Updated October 9, 2026
University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge (Founded 1209, Cambridge, England) ranks #2 in the QS World University Rankings 2026. Supervisions, 31 colleges, and the strongest science bench in Europe.
Campus culture
Cambridge's supervision system means weekly small-group teaching with an expert, often in your college. Terms are famously short and intense (8 weeks), the workload is crushing by reputation, and the city is a postcard: punting, formal halls, May Balls in June. Science and maths dominate its identity; the collegiate structure keeps a huge research university feeling small.
Colleges and housing
31 colleges. As at Oxford, you apply to one college or make an open application; teaching is the same everywhere. Consider accommodation guarantees (most colleges house you for 3+ years), location (central vs. slightly out), and size. Trinity, King's, and St John's are the famous names, but smaller colleges often give a warmer experience and better odds in some subjects.
Costs
International fees from about £25,068 a year (higher for medicine and some sciences). Living costs £1,300 to £1,800 a month; college accommodation, guaranteed for most undergraduates, keeps rent predictable. Home fee capped (currently £9,535). The Cambridge Bursary Scheme supports UK students from lower-income households.
Admissions
UCAS by October 15, written assessments for most courses, interviews in December. Typical offers: A*A*A to A*AA. Cambridge interviews are famously problem-solving oriented: they want to see how you think, not what you memorized. Strong performance in the admissions test is often the real filter before interview.
FAQ
What is Cambridge known for?
Cambridge's supervision system means weekly small-group teaching with an expert, often in your college. Terms are famously short and intense (8 weeks), the workload is crushing by reputation, and the city is a postcard: punting, formal halls, May Balls in June. Science and maths dominate its identity; the collegiate structure keeps a huge research university feeling small.
How much does Cambridge cost for international students?
International fees from about £25,068 a year (higher for medicine and some sciences). Living costs £1,300 to £1,800 a month; college accommodation, guaranteed for most undergraduates, keeps rent predictable. Home fee capped (currently £9,535). The Cambridge Bursary Scheme supports UK students from lower-income households.
How do I apply to Cambridge?
UCAS by October 15, written assessments for most courses, interviews in December. Typical offers: A*A*A to A*AA. Cambridge interviews are famously problem-solving oriented: they want to see how you think, not what you memorized. Strong performance in the admissions test is often the real filter before interview.
Is accommodation guaranteed at Cambridge?
31 colleges. As at Oxford, you apply to one college or make an open application; teaching is the same everywhere. Consider accommodation guarantees (most colleges house you for 3+ years), location (central vs. slightly out), and size. Trinity, King's, and St John's are the famous names, but smaller colleges often give a warmer experience and better odds in some subjects.