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Cambridge Tripos
Tripos results were posted publicly outside departments and the Senate House until 2021.
Type
Duration3 or 4 years
RegionsUniversity of Cambridge
LanguagesEnglish language
Websitewww.camdata.admin.cam.ac.uk/structure-undergraduate-courses-cambridge

A Tripos (/ˈtrpɒs/ , plural 'Triposes') is an academic examination that originated at the University of Cambridge in Cambridge, England. The term encompasses both the examinations required for undergraduate students to qualify for a bachelor's degree and the courses of study undertaken to prepare for such examinations.[1] Undergraduate students studying mathematics, for instance, ultimately take the Mathematical Tripos, and students of English literature take the English Tripos.

Etymology

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The word has an obscure etymology, but may derive from the three-legged stools, known as tripods, on which candidates once sat during oral examinations.[2] According to an unverified tradition, students are said to have received one leg of a stool during each of their three years of exams, and the complete stool upon graduation. Another tradition holds that the name derives from the three brackets printed on the back of the voucher.[3][citation not found]

History

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Initially, the only way to obtain an honours degree at Cambridge was the Mathematical Tripos examination.[citation needed] John Jebb proposed reforms in 1772, but implementation was hindered by factors including the lack of expertise in smaller colleges across a broader range of subjects. Classed examinations in law were introduced in 1816 by James William Geldart, who was then Regius Professor of Civil Law. Although a classical tripos was created in 1822, it was only open to those who already had high honours in mathematics or those who were the sons of peers. This restriction ended around 1850, and triposes in the moral sciences and natural sciences were introduced in the 1860s.[4] From Easter 2023, "overall degree classifications" were introduced to the Tripos system bringing Cambridge in line with other British universities.

The origin and evolution of the Cambridge Tripos can be found in William Clark's Academic Charisma and the Origin of the Research University.[5]

Structure

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Mathematical tripos results are read out inside Senate House and then tossed from the balcony

A tripos is divided into two parts: Part I, which is broadly based, and Part II, which allows specialization within the student's chosen field. Since a bachelor's degree usually takes three years to complete, either Part I or Part II is two years, and the other one year. The details of this can vary from subject to subject. There is also an optional Part III offered in some subjects, such as the Mathematical Tripos; these are not required to complete a bachelor's degree. Some Part III courses allow the student to graduate with both a master's degree and a bachelor's degree: for example, scientific Part III courses allow the student to graduate with an M.Sci. degree in addition to the B.A. degree which all Cambridge graduates receive. The Engineering Tripos is divided into four Parts (IA, IB, IIA, IIB), each corresponding to one academic year, and leads to the simultaneous awarding of the B.A. and M.Eng. degrees.

Students are examined formally at the end of each part and are awarded a degree classification for each part. While each part receives its own classification, a student's performance in Part II is generally considered definitive for determining their overall ranking within their subject cohort (for example, the historic position of Senior Wrangler in the Mathematical Tripos was determined by Part II performance). Most subjects are examined in all three years; for example, the Natural Sciences Tripos has examinations for Part IA, Part IB, Part II, and in some subjects, Part III. The English, History and ASNaC Triposes have preliminary rather than full examinations at the end of the first year, though History and English have recently scrapped Preliminary exams in the first year and moved to an IA, IB, II structure with classed examinations in all years.

The student who achieves the highest marks in their Tripos subject is awarded the Winifred Georgina Holgate Pollard Memorial Prize.[6][7] The prize is considered one of the most prestigious academic accolades awarded by the University of Cambridge. Each year, the University recognises these top students by publishing their names in the Reporter, the University of Cambridge's official journal, celebrating their academic excellence.

Degree regulations state that, to be awarded a degree, a student must have passed two honours examinations (i.e., two Tripos examinations) – this could include a Part I and a Part II, two Part I exams, or (in some cases) a Part I and a Part IA. From October 2011, students can only be awarded an honours degree if they have been awarded honours in a Part II or Part III examination;[8] a combination of Part I examinations will allow a student to graduate with an Ordinary degree.[9] All students must complete at least nine terms of residence (three years of study) – making it impossible for students to simply complete two one-year tripos parts. This makes it easy for an undergraduate to switch out of a subject. So a one-year Part I (or Part IA) must be followed by a two-year Part II, and usually vice versa. More exotic combinations are possible, with the permission of the student's college and prospective department, but some combinations create a four-year bachelor's degree. A few subjects – i.e. Management Studies, Manufacturing Engineering, and Linguistics (prior to October 2010) – exist only as Part II, and can be preceded by any manner of Part I subject.

Students who already possess a bachelor's degree or equivalent from another university are generally permitted to skip Part I, and thus can complete a Cambridge bachelor's degree in two years or less. Students already holding a BA degree from Cambridge are not permitted to collect a second BA from the university.

A student requesting to graduate (technically, 'admitted to a degree') is assessed mainly on two criteria: not only the Triposes they have completed (requirements laid by the statutes and ordinances of Cambridge), as recorded in the Cambridge University Reporter (Cambridge's gazette newspaper), but also the number of terms kept (at least nine required for a BA; 10 for an undergraduate master's degree). A student's requests to graduate should also be approved by their college, and be unopposed by the regent house, one of the university's governing bodies with vetoing powers.

List of Triposes

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Below is the list of Triposes offered by the university (Latin numerals in brackets indicate the Parts available):

Triposes recently abolished, renamed or restructured

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  • Oriental Studies Tripos
  • Education Studies Tripos
  • Linguistics Tripos (Old Regulations)
  • Archaeology and Anthropology Tripos
  • Politics, Psychology and Sociology [PPS] Tripos
  • Medical and Veterinary Sciences Tripos (MVST); split into separate Medical and Veterinary Sciences Triposes (MedST/VetST) from October 2018.
  • Chemical Engineering Tripos (CET); succeeded by the Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology Tripos (CEBT) from October 2023.

See also

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
A Tripos is an honors degree examination system at the in , structured as a series of rigorous assessments in specific academic subjects that culminate in a . The term originates from the Latin tripus, referring to a three-legged stool on which medieval graduates sat to deliver satirical speeches during degree ceremonies, a that evolved into the modern examination format by the . The honors examination system originated in the as the Senate House Examination, with written exams replacing oral disputations around the 1740s. It was named the in 1824 following the introduction of the Classical Tripos, allowing specialization beyond . Today, all undergraduate courses are organized into Triposes, each divided into one or more parts (typically Parts I, II, and sometimes III), with assessments combining written exams, coursework, and practical elements to evaluate depth of knowledge and analytical skills. The system emphasizes intensive preparation, often through supervisions and private study, and has historically produced influential figures in science and humanities while fostering a competitive ranking of students into classes such as First, Second, and Third. Reforms in the 19th and 20th centuries shifted focus from rote computation to broader intellectual training, reducing the emphasis on private coaching and adapting to interdisciplinary needs.

Etymology and Terminology

Etymology

The term tripos derives from the Latin tripus, meaning "three-legged stool" or , alluding to the wooden stool on which a sat during medieval and early modern degree ceremonies at the to deliver humorous disputations and announce the names of successful degree candidates. The earliest recorded use of tripos in English appears in 1589, in the works of playwright Robert Greene, initially denoting the stool or the list of results read from it. By the , the term had evolved from referring to the announcement stool and candidate list to encompass the honors examination system itself, with its first formalized application in the established around 1748.

Key Terms and Concepts

In the University of Cambridge's academic system, a tripos refers to a structured sequence of honors examinations in a specific subject area, culminating in the award of a (BA) degree with classification based on performance. These examinations assess undergraduate students' mastery of their chosen field through a series of progressive assessments, distinguishing the tripos as the primary pathway to an honors qualification. The tripos is typically divided into parts, which represent sequential stages of study and examination spanning two to four years of an undergraduate program. For instance, many triposes include Part I (or subdivided as IA and IB for foundational knowledge in the first year or two), followed by Part II (often split into IIA for broader specialization and IIB for advanced topics in the third year), and optionally Part III for postgraduate-level depth in the fourth year. Each part builds upon the previous, with passing requirements ensuring cumulative progression toward degree completion. A key distinction in Cambridge degrees is between an honors degree (BA Hons.) and an ordinary degree (BA Ordinary). The honors degree, achieved through satisfactory performance in the required tripos parts, includes a such as First Class, Upper Second Class (2:1), Lower Second Class (2:2), or Third Class, reflecting the student's overall academic standing. In contrast, an ordinary degree is awarded to students who do not meet the honors standard, often due to insufficient performance or specific allowances, without and generally considered less prestigious. The tripos examinations thus serve as the mechanism for determining eligibility for the honors degree, emphasizing rigorous assessment over the course of study.

Historical Development

Origins and Early Mathematical Tripos

The Senate House Examination was instituted in 1748 at the , marking the formal inception of the tripos system as a merit-based assessment for the degree. Initially, it encompassed both and , reflecting the university's emphasis on a supplemented by rigorous mathematical training to prepare students for and scholarly pursuits. This examination represented a shift toward ordered of candidates, evolving from earlier informal tests into a structured process held annually in the Senate House. The emerged as the prototype within this framework, focusing primarily on mathematical proficiency while incorporating elements of . It combined oral vivas, where candidates defended their knowledge before examiners, and written papers testing problem-solving in arithmetic, , , and . Top performers, known as "Wranglers," were ranked in , with the Senior Wrangler receiving particular acclaim; this system facilitated the selection of elite graduates for college fellowships, academic teaching roles, and positions within the , which dominated career paths for high achievers in the . By prioritizing mathematical aptitude, the Tripos fostered a meritocratic amid the patronage-driven academic landscape of Georgian . The curriculum of the early Mathematical Tripos was profoundly shaped by Newtonian mathematics, adhering closely to Isaac Newton's methods of fluxions and geometric reasoning as outlined in the and . This focus reinforced Cambridge's identity as the guardian of Newtonian orthodoxy, sidelining continental developments like Leibnizian in favor of and physical applications, which dominated examination questions and prepared students for theological and philosophical inquiries. A pivotal figure in the early evolution of the Tripos was Robert Woodhouse, who graduated as in 1795 and later served as . Woodhouse sought to modernize the Newtonian foundation by integrating analytical techniques, as detailed in his 1803 treatise Principles of Analytical Calculation, which traced the historical progression of and advocated for algebraic rigor suitable for Tripos preparation. His efforts, though initially met with resistance, began to influence the content toward a more systematic treatment of functions and series, bridging traditional Newtonian content with emerging reformist ideas.

19th-Century Reforms and Expansion

The 19th century marked a pivotal era for the Tripos system at the University of Cambridge, transitioning from a narrow focus on mathematics to a more diversified and structured framework of honors examinations across disciplines. The introduction of the Classical Tripos in 1824 provided an alternative pathway for students excelling in mathematics or from privileged backgrounds, such as sons of peers, allowing specialization in classical languages and literature while still requiring a foundation in the Mathematical Tripos. This was followed by the establishment of the Moral Sciences Tripos in 1851, which encompassed philosophy, logic, and political economy, and the Natural Sciences Tripos in the same year, covering physical and biological sciences; these innovations reflected growing demands for broader intellectual training beyond the intense "cramming" preparation dominant in the Mathematical Tripos. By mid-century, these reforms began to erode the monopoly of mathematics, with 1849 marking the point when students could pursue honors degrees without mandatory mathematical proficiency, fostering subject-specific curricula and reducing the all-encompassing preparatory grind. The Royal Commission of 1850–1852, appointed to investigate the state of and , played a crucial role in standardizing and modernizing the examination process. Its recommendations, implemented through the Cambridge University Act of 1856, emphasized written examinations over oral vivas to ensure fairer and more objective assessment, a shift that had begun tentatively in the late but was now formalized across Triposes. This change addressed criticisms of the viva's subjectivity and the Mathematical Tripos's emphasis on rote memorization, promoting deeper engagement with subject matter. Additionally, the Commission influenced the establishment of consistent honors classifications—, Second Class (divided into upper and lower divisions), Third Class, and unclassified—applied uniformly to new Triposes, replacing ad hoc rankings like wranglers and optimes with a merit-based that rewarded analytical depth over speed. Further expansion in the 1870s solidified these reforms, particularly with the abolition of compulsory mathematics for non-mathematical honors paths, enabling fully independent subject-specific Triposes such as (1858), (1875), and (1875). The 1873 revisions to the itself incorporated broader topics like and astronomy, aligning it with the university's evolving emphasis on comprehensive rather than isolated problem-solving drills. By the end of the century, additional Triposes in areas like Indian Languages (1875), (1878), Medieval and Modern Languages (1886), and Mechanical Sciences (1894) had been approved, expanding the system's scope to over a dozen honors streams and accommodating the tripling of student numbers from 441 in 1850 to 1,191 by 1910. This diversification not only democratized access to honors but also positioned Cambridge as a leader in specialized undergraduate training, influencing British higher education broadly.

20th- and 21st-Century Changes

The Tripos system at the faced significant disruptions during the and , with academic activities curtailed by military service, evacuations, and resource shortages that delayed examinations and limited enrollment. Post-1945, the university expanded its offerings, integrating women as full members in and reforming existing triposes to accommodate growing student numbers and interdisciplinary interests. A key development was the mid-1960s reform of the Natural Sciences Tripos, which incorporated as a dedicated Part II, enhancing its scope to include broader scientific and historical perspectives. In the 1980s and 1990s, the Tripos evolved toward greater modularity to promote flexibility, allowing students to select papers across related fields while maintaining rigorous assessment structures. This shift aligned with broader UK higher education trends, enabling customization within triposes like the Mathematical Tripos, where examinations became more progressive across parts. The introduction of Part III as an advanced master's-level course in several triposes, including mathematics and history, further supported postgraduate-level study, providing a bridge to research with specialized modules examined annually. Recent changes reflect ongoing adaptations to contemporary educational needs. The Psychological and Behavioural Sciences (PBS) Tripos underwent restructuring for the 2024-25 academic year, revising its course structure to emphasize behavioral sciences through updated papers and progression requirements for students entering from that year onward. In 2024, the university launched the Design Tripos, a four-year integrated program leading to a , blending , , and to address climate challenges. Additionally, specific papers faced suspension, such as Paper 14 on in Part IIb of the Economics Tripos for 2024-25, due to resource constraints. In 2025, following a review by the , the traditional tripos rankings—known as class lists—were abolished to mitigate a "culture of overwork" and support student , with alternative assessment systems to be implemented.

Structure and Process

Examination Format and Parts

The Tripos examinations at the are organized into sequential parts that align with the progression of undergraduate study, providing a modular framework for academic development. Typically, Part I encompasses foundational coursework spanning the first one or two years, emphasizing broad principles and core knowledge across the subject area. This is followed by Part II in the third year, which focuses on advanced specialization and deeper engagement with chosen topics. In many Triposes, such as the Sciences Tripos, Part I is subdivided into Part IA (first year) and Part IB (second year) to build progressively from introductory to intermediate concepts. Certain disciplines, like , structure the later stages as Part IIA and Part IIB to distinguish between integrated and elective advanced modules. An optional Part III, available in select Triposes including and Sciences, extends study into a fourth year for highly qualified students pursuing integrated master's degrees such as or MMath. Assessments within each part combine various formats to evaluate theoretical understanding, practical skills, and analytical abilities. Written examinations predominate, consisting of unseen papers typically lasting three hours, though some may be two hours or incorporate alternative elements like essays. Practical components, such as sessions or fieldwork, are integral to science-based Triposes, testing hands-on application under supervised conditions. , including essays, projects, or portfolios, supplements exams in and social sciences Triposes, contributing to the overall evaluation where specified by regulations. These exams are scheduled during the term, primarily from late May to early June, forming an intensive period often referred to as Tripos week. Progression through the Tripos requires satisfactory performance in prior parts, with students classified based on their results to advance to the next stage. Failure to meet the pass threshold may necessitate resits or repetition of the part, ensuring foundational competence before specialization. The system's flexibility permits changes between Triposes mid-course, subject to approval from the relevant faculty and demonstration of suitability through academic performance; for instance, students in the Natural Sciences Tripos may transfer to after Part IB if their results align with the target course's prerequisites. Such transfers occur for a modest number of students each year, reflecting the interconnected nature of Cambridge's undergraduate pathways. This format originated from the historic Senate House examinations, traditionally held in to cap the academic year.

Assessment and Classification

The Tripos system employs a degree classification framework common to honours degrees, awarding , Upper Second Class (II.1), Lower Second Class (II.2), Third Class, or an unclassified Ordinary degree for those who fail to meet honours standards. As of 2024, approximately 33% of final-year Tripos candidates achieve a , 56% an Upper Second, 9% a Lower Second, 1% a Third Class, and less than 1% an unclassified Ordinary degree. These distributions vary by Tripos and year, with Exam Boards setting boundaries based on overall performance to maintain standards. Degree classifications are calculated using weighted averages of marks from relevant Tripos parts, determined by each subject's agreed scheme. For many Triposes, such as or , the weighting is 0:30:70, assigning no weight to Part IA, 30% to Part IB, and 70% to Part II; others, like or , use 0:0:100, basing the class solely on Part II performance. Tripos follows a 0:50:50 split between Parts IB and II, while the Management Studies Tripos offers flexibility, applying 0:30:70 for third-year entrants or 100% to its Part II for fourth-year options. Borderline cases, where marks fall near class thresholds, are reviewed in examiners' meetings, where discretion considers prior performance, especially for Tripos transfers or mitigating circumstances. In 2025, following a review, the University implemented changes to Tripos rankings to reduce competitive pressure and enhance support, shifting emphasis toward individualized feedback over comparative standings as of the 2025-26 . Under this, students would no longer receive automatic notification of their cohort position—requiring requests via Directors of Studies—and public class lists, discontinued since 2021, would remain absent. This builds on earlier abandonment of public rankings like the Senior Wrangler title in since 1909, though internal identifications persist in some Triposes; exceptions apply to specialized paths like Management Studies, which maintain distinct assessment structures without ranking alterations.

Triposes Overview

Current Triposes

The offers approximately 30 active undergraduate Tripos programs as of 2025, encompassing a wide array of disciplines and attracting around 13,000 students annually. These Triposes typically lead to a BA (Hons) degree after three years, with options for a fourth year in some cases resulting in an integrated master's, such as or MEng. Entry requirements generally include grades of or equivalent international qualifications, with specific subject prerequisites varying by Tripos; for instance, sciences often require A-levels in or sciences, while humanities may emphasize essay-based subjects like English or . In the sciences, the Natural Sciences Tripos provides a broad foundation in physical and biological sciences, allowing students to explore subjects such as , chemistry, physics, sciences, and through modular courses in Parts IA, IB, and II, with specialization in later years. The Mathematics Tripos is structured across Parts IA, IB, II, and an optional Part III, covering , , probability, and statistics, with entry typically requiring A-level Mathematics and at A*. These programs emphasize rigorous theoretical and practical training, preparing students for research or professional careers in STEM fields. Engineering is primarily covered by the Tripos, a four-year program leading to MEng (Hons), which integrates core principles in mechanics, structures, and before specialization in areas like , bioengineering, or ; entry requires A-levels in and Physics. Specialized variants include the and Tripos and the Tripos, both focusing on sustainable processes and industrial applications with similar entry criteria. Humanities and social sciences Triposes include the Human, Social, and Political Sciences (HSPS) Tripos, which spans , , , and in a flexible structure across three years, requiring A-levels in essay-based subjects. The Tripos offers intensive study of legal systems, , and through Parts IA, IB, and II, with entry favoring subjects like or English. The Tripos combines economic theory, quantitative methods, and , demanding strong mathematics background such as . Arts Triposes feature the English Tripos, examining literature from medieval to contemporary periods with critical and creative components, and the History Tripos, covering global histories through thematic and period-based papers; both require A-level English or History. The new Design Tripos, launched in 2024, integrates architecture, engineering, and materials science to address creative and sustainable design challenges, leading to BA (Hons) or MDes, with entry including Mathematics and sciences or arts subjects. Interdisciplinary options include the Psychological and Behavioural Sciences (PBS) Tripos, restructured for the 2024-25 academic year to enhance focus on cognitive, social, and developmental psychology alongside neuroscience and statistics, requiring A-levels in sciences or mathematics. The Classics Tripos offers variants in classics, archaeology, and ancient history, allowing study in original languages or translations, with flexible entry based on relevant humanities qualifications. These programs foster cross-disciplinary skills, with total enrollment distributed across all Triposes reflecting Cambridge's emphasis on specialized yet interconnected learning.

Discontinued or Restructured Triposes

The Mechanical Sciences Tripos, established in the early to focus on engineering disciplines, was renamed the Tripos in 1968 to reflect a broader scope encompassing civil, mechanical, and . This restructuring aimed to integrate emerging fields like and while maintaining the tripos's rigorous examination format. The Oriental Studies Tripos underwent significant restructuring in the mid-2000s, with the associated Faculty of Oriental Studies renamed the Faculty of in 2007 to better represent contemporary global scholarship on East Asian, South Asian, and Middle Eastern languages and cultures. The tripos itself transitioned to the by 2008, allowing for expanded pathways in languages such as , Chinese, Hebrew, Japanese, and Persian, while discontinuing narrower Oriental-focused variants. In 2018, the Medical and Veterinary Sciences Tripos (MVST) was split into two distinct programs: the Medical Science Tripos (MedST) and the Veterinary Science Tripos (VetST), effective from October of that year. This division, proposed in 2016 to enhance specialized recruitment and curriculum alignment, separated preclinical training for medical and veterinary students after their initial shared foundation year. The Architecture Tripos has seen ongoing restructuring, with Part Ia and Part Ib remaining unchanged through 2025, but transitioning to a four-year integrated BA (Hons) and MArch degree starting in October 2026. This reform integrates professional accreditation requirements earlier, incorporating new modules on and digital fabrication while preserving core assessment in Part II. Within the Economics Tripos, Paper 14 ("A subject in economic history") in Part IIb was suspended for the 2024–25 academic year, continuing a prior temporary halt to allow faculty resources to focus on core economic theory and quantitative methods. This adjustment reflects adaptive responses to evolving disciplinary priorities without altering the tripos's overall structure.

References

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