University of Cambridge

Overview

The University of Cambridge, founded in 1209, is the second-oldest university in the English-speaking world and is consistently ranked among the top five universities globally. Renowned for its academic excellence, Cambridge is a member of several prestigious university groups, including the Russell Group (a network of research-led UK universities), the Coimbra Group (an association of leading European universities), the League of European Research Universities (LERU), and the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU). It also forms part of the "Golden Triangle", a cluster of elite research universities in the southeast of England, alongside Oxford and leading London institutions.

As a collegiate university, Cambridge is unique in that it does not have a centralised campus. Instead, it consists of 31 autonomous, self-governing colleges, each part of the wider University but functioning independently in many respects. These colleges are responsible for admitting students, appointing teaching staff and fellows, and providing the supervision teaching that is a hallmark of Cambridge’s educational system. They also manage the domestic arrangements and welfare of their students, creating a close-knit community within the larger University framework.

Cambridge’s contributions to global knowledge are unparalleled, with 121 Nobel Prize winners associated with the University, more than any other institution in the world. Trinity College alone has produced 34 Nobel laureates—more than the entire country of France. Cambridge is also the third-largest landowner in the UK, following the King and the Church of England, which reflects its significant influence beyond academia.

Cambridge courses are consistently ranked among the best in the world, with Cambridge graduates known for their high employability. The University is one of the ten most targeted institutions by the UK’s top employers, according to Graduate Outcomes data. In addition to its strong academic reputation, Cambridge maintains a rigorous admissions process, selecting students with exceptional academic potential from across the globe.

Services for International Students

Colleges are students' main point of contact and vary in their orientation arrangements. In addition, support is available from student societies and volunteer alumni groups, which run fresher parties throughout September to introduce students to each other and university life. The International Student Team runs an orientation programme at the start of each academic year. This offers information about the university and the chance to meet other international students.

The iCSU also represents international students at the University of Cambridge. The group welcomes new students as they arrive in the city and organises social events throughout the year. Currently, 1,300 international students from 65 countries are enrolled at Cambridge.

Ranking

• 4th in the Times Good University Guide 2025
• 3rd in the Guardian University Guide 2025
• 5th in the QS World University Rankings 2025
• 5th in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
• 4th in the Academic Ranking of World Universities 2023

The University of Cambridge’s position as a world-leading institution has been recognised with the publication of the results from the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF). 93% of Cambridge’s submissions have been rated as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent'.

Accommodation

Accommodation is served by each college individually and varies strongly. Most colleges own houses and flats within Cambridge but can also offer rooms for undergraduates for all three years of study. The Accommodation Service is also available to help organise private rented accommodation.

Location

Cambridge is a large town in Cambridgeshire about 80km north of London. It is dominated by the university buildings, which have been a part of the town’s history for over 800 years. Cambridge is a small city, and almost all colleges and departments are central to each other. A bus service connects them, while Cambridge is famed for being one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the country.

By air, Cambridge is served by four major airports: Stansted, Luton, Heathrow and Gatwick. National Express coach services to Cambridge from all four airports and direct trains from London, which take about one hour.

Alumni

Notable University of Cambridge alumni include:

• Sir Isaac Newton (Physicist, mathematician)
• Charles Darwin (Naturalist)
• John Milton (Poet)
• Stephen Hawking (Physicist)
• Bertrand Russell (Philosopher)