The records reflect the administrative role of the Tutors and the Praelector, rather than the academic content of a course of study. They consist of:

• record books and personal dossiers of student admissions, residence, examinations and degrees

• Praelectors' books of examinations and degrees

• Tutorial Office administrative and correspondence files relating to academic administration and alumni relations

• Senior Tutors' minutes, administrative and correspondence files regarding academic policy, administration of scholarships and prizes, and maintenance of College discipline and pastoral care.

The papers consist of:

• research notes on lists of medieval archdeacons, abbots, and priors

• undergraduate essays

• correspondence and papers relating to research into the history of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge

• speeches and sermons

• papers relating to College administration, mainly the administration of the College Archive, and membership of Chancel Committee, and supervision notes.

The records relate to the government and administration of the college by the Master. Apart from small collections of papers relating to earlier masterships and the domestic administration of the Master's estate of Heacham, Norfolk, the main body of correspondence and administrative records date mainly from the 1950s to 1990s during the masterships of Nevill Mott (1959 - 1966), Joseph Needham (1966 - 1976), William Wade (1976 - 1988) and Peter Gray (1988 - 1996). They include:

• The Master's copy of the records of governance, including minutes of meetings of the College Council, and the General Meetings of Fellows

• Papers of College and inter-collegiate committees.

• Correspondence and administration files concerning internal matters, such as buildings, benefactions and trusts, properties, contacts with alumni, entertaining; and external representation of the College's views to other colleges, schools and universities, central government and international bodies.

• Files relating to the election of Fellows and College officers; admissions and the award of scholarships, studentships and prizes; and matters of teaching and personnel policy and administration.