Responsibility for the governance of the University rests with the University Court and the Senatus Academicus (Senate). To assist them in their work, the Court and Senate have each established committees, including eight joint committees.
The Senate is responsible for the regulation and superintendence of teaching and for the promotion of research. The core functions of the Senate are broad and are specified in the Universities (Scotland) Acts as "to regulate and superintend the teaching and discipline of the University and to promote research".