What's the difference between constituent and affiliated colleges at Cambridge?

The main difference between constituent and affiliated colleges at Cambridge is their governance and funding structure.

Constituent colleges at Cambridge are independent institutions that are fully integrated into the university's governance and funding system. There are 31 constituent colleges at Cambridge, each with its own governing body and academic staff. These colleges are responsible for admitting students, providing accommodation, and delivering tutorials and supervisions. They also receive funding from the university to support their operations and maintain their facilities. Students at constituent colleges are members of both their college and the university, and they have access to all the resources and facilities of both.

Affiliated colleges, on the other hand, have a different governance and funding structure. There are six affiliated colleges at Cambridge, which are separate institutions with their own governing bodies and academic staff. These colleges have a formal relationship with the university, but they are not fully integrated into its governance and funding system. Affiliated colleges have their own admissions processes and provide accommodation for their students. However, they do not receive direct funding from the university and are responsible for their own financial management. Students at affiliated colleges are members of their college and have access to its resources and facilities, but they have limited access to the resources and facilities of the university.

In terms of academic experience, there is not much difference between constituent and affiliated colleges. Both types of colleges offer a similar range of courses and provide high-quality education. Students at both types of colleges have access to the same academic support services, libraries, and extracurricular activities. The main difference lies in the governance and funding structure, which affects the level of integration with the university and the financial arrangements.

Overall, while both constituent and affiliated colleges at Cambridge offer a great academic experience, the main difference lies in their governance and funding structure. Constituent colleges are fully integrated into the university, while affiliated colleges have a separate governance and funding system.