University profile

University of Cambridge in profile

The University of Cambridge is a public university with around 19,000 students. Profile, courses, entry and funding at a glance.

18,977
Students
1209
Founded
Gold
TEF award
32
Programmes listed

Published outcomes & experience

Comparable indicators for University of Cambridge, calculated from published official datasets. This is not an overall university ranking.

Continuation
Students continuing after their first year
Relative position100th percentile
Official source →

Provider percentiles are StudySmarter calculations across providers with sufficient comparable coverage. Missing or stale dimensions are omitted, and small differences should not be overinterpreted. No commercial review scores are used.

Subject strengths

University of Cambridge ranks in the UK top 10 for 44 subjects. UK subject ranks from the Complete University Guide league tables.

#1 Archaeology#1 Asian Studies#1 Biological Sciences#1 Celtic Studies#1 Chemical Engineering#1 Chemistry#1 Classics#1 East of England#1 Economics#1 Education

Complete University Guide subject league tables. Only subjects where University of Cambridge ranks in the UK top 25 are shown.

About University of Cambridge

The University of Cambridge is a public university with around 19,000 students, founded in 1209. It is a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities.

It is a recognised UK degree-awarding body, so its degrees are nationally recognised. It holds a Gold award for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023. It is based in The Old Schools, Trinity Lane, Cambridge, CB2 1TN.

Numbers & facts

The key facts about University of Cambridge at a glance.

1209
Founded
18,977
Students
Cambridge
Location
32
Programmes listed
Public university
Institution type
Gold
TEF award
I am a …

Applying from school or college

With A-levels, Scottish Highers or Advanced Highers, a BTEC, T-level, IB or another accepted Level 3 route, you apply to University of Cambridge through UCAS, up to five choices in one application, by the late-January equal-consideration deadline. Offers are usually conditional on your predicted grades, confirmed on results day.

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Programmes at University of Cambridge

32 programmes at University of Cambridge. Search live or filter by subject, level and study mode:

CourseAwardSubject
ArchaeologyBA (Hons)History
Anglo-Saxon, Norse and CelticBA (Hons)Modern Languages
PhilosophyBA (Hons)Philosophy & Religion
DesignMDes (Hons)Engineering
EconomicsBA (Hons)Economics
EnglishBA (Hons)English & Literature
Computer ScienceBA (Hons)Computer Science
EducationBA (Hons)Education & Teaching
GeographyBA (Hons)Environmental Science
Human, Social, and Political SciencesBA (Hons)Politics & International Relations
LawBA (Hons)Law
MathematicsBA (Hons)Mathematics
Asian and Middle Eastern StudiesBA (Hons)Modern Languages
ClassicsBA (Hons)History
Classics (4 years)BA (Hons)History
HistoryBA (Hons)History
History of ArtBA (Hons)History
History with Modern LanguagesBA (Hons)History
History with PoliticsBA (Hons)History
Land EconomyBA (Hons)Economics
LinguisticsBA (Hons)English & Literature
Modern and Medieval LanguagesBA (Hons)Modern Languages
MusicBA (Hons)Music & Performing Arts
Natural SciencesBA (Hons)General Studies
Psychological and Behavioural SciencesBA (Hons)Psychology
Theology, Religion, and Philosophy of ReligionBA (Hons)Philosophy & Religion
Bachelor of Theology for MinistryBTh (Hons)Philosophy & Religion
Architecture (BA+ M.Arch)MArch (Hons)Building & Construction
MB,BChir (Hons) MedicineDegreeMedicine & Dentistry
Chemical Engineering and BiotechnologyMEng (Hons)Engineering
EngineeringMEng (Hons)Engineering
Vet.M.B (Hons) Veterinary MedicineDegreeMedicine & Dentistry

Complete programme list for University of Cambridge; full-time, part-time and delivery variants are grouped (32 programmes, 2026).

Campus & locations

University of Cambridge is a campus-based public university in Cambridge.

Teaching runs on campus: lectures, seminars and labs alongside libraries and study spaces, with a student community of societies, sport and events around them. The day-to-day exchange with tutors and coursemates is a big part of the experience.

On campus
Libraries & study spaces Labs & teaching facilities Students’ union & societies Sport & fitness Support services
Locations
Cambridge

Typical campus facilities; the university’s own pages are authoritative.

Students & campus life

Who you’d study alongside at University of Cambridge in Cambridge. The student body in numbers, from official HESA data.

22,565
Students
enrolled (HESA, 2024/25)
32%
International
students from outside the UK
25%
Mature students
aged 25+ on entry
UK students by ethnicity
White67%
Asian18%
Black4%
Mixed9%
Other2%

Ethnicity of UK-domiciled students (HESA); international students not shown here.

Is University of Cambridge right for you?

A particularly good fit if you …

  • want a recognised UK degree with student finance eligibility
  • are aiming for a research-intensive Russell Group environment
  • like the idea of student life in Cambridge
  • prefer campus teaching with societies, sport and people around you

Less suitable if …

you need a fully flexible, distance-learning degree alongside a job. Check whether the individual programme offers online or part-time study.

For parents

The questions parents ask most about University of Cambridge, answered briefly.

A recognised UK degree

University of Cambridge awards its own degrees and is regulated in the UK higher-education framework. Its degrees are nationally recognised and a basis for postgraduate study.

Regulated fees & student finance

For eligible undergraduate courses at English providers, the 2026/27 standard cap is up to £9,790 a year. If you normally live in England, eligible tuition and maintenance loans can cover costs up front; repayment starts only above the income threshold.

Independently quality-assessed

Teaching quality holds a Gold award in the Office for Students’ TEF, an independent national assessment of teaching, learning and student outcomes.

Support from day one

Personal tutors, wellbeing and careers services accompany students from enrolment to graduation.

Career prospects

Graduate outcomes are tracked in the national Graduate Outcomes survey. Every course page here shows real earnings and employment data where available.

Structure & campus life

A fixed term rhythm in Cambridge with in-person teaching, exchange and campus life gives structure and motivation.

Accreditation & recognition

How to read University of Cambridge’s formal standing, the seals and what they mean:

Recognised degree-awarding body TEF Gold Russell Group
Recognised UK degree-awarding body

University of Cambridge awards its own degrees, which are accepted nationally and are the basis for Master’s and doctoral study.

TEF Gold for teaching quality

Independent national assessment by the Office for Students of teaching, the learning environment and student outcomes (TEF 2023).

Russell Group member

One of 24 research-intensive UK universities, a marker of research strength and strong employer recognition.

Student finance eligible

Courses at recognised providers may qualify for tuition and maintenance support; eligibility depends on the student, course and home-nation system.

Admissions & entry routes

Apply through UCASUndergraduate applications run through UCAS, up to five course choices in one application.
Check the entry requirementsCheck the course’s accepted route: A-levels, Scottish Highers or Advanced Highers, BTEC, T-level, International Baccalaureate, Access qualifications or an international equivalent.
Mind the deadlinesThe main UCAS equal-consideration deadline is in late January; Clearing runs from July for remaining places.
Offers & resultsUniversities respond with conditional or unconditional offers; places are confirmed on results day.

Fees & funding

For eligible undergraduate courses at English providers, the 2026/27 standard cap is up to £9,790 a year. Eligible students who normally live in England can apply for student finance; students from elsewhere use their ordinary-residence body. Check the course page for the exact fee. The main routes:

Tuition Fee Loan

Eligibility and the maximum depend on ordinary residence, course and provider nation; paid directly to the university when awarded.

Maintenance Loan

Helps with living costs; the amount depends on household income and where you study.

Scholarships & bursaries

University-specific awards for grades, subjects or circumstances. Check the university’s funding pages.

Repayment

Starts the April after graduation, only above the income threshold, and is written off at the end of the plan term.

Tuition fees vary by course and fee status (Home vs International). Please check the university's own course page.

Named scholarships & bursaries

Named awards University of Cambridge offers, on top of standard student finance, pulled from the university’s own pages. Always confirm current eligibility and deadlines on the source page.

Subject-specific

Geography Scholarship

See the university’s funding pages for eligibility.

Details →

Stormzy Scholarship

See the university’s funding pages for eligibility.

Details →

Formula 1 Scholarship

See the university’s funding pages for eligibility.

Details →

Music awards

See the university’s funding pages for eligibility.

Details →

Extracted from University of Cambridge’s official course and funding pages.

Frequently asked questions about University of Cambridge

Is University of Cambridge officially recognised?
Yes. University of Cambridge is a recognised UK degree-awarding body; its degrees are nationally recognised and it is a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities.
University of Cambridge is holds a Gold TEF award for teaching quality.
Around 18,977 students, founded in 1209.
32 programmes are listed on this page, each with entry requirements, outcomes and fees. Use the filter above to find your subject.
Undergraduate applications run through UCAS, with up to five course choices in one application. Each course page lists the typical entry requirements.
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