It is exam period at the University of Surrey which has prompted us to take a look at some of the related material we hold in the archives. Whilst current students may look at exam papers from the last few years to see what kind of questions might come up for them, exam papers from decades ago reveal what was being taught, how exams were conducted, and how students’ knowledge was tested. They chart the development of departments and their programmes of study, and show what was being awarded by the university at different times. They also offer us a fun opportunity to test ourselves on our knowledge of a subject!

Our Student Handbooks are similarly informative, recording details such as examination fees, resit information, and regulations which include no copying, no briefcases, and no smoking.