University of Cambridge | Rankings, programs, fees, and more

About the University of Cambridge

The University of Cambridge is a public, coeducational research university located in Cambridge, England. Established in 1209, King Henry III granted it a royal charter in 1231. It is the third-oldest university still in operation and one of the most prestigious in the entire globe. Cambridge is now ranked second globally and first in Europe in the QS World University Rankings.

Academic global rankings

The University of Cambridge usually receives the top five rankings globally. The University of Cambridge is the world’s second-best university as of 2023, slightly behind the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, according to the QS Rankings (MIT).

Following are the standings as of 2023, along with other ranking lists.

• 2nd in QS World University Rankings
• The top university in Europe and third-best in the world, behind Harvard and Stanford, is ARWU-Cambridge.
• It is the  third-best institution in the world, according to Times Higher Education’s rankings for 2023 (tied with Stanford).
• 11th on the Graduate employability ranking list.
• Second on QS WUR ranking by subject.
• 3rd on the Times Good University Guide 2023
• 3rd on the Guardian University Guide 2023

Courses

Undergraduate courses

Cambridge University offers 30 undergraduate programs in more than 65 different subject areas.

• Anglo-Saxon, Norse, and Celtic
• Archaeology
• Architecture
• Asian and Middle Eastern Studies
• Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology
• Classics
• Computer Science
• Economics
• Education
• Engineering
• English
• Foundation Year in Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (pre-degree course)
• Geography
• History
• History and Modern Languages
• History and Politics
• History of Art
• Human, Social, and Political Sciences
• Land Economy
• Law
• Linguistics
• Management Studies (Part II course)
• Manufacturing Engineering (Part II course)
• Mathematics
• Medicine
• Medicine (Graduate Course)
• Modern and Medieval Languages
• Music
• Natural Sciences
• Philosophy
• Psychological and Behavioural Sciences
• Theology, Religion, and Philosophy of Religion
• Veterinary Medicine

Postgraduate courses

With over 300 postgraduate programs and a median salary of £32-38K, 93% of postgraduates are working or attending school full-time 15 months after graduating.

You will participate in a variety of lectures, seminars, labs, and supervisions as a Master’s student during each of the three eight-week terms. This is a distinctive teaching method found in Cambridge. 

Weekly supervisions provide you the chance to thoroughly examine a problem with a lecturer and one or two other students. Through research-driven teaching excellence, you’ll learn from subject-matter experts and gain access to their most recent knowledge while you’re studying.

Colleges & Schools 

You are a member of the University and one or more Colleges in Cambridge. The majority of students get housing, financial aid, and other services from the 29 undergraduate Colleges for a minimum of three years.

• Christ’s College
• Churchill College
• Clare College
• Corpus Christi College
• Downing College
• Emmanuel College
• Fitzwilliam College
• Girton College
• Gonville & Caius College
• Homerton College
• Hughes Hall
• Jesus College
• King’s College
• Lucy Cavendish College
• Magdalene College
• Murray Edwards College
• Newnham College
• Pembroke College
• Peterhouse
• Queens’ College
• Robinson College
• Selwyn College
• Sidney Sussex College
• St Catharine’s College
• St Edmund’s College
• St John’s College
• Trinity College
• Trinity Hall
• Wolfson College

Tuition fees and cost of living

The cost of tuition varies by course for international students (see table below).

The tuition fee paid to the University of Cambridge during the year abroad will be 50% of the full fee. For international students pursuing veterinary medicine, the tuition fee payable in Year 3 will be the tuition for the course taken in that year. For more information, visit the course page. The fees listed are per year and are for the duration of the course.

International tuition fees for 2023 entry 

Group Courses	Tuition Fee
Anglo-SaxonNorse, and CelticArchaeologyAsian and Middle Eastern Studies; ClassicsEconomicsEducationEnglishHistoryHistory and Modern LanguagesHistory and PoliticsHistory of ArtHuman, Social, and Political SciencesLand EconomyLawLinguisticsModern and Medieval Languages PhilosophyTheology, Religion, and Philosophy of Religion	£24,507
Mathematics	£27,333
ArchitectureGeographyMusic	£32,064
Chemical EngineeringComputer ScienceEngineeringManagement StudiesManufacturing EngineeringNatural SciencesPsychological and Behavioural Sciences	£37,293
Medical and Veterinary Science (including for this purpose the Second M.B. and Second Vet. M.B. Examinations)	£63,990

College fees

In addition to university tuition fees, all international/overseas fee-status students and Home fee-status students who aren’t eligible for tuition fee help (such as associated students) typically have to pay an annual college fee. The price of offering a variety of pastoral, domestic, and educational services and support is covered by this for your College. College costs might differ between colleges and are frequently set for the length of your term.

Living costs

If you want to stay in Cambridge or the UK during breaks, your living costs can be higher than those of a student in the UK. Depending on lifestyle, the minimal resources required in Cambridge for the academic year 2023–24 are to be around £12,400* (excluding tuition and College fees).

The cost of living may have increased before applicants arrive in Cambridge because maintenance rates are established more than a year in advance depending on inflation rates at the time. New students need to budget for moving expenses, such as airfare, equipment, and visas. The International Student Office website has further instructions.

• Please be aware that typically, all students should be able to reside in Cambridge and attend their course there for the entire length (except for the year abroad being part of the course).

Key takeaways

• One of the oldest and most famous universities in the world, it currently has 3,200 students from about 140 different countries.
• The 29 undergraduate colleges in Cambridge provide housing, financial aid, and other amenities to the majority of students for at least three years.
• Students at Cambridge participate in a variety of lectures, seminars, labs, and supervisions over the course of each of the three eight-week terms.

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FAQs

Q1. Do you need 4 A levels to get into Cambridge?

Ans. Most Cambridge candidates are enrolled in three or four A Level courses in years 12 and 13, the basis of prediction of and the average offer on students taking three A Levels together in Year 13. This typically suffices to demonstrate the diversity of interests and the capacity to handle a variety of various academic assignments.

Q2. What is the Cambridge exam cutoff?

Ans.  For the Cambridge English: Advanced exam,  the maximum score limit is 210 . A B is for those who scored between 193 and 199. A C is for students who score between 180 and 192.

Q3. Is there an age restriction for Cambridge?

Ans. Although there is no minimum age requirement for admission to Cambridge, the majority of undergraduates are at least 18 years old when they begin their studies. You have to be older than 21 when you start your degree.