; and many, many more!

Sample pathways 1st Year: Prelim to Part I (4 papers): two Education papers and two Subject papers The Disciplines of Education (Philosophy, Sociology, History, Psychology)

Language, Communication and Literacy

Subject Paper (chosen from those available)

Subject Paper (chosen from those available)

2nd Year: Part I (5 papers): two Education papers and two Subject papers plus one from either area Psychology of Education

Modernity, History of Education Globalisation and Education

Philosophy of Education

Sociology of Education

OR Subject Paper

Subject Paper (chosen from those available)

Subject Paper (chosen from those available

Final Year: Part II (5 papers): three Education papers (research project, one discipline, plus one more) plus any two others Research and Investigation

Psychology of Education

Philosophy of Education

Children and Literature

Creativity and Thinking

Subject Paper Education, Inclusion (chosen from those and Diversity available)

History of Education

Sociology of Education Subject Paper (chosen from those available)

It is possible to tailor the course to your preferred specialist areas, and you can often create crossover, particularly in your research. For example, a student studying Education with English can easily specialise in literacy and children’s literature; a student of Education with Music may focus on the development of creativity; a student of Education with Biological Sciences may choose to mix education psychology papers with a focus on experimental psychology in their Biology papers. The choice is yours!

Philosophy of Education

The study of this discipline develops students’ ability to apply methods of philosophical analysis to educational issues, including the development of philosophical thinking - such as clarity of expression, critical reflection, the justification of truth claims, and notions of cogency, coherence and consistency. The course introduces students to questions in the following areas: education, values and aims, philosophical perspectives on teaching and learning and the role of the state in education.

Just a few questions that this discipline might cover…

What is the aim of education?

What does being ‘good’ mean, and can such values be taught?

Is education a right or a privilege?

How should we teach controversial issues?

How did compulsory schooling affect policy perceptions of childhood?

Sociology of Education The course concentrates on the in-depth study of the major thinkers in the social sciences who have addressed the relationship of education to contemporary society. By studying the original writings of these theorists, students are able to engage with the complexity of social life and its shaping by the educational system. Special emphasis is placed on understanding how we can conceptualise the role of educational knowledge, the intelligentsia and the social impact of, for example, traditional and child centred pedagogies in modern society.

Just a few questions that this discipline might cover…

History with Education

This course examines aspects of educational change across the long 19th century, covering the period from the French Revolution to WW1.

In particular, the course looks at successive conceptual formulations associated with the idea of progressive education, alongside social movements predicated upon education as an emancipatory ideal or practice.

Just a few questions that this discipline might cover…

How have influential thinkers affected the provision of education for both males and females?

How does the architecture of schools affect the organisation of teaching?

How should history inform contemporary education?

Who should decide what is taught?

How can education recognise cultural pluralism and ethnic diversity?

Can education compensate for inequality within society?

Is childhood a social construct?

Psychology of Education The course is concerned with the understanding of psychological development and the significance of this field of knowledge for education, focusing on two major areas of development: Cognitive and Social. The cognitive development strand looks at how different aspects of human cognitive development unfold, whilst the social development strand looks at how we develop a concept of ‘self’, including gender identity and how the view we have of ourselves influences the way we approach and interact with others.

Just a few questions that this discipline might cover…

How do thinking skills develop?

How do we develop the ability to remember?

Does well-being define educational success?

To what extent is children’s self-concept dependent on their relationships with others?

In the second year (Part I) there are a number of different options. Your two or three papers can be taken from any of the subjects you did not take in the first year or you can take papers from a range of topics including Animal Biology; Ecology; Plant and Microbial Sciences.

In your final year (Part II), the above papers are also offered. In addition you can take papers in Experimental Psychology and the History and Philosophy of Science. This provides a wide of range of courses which allow you to follow your interests, either by specialisation or by taking up new subjects.

For more detailed information about the Biological Sciences content of the Education Tripos with Biological Sciences, see: www.study. cam.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/natsci

Education with...

Education with Biological Sciences (UCAS code: X3C9 BA/EBS)

Education with Physical Sciences (UCAS code: X3F0 BA/EPS)

The biological science papers are taken from the Natural Sciences Tripos which is the largest undergraduate course within the University.

The Physical Science papers are taken from the Natural Sciences Tripos which is the largest undergraduate course within the University.

In the first year (Prelim to Part I), you will study either Elementary Mathematics for Biologists or Quantitative Biology Sciences depending on the level of your maths. You will also study one of Biology of Cells, Evolution and Behaviour or Physiology of Organisms.

In the first year (Prelim to Part I), you will study Mathematics and either Chemistry or Physics.

In the second year (Part I) there are a number of different options. If you wish you can continue to specialise in Chemistry or Physics with subjects

you did not take in the first year, and/or papers in Earth Sciences such as Geology and Materials and Mineral sciences.

In your final year (Part II), all of the above papers are offered at Part II; in addition you can take papers in Advanced Physics or Chemistry, Geological Sciences, Materials Sciences and the History and Philosophy of Science. This provides a wide range of course which allows you to follow your interests, either by specialisation or by taking up new subjects.

For more detailed information about the Physical Sciences content of the Education Tripos with Physical Sciences, see the: www.study.cam. ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/natsci

Education with English (UCAS code: X3Q3 BA/EE) The English Papers are taught by both the Faculty of Education and the Faculty of English. The course encourages you to develop your critical and expressive skills to the full, in a rewarding, supportive and challenging intellectual environment. The course is oriented towards reading and understanding literature in its social and historical contexts.

The first year course (Prelim to Part I) has two strands; one that explores different aspects of literary criticism, developing skills in close reading, while a second strand focuses on Literature, Drama and Film in a range of historical periods.

In your second year (Part I), you can study two or three papers from courses taught in the Faculty of Education (Film, Culture and Identity; Shakespeare and Renaissance Drama; Drama Production) or the Faculty of English, whose papers cover literature and its contents from 1300 to the present day.

If you choose to study English in your final year (Part II), you can take up to two papers.

The paper offered by the Faculty of Education is Modern Drama and Theatre. Those offered by the Faculty of English cover a wide range of topics including Chaucer, Tragedy, and Modernism and the Short Story.

Education with English and Drama (UCAS code X3W4 BA/EED) The English and Drama Papers are taught by the Faculty of Education with further English papers offered by the Faculty of English. The English and Drama course aims to extend your knowledge and experience in two main inter-related areas: the development of dramatic literature in its historical contexts and the practice of drama production, including theatre skills and dramatic writing.

In the first year (Prelim to Part I), you will study Literature, Drama, Film and Drama Production.

In your second year (Part I), you can study two or three papers from courses taught in the Faculty of Education (Film, Culture and Identity; Shakespeare and Renaissance Drama; Drama

Production) or the Faculty of English, whose papers cover literature and its contents from 1300 to the present day.

If you choose to study English in your final year (Part II), you can take up to two papers. The paper offered by the Faculty of Education is on Modern Drama and Theatre. Those offered by the Faculty of English cover a wide range of topics including Chaucer, Tragedy, and Modernism and the Short Story.

For more detailed information about the English content of the Education with English, or English and Drama Tripos, see the Education Tripos and the English Tripos websites: www.study.cam. ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/education and www.study.cam.ac.uk/undergraduate/ courses/english

Education with Modern and Medieval Languages (UCAS code: X3R8 BA/ EMML) Education with Modern & Medieval Languages allows you the opportunity to combine the study of Education with French, German or Spanish.

The Modern and Medieval Languages papers are taught by the Faculty of Modern and Medieval Languages (MML). There is an emphasis on developing oral and written language skills as well as a range of critical and analytical skills. In the first year (Prelim to Part I) students follow courses on the use of your chosen foreign language and carry out exercises in translation from your foreign language. In the second year of the course (Part I) you continue to develop

your language skills by translating into and from your foreign language and through listening comprehension. In addition you may choose one or two further papers from options that include the Study of French, German or Spanish / Spanish-American Literature, Thought and History.

If you plan on studying languages options after Part I, you spend a year abroad to bring your chosen foreign language to near-native standard and prepare for the Part II Oral examination, or, if you wish to pick up a second language (French, Spanish or German) you can study intensively in that country for a year.

If you choose to study languages in your final year (Part II), you must take an oral exam alongside translation from and into your foreign language. You may also take one paper chosen from further cultural or linguistic options. If you are taking a new language your oral exam will be in your originally studied language with the other papers taken from your new language.

For more detailed information about the Modern and Medieval Languages content of the Education Tripos with Modern and Medieval Languages: www.study.cam.ac.uk/ undergraduate/courses/mml

Education with Classics (UCAS code: X3Q8 BA/EC)

(Part II) Classics options. which provides an extensive choice of topics including Apuleius Metamorphoses, Aristotle’s Moral and Political Thought, Money in the Ancient World, Mediterranean Landscapes, The Classical Body, and The Latin Language: The Origins and Early History of Latin.

For more detailed information about the Classics content of the Education with Classics Tripos: www.study.cam.ac.uk/undergraduate/ courses/classics

Education with Geography (UCAS code: X3L7 BA/EG)

The Classics papers are taught by the Faculty of Classics. The learning of Latin language and literature is central to the teaching you will receive, and is complemented by options to study ancient history, art and archaeology, linguistics, philosophy and post-Renaissance responses to classical antiquity.

In the first year (Prelim to Part I), the papers you will study are Latin translation, with reading and language classes supporting your work, and Classical Questions covering art and archaeology, philosophy, history, and linguistics.

In your second year (Part I), it is compulsory to study Passages for Translation from Latin Authors and Latin Literature. You will study authors such as Lucretius, Virgil, Ovid, Cicero, Tacitus, Tibullus, Propertius, and Seneca, some of whom you will have come across in your first year. If you choose to take three Classics papers you can choose from options that include Philosophy, History and Philology.

If you choose to study Classics in your final year (Part II), you can take up to two papers from those on offer as part of the final year

The Geography papers are taught by the Department of Geography. The course builds upon a broad foundation of both physical and human geography, and allows you a greater degree of specialism as the course progresses.

The first year (Prelim to Part I) you will study one double paper, either in Human Geography (topics such as globalisation and sustainable development, urban geographies, ecological, economic and political perspectives on resources) or in Physical Geography (topics such as plate tectonics and volcanism, atmosphere and climate, oceans and climate, glaciology).

In your second year (Part I), you can study up to

three papers. You can continue to specialise in either Human or Physical geography, from a wide range of papers in both areas, or you can choose to expand your studies by taking the other first year paper allowing you to have covered both Human and Physical Geography throughout your degree.

If you choose to study Geography in your final year (Part II), you can take up to two papers from Human or Physical geography e.g. Europe and Beyond: Politics, Societies, Economies, Social Engagement with Nature, Biosedimentary Coastal systems, Volcanology, Human Geography of the Arctic Regions.

For more detailed information about the Geography content of the Education Tripos with Geography: www.study.cam.ac.uk/ undergraduate/courses/geography

Education with History (UCAS code: X3V1 BA/EH)

historians examine the past: economic, social, cultural and intellectual.

In the first year (Prelim to Part I), you will study Historical Arguments and Practices and one other paper from a range of topics and eras including British Political and Constitutional History, British Economic and Social History, European History, World History and the History of Political Thought.

In your second year (Part I), you can study up to three papers. These cover different periods in British History from AD 380 to the present day; European History spanning the period 776 BC to the present day; The History of Political Thought; as well as World History. You can also choose to take History and Scope of Archaeology.

If you choose to study History in your final year (Part II), you can a maximum of two papers from the Historical Tripos which offer a similar range subject areas to those offered at Part I. For more detailed information about the History content of the Education Tripos with History: www.study.cam.ac.uk/undergraduate/ courses/history

Education with Music (UCAS code: X3W3 BA/EM) The Music papers are taught by the Faculty of Music. The course is intended to deepen your understanding of music and its historical and cultural context, to help you gain fundamental skills in writing and analysing music, and to allow you to continue to develop your practical and performing abilities.

In the first year (Prelim to Part I) you take two papers chosen from Harmony and Counterpoint, Historical Studies, Musical Analysis or Practical Musicianship.

The History papers are taught by the Faculty of History. Opportunities exist for you to sample the wide range of lenses through which professional

In your second year (Part I), you can choose two or three papers from a wide range of options including Analysis and Repertoire, Composition, Historical Studies, Ethnomusicology and Advanced Keyboard Skills.

If you choose to study Music in your final year (Part II), you can take up to two papers in Music, these include further composition or performance papers, a dissertation, papers in analysis, and topics in music history.

For more detailed information about the Music content of the Education with Music Tripos: www.study.cam.ac.uk/undergraduate/ courses/music/

In the second year of the course (Part I) you can choose two or three papers from a wide range of topics which includes Christian culture in the Western World, Psychology and Religion, Philosophy of religion; God, freedom and the soul; Life and thought of religious Hinduism, Buddhism or Judaism.

In your final year (Part II) you can choose up to two papers in theology. You can continue to study aspects of Christianity (e.g. New Testament Christology, Disputed questions in the Christian Tradition), other religions (Islam, Judaism, Hinduism or Buddhism) or issues such as Religion, Power and Political Society or Religion and Science. This allows you to follow your interests, either by specialisation or by taking up new subjects.

For more detailed information about the Religious Studies content of the Education Tripos with Religious Studies: www.study.cam.ac.uk/ undergraduate/courses/theology/

Education with Religious Studies (UCAS code: X3V6 BA/ERS) The Religious Studies papers are taught by the Faculty of Divinity. This provides you with the opportunity to acquire a broad spectrum of academic knowledge in Religious Studies, particularly Christianity and other principal religions represented in Great Britain: the course also provides the opportunity to study ethics, the psychology and the sociology of religion and church history.

In the first year of the course, you will take one paper on Christianity, either Jesus and the origins of the Gospel, or Christianity and the Transformation of Culture and then a further paper, either World Religions from a Contemporary Perspective or The Philosophy of Religion and Ethics.

Life at Cambridge Facilities and support, Faculty, College, University With two universities in the city, students account for about a fifth of Cambridge's population (there are approximately 28,500 students in the city) and are an important part of the community.

There's loads to keep you entertained and this makes the city a great place to be student.

There's a great social scene here and most students describe their life in Cambridge as 'work hard, play hard' - it's always amazing how much they fit in alongside their studies!

Cambridge also has one of the lowest drop-out rates in the country as a result of its extensive welfare system. As well as being part of the wider University, you're also part of a smaller College community. Therefore, students who are struggling with a particular problem or feeling a bit lost won't go unnoticed. You'll receive support through your College and there are a number of University services that provide specialist assistance should you need it.

University is about trying things you've never had the chance to do before (and might never get the chance to do again). At Cambridge, you can do almost anything at almost any level, from 'having a go' to semi-professional, and your extra-curricular activities may even provide a springboard for subsequent careers. With over 700 clubs and societies, the only difficult thing is choosing what to do! Whether you’re interested in music, drama, sports, media, charities, politics or something completely different, you’ll find what you’re looking for at Cambridge.

www.study.cam.ac.uk/undergraduate/ support

www.study.cam.ac.uk/undergraduate/life

www.cusu.cam.ac.uk

The Cambridge University Students’ Union (CUSU) represents the interests of all Cambridge students within the University and provides a range of central services, education and pastoral support, and entertainment (beyond those social, welfare and recreational facilities and resources provided by the Colleges). In addition to CUSU, every College has its own students' union, or JCR, to which students are elected each year.

Teaching and assessment Our teaching was given full marks in the Guardian 2013 University Guide, making us the number one undergraduate Education course in the UK. During the course students will encounter a wide range of different teaching and learning styles. These include lectures, from academics at the forefront of their fields, organised by the Faculty; seminars and classes, where lecturers explore a particular topic with medium-sized groups of students; and supervisions. Supervisions are teaching sessions for individuals, pairs or small groups of students.

These are unique to Cambridge and Oxford and are organised by the Colleges.

Students are examined at the end of each year and this could be in a variety of ways. Some parts may be assessed through submitted work such as essays or dissertations, others by practical

work (for example drama productions, musical performances and composition, laboratory or fieldwork notebooks) and others by written examination. How you’re assessed will depend on the subject studied and the papers you choose but you can normally expect about 75 per cent of assessment to be by written exam.

Most of the teaching on the combined subject studies areas is the same as that offered to students in the relevant Faculties and Departments. For instance, the Geography teaching is done by the Geography Department.

In some cases, however, subject specialists from within the Education Faculty offer lecture courses on their own areas, such as specific courses on English, Drama or Film.

www.study.cam.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/teaching

Colleges offering the Education Tripos Cambridge is a 'collegiate' university. This means that it comprises various faculties and departments in different academic subjects, along with a number of Colleges. The Colleges are responsible for admitting students to the University and your College will be your base while you're studying at Cambridge. However, your College is much more than a hall of residence - it's also where you eat, do a lot of socialising, receive academic and pastoral support, and where you often (though not always) have your supervisions. There is no ‘best’ College for particular subjects - all the Education students from all of the different Colleges will come to the Faculty for their main teaching.

Your College is your home in Cambridge, and you are guaranteed College-owned accommodation for the duration of your course. The cost of College accommodation is comparable to that at other UK universities, but the shorter annual accommodation contracts (typically 30-39 weeks) mean that significant savings can be made on living costs. If you need any personal support, your Personal Tutor, College nurse, welfare officer, chaplain or a College-based counsellor are always there to offer you advice and help.

You can apply to study the Education Tripos at the following Colleges: Christ's Churchill Clare Downing Emmanuel Fitzwilliam Gonville and Caius Homerton Hughes Hall Jesus Lucy Cavendish Magdalene Murray Edwards Queens’ Robinson St Edmund's St John's Selwyn Wolfson For more information on College choice, see: www.study.cam.ac.uk/undergraduate/ colleges

Making an application For all Cambridge courses, you must submit your UCAS application online by 15 October in the year before you wish to start - our institution code is CAM C05. The UCAS website (www. ucas.com) explains how to submit an application.

You will then be sent a link to submit your online Cambridge Supplementary Application Questionnaire (SAQ) - a few extra questions requesting information not included in your UCAS application which we find helpful.

The standard offer for all Cambridge courses is A*AA at A Level or IB 40-41 points, with 776 at Higher Level. You must have A Level/IB Higher Level in the subject you wish to combine with Education. It is useful (but by no means essential) for applicants to have additional AS or A Levels in one or more of the social sciences, eg Sociology, Psychology and History. Equivalent qualifications can be considered: www.study.cam.ac.uk/ undergraduate/apply/requirements Generally Colleges welcome applicants with any combination of A Levels, although you should check College specific requirements. Traditional academic subjects are the best preparation for a Cambridge course. To combine Education

with English, applicants must have A Level English Literature or the combined A Level of English Language and Literature rather than A Level English Language. For Education with Physical Sciences: Christ's, Murray Edwards and Homerton Colleges require A Level Mathematics plus one of A Level Physics or Chemistry.

Interviews Admissions decisions at the University of Cambridge are based solely on academic criteria - your ability and your potential. Along with all the other information you provide, interviews help Admissions Tutors to assess your application.

Interview procedure can vary between Colleges but most people will have between one and three interview sessions with relevant subject specialists and College tutors.

There is lots of freely available information about preparing for interviews: www.study.cam. ac.uk/undergraduate/apply/interviews

Useful things to know Post-16 subject choice The University publishes guidance here: www.study.cam.ac.uk/undergraduate/ publications/docs/subjectmatters.pdf You should also always check the specific subject requirements and restrictions of the courses you are interested in.

Student finance There are a number of different sources of funding available for students. We advise you to look at the fees and finance section of the Undergraduate Admissions website and the government website on student finance for the most up-to-date financial information.

Cambridge has one of the most extensive bursary systems in the UK and is committed to the principle that no student should be put off applying due to financial considerations: www. study.cam.ac.uk/undergraduate/finance Open Days and Events The University, the Faculties and Departments, and the Colleges all run events throughout the year for schools and colleges, individuals and the public. For information on the main events, including the July Open Days, see www.study. cam.ac.uk/undergraduate/events

Publications In addition to the main prospectus, the University publishes guides for applicants, teachers and advisers, parents and supporters, along with useful information on interviews, finance, music awards, mature student applications, international student applications and disability support: www.study.cam.ac.uk/ undergraduate/publications Is it for me?

There is no such thing as a ‘Cambridge type’.

Each applicant is assessed individually, the aim being to admit those students who can benefit most from what we have to offer, irrespective of their background. It is the University’s policy to offer admission to students of the highest intellectual potential, irrespective of social, racial, religious and financial considerations. People studying here come from all parts of the UK and the world beyond: what they have in common is that they are bright and willing to be challenged.

Where we are Cambridge is in the east of England, 50 miles north of London. It is well served by road and rail links, and is within easy distance of the major London airports, particularly Stansted.

The Faculty of Education is on Hills Road, just south of the railway station.

From the city centre, you can walk or cycle to the Faculty in 20 – 30 minutes, and plenty of regular buses also stop right outside. Cambridge is not a city designed for vehicles, so if you are driving to visit us, the use of Cambridge’s Park and Ride services is recommended, though we are five minutes walk from parking at Cambridge Leisure Park if necessary (not University operated).

CONTACT US: Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge 184 Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 8PQ, UK Email: ugrad@educ.cam.ac.uk Telephone: +44 (0)1223 767678

Find out more: study.cam.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/education educ.cam.ac.uk Twitter: @CamEdFac

All information correct at time of print.

Please see the Undergraduate Study website for up to date information.

All images Š University of Cambridge