University of Cambridge of University Undergraduate Prospectus 2018 Entry Undergraduate Prospectus 2018 Entry ProspectusUndergraduate 2018 CAM C05 Welcome A Cambridge education offers you the chance to engage with academics at the forefront of cutting-edge research and to contribute to solving some of our global challenges. Here you will have the opportunity to pursue your By offering generous financial support we are confident intellectual curiosity and acquire the habits of mind that the education we provide is truly accessible to all which will enhance your future experience of life, whatever with the academic ability and potential to succeed here. turn it may take. Cambridge students are greatly sought There is no ‘right background’ for Cambridge – no right after by employers and the University has one of the school to have attended, no hidden test of social and highest graduate employment rates in the country. economic circumstances. One of Cambridge’s great strengths lies in the partnership Quite simply, if you have the ability, the enthusiasm and between the University and the Colleges. This combination the motivation to study here, then we want you to apply provides superb facilities, contact with the very best to us. minds, and personal supervision and support to help develop your academic interests. We pride ourselves on the close level of pastoral care provided by College tutors, support staff and student-run networks. We also provide many opportunities to engage socially – in activities such as sports, performance and literary arts, debating and voluntary work – as well as to develop Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz knowledge and transferable skills to prepare you for Vice-Chancellor the future. www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk Welcome to Cambridge to Welcome www.facebook.com/cambridgeadmissions Welcome to Cambridge We’re proud to be able to say that Cambridge is one of the best universities in the world, and below are just a few reasons why we hope you’ll consider applying to us. Top 5 No. 1 Top 5 in 2016 in the Academic Ranking for well-structured courses, tuition in Cambridge is one of the top five of World Universities, QS and small groups, and helpful/interested universities most often targeted by Times Higher Education World staff (Times Higher Education Britain’s leading graduate employers University Rankings. Student Experience Survey 2016). (The Graduate Market in 2016). 90% 3 years 150 student satisfaction Cambridge guarantees most open days and events in (National Student students College-owned Cambridge each year for Survey 2016). accommodation for at least you to visit us (see p150-1). three years (see p22-3). Cambridge Open Days Whether you know lots about the University or almost nothing, come along to an open day and see for yourself what we have to offer. See p150 and visit our website for information and booking. 6 and 7 July 2017 www.cam.ac.uk/opendays www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk 1 Contents Contents Courses About our courses 38 Anglo-Saxon, Norse, and Celtic 40 Archaeology 42 Archaeology, Assyriology, Biological Anthropology, Egyptology Architecture 44 Asian and Middle Eastern Studies 47 Arabic, Chinese, Hebrew, Japanese, Persian Chemical Engineering 50 Classics 52 Computer Science 54 Economics 56 Education 58 Welcome Education, Psychology and Learning; Education, Policy and International Development; Education, Cambridge Explained 4 English, Drama and the Arts Applying to Cambridge: Six simple steps 6 Engineering 61 Teaching and Learning: A world class provision 10 Aerospace and Aerothermal Engineering; Student Life: More than just studying 14 Bioengineering; Civil, Structural and Environmental Accommodation: A home from home 22 Engineering; Electrical and Electronic Engineering; Support: Looking after you 24 Electrical and Information Sciences; Energy, Money: Financing your studies 28 Sustainability and the Environment; General Engineering; Careers: Transforming your future 32 Information and Computer Engineering; Instrumentation and Control; Mechanical Engineering Mature Students: Returning to study 34 English 64 International Students: A global community 36 Geography 66 History 68 History and Modern Languages 70 History and French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian or Spanish 2 www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk Contents Colleges History and Politics 71 Choosing a College 114 History of Art 72 The Colleges A-Z 117 Human, Social, and Political Sciences 74 Politics and International Relations, Details Social Anthropology, Sociology Land Economy 76 Entrance Requirements 146 Law 78 Open Days and Events 150 Linguistics 80 Finding Out More 152 Management Studies (final year only) 112 Travelling to the University 153 Manufacturing Engineering (final years only) 113 Map of the University 154 Mathematics 82 Index 156 Medicine 84 Your Notes 159 Including Graduate Course in Medicine About this Prospectus 160 Modern and Medieval Languages 89 French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish Music 92 Natural Sciences 94 Astrophysics; Biochemistry; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Chemistry; Earth Sciences; Genetics; History and Philosophy of Science; Materials Science; Pathology; Pharmacology; Physical Sciences; Physics; Physiology, Development and Neuroscience; Plant Sciences; Psychology; Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour; Zoology Philosophy 102 Psychological and Behavioural Sciences 104 Theology, Religion, and Philosophy of Religion 106 Veterinary Medicine 108 More than 65 subjects are offered within our undergraduate courses – see the Index (p156-8) for a full list of subjects. www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk 3 Cambridge Explained Cambridge is structured differently from other universities, and these differences make Cambridge special. To help you get started, let us explain the basics. The Cambridge Advantage: Our courses Cambridge is one of the best Flexibility universities in the world, offering Many of our courses encompass several subjects, undergraduate degree courses which means they’re much more flexible than a lot of (also called Triposes at Cambridge) specialised courses elsewhere – the Index on p156-8 in the arts and humanities, social lists all the subjects we offer and in which course(s). sciences, sciences and engineering. Exploration Most courses cover the subject area broadly to start with before allowing you to choose from a range of specialisms – this means you can explore the subject and your strengths and interests fully before you decide which area to focus on. 4 www.cam.ac.uk/whycambridge A collegiate university: Explained Cambridge who does what? Cambridge is a ‘collegiate’ university. This means that it comprises: • various faculties and departments in different academic subjects • a number of Colleges The key functions that the University (through its faculties/departments) and Colleges are responsible for are outlined below to show how it all fits together. The University: What are we looking for? • determines course content Admissions decisions at the University are based solely on academic criteria • organises lectures, seminars, – your ability and your potential. We assess everyone individually, which practicals and projects means we look at – and for – different things in different people for • sets and marks examinations different courses. Consequently, there’s no magic formula that will guarantee you’re offered a place. However, all Admissions Tutors are • awards degrees looking for the students who they believe: The Colleges: • have the most academic ability and potential • will benefit from and flourish in the Cambridge learning environment • are responsible for the admission • are best suited to the course they applied for of undergraduate students Academic ability and potential Suitability and enthusiasm • organise small-group teaching We’re looking for students with for your course (supervisions) the academic ability and potential Finally, we’re looking for students • provide academic and pastoral care to flourish at the University. who really want to learn about the • offer accommodation, places to Therefore, you should be aiming subject they’ve applied for and eat and recreational facilities for excellent examination grades. aren’t just interested in the degree • Typical A Level/IB offers and at the end, important though We’ve included some advice subject requirements are this is. Think carefully about your on how to choose a College outlined on the relevant course options and which course(s) (see p114-6) and profiles of pages (see p40-113). and subject area(s) you’re most each College (see p117-45) enthused and inspired about • Further guidance on entry later in this Prospectus. studying for the next few years. requirements as well as typical offers for a range of other qualifications can be found on p147-9. If you think you have these qualities, we’re looking for Learning at Cambridge students like you and hope We’re looking for an indication you’ll apply. Information of your ability to think critically about the application and independently, and your process is on p6-9. willingness to argue logically while keeping your mind open to new ideas as well. You also need self-discipline, motivation, commitment, and the desire and potential to go beyond what you’ve learned so far. See also p10. www.cam.ac.uk/whycambridge 5 Applying to Cambridge: Six simple steps If you want to apply to Cambridge, you do so through UCAS. However, at Cambridge the process starts earlier to allow time for all of the application information to be gathered and