Study at the University of Cambridge
Experience world-class education, groundbreaking research, and centuries of academic excellence at one of the world's leading universities.
Over 800 Years of Academic Excellence
The University of Cambridge, founded in 1209, is one of the world's oldest and most prestigious universities. Located in the historic city of Cambridge, England, it consistently ranks among the top five universities globally and is renowned for its rigorous academic standards, groundbreaking research, and unique collegiate system.
Cambridge has produced 121 Nobel laureates — more than any other university in the world — along with 11 Fields Medalists, 7 Turing Award winners, and 15 British Prime Ministers. Its alumni include Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Stephen Hawking, Alan Turing, and countless leaders in science, arts, politics, and industry.
The university operates through 31 autonomous colleges, each providing a close-knit academic community where students live, dine, and receive supervisions (small-group teaching). With over 23% international students from more than 145 countries, Cambridge offers a truly global education in one of England's most beautiful and intellectually stimulating cities.
Academic Excellence
Six schools, 31 colleges, and world-leading research across every discipline
School of Technology
West Cambridge
School of Physical Sciences
Central & West Cambridge
School of Clinical Medicine
Cambridge Biomedical Campus
School of Biological Sciences
Central Cambridge
School of Arts & Humanities
Central Cambridge
School of Humanities & Social Sciences
Central Cambridge
Representative Colleges
Investment in Your Future
Undergraduate
- home students: GBP £9,250/year (UK students — regulated fee)
- international arts: GBP £24,507 – £30,000/year (Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences — 2024/25)
- international science: GBP £37,293 – £43,000/year (Science, Engineering, Mathematics — 2024/25)
- international medicine: GBP £63,990/year (Clinical Medicine — 2024/25)
- college fee international: GBP £11,000 – £12,500/year (College fee for overseas students — 2024/25)
- note: International students pay both a University Composition Fee and a College Fee. Total annual cost = University Fee + College Fee. Fees are set annually and typically increase by 3–5%.
Postgraduate
- taught masters international: GBP £33,825 – £44,750/year (most Master's programmes — 2024/25)
- mba: GBP £67,000 (MBA — Cambridge Judge Business School — 2024/25)
- mphil economics: GBP £37,000+ (MPhil Economics — 2024/25)
- research international: GBP £28,000 – £48,000/year (PhD — varies by department)
- college fee postgraduate: Included in University fee for most postgraduate programmes
- note: Postgraduate fees vary significantly by programme and faculty. Some programmes have additional bench fees or fieldwork costs.
Living in Cambridge
- accommodation: GBP £600 – £1,200/month (College accommodation to private rental)
- food: GBP £200 – £350/month (College meals available at subsidised rates)
- transportation: GBP £20 – £60/month (Cambridge is a cycling city — most students cycle)
- health surcharge: GBP £776/year (Immigration Health Surcharge for student visa)
- books: GBP £200 – £500/year
- personal: GBP £150 – £300/month
- total estimate: GBP £12,200 – £17,000/year (University estimate for living costs — 2024/25)
Tuition fees are reviewed annually and may increase. The figures shown are for 2024/25 entry and are indicative. International students pay both the University Composition Fee and a College Fee. Students should always verify the latest fees on the official University of Cambridge website. Living costs in Cambridge are lower than London but still significant.
Funding Your Cambridge Degree
Gates Cambridge Scholarships
Full tuition fees + College fees + maintenance allowance (approx. GBP £20,000/year) + airfare + academic development funding
Eligibility: Outstanding international applicants for any full-time postgraduate programme (PhD, MSc, MLitt). Must demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and commitment to improving the lives of others.
One of the world's most prestigious scholarships — approximately 80 awards per year from over 6,000 applicants. Funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Cambridge Trust Scholarships
Full or partial tuition fees, and in some cases maintenance grants (varies by award)
Eligibility: Outstanding international students at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. Assessed on academic merit and potential.
The Cambridge Trust is the largest source of funding for international students at Cambridge. Over 600 awards made annually across many partner schemes.
Chevening Scholarships
Full tuition fees + monthly living allowance + return flights + additional grants
Eligibility: Outstanding professionals from Chevening-eligible countries for one-year Master's programmes
Funded by the UK Government (FCDO). Apply through the Chevening website — separate from the Cambridge application.
Commonwealth Scholarships (Cambridge)
Full tuition + stipend + airfare + thesis grant
Eligibility: Citizens of Commonwealth countries for Master's and PhD study. Must demonstrate academic excellence and development impact.
Apply through the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission. Extremely competitive — fewer than 10% of applicants are successful.
College-Specific Scholarships
Varies — from partial fee waivers to full funding including maintenance
Eligibility: Varies by college — some restricted by subject, nationality, or financial need
Each of the 31 colleges offers its own scholarships and bursaries. Check individual college websites for specific opportunities.
Research Council Funding (UKRI)
Full tuition fees + stipend (approx. GBP £19,237/year — 2024/25 rate) for 3–4 years
Eligibility: PhD students in funded research areas (EPSRC, AHRC, ESRC, MRC, BBSRC, NERC, STFC). Primarily for UK students but some international awards available.
Allocated through departments. Apply during the PhD admissions process — no separate application required.
How to Get In
Deadline: UCAS deadline: 15 October (all Cambridge courses). Interviews: December. Decisions: January.
- A-Levels: A*A*A – A*AA (most courses require at least A*AA with specific subjects)
- IB Diploma: 40–42 points (with 7,7,6 at Higher Level)
- Specific subject requirements per course (e.g., Mathematics + Further Mathematics + Physics for Engineering; Chemistry for Medicine)
- English language: IELTS 7.5 overall (minimum 7.0 in each component) — one of the highest requirements in the UK
- TOEFL iBT: 110+ (minimum 25 in each component)
- Admissions assessments: TMUA (Maths), ESAT (Engineering/Science), UCAT (Medicine), STEP (Maths offer condition), and others depending on course
- Written work submissions for Humanities courses
- Interviews: virtually all shortlisted applicants are interviewed (approximately 75% of applicants)
- Personal Statement through UCAS
- School/college reference through UCAS
- SAT/ACT + AP scores or equivalent for US applicants
Cambridge is one of the most competitive universities in the world. The overall offer rate is approximately 20%. Some courses (e.g., Economics, Computer Science, Medicine) have offer rates below 15%. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee an interview or offer. Contextual data is considered.
Life at Cambridge
800 years of tradition meets a vibrant modern community
College Life
31 autonomous colleges provide accommodation, dining, libraries, social spaces, and pastoral care. Each college has its own character, traditions, and community.
Historic Libraries
Cambridge University Library (one of six UK legal deposit libraries), Wren Library at Trinity, and 100+ specialist and college libraries. Over 10 million books.
River Cam & Punting
Iconic punting along The Backs past King's College Chapel, Trinity, St John's, and the Mathematical Bridge. A quintessential Cambridge experience.
Sports & Recreation
Over 50 university sports clubs, college sports, and world-class facilities. The Boat Race, Rugby Varsity Match, and inter-college competitions.
Student Societies
700+ student societies including the Cambridge Union (world's oldest debating society), Footlights (comedy), and clubs covering every interest.
Museums & Culture
Fitzwilliam Museum, Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences, Museum of Zoology, Kettle's Yard, and the Botanic Garden. Free access for students.
Cambridge City
A vibrant, walkable city with independent shops, world-class restaurants, theatres, markets, and a rich cultural calendar — all within cycling distance.
International Community
Students from 145+ countries (23% international). Dedicated International Student Office, cultural societies, and global alumni network spanning 190+ countries.
Career Outcomes
Research Strengths
Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
Department of Computer Science & Technology — pioneering AI safety, machine learning, natural language processing, and computational biology research.
Quantum Computing
Cavendish Laboratory and Department of Applied Mathematics — quantum information, quantum sensing, and building practical quantum computers.
Climate Change & Sustainability
Cambridge Zero initiative — interdisciplinary research on net-zero solutions, clean energy, climate policy, and environmental science.
Genomics & Biomedical Science
Wellcome Sanger Institute partnership, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, and MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology — transforming healthcare through genomics.
Mathematics
Centre for Mathematical Sciences — pure and applied mathematics, theoretical physics, and statistics. Home to some of the world's most influential mathematicians.
Engineering & Manufacturing
Department of Engineering — one of the largest in Europe. Robotics, renewable energy, bioengineering, and advanced manufacturing research.
International Student Support
Over 23% international students from 145+ countries
- International Student Office (ISAS)
- Student visa (Student Route) guidance and compliance
- Pre-arrival information and Welcome Week orientation
- College accommodation for all first-year undergraduates (guaranteed)
- English language support (Language Centre)
- Immigration Health Surcharge guidance
- Academic skills and study support workshops
- Disability Resource Centre
- University Counselling Service
- Careers Service with international opportunities
- Post-study work visa guidance (Graduate Route — 2 years)
- Global alumni network in 190+ countries
Your Path to Cambridge
Expert guidance from enquiry to enrolment
Course Selection
We analyse your academic profile, career goals, and interests to recommend the ideal Cambridge course and college — from Natural Sciences to Engineering to Economics.
Application Strategy
Expert UCAS guidance including personal statement coaching, admissions assessment preparation (TMUA, ESAT, STEP), written work review, and interview practice.
Scholarship Strategy
Identify and apply for Gates Cambridge, Cambridge Trust, Chevening, Commonwealth, and college-specific scholarships — maximising your funding potential.
Visa & Immigration
Complete UK Student Route visa support — CAS letter guidance, financial documentation, Immigration Health Surcharge, and travel preparation.
Accommodation Support
Navigate college accommodation applications, understand the college system, and prepare for living in Cambridge.
Pre-Departure & Arrival
Comprehensive pre-departure briefing, Welcome Week preparation, college orientation guidance, and settling-in support.
Apply to Cambridge
Free expert guidance — no hidden fees
Hear From Cambridge Students
“The supervision system at Cambridge is unlike anything else — weekly one-on-one sessions with world-leading researchers pushed my thinking to a completely different level. The Gates Cambridge community became my second family.”
“Cambridge gave me access to research facilities and collaborations I couldn't find anywhere else. The college system means you're constantly meeting brilliant people from completely different disciplines — it sparks ideas you'd never have otherwise.”
“Studying Natural Sciences at Cambridge let me explore physics, chemistry, and materials science before specialising. The flexibility of the tripos system, combined with college life and world-class labs, made it an extraordinary experience.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Extremely competitive — the overall undergraduate offer rate is approximately 20%, with some courses (Economics, Computer Science, Medicine) below 15%. Postgraduate admission is similarly selective. Strong academic results, admissions assessments, and interviews all play a role.
International undergraduate fees range from approximately GBP £24,507–£63,990/year (plus College Fees of £11,000–£12,500/year). Postgraduate taught programmes range from GBP £33,825–£67,000/year (MBA). Fees are reviewed annually.
Cambridge requires IELTS Academic with 7.5 overall (minimum 7.0 in each component), or TOEFL iBT 110+ (minimum 25 in each component). These are among the highest English language requirements of any UK university.
Key scholarships include Gates Cambridge (full funding, ~80 awards/year), Cambridge Trust (600+ awards), Chevening, Commonwealth Scholarships, college-specific awards, and Research Council funding for PhDs. Competition is intense.
Cambridge has 31 colleges. Every student belongs to one college, which provides accommodation, meals, social life, pastoral support, and supervisions (small-group teaching). You can express a college preference or make an open application.
Supervisions are Cambridge's distinctive small-group teaching method — typically 1–3 students meet regularly with an academic expert to discuss essays, problem sets, or research. This supplements lectures and provides personalised academic guidance.
Yes — the UK Graduate Route visa allows international graduates to stay and work in the UK for 2 years (3 years for PhD graduates) after completing their degree. Cambridge's Careers Service provides extensive support.
EducationalHub provides expert guidance on course selection, UCAS strategy (undergraduate), personal statement coaching, admissions test preparation, interview practice, scholarship applications, student visa processing, and pre-departure support.