University of Cambridge

What the University of Cambridge is

The University of Cambridge is a collegiate public research university in Cambridge, England. Founded in 1209, it is the second-oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of the most consistently top-ranked universities globally. In the QS World University Rankings 2025, Cambridge is placed 5th in the world.

Cambridge operates through a collegiate system: when you apply, you apply both to the university and to a specific college. There are 31 undergraduate colleges, each responsible for accommodation, pastoral support, and small-group teaching (supervisions). The university centrally delivers lectures, laboratory sessions, and examinations. Supervisions, typically one to three students meeting weekly with a researcher, are Cambridge’s most distinctive academic feature and are widely credited for its strong academic outcomes.

The university is a member of the Russell Group, the association of 24 research-intensive UK universities. It also forms part of the “Golden Triangle” of elite UK research universities alongside Oxford and London institutions. Cambridge alumni include 121 Nobel Prize winners (as of 2024), more than any other university in the world.

For Indian and international students, Cambridge is primarily relevant as a destination for undergraduate study in mathematically intensive disciplines, for the MASt (Master of Advanced Study) in Mathematics, colloquially called Part III, and for postgraduate programmes in economics, law, and the sciences.

Who It’s For

Cambridge is a realistic target for a narrow band of students:

Undergraduate applicants need outstanding secondary school results, typically AAA or A*AA at A-level, or 41–42 points in the IB with 7s at Higher Level in relevant subjects. Most courses also require subject-specific entrance assessments (see Admissions below). Admission is conducted through UCAS; Cambridge has its own October 15 UCAS deadline, earlier than most UK universities. The acceptance rate for international applicants is low, most high-demand courses admit well under 20% of those who apply.

Postgraduate applicants are assessed primarily on undergraduate academic record. The Part III (MASt Mathematics) is one of the most competitive postgraduate mathematics programmes in the world; it accepts students with first-class honours or equivalent from leading institutions and is a gateway to doctoral programmes in mathematics, theoretical physics, and related fields. For economics and law postgraduate programmes, a strong GRE score and an excellent undergraduate transcript from a recognised university are standard expectations.

Cambridge suits students who are clear about their subject early, unlike many US universities, Cambridge does not offer a broad liberal arts undergraduate experience. You apply to a specific course on your UCAS application and switch only in exceptional circumstances.

Programs Offered

Undergraduate

Cambridge offers around 30 undergraduate courses for 2027 entry. The most sought-after by international students include:

• BA Mathematics (and MMath), One of the strongest mathematics programmes globally. The third and fourth years (Parts IB, II, and III of the Mathematical Tripos) are structurally different from any other UK mathematics degree. Students intending to continue in research often stay for the integrated MMath (Part III). International fees: £28,704/yr (2024–25). See also: MSc Mathematics.

• BA Natural Sciences (and MSci), The flagship route into biology, chemistry, biochemistry, physics, and earth sciences. In the first two years, students study multiple science subjects simultaneously before specialising. International fees: ~£39,162/yr for laboratory-based subjects (2024–25). See also: BSc Physics.

• BA Engineering (and MEng), A broad first two years covers civil, mechanical, electrical, information, and structural engineering before specialisation. The MEng is integrated over four years. International fees: ~£39,162/yr (2024–25).

• BA Economics, Three years. Economics at Cambridge requires A-level Mathematics and is assessed using TMUA as part of the pre-offer process. Cambridge economics is more mathematically rigorous than most UK economics degrees. See also: MA Economics.

• BA Law, Three years. Uses the LNAT admissions test. The Cambridge Law course is structured as a Tripos; students can specialise in international law, jurisprudence, and European law in later years. See also: BA LLB and LLM.

• BA History, Three years. Widely regarded as one of the strongest history programmes in the UK, covering ancient, medieval, and modern periods with strong emphasis on primary sources and historiography. See also: BA History.

• BA English, Three years. Covers English literature from Anglo-Saxon to the present, with significant theoretical and critical dimensions. See also: BA English.

• BA Philosophy, Three years. The Cambridge Moral Sciences Tripos has produced some of the most significant philosophers of the past century. Students can move between philosophical traditions across the tripos years. See also: BA Philosophy.

• BA Computer Science (and MEng), One of the most competitive CS degrees in the UK. Uses TMUA as part of admissions. Strong integration with the Cambridge Computer Laboratory’s research output.

Postgraduate

Cambridge’s Course Directory lists over 300 postgraduate programmes across all faculties. The most internationally recognised include:

• MASt Mathematics (Part III), Nine months, full-time. This is the graduate component of the Mathematical Tripos, open both to Cambridge undergraduates and to external graduates. It is among the most demanding graduate mathematics courses in the world; completing it with Distinction is a significant credential for PhD applications globally. Fees for international students: approximately £37,296/yr (2024–25). See also: MSc Mathematics.

• MPhil Economics, Nine months, full-time. Covers econometrics, economic theory, and applied economics. A standard route for students intending to proceed to Cambridge’s Economics PhD programme.

• LLM (Master of Law), Nine months, full-time. One of the most prestigious law postgraduate degrees in the world. International fees: approximately £37,296/yr (2024–25). See also: LLM.

• MPhil History, Nine months, full-time. Research-focused, with a thesis component. Covers British, European, American, and World History streams.

Full programme listings and entry requirements for postgraduate study are available at Cambridge’s Course Directory.

Campus and Infrastructure

Cambridge’s campus is not a single site. The 31 colleges are spread across central Cambridge, a city of about 145,000 people located approximately 90 minutes north of London by train. The university’s libraries, laboratories, and faculties are distributed between college buildings and university department buildings throughout the city.

Key infrastructure for prospective students to understand:

Colleges: Each undergraduate student is a member of a college, which provides accommodation (typically guaranteed for at least one year, and often for the full course), a hall (communal dining), a library, sports facilities, and a community. Colleges vary substantially in size, endowment, culture, and physical appearance. Some, King’s, Trinity, St John’s, are very large and wealthy with major endowments. Others, Robinson, Churchill, Fitzwilliam, are newer, less architecturally historic, and often more international in student composition.

College fees: In addition to university tuition fees, most courses require students to pay a college fee, which ranges from approximately £9,275 to £12,900 per year depending on the college, per the Cambridge undergraduate fee schedule for 2024–25. This is a significant additional cost that many comparison guides omit.

The University Library: One of the largest research libraries in the world, with legal deposit status, it receives a copy of every book published in the UK.

Research facilities: The Cavendish Laboratory (physics), the Sanger Institute (genomics), the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, and the Computer Laboratory are world-class facilities that undergraduates in relevant subjects interact with from the second year onward.

Cost of living in Cambridge: Cambridge is more expensive than most UK cities outside London. Shared student accommodation in private housing costs approximately £700–£1,000 per month. College accommodation typically runs slightly cheaper but is not always available for all years.

Things to Verify Before Applying

Entrance tests are mandatory and time-sensitive: Most Cambridge courses require at least one subject-specific admissions assessment. Key ones include:

• TMUA (Test of Mathematics for University Admissions), required for Mathematics, Computer Science, and Economics. Must be sat in the October window only. Fees: £75 in the UK, £130 internationally.
• STEP (Sixth Term Examination Paper), Mathematics applicants must also satisfy STEP conditions in their offer (post-offer, pre-enrolment). This is separate from TMUA.
• ESAT (Engineering and Science Admissions Test), required for Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Natural Sciences, and Veterinary Medicine.
• LNAT (Law National Aptitude Test), required for Law applicants.
• Not registering for the correct test before the relevant October deadline will typically result in an application being rejected regardless of grades.

College choice affects your experience significantly: You should research individual colleges before applying. You can also make an open application (no college preference), in which case Cambridge assigns you a college with available spaces.

IELTS/TOEFL requirements: For international students whose first language is not English, Cambridge requires a minimum IELTS overall score of 7.5 (with no individual component below 7.0), or a TOEFL score of at least 110 (with 25 in each element).

UCAS deadline is October 15: Cambridge and Oxford share an early UCAS deadline that falls well before most other UK universities. Missing this means you cannot apply for the current cycle.

College fees add substantially to total costs: Make sure your budget accounts for both the university tuition fee and the college fee for your chosen (or assigned) college.

Financial support: The Cambridge Commonwealth, European and International Trust awards approximately 500 scholarships annually to international students. These are competitive and primarily aimed at postgraduate students. Undergraduate international students have access to limited hardship funding but should not plan their finances around receiving scholarship support.

Part III (MASt Mathematics) is distinct from the undergraduate degree: If you are an external graduate applying for Part III, be aware that admissions are very competitive, a strong undergraduate transcript from a recognised university is essential, and most students are from leading US, UK, European, and Indian institutions (IITs and IISER graduates have been admitted).

Where to Go Next on This Site

• MSc Mathematics, for context on what advanced mathematics programmes look like
• LLM, comparing Cambridge LLM with other top law postgraduate options
• BA LLB, five-year integrated law programmes in India, for comparison
• BSc Physics, undergraduate physics pathways
• BA History, history degree options and career pathways
• BA English, undergraduate English literature programmes
• BA Philosophy, philosophy degree options
• MA Economics, postgraduate economics programmes

Sources Used

• University of Cambridge, Undergraduate Courses
• Cambridge Undergraduate Tuition Fees 2024–25 (PDF)
• Cambridge Postgraduate Course Directory
• Cambridge International Students, Fees and Financial Support
• QS World University Rankings 2025
• Cambridge Alumni, General Rankings 2025