Cambridge is one of the few universities in the world where a strong certificate and good grades are not enough: you need a deep interest in the subject that can stand the test of a specialized exam and interview. Let's look at how admission works, how much tuition costs, and what really increases your chances - based on the official pages of the university.

Cambridge is a collegiate university: faculties are responsible for the curriculum and exams, while colleges are responsible for accommodation, tutor support, and some of the small‑group classes (supervisions).

International students make up a significant part of the university — about 25 % of bachelor’s students, i.e., around 3,200 people from more than 90 countries. The university’s official position is that there is no priority for those paying the international rate — selection is based strictly on academic achievements and potential.

The competition among international applicants is particularly high: the university explicitly calls it “fierce” on the official page for international students.

Cambridge tests a candidate in several dimensions at once: academic grades, the depth of knowledge of the subject beyond the school curriculum, the results of specialized entrance tests where they are provided, and the ability to think independently in an interview. It is not enough to meet one criterion — the university is looking for a match for all of them at once.

When applying to Cambridge, an applicant chooses not only a programme (course) but also a college — there are only a few dozen of them, and each is a separate organisation with its own dormitory, dining hall, library, and tutorial support system. The college is responsible for the day‑to‑day student life and part of the education in the form of supervisions — classes in very small groups, sometimes one‑on‑one with a teacher.

The curriculum and final exams are the same for all students of a particular course, regardless of the college. You can specify a particular college in your application or submit an open application — in which case the university will assign the college itself.

Admission requirements for the same program may vary slightly between colleges, so it’s best to check this information separately.

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Academic preparation

There is no single list of grades for everyone: the requirements depend on the specific program, the country where you studied, and the type of qualification. The university accepts A-level, International Baccalaureate, 5 or more Advanced Placement exams with a score of 5 points, and a number of other national qualifications. For applicants with a certificate that is not considered sufficient preparation on its own — for example, only with the Chinese Gaokao without additional exams — some colleges recommend or require additional tests, such as the Aptitude Scholastic Tests. The exact requirements for grades and core subjects should be checked on the page of the selected program.

English language

For visa purposes, the university may accept various language proficiency options — not only IELTS for UKVI (Academic), but also other tests approved for organizations with student visa sponsor status. An important nuance: the test result is valid for visa purposes for only two years from the date of the exam, and must remain valid on the first day of study at Cambridge. The exact minimum score should always be checked on the page of the specific program.

Entrance tests

For some fields, a specialized entrance test is required. According to official Cambridge data, this may be:

UCAT — for medicine;
LNAT — for law (in some colleges);
ESAT — for engineering and natural sciences;
TMUA — for mathematics;
College admission assessments — the own assessments of individual colleges for some courses.

The format and whether you need to register for the test in advance — before submitting an application — depends on the specific program, so it’s worth checking the course page before you start preparing.

Interview

The interview is a standard part of the selection process for most fields. Its purpose is not to test memorized facts, but to see how the candidate thinks: how they respond to a new task, argue their point of view, and discuss the subject beyond the school curriculum. The format of the tasks varies greatly depending on the field: in some cases, it’s analyzing a text or problem directly during the interview; in others, it’s discussing a personal project or literature that has been read.

Additional materials

Some programs additionally require written work (for example, school essays on humanities subjects) or a portfolio for creative areas. The requirements for a specific course need to be reviewed in advance, as not all programs request them.

Requirements for admission to a master’s program

For master’s and PhD programs at Cambridge, a strong bachelor’s degree (or master’s degree — for some doctoral programs) in a relevant field, a compelling academic profile, and, for research programs, a clearly formulated research proposal are required. Additionally, letters of recommendation from professors, a motivation letter, and, if the program is research‑oriented, discussion of the topic and a potential academic supervisor prior to submitting an application are usually required. Requirements for a specific program and faculty may vary significantly, so they should always be checked individually.

Program selection

First, you need to decide on the course and, if you wish, the specific college. This is not a formality: the entrance requirements and whether a subject‑specific test is required depend on the choice of program.

Preparation of documents

The standard package includes academic grades and projected exam results, a personal statement, a school recommendation, and, where required, written assignments or a portfolio.

Submitting an application

The application is submitted via UCAS, and in addition, you need to fill out the My Cambridge Application (formerly SAQ, Supplementary Application Questionnaire) with more detailed information specifically for Cambridge.

Exams and interviews

If the program requires a specialized test, it usually needs to be completed within a set timeframe — sometimes before submitting the application, sometimes after. Candidates who have passed the initial document screening receive an invitation to the interview; the interview can be conducted in person in Cambridge or remotely.

Getting a solution

After the interview and assessment of all materials, the university sends a decision — an offer of a place (sometimes conditional, subject to final grades) or a refusal. International applicants usually find out the result at the same time as other candidates through UCAS.

Document submission deadlines

Cambridge uses an earlier deadline than most other British universities — the application must be submitted via UCAS by mid‑October of the year preceding the start of studies. Due to the early deadline, entrance tests, and interview preparation, it is advisable to start preparing significantly earlier than for most other universities in the UK. The exact dates for a specific intake cycle must be checked on the official website before submitting an application — they may vary from year to year.

The cost depends on the student’s status (Home or Overseas), the programme, and — for international students — an additional college fee.

Home status: for those starting their first degree in 2027, it is £10,050 per year.
Overseas status (international students): The university fee varies by programme — according to officially published data for the 2026/27 academic year, the range is approximately £29,052 to £70,554 per year, with the highest figures for medical and clinical programmes.
College fee: most international students pay an additional annual college fee — approximately £11,500–£14,950 per year, depending on the college; architecture, medicine and veterinary sciences are exempt from this fee.
Application fee: most international applicants pay £60 when submitting their documents.

The exact amounts vary from cycle to cycle — you need to check the current figures on the official page for funds and tuition fees before submitting your application.

In addition to tuition, you need to budget for housing, food, transportation, study materials, and personal needs.

Cambridge is not as expensive as London, but it’s not a budget‑friendly city either: accommodation in or near the college, meals in student canteens or self‑catering, transportation by bicycle (a common choice among Cambridge students) or on foot — all of this should be taken into account when planning your budget.

It’s best to check the university’s official page for international students for an accurate and up‑to‑date estimate of living expenses, as the figures change from year to year.

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International students at Cambridge have several sources of funding available to them:

The Cambridge Trust is an independent charitable foundation that offers scholarships with full or partial coverage of expenses for undergraduate, master’s, and PhD studies specifically for students from outside the UK and Ireland.
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is one of the most well‑known fully funded scholarships in the world for master’s and PhD studies; it is open to students from any country except the UK. Approximately 80 scholarship recipients are selected each year, most of them for PhD programs; the scholarship covers the full cost of tuition, includes maintenance (£22,050 per year at the 2025/26 rate for one student), travel, and visa expenses.
College and faculty scholarships — some colleges and faculties offer their own grants and bursaries, the terms of which should be clarified individually.

Competition for most of these programs is high, and applications often need to be submitted simultaneously with admission or immediately after receiving an offer — so it’s worth planning your funding in advance rather than putting it off until later.

A strong application to Cambridge is based not on a single factor, but on the combination of several.

Academic profile

Grades must be at or above the official program requirements, with no exceptions.

Conscious choice of specialty

Interviewers quickly discern whether a program was chosen due to a genuine interest in the subject or because of the prestige associated with the university’s name.

Depth of knowledge beyond the school curriculum

Reading, projects, Olympiads, or research experience related to the course topic significantly strengthens the application.

Extracurricular activities related to the subject

And not just a long list of clubs with no connection to the major.

Preparing for an interview

It’s important not to memorize answers, but to practice thinking out loud and responding to new tasks in real time.

Common mistakes candidates make

Choosing Cambridge solely for its prestige, without a genuine interest in the specific programme — this is noticeable during the interview.
Superficial motivation in the personal statement — general phrases about a “love of science” without specific examples and experience.
Late preparation — this is especially critical due to the early UCAS deadline and the need to prepare for subject‑specific tests in advance.
Template documents copied from several universities without adapting them to the specifics of Cambridge and the particular programme.

At SelfStartGlobal, we help you build a strategy for admission to Cambridge, taking into account the candidate’s academic profile:

we select the program and college,
help prepare documents and a personal statement,
work on your personal brand and depth of subject‑specific knowledge,
prepare you for entrance tests and interviews,
and also advise which scholarships to apply for and when.

If you’re considering Cambridge, come to a consultation — we’ll review your profile and discuss what can realistically be strengthened before applying.

Is it possible to go to Cambridge after regular school?

Yes, if the academic profile meets the requirements of the chosen program and there is a suitable qualification — A-level, IB, or their equivalent. A regular school is not a barrier in itself, but for non-A-level/IB systems, some colleges may require additional tests or preparation, so the requirements should be clarified for the specific country and program.

Is a Foundation year necessary?

Not always, but for applicants whose certificate is not considered sufficient preparation for Cambridge on its own, additional academic preparation may be required — either through a specialized pre‑university program or through additional exams such as AP or subject‑specific tests. The exact solution depends on the country of study and the specific program.

What grades are required for admission?

There is no single figure: Cambridge sets requirements separately for each programme and qualification system — A-level, IB, national certificates. In most cases, we are talking about scores at the upper end of the scale, not about a minimum pass mark, so you need to check the specific course page before applying.

Is it possible to get a full scholarship?

Yes, it is possible to obtain full funding — for example, through the Gates Cambridge Scholarship for master’s and PhD studies, or through individual Cambridge Trust programmes. The competition for such scholarships is very high: for example, Gates Cambridge selects about 80 scholarship recipients from around the world each year, so you should expect a strong application and a backup funding plan.

How long does the preparation take?

Due to the early UCAS deadline, subject‑specific tests, and interview preparation, it’s advisable to start preparing for admission to Cambridge at least 12–18 months in advance — this applies to academic preparation, personal documents, and interview practice.

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University of Cambridge: admission requirements and tuition fees

University of Cambridge: briefly about the university

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How to apply to the University of Cambridge

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