University of Cambridge, Pembroke College Partnership

There are no traditional classes at Cambridge University. Rather, Cambridge has the supervision system, which is a weekly one-on-one, or in a small group, with your supervisor, in which you discuss your work and the topics that you are studying, ask questions, and receive feedback. Students typically take two courses, called ‘papers’ at Cambridge per semester. Each paper typically consists of eight hour-long supervisions. A course of lectures also supplements your supervisions for each paper, and your supervisor will advise you about which lectures you should attend.

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Students applying for Pembroke College may study in one of the following departments:

• Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic Studies
• Archaeology
• Asian and Middle Eastern Studies
• Classics
• Economics
• Education
• English
• History
• History of Art
• Linguistics
• Mathematics
• Modern and Medieval Languages
• Philosophy
• Human, Social, and Political Science (Political Science, International Affairs, Anthropology)
• Theology, Religion, and Philosophy of Religion

If you are accepted to study at Pembroke College, you will be sent further information about how to make your paper choices and asked to submit five choices in order of preference. You will submit your preferences shortly after admission, but the two papers per semester that you have been assigned can usually only be confirmed around one month before the start of the program. Explore the course overview booklet for more information.

Withdrawal from this program after acceptance of an admissions offer is a very bad idea, as the cancellation policy is very strict. No exceptions are granted, even for illness or other unforeseen circumstances.

Lab & Field Trip Fees
Please review syllabi and course materials when registering for direct-enroll classes. Certain classes may have a one-off lab or field trip fee disclosed in the syllabus or during the first meeting of the class. These fees are not included in your IFSA program fee. You will be responsible for these fees, whether they are billed and paid by IFSA or billed to you.

Because of the highly individualized nature of the Cambridge supervision system, it takes time for your supervisions to be arranged. This is not just a matter of signing up for a class, so when you submit your paper choices these will be taken as final. It is not usually possible to make subsequent changes to your choices. You will be sent confirmation of which papers you have been assigned around one month before the start of the program.

Students can apply for more than one subject at Pembroke if you have a justification for doing so (eg. if you are a double major, or have a particularly interdisciplinary major).

New country, new way of learning!

Here’s what to expect at the University of Cambridge, Pembroke College:

• More emphasis on independent learning. The university recommends completing 10 hours of independent study for each academic credit you seek.
• More advanced instruction and work than you’d find in a class at the same level in the United States. Because most English university degrees are three-year programs, students gain specialized knowledge faster here.
• Less personal access to professors outside of supervisions. Instead, it’s common to connect with more junior faculty members.
• Grades are often based on a single final exam or final paper, or on just a few assignments.
• Choose classes from one department to avoid scheduling conflicts. Local students usually specialize in one department for classes, which means different departments don’t schedule classes with other departments in mind.
• Full access to the university’s robust academic support system and resources, including an assigned advisor for academic support. IFSA local staff are also available for individual help.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Eligibility

• You must be at least 18 years of age. Students under 18 may be accepted on a case-by-case basis.
• You must be currently attending or recently graduated from a U.S. or Canadian community college, technical college, two-year college, four-year college, or four-year university.
• You must have completed at least two (2) full-time years of study at your home institution before the beginning of the term.
• Eligibility requirements can vary among host institutions. Please ask your IFSA Enrollment Counselor for specific information.

Recommendation Letters
Your application to this program will require two (2) academic letters of recommendation on home institution letterhead.

TRANSCRIPT
Upon completion of your program, IFSA will send an official Butler University transcript to your home university with your coursework converted to the U.S. semester credit hour system. You will also have access to an unofficial transcript in your IFSA Student Portal. The transcript reflects classes taken, credits attempted, and grades earned during your term abroad. This service is included in your study abroad program at no additional cost. See our Transcripts page for more information.