The University of Cambridge

The University of Cambridge is made up of separate and independent colleges, each one responsible for teaching. Colleges and libraries dot the small city of Cambridge, each one filled with aspiring students and world-class academics.

Background and history

The second oldest university in the United Kingdom, Cambridge is famed throughout the world as a beacon of learning and academic excellence. Since its foundation in 1206, it has taught figures as varied as the scientist Sir Isaac Newton and the economist John Maynard Keynes. Colleges have their own minor traditions and reputations, for example, King's College students are traditionally left-wing, but the reality is that these traditions are largely forgotten and are no longer observed. Of  all the colleges, Clare Hall and Darwin only admit graduates.

Location and accessibility

The city of Cambridge has good rail links, with direct trains to and from London, and is accessible via the M11.

The major libraries are now almost all wheelchair accessible, but the quality of accommodation varies wildly from College to College, with the older buildings often very difficult to navigate for wheelchair users. The University Access Office, however, is first-class and all provisions are made for students with mobility issues.

What's on offer

BA, BSc, MA, MSci, MMus, MsT, MBA, PHd, Post-graduate Certificate, Post- graduate Diploma.

Entry requirements

Arts Humanities: Offers vary between subjects and colleges from A*A*A*-AAA at A-Level, between 40-42 for the International Baccalaureate.

Sciences Engineering: Offers vary between subjects and colleges from A*A*A*- AAA at A-Level, between 40-42 for the International Baccalaureate.

Interviews

Interviews largely take place in the first three weeks of December. Depending on college and course, there may be a written test as well as a verbal interview. On average, each place will have four applicants behind it. Students can either apply to a college or choose to be assigned one. This has no practical consequences on the likelihood of an application being successful.

University Accommodation

The majority of colleges have accommodation for all years of study, although some second and fourth years may have to live out. Average rents in colleges are about£60-120 per week.

Individual College Profiles:

Christ's College	Churchill College
Clare College	Clare Hall
Corpus Christi College	Darwin 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 Catherine's College
St Edmund's College	St John's College
Trinity College	Wolfson College

Private Accommodation

Single-occupier apartments peak at £650 a month, while the average rent per person in a multiple occupier household is around £400 to £500 per person per month.

Cambridge university courses Information about individual courses and faculties can be found by following the link to the university website.  

Academic strengths and research profile

The University and its colleges are amongst the world's most-renowned research institutions, with the majority of the UK's most-cited research occurring either here or at Oxford according to a 2011 survey, which placed Royal Holloway third. Tuition fees

Undergraduate fees:UK/EU:£9,000 for undergraduate courses.

Overseas: Fees for overseas students vary depending on the course of study, for further information visit the university website.

Financial Support

There is a large and generous network of bursaries, grants and scholarships available for students.

Academic Facilities

Each college has its own fully-stocked library, the majority of which are open twenty-four hours a day in term time. In addition, there are countless subject-specific libraries that are open to all students, while the University has some of the most up-to-date lab facilities in the world. Regardless of your academic need, you will find it well met at Cambridge, which has resources only rivalled by the Universities of London and Oxford.

Other On-site Amenities 

There is wide variation between college facilities, but every college has a range of facilities, from bars to gyms, while the University-wide sports and social provision is second-to-none. If, as the majority of students do, you live in college, you will find all of your needs catered to on site, with a bar, gym and washing facilities on-site.

Medical and social care

As well as the University-wide welfare support service, numerous local GPs and the local hospital, every college has on-site nursing and chaplaincy support, while there is faith provision for people of all persuasions throughout the university and the city. Students are mandated to register with an approved GP in the city.

What's on in the Area?

Cambridge is a busy, if small, city, with plenty to do and with countless high-quality but cheap theatres and cinemas ranging from arthouse to blockbuster. An excellent selection of restaurants and cafes, plus a thriving market centre. Some students from bigger cities can find Cambridge parochial, with the city lacking a strong music scene of its own, but the general arts scene is exciting and vibrant.http://www.visitcambridge.org/

Moving On

In addition to providing careers support throughout the University, including support with applications, interviews and CV-writing, the University Careers Service continues to offer support after graduation.

Comedy duo Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry met whilst studying at Cambridge together, sparking a creative partnership and friendship that would last decades.

Fictional detective Sherlock Holmes was a graduate of Cambridge.

Oliver Cromwell, the only non-hereditary head of state in British history, was aCambridge graduate.

Cambridge was founded in 1280 when a group of Oxford scholars fled a rioting mob downriver and set up a new university.

Is the University of Cambridge the place for you?

If you want to study with world-class academics and researchers at the top of their field, consider Cambridge. If want to be surrounded by old buildings, such as the surrounds of Christ's College or the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge could also be the perfect fit. If you like big cities, you might find Cambridge a little too small for your tastes. Consider a bigger city like Manchester or Bristol, or a London university like UCL.