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Origins The main University of Cambridge is the second oldest in the UK and was formed by a breakaway group of scholars from Oxford in 1209 who had apparently experienced a falling out with Oxford’s townspeople. Henry III granted the first charter in 1231 and the Pope followed suit with permission to teach throughout Christendom. Ever since then, there has been intense rivalry between the two Oxbridge universities and not just in the annual Thames Boat Race. For the most part, this rivalry has pushed both institutions to the very peak of higher education in the UK and, arguably, the whole world. In addition to Anglia Ruskin, there are currently 31 colleges making up Cambridge universities, with three still restricting entry to women only. Although they all fall under one umbrella, much of the day-to-day educational and research activity takes place within the individual colleges. Peterhouse was the first college, founded in 1284, and was quickly followed by many others, as the collegiate model was seen to be successful. Money was sometimes made available for Cambridge University colleges so that students would pray for the souls of their founders, but this lapsed after the Reformation under Henry VIII. This reforming process continued so that Cambridge became a centre of support for the Puritans and Oliver Cromwell, he himself being a man of the fens and student of Sidney Sussex College. Academic Achievements The full list of achievements at Cambridge University would fill a very long book indeed but perhaps the first name out of the hat is that of Sir Isaac Newton, famous for developing mathematical laws governing motion as well as for a fenland apple allegedly falling on his head. Other top names who studied at Cambridge universities are also famous for their work in Science, from Francis Bacon (who developed scientific methodology) through to Charles Darwin (Evolution) and Francis Crick/James Watson (DNA). A total haul of 87 Nobel Prizes speaks volumes and places Cambridge universities at the top of the class. In the Arts, the list of graduates is also dazzling, including writers such as C. S. Lewis, poets such as Wordsworth and artists such as Roger Fry. University Traditions Wooden spoons used to be given to the student with the lowest pass mark in the tough Mathematical Tripos but results at Cambridge universities are now published in grades so that the lowest mark is impossible to establish. With the university being sited on the river, rowing and punting is of course very popular and other sports are actively followed. Carol singing, especially at King’s College, is also now a major part of the university calendar, being broadcast to the nation every Christmas by the BBC. The university’s Footlights amateur revue has also produced countless entertainers, including the Goodies. Anglia Ruskin University John Ruskin was a prominent Victorian art critic who believed in action in the arts as well as words. To this end, he opened the Cambridge School of Art in 1858 and this evolved to become one of the universities in Cambridge, under the name of Anglia Ruskin University in 2005, part of the modern-day expansion of higher education. It now has 25,500 students, making it a major provider of part-time education, especially in the East Anglia region. The appeal of studying in Cambridge is worldwide as students from all over the globe descend on this historic city to enjoy its academic merits and interesting life experiences.
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Cambridge universities have a long and proud history, as well as an impressive list of alumni. Visit the Cambridge News for the latest stories about universities in Cambridge .
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