From a very high-level view, the University of Cambridge is a university just like MIT: it is an
academic institution with the goal of educating students and endeavoring in groundbreaking
research in various fields. But when you look more closely, you see that the exact organization
and operation of Cambridge is quite different from MIT. The University's main purpose of is to
"examine and confer degrees" and it is responsible for overall administration. But it is hard to
put a finger on exactly what the "University" is and what it does, because most of the students'
dealings are with departments (faculties) and Colleges. Generally speaking, the University is the
highest level of organization at Cambridge. If you play a sport at a very high level, you may
wish to try out for the University team. Likewise, dedicated musicians, debaters, actors, etc. will
find people from all Colleges in the high-caliber University societies.
Technically, the Chancellor sits at the head of the University, though the role is really just
ceremonial—it is held by Prince Phillip, the husband of Queen Elizabeth. The Vice-Chancellor,
much like the President of MIT, runs of the affairs of the University. Alison Richard recently
filled this role at Cambridge.

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