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“University Cambridge”

There are about one hundred universities in Britain. Oxford and Cambridge are the oldest and most prestigious ones.

They are often called collectively Oxbridge. Cambridge is one of the two major universities of England, located in Cambridge, on the Cam River. It was founded at the beginning of the 12^th century. The students were all churchmen, of all ages. Life was strict: students were forbidden to play games, to sing and even dance. All the lessons were in Latin language. At present the university comprises more than 30 different bodies, called colleges. Each college is governed by a Master. And each college is self-governing body and the control of its affairs rests with its head and fellows. The supreme governing body of the university is the Senate. Which consists of doctors and masters in all faculties and bachelors of divinity. The Chancellor, who is usually a nonresident, is the main administrative officer of the university. Tutor is a Don who acts as a parent to the student away from home. He gives advice and help in time of need and is an understanding friend to his pupils. The director of students arranges times for lessons and suggests books to read and classes or lectures to attend. These lectures are voluntary and students go to those they think most useful to them personally, the academic year is divided into three terms. After three years of study (9 terms) a university graduate will leave with the Degree of Bachelor or Arts, Science, Engineering, Medicine, Technology, etc. Later he may continue to take Master’s Degree and then a Doctor’s Degree. Research is an important feature of university work. Some courses, such as languages or medicine, may be one or two years longer. Each college offers teaching in a wide range of subjects. In the 1970s, most colleges opened their doors to both men and women. Nowadays there are about 11000 students. Many great men studied at Cambridge, among them Desiderius Erasmus, the great Dutch Scholar, Roger Bacon, the philosopher, Milton, the poet, Oliver Cromwell, the soldier, Newton, the scientist, Kapitsa, the famous Russian physicist. It was the foundation of a laboratory under the direction of Maxwell in 1871 that made Cambridge World-known in the field of experimental physics.