Janice Lozano
The University of Cambridge is one of the oldest and most distinguished universities in the world, attracting tens of thousands of applicants each year, including several thousand international students. Cambridge's acceptance rate for international students is typically between 16% and 18% for undergraduate study, with an offer rate of 20% to 21%. In 2024, the acceptance rate for international students was 10.9%, with 1,137 offers made to applicants from outside the UK, out of 7,565 applications. International students applying to Cambridge must meet certain academic requirements, including achieving high grades in a range of international qualifications, demonstrating English language proficiency, and in some cases, taking admissions assessments.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total number of applicants | 22,503 |
| Acceptance rate | 16.35% for undergraduate study and 16.54% for postgraduate study |
| Offer rate | 20%-21% for undergraduate study and 29%-43% for postgraduate study |
| Undergraduate international student acceptance rate | 10.9% |
| Number of undergraduate international student applications | 7,565 |
| Number of undergraduate international student offers | 1,137 |
| Number of undergraduate international students admitted | 821 |
| Number of undergraduate students from outside the UK | 3,116 |
| Number of countries represented by undergraduate students from outside the UK | 95 |
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What You'll Learn
International student application process
The University of Cambridge is a diverse international community that welcomes talented students from around the world. Around 24% of its undergraduate students (around 3,116 students) are from outside the UK, representing around 95 countries. Cambridge accepts a wide variety of qualifications from all over the world, but students are expected to achieve the highest grades.
The University of Cambridge welcomes applications from suitably qualified international students. The application process is the same for all applicants to the University of Cambridge, and all applications to UK universities are made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
Step 1: Check Entry Requirements
Before applying, check that you have, or are likely to achieve, the right grades at the right level and in the appropriate subjects for your chosen course. Cambridge accepts a wide range of international qualifications, including the European Baccalaureate, International A Levels, and the International Baccalaureate. Other qualifications include the Gaokao, for which applicants are recommended to offer Aptitude Scholastic Tests (ASTs) in up to 3 relevant subjects.
Additionally, a good standard of English is required to study at Cambridge. If you are not from a majority English-speaking country, you should check the English language requirements.
Step 2: Prepare for Admissions Tests
Some subjects at Cambridge require applicants to complete admissions assessments as part of the standard undergraduate admissions process. Practice for these tests by working through practice questions and completing at least two full mock exams under exam conditions.
Step 3: Create a UCAS Account and Fill Out the Application Form
Create an account on the UCAS website and fill out the application form with your personal details, education history, and university choices.
Step 4: Submit Supporting Documents
Along with your application form, you must submit a Personal Statement and an academic reference through UCAS. The Personal Statement is your opportunity to showcase your interests, experiences, and motivations for applying to Cambridge.
Step 5: Pay the Application Fee
Most international applicants are required to pay a standard application fee of £60.
Step 6: Choose a College
Cambridge has a collegiate system, with over 30 colleges accommodating students during their studies. When applying, you are not applying to the university as a whole but to a specific college. The faculty of the chosen college will make the admission decision based on the information provided in your application.
While the application process is challenging, with a low success rate for international applicants, careful preparation can increase your chances of securing a spot at Cambridge.
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International student acceptance rate
The University of Cambridge is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world, attracting tens of thousands of applicants each year, including several thousand international students. The university's overall acceptance rate typically hovers between 16-18%, with an offer rate of 20-21% for undergraduate study and 29-43% for postgraduate study.
The acceptance rate for international students at Cambridge is lower, with only around a quarter of accepted students coming from outside the UK. In 2024, the acceptance rate for international students applying for undergraduate study was 10.9%. Out of 7,565 applications from outside the UK, 1,137 offers were made, and 821 students were admitted.
International students applying to Cambridge must meet certain academic requirements, including achieving high grades in their qualifications. Cambridge accepts a wide range of international qualifications, including the European Baccalaureate, International A Levels, and the International Baccalaureate. Students applying for science courses should also achieve an ACT Science Score of at least 33, and a good standard of English is required.
The competition for admission to Cambridge is fierce, and the application process can be challenging. However, with careful preparation and a strong application, international students still have a chance of being accepted to this world-renowned university.
The acceptance rates vary by country, with New Zealand having the highest acceptance rate at 24.6%, followed by Romania (22.6%), Japan (22.0%), and Singapore (19.3%). China, India, and the USA account for the top 3 applications outside the UK for doctoral programs, with China and the USA enjoying a high acceptance rate of around 14%.
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Undergraduate international student statistics
The University of Cambridge is one of the oldest and most distinguished universities in the world. It is a diverse international community that welcomes talented students from across the globe.
According to official statistics, the Cambridge acceptance rate for international students pursuing undergraduate studies is 10.9%. In total, there were 7,565 applications from outside the UK, out of which 1,137 offers were made and 821 students were admitted. The majority of applications came from China (2,282), followed by Singapore (601), Hong Kong (552), and the USA (482). The highest acceptance rate was from New Zealand at 24.6%, followed by Romania (22.6%), Japan (22.0%), and Singapore (19.3%).
Cambridge has a diverse range of international entry requirements. The university accepts a wide variety of qualifications from all over the world and expects students to achieve the highest grades. A good standard of English is required, and applicants from non-majority English-speaking countries should check the specific language requirements. Students applying for science courses should achieve an ACT Science Score of at least 33, and a very strong performance within the High School Diploma is expected. Cambridge recognises several other international qualifications, including the International Baccalaureate, European Baccalaureate, and International A Levels.
Cambridge University's overall acceptance rate typically hovers between 16%-18%, with an offer rate between 20%-21% for undergraduate study. The university receives tens of thousands of applications each year, with a few thousand earning their place, including less than a quarter of international students.
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Postgraduate international student statistics
Cambridge University is one of the oldest and most distinguished universities in the world. It is a diverse international community that welcomes talented students from around the world. The overall acceptance rate is around 26%, with undergraduate programs being harder to get into than postgraduate programs. The acceptance rate for postgraduate programs ranges from 29% to 43%.
The acceptance rate for international students is generally lower than for UK students due to the high volume of applications from around the world. The acceptance rate for international students in 2025 is around 20-21%. This means that for every 100 international applicants, around 20 to 21 students are accepted. The rate was 9.9% as of the 2021 admissions cycle.
The acceptance rate varies across Cambridge's 31 colleges, each with its own unique admissions process and history. While some colleges have a higher acceptance rate, others are highly competitive. For instance, Trinity College is the most selective, with an acceptance rate of 12.3%. Murray Edwards College, on the other hand, tends to have a higher acceptance rate.
International students must complete certain steps during the admissions process. They must choose their program of study, complete the online application, and pay the application fee. Additionally, they must submit various documents, such as a personal statement, a letter of reference, and proof of English language proficiency. International students might also need to demonstrate their financial capability and take placement tests.
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Country-specific acceptance rates
The University of Cambridge is a diverse international community that welcomes talented students from around the world. Cambridge's overall acceptance rate typically hovers between 16%-18%, with an offer rate between 20%-21% for undergraduate study. The acceptance rate for international students pursuing undergraduate study is 10.9%.
In total, there were 7,565 applications from outside the UK, with 1,137 offers made and 821 students admitted. China had the most applications, with 2,282, followed by Singapore (601), Hong Kong (552), and the USA (482). However, New Zealand had the highest acceptance rate at 24.6%, followed by Romania (22.6%), Japan (22.0%), and Singapore (19.3%).
For postgraduate study, the acceptance rate is slightly higher, at 16.54%, with an offer rate of 29%-43%. China, India, and the USA account for the top 3 applications outside the UK for doctoral programs. China and the USA enjoy a high acceptance rate of around 14%, but this is lower than that of Canada and Germany.
Cambridge accepts a wide variety of qualifications from all over the world and expects students to achieve the highest grades. Minimum offer levels are available for qualifications such as the European Baccalaureate, International A Levels, and the International Baccalaureate. Other international qualifications, such as the US-based international curriculum, are also recognized, and specific curriculum and score requirements can be checked on the Cambridge website.
Students applying with only the Gaokao are recommended to offer Aptitude Scholastic Tests (ASTs) in up to 3 relevant subjects. Applicants for science courses should achieve an ACT Science Score of at least 33 and are expected to perform very strongly within the High School Diploma.
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Frequently asked questions
The acceptance rate for international students at Cambridge was 9.9% in 2021, with 7,565 applications, 1,137 offers, and 821 admitted students. The overall acceptance rate is around 16-18%.
The acceptance rate for domestic students is around 26%.
Cambridge has around 3,116 international undergraduate students, representing 95 countries.
The acceptance rate for international postgraduate students is 34%.
The highest acceptance rates for undergraduate students are in New Zealand (24.6%), Romania (22.6%), Japan (22.0%), and Singapore (19.3%). For postgraduate students, the highest acceptance rates are for students from China and the USA, at around 14%.
