Welcome to Cambridge, home to more than 20,000 students from all walks of life and all corners of the world. Cambridge is rich in cultural diversity. You will find beautiful University and College buildings, museums and art galleries, extensive gardens and punts on the River Cam. A unique city centre small enough to explore on foot, and just a short walk from the train station.
Things to see and do at the University of Cambridge
You can find more information, including opening times and fees, at the following websites:
If you are thinking about applying to study at Cambridge, our open days and events offer opportunities to get a feel for the city and the University. You can find out more about admissions procedures, courses, facilities, student life within the collegiate University and ask any questions you might have.
The University works in collaboration with AccesAble to enhance the existing provision of information on accessibility and the University estate for visitors.
These guides provide an excellent and accurate provision of information related to access and should prove a helpful resource for anyone wishing to study at or work at the University of Cambridge, or for those visiting the University and the city.
Cambridge at a glance
Established
The University of Cambridge was founded in 1209. Cambridge is the fourth-oldest university in the world.
Motto
Hinc lucem et pocula sacra (From this place, we gain enlightenment and precious knowledge).
12,437 members of staff employed in academic, academic-related, contract research, technical and administrative roles.
Alumni
As of May 2022, Cambridge had more than 315,000 living alumni, with significant numbers in the UK, the USA, Germany, Canada, Australia, the People’s Republic of China, France, Hong Kong SAR, Singapore, India, Switzerland and Italy.
Colleges
The University is made up of 31 constituent Colleges.
Admissions
20,426 people applied for around 4,000 undergraduate places in 2020. Over 70% of our UK applicants came from state schools.
Among our alumni and affiliates we have 121 Nobel Prize Laureates, 47 Heads of State, 210 Olympic medallists.
Graduate employment
90% of leavers who responded to the Graduate Outcomes Survey were in work or further study within 15 months of graduating.
A global University
Cambridge is a globally diverse institution. Our students come from more than 130 different countries.
Our researchers collaborate with colleagues worldwide. The University has established partnerships in Asia, Africa, the Americas and Europe. Find out more about our global partnerships
Innovation
The University of Cambridge sits at the heart of one of the world’s largest technology clusters. The Cambridge cluster is home to 5,300 knowledge-intensive companies. It is the birthplace of 23 businesses valued at more than $1 billion (£800 million).
Cambridge promotes the interface between academia and business, and has a global reputation for innovation.
The University has more than 20,000 students and 12,000 staff from all walks of life and all corners of the world. No two days are ever the same at the University of Cambridge.
The University is a confederation of Schools, Faculties, Departments and Colleges. The 31 Colleges are governed by their own statutes and regulations, but are integral to the make-up of the University.
Students are members of the University and of an academic Faculty or Department. Our students also belong to a College community. This is an arrangement that offers pastoral and academic support for each individual.
Colleges
Students live, eat and socialise in one of the University’s 31 autonomous Colleges. Undergraduates receive College supervisions – small group teaching sessions. Supervisions are regarded as one of the best teaching models in the world.
Each College has its own internal procedures. They select their own students, subject to University regulations. Most Colleges admit both undergraduate and postgraduate students. College representatives sit on the University Council and Finance Committee.
There is a Council of each School. This includes representatives of its Faculties and Departments. The Schools are represented on the General Board.
Faculties and Departments
University Faculties organise teaching and research into individual subjects or groups of subjects. Their work is normally organised into sub-divisions called Departments.
Centres of studies are controlled by committees of management. These bring together representatives from several disciplines. See a list of our Departments
You will need to prove that you can finance yourself for the entire course. You should not expect to support yourself by working as the University has restrictions on working during studies. If you are bringing dependants to Cambridge, you will be required to supply evidence of having the extra financial support required.
Financial Support
There are various sources of financial support available to help towards your costs at Cambridge. These include:
Cambridge Commonwealth, European & International Trust is the largest provider of funding for international students at Cambridge. Working with partners worldwide, the Trust awards approximately 500 scholarships annually, and supports between 1100 and 1400 students in residence each year. Use the Trust’s Scholarship search to see the range of scholarships for which you are eligible.
Gates Cambridge provides scholarships to outstanding applicants from outside the UK to pursue a full-time postgraduate degree.
These are the Cambridge Trust scholarships currently available for courses starting in the academic year.
Please read the information for each scholarship carefully as some awards may have additional criteria and/or require a separate application.
Please note: as we often review our agreements, the list of available scholarships in any academic year is subject to change. We would advise you to check the list regularly.
Boustany Cambridge Pembroke Scholarship in Philosophy
This scholarship is only tenable at Pembroke College, and is offered every three years to a PhD applicant in Philosophy Scholarship details
Cambridge International Scholarship
These scholarships are offered to highly-ranked applicants who are from countries other than the UK or Ireland, in any subject. Scholarship details
Cambridge Masters Studentship
These studentships are available to all applicants, regardless of fee status, for one-year postgraduate study in any subject (excl. MSt) Scholarship details
Cambridge Opportunity Studentships and Get In Cambridge Studentships
These studentships are for Masters applicants from low-income households with experience of educational disadvantage, who are set at the Home fee rate. Scholarship details
Cambridge Toshiba Japan and the World Graduate Scholarship
This scholarship is available to PhD applicants in the Faculty of Asian & Middle Eastern Studies whose research aims to place Japan within the wider context of the world. Scholarship details
Cambridge Trust Global Impact Scholarship
This scholarship is available to undergraduate applicants with overseas fee status, in any subject Scholarship details
Cambridge Trust Scholarship
This scholarship is available to international Masters and PhD applicants in any subject Scholarship details
Cambridge Undergraduate Scholarship
This scholarship is available to undergraduate applicants with overseas fee status, in any subject Scholarship details
Chevening/Cambridge Scholarship
This scholarship is available to Masters applicants from countries in which Chevening Scholarships are awarded Scholarship details
Commonwealth (Cambridge) Scholarship
This scholarship is available to applicants from developing member countries of the Commonwealth, at Masters or PhD level in any subject Scholarship details
Commonwealth Shared Cambridge Scholarship
This scholarship is available to Masters applicants from certain developing member countries of the Commonwealth, in specific set countries. Scholarship details
Hiroyuki Nakagawa Cambridge Graduate Scholarship in Japanese Studies
This scholarship is available to PhD applicants of any nationality pursuing a PhD in Asian & Middle Eastern Studies (Japanese Studies) Scholarship details
Inlaks Cambridge Scholarship
This award is available to Masters and PhD applicants from India Scholarship details
Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Cambridge Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to PhD applicants from India in any academic subject Scholarship details
Kaho Cambridge Graduate Scholarship in Japanese Studies
This scholarship is available to applicants for a PhD in the Faculty of Asian & Middle Eastern Studies (Japanese Studies) whose research aims to place Japan within the wider context of the world. Scholarship details
King’s Cambridge Commonwealth Scholarship for Small Island Developing States
These scholarships are for PhD students from Small Island Developing States of the Commonwealth in any subject with a focus on strengthening capacity in key themes within those States Scholarship details
Pemanda Monappa Scholarship
This scholarship is available to Masters applicants from India in specific subjects Scholarship details
Prathiba M Singh Cambridge Scholarship
This scholarship is available to applicants from India to do the LLM (Masters in Law) Scholarship details
Quick Japan and the World Graduate Scholarship
This scholarship is available to PhD applicants of any nationality pursuing a PhD in Asian & Middle Eastern Studies (Japanese Studies) Scholarship details
Rowan Williams Cambridge Studentship
This scholarship is available to applicants at all degree levels, in any subject, who have faced severe barriers to their education Scholarship details
Smuts Cambridge Scholarship
This scholarship is available to PhD applicants whose research relates to a Commonwealth country or countries (excluding the UK), normally in the fields of Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences Scholarship details
Tigris Scholarship
The Tigris Scholarship funds students from underprivileged countries in Latin America, Africa and Asia, who intend to pursue a career in the hard sciences Scholarship details
Williams Papworth Studentship
The Williams Papworth Studentship provides full or partial support for Masters (and sometimes PhD) students from the Tibetan Plateau or surrounding countries or regions Scholarship details
Woolf Institute Cambridge Scholarship
This scholarship is available to PhD applicants in subjects relevant to the work of the Woolf Institute Scholarship details
Smuts Cambridge Scholarship
This scholarship is available to PhD applicants whose research relates to a Commonwealth country or countries (excluding the UK), normally in the fields of Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences Scholarship details
Tigris Scholarship
The Tigris Scholarship funds students from underprivileged countries in Latin America, Africa and Asia, who intend to pursue a career in the hard sciences Scholarship details
Williams Papworth Studentship
The Williams Papworth Studentship provides full or partial support for Masters (and sometimes PhD) students from the Tibetan Plateau or surrounding countries or regions Scholarship details
Woolf Institute Cambridge Scholarship
This scholarship is available to PhD applicants in subjects relevant to the work of the Woolf Institute Scholarship details
You may also wish to check opportunities from scholarship agencies in your home country.
Q. What does ‘collegiate University’ mean?
Cambridge is a ‘collegiate University’. This refers to the University, which includes Departments, Faculties, Schools, central administrative offices, libraries and museums, and the 31 autonomous Colleges. Students are members of a College where they receive pastoral and academic support.
Postgraduate students are accepted by a College after the academic decision on whether to recommend you for a place is made by the relevant department.
If you are applying from inside the UK (because you already have immigration permission that permits this), see student visa permission to stay.
Q. What documentation do I need to submit as part of my visa application?
The documentation you are required to submit to the Home Office in support of your visa application varies depending on your personal circumstances. All applicants have to submit their passport and, depending on your nationality and chosen course, you may also be required to submit financial evidence to prove that you can cover your course fees and living costs, ATAS certificate, TB certificate and police registration certificate. See Students visa pages for further information.
Q. When and how do I get my CAS to support my student visa application?
You will receive your CAS once you have met all of your offer conditions and your offer of admission is confirmed. Your CAS will be sent to you electronically.
Q. Can someone at the University check my visa application and supporting documents before I submit them to the Home Office?
The International Student Office’s visa advice service provides advice on a range of student-related immigration matters. This includes checking visa application forms and supporting documents.
Q. How do I collect my Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) after I arrive in the UK?
If you are starting in Michaelmas Term, we advise you to select collection of your BRP from the University when completing your visa application. To do this, you will need to use the relevant ACL code in the relevant part of your visa application. Once you arrive in the UK, the collection location will depend on when you are starting your studies. Further information is outlined at Collecting your BRP. Students starting in Lent and Easter terms are advised to collect their BRP from the Post Office.
Q. What is ATAS?
The Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) requires students who will be studying for a postgraduate qualification in certain sensitive subject areas on a time-limited visa, which includes a student visa, to apply for a clearance certificate. The relevant subject areas are based on whether knowledge gained could be used in programmes to develop weapons of mass destruction or their means of delivery. Certain nationalities are exempt.
ATAS applications are administered by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). It is a free online application. The standard ATAS processing time is 20 working days although this can increase to 6 weeks or more during the peak period July – September.
Q. I am on a student visa. Can I access healthcare services for free in the UK?
Students applying for a student visa to study at Cambridge for 6 months or longer will pay an immigration health surcharge as part of their visa application. This will entitle them to access the National Health Service (NHS).
Most of the Colleges are open to visitors during weekdays and at the weekends, and will allow you to stroll around independently during visiting hours (with the exception of some restricted areas). College websites provide information on exact opening hours. If there are any particular Colleges that you would like to visit during your stay in Cambridge, we would recommend that you contact them in advance to check that they will be open to the public on the day of your visit.
You may also like to contact the Department or Faculty you wish to visit directly and see if they can assist you.
Information on opening a bank account as a new international student is available on our arriving webpages. The major UK banks have branches in Cambridge. Different banks offer different benefits and services to international students so it is advisable to check your options before making a choice. Most students open a current account which provides a visa debit card, which can be used to make payment in shops and online as well as take money from cash points (ATMs) up to a daily maximum limit, and is usually combined with an online banking service.
Q. I am interested in doing an internship at the university.
The University does not have a centrally organised application procedure for internships / training placements so you will need to contact the relevant Department, Faculty or University Office where you are interested in undertaking work experience to see if they are able to assist with your request.
Q. I am interested in coming to the university as a visiting student.
Some Colleges will consider applications from overseas students wishing to undertake a short course of undergraduate study in Cambridge as a visiting student.
If you are a postgraduate student, application procedures will vary depending on the Department or Faculty. You will need to contact the relevant Department/Faculty directly for further information.
Prospective incoming Erasmus students who wish to undertake a traineeship / work placement at the University, should contact the relevant Department/Faculty directly for further information.
Study in the UK: Top Universities, Programs, and Scholarships
The United Kingdom is a world-renowned destination for higher education, offering a diverse selection of prestigious universities, affordable options, and a wide array of programs. Here’s a guide to some of the key aspects to consider when planning to study in the UK.
1. Top UK Universities
The UK is home to many highly ranked universities known for their academic excellence and research facilities:
Oxford University (Oxford, UK): One of the oldest and most prestigious universities globally, renowned for its rigorous programs.
University of Sheffield (UK): Known for its research and innovation, Sheffield offers a broad spectrum of disciplines.
Swansea University (UK): Located in Wales, Swansea offers a variety of courses and a beautiful coastal setting.
Sheffield Hallam University (UK): With strong industry connections, Sheffield Hallam is a popular choice for practical and applied programs.
Heriot-Watt University (Scotland): Recognized for engineering, business, and science, Heriot-Watt has campuses around the world.
University of Glasgow (Scotland): A leading research university with a global reputation, especially in the arts, sciences, and medicine.
Loughborough University (UK): Known for its excellent sports facilities and engineering programs.
Nottingham Trent University (UK): Known for its creative arts, Nottingham Trent provides industry-relevant courses.
University of Liverpool John Moores (UK): Offers a wide range of programs and strong research opportunities.
For those interested in studying in London, consider renowned institutions such as University College London (UCL) and London School of Economics (LSE), as well as universities across the Greater London area, which offer diverse programs in nearly every field.
2. Popular Programs
The UK offers a variety of degree programs across disciplines:
Masters in Management (UK): UK universities provide management degrees, including MBA and MSc in Management, which are recognized globally.
LLM in the UK: Ideal for those pursuing a career in law, with universities offering specializations like international and corporate law.
Physiotherapy Masters in the UK: Programs such as MSc in Physiotherapy are offered in leading institutions, providing a path to careers in healthcare.
PhD Programs: Research-oriented students can explore a PhD in various fields, with excellent resources and guidance.
MBA Programs: Some of the best MBA programs can be found at institutions like Oxford University and University of Manchester, with options tailored for both recent graduates and professionals.
3. Scholarships and Financial Aid
The UK offers numerous scholarships for international students, including options specifically for Indian students:
UK Scholarships for Indian Students: Various UK universities provide scholarships to assist with tuition fees and living costs.
British Scholarships: The UK government and other organizations offer scholarships such as the Chevening Scholarship and Commonwealth Scholarships.
United Kingdom Scholarships: Some scholarships are specific to certain regions, universities, or programs, supporting students with exceptional academic achievements.
4. Affordable Education Options
For students seeking affordable education, here are some options:
Cheapest Universities in the UK: Many universities offer competitive tuition rates, including University of the Highlands and Islands and University of Cumbria.
Cost of MBA Programs in the UK: While MBA programs are generally an investment, several universities offer reasonably priced MBAs with flexible formats.
5. Student Visas and Requirements
To study in the UK, international students typically need a Tier 4 (General) Student Visa. Visa requirements include proof of acceptance from a recognized university, financial resources, and English language proficiency.
6. Living and Studying in the UK
Studying in the UK offers students an opportunity to live in vibrant cities like London, Manchester, and Edinburgh, or in quieter university towns. Most universities provide accommodation options and student support services to help international students adjust to life in the UK.
7. Top Subjects and Specializations
Whether pursuing MS degrees in sciences, LLM in law, or MA in the arts, UK universities cater to diverse academic interests, with programs designed to provide both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
8. Healthcare and MBBS
For those interested in healthcare, the MBBS program in the UK is well-regarded, though the cost can be significant. The UK’s universities offer state-of-the-art facilities and strong clinical training.
