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LL.M. HANDBOOK 2011-20121. THE STRUCTURE OF THE UNIVERSITYIntroductionThe constitution of the University of Cambridge is a complex matter, the product ofcontinuous evolution over the centuries. It is perhaps helpful to think of the University as afederal state, in which the colleges represent autonomous, self-governing provinces, and inwhich the University represents the ‘federal’ government. The University provides facilitieswhich a college could not provide on its own, such as research libraries and laboratories. Italso regulates matters in which uniformity is desirable, such as the conduct of examinationsand the award of degrees. The University is further divided into Faculties and Departments,which are responsible to the University administration for educational matters withinparticular subjects.FacultiesPostgraduate education in Cambridge is primarily a matter for the Faculties andDepartments of the University, although every postgraduate student will also be a memberof a college. The Faculty of Law is responsible for academic matters affecting LLMstudents. The Faculty offers instruction in the LLM course, provides library and computingfacilities, and conducts the final examinations at the end of the year.CollegesAll teaching on the LLM is the responsibility of the Faculty of Law, and takes place in theFaculty building, but as Cambridge is a collegiate university, every student is also amember of a college. As an LLM student, your college is responsible for youraccommodation, for your general welfare, and for providing general academic guidance.Colleges are also responsible for student discipline. However, colleges do not provideteaching for postgraduate courses such as the LLM.Your college will assign you to a Tutor, who is responsible for the non-academic (or‘tutorial’) aspects of your life at Cambridge. Your college will also assign you to a Directorof Studies, who is available to advise you on academic matters.Your college will enter you formally for the LLM examination. When your examinationresults are published in June 2012, your marks will be communicated to you by yourcollege. When you graduate at the end of the academic year you will be presented for yourdegree together with the other students of your college, not with the other LLM students.2