Savanna Hoffman
The University of Cambridge, located around 60 miles north of London, was founded in 1209 and is the fourth-oldest university in the world. The university is split into 31 colleges, including three women-only colleges, and six schools: Arts and Humanities, Biological Sciences, Clinical Medicine, Humanities and Social Sciences, Physical Sciences, and Technology. The university has a diverse student body, with students from 142 countries, and is known for its rigorous admissions process, with a huge pool of highly competitive applicants across its many undergraduate courses. Cambridge received around 21,445 applications for approximately 4,550 undergraduate places in 2023, with an overall acceptance rate of less than 22%. Around 19,000 students attend the university, with more than 35% at the graduate level.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of establishment | 1209 |
| Number of colleges | 31 |
| Number of students | 19,000 |
| Percentage of graduate students | 35% |
| Number of applicants for undergraduate courses in 2023 | 21,445 |
| Number of undergraduate places in 2023 | 4,550 |
| Percentage of UK applicants from state schools in 2023 | 70% |
| Number of Nobel Prize Laureates among alumni and affiliates | 125 |
| Number of Heads of State among alumni and affiliates | 47 |
| Number of Olympic medallists among alumni and affiliates | 217 |
| Percentage of working graduates in high-skilled employment | 91% |
| Number of countries students come from | 142 |
| Number of libraries | 100+ |
| Number of research centres and institutes | 140 |
| Amount of research grants and contracts received in a recent year | $415 million |
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What You'll Learn
University of Cambridge total student population
The University of Cambridge, founded in 1209, is one of the oldest universities in the world. The university is divided into 31 colleges, each responsible for admitting undergraduate and graduate students. The university is located in the city of Cambridge, around 60 miles north of London. The campus is spread across the city centre, with many older colleges situated near the river Cam.
The University of Cambridge has a total student population of around 19,000, with more than 35% of them studying at the graduate level. The university is known for its academic excellence and selective admissions process, with a huge pool of highly competitive applicants for a limited number of spaces. In 2023, 21,445 people applied for approximately 4,550 undergraduate places, demonstrating the competitiveness of gaining admission to the university.
The student body at Cambridge is diverse, with students from 142 different countries. The university guarantees college housing for most undergraduate students for at least three years, and many new graduate students can also avail themselves of college housing. Around 20% of the student body is from outside the European Union, and tuition costs are higher for these non-EU students, varying depending on the field of study.
The university's academic year is divided into three terms: Michaelmas (fall), Lent (winter), and Easter (spring). During the academic terms, students are required to live within three miles of the Church of St Mary the Great, known as "keeping term". Students seeking graduation must fulfil this condition for nine terms (three years) for a Bachelor of Arts degree or twelve terms (four years) for a Master of Science degree.
Cambridge University offers a rich student experience, including the opportunity to attend formal dinners at their respective colleges, known as Formal Hall. The university also boasts over 100 libraries, including college and department libraries, providing an extensive resource for students. In addition, the university owns nine arts, scientific, and cultural museums open to the public and a botanical garden, enhancing the educational environment.
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Undergraduate and graduate student numbers
The University of Cambridge, established in 1209, is one of the oldest universities in the world. It is a highly selective university with a low acceptance rate due to the limited number of available spaces. The university is divided into 31 autonomous colleges, with around 19,000 students in total, of which more than 35% are graduate students. The student body is diverse, with over 20% coming from outside the European Union, and students from 142 different countries. The university guarantees college housing for most undergraduates for at least three years, and many new graduate students can also avail themselves of college housing.
The academic year at Cambridge is divided into three terms: Michaelmas (fall), Lent (winter), and Easter (spring). Undergraduate teaching takes place during eight-week periods called full terms within these terms, and it is a requirement that all students live within three miles of the Church of St Mary the Great. Students are eligible for graduation once they have fulfilled this condition for nine terms (three years) for a Bachelor of Arts degree or twelve terms (four years) for a Master of Science degree.
Cambridge offers a wide range of courses, with over 30 undergraduate courses and dozens of academic departments and divisions. The university is home to more than 100 libraries, nine museums, and a botanical garden. The acceptance rate for Cambridge is very low, with less than 22% of applicants offered a place in 2023. However, the acceptance rate varies greatly between courses, with some being more competitive than others. For instance, Engineering and Natural Sciences are among the most competitive courses, while Computer Science has also seen great demand in recent years.
The university has a global reputation for academic excellence and is ranked #6 in the Best Global Universities ranking. It has produced many distinguished alumni, including 125 Nobel Prize Laureates, 47 Heads of State, and 217 Olympic medallists. Cambridge also has a high employment rate for its graduates, with 91% of working graduates in high-skilled employment, according to the Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021/22.
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Student demographics
The University of Cambridge is one of the most selective universities in the world, with a huge pool of highly competitive applicants across 30+ undergraduate courses. The university is divided into 31 autonomous colleges, with around 19,000 students in total, over 35% of whom are graduate students. The university guarantees college housing for most of its undergraduate students for at least three years, and many new graduate students can also take advantage of college housing. The student body is diverse, with students from 142 countries, and around 20% of students coming from outside the European Union. Tuition costs are higher for non-EU students and vary depending on the field of study.
In 2023, 21,445 people applied for around 4,550 undergraduate places, with over 70% of UK applicants coming from state schools. Cambridge has been working to encourage more state school students to apply, and in 2020-21, 71% of successful applicants were from state schools. However, critics have argued that the relatively lower percentage of state school applicants with the required grades for admission to Cambridge has negatively impacted its reputation.
The university's academic year is divided into three terms: Michaelmas (fall), Lent (winter), and Easter (spring). Undergraduate teaching takes place during eight-week periods called full terms, and students must live within three miles of the Church of St Mary the Great during these periods. Cambridge has a rich academic history, with six schools: Arts and Humanities, Biological Sciences, Clinical Medicine, Humanities and Social Sciences, Physical Sciences, and Technology. The university has over 100 libraries, nine museums, and a botanical garden.
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Acceptance rates
The University of Cambridge is one of the most selective universities in the world, with a limited number of spaces and a huge pool of highly competitive applicants across its 30+ undergraduate courses. The university is notoriously difficult to get into, with a low acceptance rate overall.
In 2023, 21,445 people applied for around 4,550 undergraduate places, meaning that Cambridge received roughly six applications per place. The university reports that there is some variation in the number of applications between courses. For instance, the Natural Sciences course is one of Cambridge's most popular courses, with high offer and acceptance rates, both falling above 20%. In contrast, the Engineering course is highly competitive, with one of the lowest offer rates at the university in 2024.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, offer rates at Cambridge were closer to 25%. However, this dropped in 2020 and faced a sharper fall in 2021, before rising again in 2024. Compared to Cambridge, the University of Oxford tends to have slightly lower offer and acceptance rates, making it generally harder to get into.
In terms of the student body, Cambridge is a globally diverse institution, with students from 142 different countries. Over 70% of UK applicants to Cambridge come from state schools, and the university has been encouraging more state school pupils to apply.
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Student accommodation
The University of Cambridge, located around 60 miles north of London, was founded in 1209. It is made up of 31 residential colleges, which are responsible for admitting undergraduate and graduate students. The first colleges for women were Girton College, founded in 1869, Newnham College, founded in 1872, and Hughes Hall, founded in 1885. Today, three colleges—Lucy Cavendish College, Murray Edwards College, and Newnham College—are women-only.
The university guarantees accommodation for all single undergraduate students without children for three or four years. This accommodation is typically in college-owned properties, and students do not need to apply for it separately. The cost of accommodation varies depending on the college, the room size, and whether it is en suite. Contracts are typically between 27 and 39 weeks, and students usually do not have to pay rent for 12 months per year. Each college has its own services, facilities, and community, which may include a dining hall or cafeteria, a library, and a gym and sports grounds.
During term time, students are required to live within a 3-mile radius of Cambridge city centre, marked from Great St Mary's Church. Students who need to live outside of this area should contact their college to discuss their options.
There are also private accommodation options available near the university, such as studios or shared flats. These often include study spaces, gyms, and common areas.
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Frequently asked questions
Around 19,000 students attend Cambridge University, with more than 35% of them studying at the graduate level.
In 2023, 21,445 people applied for around 4,550 undergraduate places at Cambridge University.
Cambridge University is one of the most selective universities in the world, with a very low acceptance rate. Less than 22% of applicants were offered a place in 2023.
