Explaining some of the words used at Cambridge

Some of the words used on the Downing College and University websites and during the admissions process may be unfamiliar to you.  Here is a list of the most commonly used terms.  If you come across any others with which you are not familiar, please do ask admissions@dow.cam.ac.uk.

https://www.cam.ac.uk/about-the-university/how-the-university-and-colleges-work/glossary-of-cambridge-terminology explains more of the terms you will come across when you are looking at the Cambridge University and College websites. 

ASNCAA - Anglo-Saxon, Norse, and Celtic Admissions Assessment https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/applying/admissions-assessments/pre-interview

AMESAA - Asian and Middle Eastern Studies Admissions Assessment https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/applying/admissions-assessments/pre-interview

BMAT - BioMedical Admissions Test https://www.admissionstesting.org/for-test-takers/bmat/

Collegiate University - a university made up of faculties and departments in different academic subjects and Colleges.

COPA - Cambridge Overseas Preliminary Application - applicants living outside the EU need to complete the COPA, alongside their UCAS application and SAQ (see below) https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/applying/copa

DoS - Director of Studies. All undergraduates have a DoS who's an expert in their subject and who is responsible for their academic welfare.

ECAA - Economics Admissions Assessment https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/applying/admissions-assessments/pre-interview

ECF - Extenuating Circumstances Form https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/applying/decisions/extenuating-circumstances-form

ELAT - English Literature Admissions Test https://www.admissionstesting.org/for-test-takers/elat/about-elat/

Fellow - a senior member of a College, elected to a particular position of authority and responsibility in relation the academic work and government of the College

Intercollegiate Pool (Winter Pool, Summer Pool) - if your College is impressed by your application but does not have a place for you, they may pool your application for other Colleges to consider. https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/applying/decisions

Paper – an individual module, unit or topic on an undergraduate course; students usually take a number of papers each year (some are compulsory and some can be chosen from several options).

Pools - see Intercollegiate Pool

Porters - every College has a team of Porters to maintain the safety and security of staff and students; they'll often be your first point of contact for information or help around College

SAQ  - Supplementary Application Questionnaire - all students will be asked to complete a SAQ after we have received their UCAS application, to enable us to collect extra information https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/applying/saq

STEP - Sixth Term Examination Papers https://www.maths.cam.ac.uk/undergrad/admissions/step

Supervision - regular small-group teaching sessions for undergraduates

TMUA - Test of Mathematics for University Admissions https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/applying/admissions-assessmen…

Tripos - the formal term at Cambridge for an undergraduate degree

https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/applying/admissions-assessmen…