Academics

Cambridge

INSTEP-WFU coursework in Cambridge centers around small, discussion-based classes conducted by carefully selected British faculty, many of whom have teaching positions at the University of Cambridge. The courses are structured to allow students to research contemporary issues while critically analyzing their implications through essays, discussions and class presentations.

Courses are taught in one of two different formats in Cambridge, either as a seminar or a supervision. Seminars are small discussion classes generally taught with no more than 15 students. Seminars will typically meet at least twice per week and will include dedicated time for both lecture and discussion.

Supervisions are more intimate and usually contain no more than four students. Supervisions tend to meet only once per week, but it is expected that students will spend more time outside of class doing research preparing for each supervision. During the supervision, more time will be dedicated to discussion, so students need to be prepared to debate their research, as the faculty member's expectation will be for students to share their insights and findings on the topics.

It’s also important to note that the British academic system tends to allow students more flexibility with respect to research sources and which key points of the class they can choose to concentrate on. British faculty tend not to use one textbook for the class; instead, they will provide a list of sources that are pertinent to the topic. Students can often choose topics in the course to concentrate on, thus allowing them to pick and choose which readings they find more beneficial.

Courses and supervisions are conducted either in the rooms of the faculty in their Cambridge colleges or in the classroom located in Warkworth House. Given the central location of Warkworth House, the colleges where courses are held are rarely more than a 15-minute walk.