Academic Matters
Directors of Studies
The two senior members of College with whom you will probably have the most contact will be your Director of Studies and your Tutor. By the end of your time here you should know at least these two people quite well and they are the obvious people to ask for references when you come to apply for jobs.
As implied in their title, Directors of Studies oversee the overall programme of a student’s work. They see their students at the beginning and end of each term to discuss their progress, and they arrange for their supervision.
They are available to see their students at regular times during Full Term and you are advised to keep checking your email for any messages or information from them.
Supervisions
Attendance at supervisions which have been arranged, is one of the most central requirements for all undergraduates. If there is a genuine reason why you will not be able to make a supervision, you must contact your Supervisor well in advance. In the case of sudden illness, you should try to get a message through; if asked, Tutors will always contact your Director of Studies and Supervisiors. Students who fail to turn up for a supervision without sufficient warning or explanation will be fined £15. Persistent failure to attend supervisions will be reported to the College Council and is likely to result in more serious disciplinary action.
Examinations
You examination entry will be completed in conjunction with your Director of Studies at the beginning of the Michaelmas Term.
The checking of examination entries is your responsibility and any fine for an incorrect entry levied by the University will be passed on directly to the student concerned.
Should it ever be necessary, the cost of typing illegible scripts is the responsbility of the student concerned. (Any student with dyslexia or writing difficulties should see his or her Tutor as early as possible.)
Results of University examinations are expressed as a class 1st, 2i, 2ii, 3rd or fail. The proportion of students falling into each category and the marks required varies between subjects but the expectation of College is that all students admitted to Girton are capable of obtaining a 2i and their aim should be to achieve this or better. Further details can be obtained from your Director of Studies.
Students who gain only a third will be asked to attend an interview with the Senior Tutor, Director of Studies and Tutor, to explain their poor performance.
Any undergraduate who fails a University examination will automatically be sent down (i.e. sent out of College and the University), unless the Director of Studies and Tutor concerned successfully make a special case to the College Council. See also under Discipline.
Scholarships & Prizes
Undergraduates gaining a First Class result in their examinations will be awarded a Scholarship by the College. The present value of Scholarships in all but final year is £400; in the final year the value of a Senior Scholarship is £150. Students staying in Girton to undertake graduate studies at Cambridge will automatically be awarded a Graduate Scholarship, which is currently valued at £500.
Prizes of £100 (some of them named), in addition to scholarships, will be awarded to all students who are placed in the First Class in a University examination, or have marks equivalent to that in an unclassified Preliminary examination, or obtain a distinction in the M.Eng or Vet.MB. Book tokens of £30 are awarded, on the recommendation of the Director of Studies, to candidates who have achieved a good Upper Second with at least one paper marked as a First overall.
Academic Dress
All undergraduates and graduates in statu pupillari are subject to the University Ordinance regarding the wearing academical dress, which is as follows: “members of the University in statu pupillari shall be required to wear their proper academical dress when attending University ceremonies in the University Church or in the Senate House, and at all other times which the Vice-Chancellor may by public notice direct that academic dress be worn”.
Academical dress means the gown appropriate for an undergraduate or graduate. When academical dress is required by Ordinance, it is NOT sufficient merely to carry a gown, as opposed to wearing one. As well as on the occasions mentioned, gowns are also worn when calling on any University office in his/her official capacity.
In College, gowns are worn in College Chapel, for formal meals in Hall (these being meals at which service is provided), and for official College lectures and other public occasions of which notice is given.
Undergraduates
The gown for undergraduates must be of Girton College pattern, i.e. of the standard pattern but with the sleeve swen up, for a length of eight inches from the shoulder. The only headdress permissable to be worn with the gown is a square cap. It is not compulsory to purchase, or at any time wear a square cap.
Affiliated Students
Affiliated students have undergraduate status in Cambridge although they are graduates of other universities. They are therefore required to wear the Girton undergraduate gown. Gowns of other universities are NOT permitted.
Dress worn with Academic Dress
Students are expected to wear suitable clothes with the gown on any occasion when academical dress is demanded. Except for being presented with degrees, suitable clothes for men is taken as a suit with shirt, collar and tie, or trousers, blazer or sports jacket and collar and tie. Although Cambridge these days is very much more informal than it used to be, you will, during your time here, have to attend some formal occasions and at least two formal dinners. Dinner suits are preferred for formal dinners; but an ordinary dark suit will normally be adequate. You will therefore need an ordinary lounge suit and a dinner suit at some stage during your time at Girton.
For women, the wearing of smart, dark trousers (definately not jeans) with a gown is allowed on most formal occasions. However there are special regulations concerning the dress to be worn in the Senate House when being presented for a degree. This dress is notified at the time when you are proceeding to the degree.
Academic Facilities
Computing Facilities
Please see our computing page for more information.
College Library
Please see out library site for more information.
The University Library
The University Library is one of the UK’s libraries of legal deposit, alongside the Bodleian in Oxford, the British Library, and the National Libraries of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. This means that it may request that a copy of every book published in the UK be deposited here. Some foreign publications are also taken, but this is subject to policy, which may change from time to time.
All current students of the University have right of access to the University Library. First and second year undergraduates may not borrow, but third and fourth year undergraduates and all graduate and research students have borrowing rights. Access to the University Library is by your University Card.
The University Library offers a programme of introduction and orientation to its facilities. Further information can be found on the University Library website.