
The University of Cambridge is one of the world's leading universities, with a rich history dating back to 1209. It has a global reputation for academic excellence and world-class research. The university is made up of 31 colleges, 6 schools, and over 150 faculties and departments, covering a vast array of subjects and specialised areas of research. Cambridge has more than 24,000 students, including around 9,000 international students from over 140 countries, and offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, with hundreds of societies and sports clubs to choose from.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total number of students | 24,000 |
| Number of international students | 9,000 |
| Number of countries represented | 140+ |
| Number of colleges | 31 |
| Number of schools | 6 |
| Number of faculties and departments | 100+ |
| Undergraduate acceptance rate | 16% |
| Percentage of new undergraduate students from state schools in 2023 | 73% |
| Percentage of new undergraduate students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds in 2023 | 25% |
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What You'll Learn

Cambridge has over 24,000 students from 140+ countries
The University of Cambridge is a prestigious global institution with a rich history spanning over 800 years. Founded in 1209, it is the world's third-oldest university in continuous operation and has been a leader in academic study and research since its inception. With more than 24,000 students from over 140 countries, Cambridge offers a diverse and vibrant community for those pursuing higher education.
The university is comprised of 31 semi-autonomous colleges, 6 schools, and over 150 faculties and departments, covering a vast array of subjects and specialised areas of research. Cambridge's academic structure provides a unique and enriching experience for its students, who benefit from both the resources of a large, world-renowned university and the intimate academic environment of their respective colleges.
The university's reputation for excellence attracts students from around the world, with approximately 12,000 undergraduate students from 95 countries. Cambridge offers a wide range of undergraduate degree courses in the arts and humanities, social sciences, sciences, and engineering, providing a well-rounded education that prepares its students for success in a variety of fields.
Throughout its long history, Cambridge has produced numerous notable alumni, including Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, and John Maynard Keynes. The university has also been at the forefront of groundbreaking research, with particular strengths in mathematics, physics, and the natural sciences. Cambridge's contribution to society through its pursuit of education, learning, and research has had a significant impact both locally and internationally.
The university's presence has also brought about significant economic growth in the region, a phenomenon known as the "Cambridge Phenomenon." This includes the addition of 1,500 new companies and 40,000 new jobs between 1960 and 2010, highlighting the far-reaching impact of the university's influence and its role in driving innovation and development.
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12,000+ are undergraduates
The University of Cambridge is a public research university in Cambridge, England, and is the world's third-oldest university in continuous operation, founded in 1209. The university has more than 24,000 students, from over 140 countries, and over 12,000 of these are undergraduates. The undergraduate students come from 95 countries and can choose from a variety of degree courses in the arts and humanities, social sciences, sciences, and engineering.
The university is made up of 31 semi-autonomous colleges, 6 schools, and over 150 faculties and departments. The university's first college, Peterhouse, was founded in 1284 by Hugo de Balsham, bishop of Ely. Over the next three centuries, another 15 colleges were founded. The Puritan movement was particularly strong at Emmanuel, St Catharine Hall, Sidney Sussex, and Christ's, and these colleges produced many nonconformist graduates who influenced the decisions of thousands of Puritans.
The University of Cambridge has been at the forefront of academic study and research since its founding. The university library has over three million volumes and is one of the few libraries in the country that is entitled to a copy of every book published in Great Britain. The university also has a museum, The Fitzwilliam Museum, which contains important collections of Egyptian, Greek, and Roman antiquities, as well as medieval and modern manuscripts and paintings by European masters.
The university has been a source of enormous employment and economic growth in Cambridge and the surrounding region, with the addition of 1,500 new companies and 40,000 new jobs between 1960 and 2010.
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The university is over 800 years old
The University of Cambridge is one of the oldest universities in the world, with a rich history that dates back more than 800 years. Founded in 1209, the university has been a cornerstone of academic study and research, attracting students and scholars from far and wide.
Over the centuries, Cambridge has been a hub of intellectual pursuit and innovation, with a multitude of achievements and world-changing ideas born within its walls. From the establishment of fundamental principles in physics to the groundbreaking discovery of DNA's structure, the university has been at the forefront of scientific advancement. The transformative thinking of its renowned philosophers, poets, and artists has also left an indelible mark on the world of arts and humanities.
The university's long history has allowed for the development of unique traditions, some of which have been discontinued but remain part of the institution's folklore. One such tradition is the awarding of a wooden spoon to the student with the lowest passing honours grade in the final examinations of the Mathematical Tripos. This peculiar prize was last given out in 1909, and the spoon now resides outside the Senior Combination Room of St John's College.
Cambridge's publishing arm, Cambridge University Press & Assessment, is another testament to its enduring legacy. As the oldest printer and publisher in the world, it boasts an annual revenue of over £1 billion, making it the largest department within the university and the second-largest university press globally.
The university's 800th anniversary, celebrated in 2009, was a momentous occasion. It was marked by various events and projects, including a light show, a summer garden party, a Cambridge concert at the BBC Proms, and a specially commissioned play performed by local schoolchildren. These celebrations reflected on Cambridge's illustrious past while looking forward to its future contributions to knowledge and society.
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It has 31 colleges, 6 schools, and over 150 faculties/departments
The University of Cambridge is a public collegiate research university in Cambridge, England. Founded in 1209, it is the world's third-oldest university in continuous operation. The university includes 31 semi-autonomous colleges, founded between the 13th and 20th centuries, which are self-governing institutions within the university, each with its own property, endowments, and income.
The oldest college is Peterhouse, founded in 1284, and the newest is Robinson College, founded in 1977. Homerton College, which was first founded in the 18th century, attained full college status in 2010. The colleges provide accommodation, catering, library facilities, extracurricular societies, and sporting teams for their members. Cambridge's colleges are communities of students, academics, and staff, where generations and academic disciplines mix.
In addition to the 31 colleges, the university has over 150 faculties/departments, schools, syndicates, and other academic institutions, organised into six schools. The university's School of Clinical Medicine, for example, is based in Addenbrooke's Hospital, where medical students undergo their three-year clinical placement after obtaining their BA degree. The Cambridge Judge Business School, meanwhile, has been ranked among the top 20 business schools since 1990. The largest department is Cambridge University Press and Assessment, which has £1 billion in annual revenue and reaches 100 million learners.
The colleges are responsible for admitting students, providing pastoral support, and organising elements of their tuition, while lectures, seminars, and research are conducted by the faculties and departments of the central university. All students are required to have a college affiliation, and all degrees are awarded by the university itself, not the colleges.
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Cambridge is one of the best universities in the world
Cambridge University is one of the best universities in the world. Founded in 1209, it is the world's third-oldest university in continuous operation and is regarded as one of the most prestigious universities globally. The university has a rich history that spans over 800 years and has produced many notable alumni, including Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, and John Maynard Keynes.
Cambridge University is a global leader in academic study and research. The university has been at the forefront of advancements in various fields, particularly mathematics and the natural sciences. The university's examination in mathematics, known as the Mathematical Tripos, was initially compulsory for all undergraduates studying for a Bachelor of Arts degree. By the early 20th century, Cambridge had reached the highest international standards in pure mathematical research, thanks to renowned mathematicians such as G. H. Hardy.
The university is also known for its exceptional faculties and departments, covering a vast array of subjects. It consists of 31 semi-autonomous colleges, 6 schools, and over 150 faculties and departments, offering undergraduate degree courses in the arts and humanities, social sciences, sciences, and engineering. The university library holds well over three million volumes and is entitled to a copy of every book published in Great Britain.
Cambridge University has a diverse student population, with more than 24,000 students from over 140 countries. The university provides a unique educational experience and has a strong focus on academic excellence. It is also associated with a significant economic impact, having contributed to the growth of high-tech and biotech startups and the creation of numerous job opportunities in the region.
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Frequently asked questions
Cambridge University has over 20,000 students, with some sources stating a figure of 24,000.
Cambridge University students come from a diverse range of backgrounds. In 2023, 73% of new undergraduate students were from state schools, and more than 25% came from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The university also attracts international students, with around 9,000 students from over 140 countries worldwide.
Cambridge University comprises 31 colleges and over 100 departments, faculties, and institutions.
The latest Cambridge acceptance rate is approximately 16%. The university is known for its highly competitive admissions process, with stringent entry requirements.











































