Undergraduate Student Guide 2012-2013 - Selwyn College ...

Your degree certificate will make no mention of the Tripos or Triposes you have read, nor of the class
you obtained in any part of the Tripos. Formal transcripts recording this information will be sent to all
graduates usually by September after graduation. If at a later stage you need further copies, the Tutorial
Office will be happy to oblige, but please note that at least 14 days’ notice must be given (longer if a
holiday period intervenes). You can also generate an unofficial transcript for yourself from within
CamSIS.
Degrees are conferred at Congregations of the Regent House (a body composed of the academic and
senior administrative staff of the University and the Colleges) held at various points throughout the year
in the Senate House. Although it is possible to take one’s degree in absence, or in person at a later
Congregation of one’s choice, it is usual for the majority of newly eligible graduands to take their BA
degree at the Congregation in late June or early July known as General Admission. General Admission is
spread over four days. The royal foundations of King’s, Trinity and St John’s go first. Thereafter, the
Colleges proceed in order of foundation.
At the ceremony itself, the graduands of each college are presented to the Vice-Chancellor, or his deputy,
by its Praelector. Selwyn’s Praelector is currently Dr David Chivers. The Praelector’s Secretary, who will
usually be able to answer any questions you have regarding the taking of your degree, is Mrs Margaret
Hay, whose office is on the 1 st Floor of the College Offices in Ann’s Court.
The College holds a Degree Day reception for graduands and their guests. On the Thursday immediately
preceding General Admission, the annual Graduands’ Dinner takes place in Hall.
For the time being, at least, holders of the BA degree remain eligible to proceed, without further
examination or payment, to the degree of Master of Arts, once six years and a term have elapsed since
the date of their matriculation. Again, the degree may be taken in person at the Congregation of the
individual’s choice, but Selwyn encourages its MA graduands to do so in a large (and very sociable)
group at the Congregation that is usually held each year on a Saturday in the second half of March.
3.8.2 Further graduate study in Cambridge
Every year, there are some final year undergraduate students who decide to return to Cambridge to
continue their studies with (most commonly) an MPhil or PhD. Although it is possible to change college
at this point, most Selwyn graduates return to Selwyn, becoming MCRS members. The lifestyle of
postgraduates is significantly different from that of undergraduates, mostly because they live in
Cambridge all year and are much more closely linked with their department than their college. Anyone
who is even vaguely interested in staying on for postgraduate study should get in contact with the
MCRS committee, who will willingly answer questions. It is also worth remembering that a lot of MCR
members have studied elsewhere for their first degree and may be useful contacts for those interested in
postgraduate study elsewhere. More formal enquiries should be addressed to one of the Tutors for
Graduate Students.
3.8.3 Careers Service
The University provides a comprehensive Careers Service (Stuart House, Mill Lane, Tel: (3)38283/
(3)38286) and members of the College are strongly recommended to use it. The Service’s electronic
provision (Website: www.careers.cam.ac.uk and email: enquiries@careers.cam.ac.uk) is available, but so
also is the opportunity of an interview with an experienced careers officer. Users are offered a choice of
informal discussions of either 20 minutes or 45 minutes according to need; the waiting time for
interviews is reasonable, approximately two or three days at peak periods. In recent years, the Service
has conducted over 3500 student interviews each year and therefore you should not hesitate to seek
advice, for instance in your second year or early in your third.
3.8.4 Careers Advice from Alumni
The Development & Alumni Relations Office can often assist in providing introductions to alumni
involved in fields or professions in which you are interested. Please see
www.selwynalumni.com/alumninetwork for the online careers catalogue, or contact the office
(alumni-office@sel.cam.ac.uk) for further information.
26 Selwyn College Undergraduate Student Guide 2013-14