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University of Cambridge, UK

  • Cambridge, UK
  • Rank

    2nd

  • Established

    1209

  • Programs

    -+

Overview

The University of Cambridge is a research-based university founded in 1209. It is the third-oldest running University in the world. The mission of the University is to contribute to society through education, learning, and research at the highest international level. It was granted a royal charter by Henry III in 1231. The University sits at the heart of one of the world's largest technology clusters, currently home to 5,200 knowledge-intensive companies and the birthplace of 23 businesses.

The University of Cambridge includes 31 Colleges, 6 Schools, and over 150 Faculties and Departments, covering a diverse range of subjects and areas of specialisation. The motto of the University is "Hinc lucem et pocula sacra" (From this place, we gain enlightenment and precious knowledge). It has taken pride in the success of its notable alumni, which includes Stephen Hawking (theoretical physicist), Emma Thompson (British actress), Charles Darwin (renowned biologist), Bertrand Russell (British philosopher), Dr Manmohan Singh (India's former Prime Minister), Harivansh Rai Bachchan (Indian poet and writer), and Dorabji Tata (Indian businessman).

 

Why Choose the University of Cambridge?

University of Cambridge has proudly welcomed and nurtured students for hundreds of years. It is one of the oldest and most distinguished universities in the world and attracts talented students worldwide. More than 20,000 students from about 140 nationalities are studying at the University.

The University of Cambridge has numerous opportunities for international students to challenge and deepen their knowledge. Also, it promotes the interface between education and business and has a global reputation for innovation. Some of the top reasons to choose the University of Cambridge to study abroad are:

Great Career Prospects

PostGraduate students are eligible to take the University Career Service from the moment they arrive, throughout their research studies, and after graduating. The team of Career Advisors helps students in making their career decisions. In short, they help students think through their options, explore ideas, and find the future that is right for them.

The University of Cambridge has partnered with many top MNCs that desire graduates from the University of Cambridge as their future employees. Apart from this, the University provides various other facilities to enhance student career prospects, including 14 major career events each year, collaborative employer presentations, a free book on CVs and Applications, and an extensive program of briefings and skill sessions.

Students Support

The University has an extensive welfare system and services available to help students make their life easier at Cambridge. The Cambridge University  Students' Union (CUSU) provides independent, professional, and confidential advice service, support, and impartial advice by phone, email, or in person at the CUSU Office.

All the postgraduate students get an opportunity to receive training in research skills via their department or faculty's postgraduate training program. Also, various seminars are conducted on different topics, including skills for a conference presentation, understanding entrepreneurship, staying motivated, recognising and taking advantage of career opportunities, career planning, and project management. Apart from this, the University also provides various other support to its students, including Disability Resource Centre, Accommodation Service, Counselling Service, and Language Tuition.

Amazing Student Life

International students can enjoy an amazing and vibrant life at the University of Cambridge. It has a social environment that combines diverse communities from more than 140 countries. Many high-quality events are going on within the student community. Cambridge offers various opportunities for personal growth and professional development. The University encompasses a broad range of courses and academic disciplines to shape its students for a good careers.

Moreover, students are taught here by knowledgeable professors who are prominent experts and leaders in their fields. The student can easily find several societies, festivals, museums, clubs, restaurants, sports, shopping centres, and much more to indulge in.

 

Key Features

  • Nearly 40% of students at the University of Cambridge come from 140 different countries

  • Under Top 5 for research quality in the UK

  • 121 students of the University have been awarded the Nobel Prize since 1904

  • College-owned accommodation for at least three years 

  • 91% of the students got jobs within 15 months or for further studies

  • Among the Top 10 universities in UK, targeted by Britain's leading graduate employers

  •  The estimated average salary for international student is around £35,497 Per Year.

University of Cambridge Courses & Fees

University of Cambridge Courses

The University of Cambridge facilitates a diverse and wide range of courses. It offers 30 undergraduate courses, covering more than 65 subject areas. Whereas it provides more than 190 postgraduate and PhD programmes to international students. No matter what career you dream of, the university has its programmes/ courses to support you. Here is the list of various Cambridge University courses at undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD levels.

University of Cambridge Fees

The unique teaching methodologies and high global reputation justify the tuition fees for overseas students at the University of Cambridge. The fees for the undergraduate courses range from £23,300- £35,600. Whereas the fees for the postgraduate courses at the university range from £23,600-£41,500. The application fees in the University of Cambridge is around £60.

 

University of Cambridge Fees and Cost of Living

Courses

Fees

Undergraduate

£25,734 - £39,162 per year

Postgraduate

£29,826 - £31,860 per year

Living Expenses

£1,464 to £1,356 Per Year (approx.)

Accomodation

11480 Per Year

Transportation

£54 Per Month


The fees for the undergraduate medical courses are approximately £70,000.

University of Cambridge Ranking & Intakes

University of Cambridge Rankings

Cambridge University is one of the most renowned universities in the UK as well as in the world. It has been consistently ranked among the top universities in the world. According to QS World Rankings, it is ranked 2nd in the world. Whereas the Times Higher Education World University Rankings ranks the university 5th in the world. Moreover, The Guardian University, The Complete University Guide, and Sunday Times ranked have included the University in the top 3 universities in UK. These ranking organisations consider various factors to rank the University, including academic reputation, student-staff ratio, entry standards, overall student satisfaction, and career prospects.

 

University of Cambridge Ranking

Ranked By 

Ranking 

The QS World Ranking

2

Times Higher Education World University Rankings

5

The Guardian University UK Rankings

3

The Complete University Guide

2

US News & World Report - Global Universities

8


Apart from the overall rankings in the UK and World, the university also has great rankings for its subjects. Various subjects taught at the university are ranked number 1 in the UK by the Complete University Guide rankings and the Guardian Rankings.

 

Complete University Guide UK Rankings 2023 for Courses 

Ranked By

Ranking

Architecture

2

Chemical Engineering

1

Civil Engineering

1

Electrical & Electronic Engineering

1

Mechanical Engineering

1

Biological Sciences

1

Computer Science

1

Physics & Astronomy

1

Psychology

1

Sociology

1

Medicine

1

Law

2

 

The Guardian UK Rankings 2023 for Courses

Ranked By

Ranking

Economics

3

Chemical Engineering

1

Architecture 

1

Physics 

3

Politics 

1

Sociology and Social Policy

1

Medicine 

1

Law

 

QS Rankings 2023 for Courses

Ranked By

Ranking

Global MBA

12

 

Times Higher Education Rankings 2023 for Courses

Ranked By

Ranking

PG Business and Economics

6

Engineering 

7

PG Computer Science

6

Life Sciences

2

Psychology 

2

Arts & Humanities

33

Clinical and Health

2

Law

3

 

University of Cambridge Intakes

The University of Cambridge believes in providing quality education. Thus, only provides one intake, i.e. in September. Due to its good ranking and high academic standards, the application slots for the university get full very fast. To be admitted to the University of Cambridge, international students must plan and make their applications at the right time. The application deadline for the September Intakes is mentioned below.

 

University of Cambridge Intakes

Intakes

Month of intake

Application Deadline

Autumn

September

End of June

Spring  January  Mid-October 


All the courses at the university are available during the September intake only. There are very few courses for which the university accepts the application in January.

Admission Criteria

Irrespective of the board the student is educated from, the University of Cambridge requires top grades with a high score in school, undergraduate or postgraduate level. The university accesses all the applicants individually and may modify offers to take account of individual circumstances. The admission criteria at the university differ based on course and subject. The acceptance rate is estimates 15%. The basic eligibility criteria for undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD courses are mentioned below.

 

University of Cambridge Entry Requirements

Eligibility

Undergraduate

Post Graduate

Doctorate (PhD)

Academics

3.0-3.5 GPA

3.0-3.5 GPA

3.0-3.5 GPA

IELTS

7.5, usually with 7.0 or above in each element

7.5, usually with 7.0 or above in each element

7.5, usually with 7.0 or above in each element

TOEFL

110, with 25 or above in each element

110, with 25 or above in each element

110, with 25 or above in each element

PTE

59 (a minimum of 59 for each part)

59 (a minimum of 59 for each part)

59 (a minimum of 59 for each part)

MOI

Not Accepted

Not Accepted

Not accepted

LOR 

Required One or Two

Required One or Two

Required One or Two

Work Experience

Required

Required

Required


For undergraduate courses, applicants will require scores of 90% or higher in five or more relevant subjects if they are from CISCE and NIOS boards. Whereas scores of 95% or equivalent in five or more relevant subjects are required if they are from State Boards.

University of Cambridge Scholarships

The University of Cambridge offers a wide range of scholarships for international students at undergraduate, postgraduate and postgraduate research levels. The scholarships provided includes both, merit-based scholarship as well as financial need based scholarship. The amount awarded in most of the scholarships can be used against the tuition fee payment. While there are few scholarships which include living expense and stipend. Some of the top scholarships available at the University of Cambridge are mentioned below.

1. Cambridge International Scholarship
Scholarship Name Cambridge International Scholarship
Scholarship amount University tuition fee + Annual stipend + Immigration Health Surcharge
Details The scholarship is awarded to international students applying for any subject in PhD courses. It is given on the basis of academic ability and research potential, examination results, and references. The financial situation of applicants does not affect selection. They are tenable at any College.
2. Cambridge Trust Scholarship (postgraduate)
Scholarship Name Cambridge Trust Scholarship (postgraduate)
Scholarship amount Contribution towards University tuition fee
Details The scholarship is available for overseas students applying for Master's and PhD programmes in any subject. It is provided in partnership with Cambridge Commonwealth, European & International Trust and is tenable at any college.
3. Cambridge Masters Studentship
Scholarship Name Cambridge Masters Studentship
Scholarship amount £12,000
Details This scholarship is available for all international students applying for one-year postgraduate study in any subject. It is provided regardless of fee status and is tenable at any college.
4. Cambridge Opportunity Studentships
Scholarship Name Cambridge Opportunity Studentships
Scholarship amount Outstanding fees and living expenses are covered
Details These scholarships are for Master's students from low-income households who have faced educational disadvantages. To avail of this scholarship, international students must adhere to the funding deadline specific to their course. For this scholarship, applicants must not already be qualified at a Master's level or higher nor currently undertaking postgraduate study.
5. Cambridge Trust Scholarship (undergraduate)
Scholarship Name Cambridge Trust Scholarship (undergraduate)
Scholarship amount Contribution towards University tuition fee
Details It is available for Undergraduate applicants with international fee status in any subject. It is tenable at any College. The applicants who have received an offer letter from Cambridge College will be sent an application form to apply for Cambridge Trust Scholarships.
6. Rowan Williams Cambridge Studentship
Scholarship Name Rowan Williams Cambridge Studentship
Scholarship amount University tuition fee + Annual stipend for a single person + other allowances (i.e. travel, visa and Immigration Health Surcharge costs) considered on a need basis
Details This scholarship aims to support students who face severe barriers in coming to study in Cambridge. It is available for international students at all levels, in any subject, and is tenable at any College. To avail of this scholarship, international students must adhere to the funding deadline specific to their course.

FAQ's

Cambridge University is renowned for its academic excellence, but it is important to note that attending the university can be a significant financial commitment. Tuition fees for international students can be relatively high, and additional costs such as accommodation, living expenses, books, and other academic resources should also be considered. However, if we compare the quality of education and exposure that you’ll receive while studying at the University of Cambridge, the tuition fee charged by the university is quite justifiable.

No matter what dream you choose to enter, Cambridge University offers a plethora of exceptional programs across various disciplines to make your dream possible. However, some of the standout programs at Cambridge University include Natural Sciences, Engineering, Medicine, and Computer Science.

The University of Cambridge is highly selective, and its acceptance rate can vary depending on several factors, including the program of study and the number of applications received during that particular year. Generally, the acceptance rate at the University of Cambridge is 21%.

Getting into Cambridge University as an international student can be highly competitive and challenging, but it is not impossible. Cambridge University is known for its rigorous academic standards and exceptional reputation, attracting talented individuals from around the world. The admission committee of the university evaluates various factors, including academic achievements, standardized test scores, personal statements, references, and sometimes interviews. International students must demonstrate outstanding academic abilities and a genuine passion for their chosen field of study. Therefore, with strong academic ability and other skills, it is possible to take admitted to Cambridge University.

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