Before you can undertake supervision of undergraduates, either for the Mathematical Tripos or for Mathematics in the Natural Sciences Tripos, you must complete appropriate training. It is a University expectation that everyone new to supervising undergraduates at Cambridge undertakes both a self-paced online module and a face-to-face training session. The College that employs you to undertake supervision on their behalf will expect you to have completed training. Note that attending supervisions as an undergraduate is not a substitute for attending supervision training.
Self-paced online module
The self-paced module is curated by the Cambridge Centre for Teaching and Learning and can be accessed via Moodle via self-enrolment. The module contains information on the Cambridge Supervision system and introducing the principles and practices of effective teaching and learning. This session should be completed ahead of attending face-to-face training, and should take 1.5-2 hours to complete. It also contains links to further guidance and information.
Face-to-face training
The Faculty of Mathematics offers a training session each Michaelmas term, delivered by members of academic staff who have direct experience of supervising undergraduate students in mathematics. The session will go into many of the practicalities of supervising for example:
- how to get started
- who to contact if you have questions or concerns about students
- how to plan and facilitate a supervision, and how to give feedback
- how to help students get the best out of supervisions
The session will last around 2 hours, including time for questions and answers. We strongly recommend that all those wanting to supervise mathematics students attend this session where possible (see dates and booking information below).
Ahead of the session you may also find it helpful to consult the Faculty's Supervision in Mathematics and the associated summary.
If you are unable to attend the Maths training session the University provides workshops on 'problem-sheet based supervisions' through the year, aimed at those who are scheduled to teach in the next few months. This training is not maths specific.
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2025-26 Dates to be confirmed.
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Quick Links
- Undergraduate Supervision: Faculty Guidance - includes links to guidance documentation and the Faculty sign-up sheet for those looking for supervision work
- Maths Supervisor Resources (Moodle) - Moodle site restricted to members only; contact the DoS/course supervision organiser for further details. Those attending a training session will be automatically enrolled.
- University Supporting Supervisors SharePoint - for resources and University information payment rates and supervisor expectations