Governance, Policies and Statements
Emmanuel College was founded by Royal Charter in 1584, as a "perpetual College of Sacred Theology, Science, Philosophy and good arts in the University of Cambridge". The Master and all Fellows of the College form the Governing Body.
The College Charter dates from 1584. The College Statutes, made in 1925 and amended most recently in 2023, set out the arrangements for the governance of the College. They set out the regulations for appointing the Master and Fellows, and oversight of the College's estimates and accounts.
By Statute, the Governing Body has the power to establish a College Council, and to delegate to it the majority of its statutory powers and duties. The Master, as Chairman, the Vice–Master, the Senior Tutor and the Bursar are ex–officio members of the Council. A further eight Fellows are elected to the Council by the members of the Governing Body. All day–to–day matters to do with the governance and management of the College fall to the Council. There are various sub–committees of the Governing Body which consider particular areas of the College’s business, and report with recommendations to the College Council.
The Charity Trustees of the College are the twelve members of the College Council. Emmanuel College became a registered charity on 12 August 2010, with registration number 1137456. Our charitable activities are to promote learning, study, teaching and research in a community of scholars within the University of Cambridge.
College Statutes
The Statutes define the College's governance structure, covering the oversight of its budget and financial accounts, as well as the responsibilities related to the election process and regulations of the Fellowship.
College Accounts
The College shares its annual report and accounts with the Charity Commission for England and Wales, in May each year.