The University of Cambridge is a confederation of Colleges, Faculties and other institutions. The University functions with a relatively small central administration, and with central bodies consisting of, and mainly elected by, the current academic personnel of the Faculties and Colleges. A large part of Cambridge's day-to-day administration is carried out by teaching staff on behalf of their colleagues, and the University's governmental structure is democratic. As Cambridge approaches its 800th anniversary, it is not surprising that the way in which the University governs itself can appear complex. These pages outline the principal elements in these procedures in simple terms and define some Cambridge terminology. They are not an authoritative statement of the University's Statutes, nor of the legal position in relation to the rights and duties of any body or bodies.
