The study of Education has already been discussed.
Sessions and Terms.—The whole period of study in any given year is called a Session, and the session usually consists of three terms—Michaelmas, Lent, and Easter (or Summer)—each of about ten or eleven weeks. In Cambridge, however, the terms are about nine weeks each, and in Oxford, eight. Terms in Faculties of Medicine (and Dentistry) are often longer than in other Faculties; and in Scotland, some Faculties still adhere to the old plan of two terms. The session begins in October.
There are vacations at Christmas and at Easter, dividing the terms, and varying in length from a fortnight to four or five weeks. In the Long Vacation (July to September) there is no systematic instruction for the ordinary University student, though from time to time "summer schools" are held for students from outside, more especially in Universities situated in an attractive environment. In Cambridge there is also a Long Vacation term, during which tuition is given, without lectures, to those University students who desire it.
Lectures are usually given and laboratory work done in the morning and afternoon; in Faculties of Commerce there are also evening lectures.
Women on the Staff.—In spite of the fact that, nominally at least, professorial appointments have now been open to women for a good many years, very few women professors have as yet been appointed. There are two or three in Departments of Education; women have quite recently been appointed to professorial chairs in French and Italian; and the National University of Ireland has appointed one or two women. Oxford, opened to women only in 1920, has already a woman as Acting-Professor of French. But the number of women professors is still disappointingly few; and it is difficult to say whether the chief cause is lack of applications from women or prejudice on the part of appointing bodies; both causes undoubtedly operate.
Women lecturers are not so rare, though their numbers are still comparatively small. They are most numerous in Education, but are appointed also in other Faculties, salaries being the same as for men. The main avenue to University teaching for women lies through the Colleges for women only, where they, of course, form the entire residential staff; the tutorial system of Cambridge and Oxford thus affords employment in higher teaching to a considerable number of women. Further, the residential Halls attached to the mixed Universities provide posts of responsibility and prestige for a considerable number of educated women as Wardens or Principals. The recognition accorded to these officials by the University itself is, however, not always entirely satisfactory.
Upon the whole, the present position of women upon the staffs of the Universities and Colleges is one of comparative subordination. Very few occupy senior posts of importance and prestige. Except in the Women's Colleges, the higher direction of the teaching and the general administration are still almost wholly in the hands of men; and this is the case even where, as in Wales, the number of men and women students is fairly equal.
On account of the comparative scarcity of women in senior positions, it is usual in most non-residential Colleges and Universities to employ some senior woman as a member of the administrative staff, charged with the duty of superintending the general welfare of the women students.[3] Her status and duties vary greatly—from those of a mere chaperon to those of a Senior authority, consulted in all matters concerning women students individually and collectively, and responsible for making representations as to any matter, academic or social, affecting them. It is partially realised that women students, having often received a different education from that given to boys and having the prospect of other careers and other spheres of work, may be specially affected by academic legislation; and in matters of building and equipment their needs are always to some extent special. The most enlightened Universities and Colleges therefore afford considerable powers and status to this woman official (who is known by various titles—Dean, Senior Tutor, Censor, etc). In residential Universities the Heads of the Women's Colleges have the necessary academic information, official status, and knowledge of their students' needs.
[3] There are, however, some eight or nine exceptions. The Association of Head Mistresses has asked that some such official shall be appointed wherever there are women students.
Residence.—All Universities and Colleges (except the University of London on its external side) require students to live in the district and to receive instruction or guidance in the institution itself. Certain Universities and Colleges also require all students to be members of organised bodies, for the most part resident in Colleges or Halls.[4] This is the case in Cambridge and in Oxford. In London, Bedford, Holloway, and Westfield Colleges are largely or mainly residential. The University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, is, for women, entirely residential; and the University College of Reading requires both men and women to live in Halls. All the other Universities (except Aberdeen) have Halls, large or small, for women students, but do not compel residence. Lists of Halls can be obtained from the University prospectuses; and applications for residence (as distinct from entrance to the University) should be made direct to the various Wardens or Principals. The demand for accommodation is everywhere very great; and it is practically impossible to secure admission unless application is made at least a year in advance. It is usually a great additional benefit for foreign students to reside in a Hall; and every effort should be made to secure provisional acceptance beforehand.