College Abroad Guides

    University of Cambridge for Americans

    Cambridge, United Kingdom(Europe)

    Medieval beef with Oxford gave rise to this greatest rival, and the only other place you can get a pure collegiate-system education
    University of Cambridge for international students – campus in Cambridge, United Kingdom
    Typical Bachelor's Degree: 3 years

    About the University of Cambridge

    Cambridge is one of the two or three most consequential universities in human history. Its status shapes everything from the ivy-coated, medieval architecture to the admissions process. Newton's tree sits here, waiting to drop wisdom in your lap. And the great clock of time ticks by, enticing you to think about your place in the universe.

    Like Oxford, the collegiate system is the structural fact that everything else flows from: students are admitted to the constituent colleges themselves, not the greater university. Each has its own preference for the kinds and mix of students it welcomes. Once there, students live and eat inside these little worlds. They learn in small-group supervisions within the college. Funding and scholarships are even tied to colleges rather than the greater Cambridge organism. Natural sciences, mathematics, engineering, medicine, history, economics, law, and philosophy all operate at a level where the faculty includes people who defined the discipline, so there are no "wrong" choices here, though shorthand dictates that Oxford is for politics and economics what Cambridge is to the sciences. However, ninety-eight Nobel laureates have been affiliated with Cambridge, proving that the system can and regularly does serve as an engine that propels knowledge forward in all disciplines.

    The caveat: the university offers fewer courses than a comprehensive university. And no combos. like "Archaeology and Ancient History." So you'll have to choose between broad "majors."

    © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

    Campus & City

    Photo by Extra Medium
    "Cambridge University" by Extra Medium is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit source

    Photo by Extra Medium

    📷 "Cambridge University" by Extra Medium is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/.

    University of Cambridge

    University of Cambridge

    University of Cambridge

    University of Cambridge

    University of Cambridge

    University of Cambridge

    University of Cambridge

    University of Cambridge

    University of Cambridge

    University of Cambridge

    University of Cambridge

    University of Cambridge

    University of Cambridge

    University of Cambridge

    University of Cambridge

    University of Cambridge

    University of Cambridge

    University of Cambridge

    University of Cambridge

    University of Cambridge

    University of Cambridge

    University of Cambridge

    University of Cambridge

    University of Cambridge

    University of Cambridge

    University of Cambridge

    University of Cambridge

    University of Cambridge

    University of Cambridge

    University of Cambridge

    University of Cambridge

    University of Cambridge

    University of Cambridge

    University of Cambridge

    University of Cambridge

    University of Cambridge

    University of Cambridge

    University of Cambridge

    University of Cambridge

    University of Cambridge

    University of Cambridge

    University of Cambridge

    University of Cambridge

    University of Cambridge

    University of Cambridge

    University of Cambridge

    University of Cambridge

    University of Cambridge

    University of Cambridge

    University of Cambridge

    University of Cambridge

    University of Cambridge

    Life in Cambridge

    Easier to get around than Oxford (the fen is flatter and bike-friendlier, and the town is smaller), Cambridge is architecturally stunning, but it also feels tigher and more enclosed than its older sister. That means that the town also conveys a calm you won't get elsewhere, alongside this caliber of education. The city center is full of colleges jutting out right up to trafficked lanes, libraries, bookshops, eclectic cafes, and green spaces. And because much of Cambridge is walkable or cyclable, daily life tends to feel simple here, like the natural progression of Eton students who came looking for a new high street to dominate. The Backs (the stretch of college gardens running down to the River Cam) are among the quaintest landscapes in England, though the "no picnicking" signs can be a bummer. Punting (navigating the river via a stick, rather than oars, while taking in the architectural views) is mandatory at least once. London Kings Cross is fifty minutes by train, close enough to use for airports and major events, but far enough to ignore on a Tuesday when you have a tutorial to prep for.

    Overall

    A-

    Above Average

    46.0/100

    Academic

    A+

    Top 25%

    99.8/100

    Based on Times Higher Ed ranking, student-to-teacher ratio, and number of English-taught programs. A+ = top quartile.

    Cost of Living

    B+

    Solid

    13.1/100

    Based on Cost of Living Index, Rent Index, and a composite affordability score. A+ = most affordable quartile.

    Tuition

    B-

    Good

    Based on total tuition in USD, normalized across all universities. A+ = most affordable quartile.

    Happiness

    A-

    Above Average

    82.8/100

    Based on national happiness ranking, % international students, and national English proficiency. A+ = top quartile.

    The Bottom Line

    If you are considering Cambridge, the most meaningful alternatives are usually Oxford, Imperial, LSE in the social sciences, UCL for breadth and London access, and sometimes Durham, Warwick, or St Andrews for students who want a highly academic environment without the same level of intensity or admissions interviews. Cambridge offers an unusually concentrated combination of extreme selectivity, collegiate structure, intense academic culture, and tutorial-style teaching — you won't get its unique combination anywhere but Oxford. Decide based on the town (smaller = Cambridge) and whether you're a science person or a social science person (science = Cambridge). And if you know you're a Cambridge person, your college is the bigger decision you'll have to make to ensure your tenure here is fabulous.

    Vibe Check

    Close-Knit Community Academic Powerhouse Research Powerhouse Nature Lovers Arts & Creative Hub

    Top Descriptors

    Tutorial 1-on-1sFormal Halls Or StarvationCollegiate CliquesRowing CultImpostor Syndrome

    Programs (33)

    English-taught bachelor's programs at this university.

    Anglo-saxon Norse and Celtic

    University base tuition

    $39,480

    Per year, not program tuition · 3 yrs

    Archaeology

    University base tuition

    $39,480

    Per year, not program tuition · 3 yrs

    Architecture

    University base tuition

    $39,480

    Per year, not program tuition · 3 yrs

    Asian and Middle Eastern Studies

    University base tuition

    $39,480

    Per year, not program tuition · 3 yrs

    Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology

    University base tuition

    $39,480

    Per year, not program tuition · 3 yrs

    Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, BA (Hons) and Meng

    Bachelor

    University base tuition

    $39,480

    Per year, not program tuition · 3 yrs

    Classics

    University base tuition

    $39,480

    Per year, not program tuition · 3 yrs

    Computer Science

    University base tuition

    $39,480

    Per year, not program tuition · 3 yrs

    Design

    University base tuition

    $39,480

    Per year, not program tuition · 3 yrs

    Economics

    University base tuition

    $39,480

    Per year, not program tuition · 3 yrs

    Education

    University base tuition

    $39,480

    Per year, not program tuition · 3 yrs

    Engineering

    University base tuition

    $39,480

    Per year, not program tuition · 3 yrs

    English

    University base tuition

    $39,480

    Per year, not program tuition · 3 yrs

    Geography

    University base tuition

    $39,480

    Per year, not program tuition · 3 yrs

    History

    University base tuition

    $39,480

    Per year, not program tuition · 3 yrs

    History and Modern Languages

    University base tuition

    $39,480

    Per year, not program tuition · 3 yrs

    History of Art

    University base tuition

    $39,480

    Per year, not program tuition · 3 yrs

    Human Social and Political Sciences

    University base tuition

    $39,480

    Per year, not program tuition · 3 yrs

    Land Economy

    University base tuition

    $39,480

    Per year, not program tuition · 3 yrs

    Law

    University base tuition

    $39,480

    Per year, not program tuition · 3 yrs

    Linguistics

    University base tuition

    $39,480

    Per year, not program tuition · 3 yrs

    Management Studies

    University base tuition

    $39,480

    Per year, not program tuition · 3 yrs

    Manufacturing Engineering

    University base tuition

    $39,480

    Per year, not program tuition · 3 yrs

    Mathematics

    University base tuition

    $39,480

    Per year, not program tuition · 3 yrs

    Medicine

    University base tuition

    $39,480

    Per year, not program tuition · 3 yrs

    Modern and Medieval Languages

    University base tuition

    $39,480

    Per year, not program tuition · 3 yrs

    Music

    University base tuition

    $39,480

    Per year, not program tuition · 3 yrs

    Natural Sciences

    University base tuition

    $39,480

    Per year, not program tuition · 3 yrs

    Philosophy

    University base tuition

    $39,480

    Per year, not program tuition · 3 yrs

    Psychological and Behavioral Sciences

    University base tuition

    $39,480

    Per year, not program tuition · 3 yrs

    Theology Religion and Philosophy of Religion

    University base tuition

    $39,480

    Per year, not program tuition · 3 yrs

    Theology, Religion, and Philosophy of Religion, BA (Hons)

    Bachelor

    University base tuition

    $39,480

    Per year, not program tuition · 3 yrs

    Veterinary Medicine

    University base tuition

    $39,480

    Per year, not program tuition · 3 yrs

    Academics & Key Scores

    Total Overall Score

    46/100A-
    Academics100/100A+
    Times Ranking#3 (100%)
    Student:Staff Ratio11.5:1 (92%)
    Happiness83/100A-
    National Happiness91%
    International Students41% (86%)
    Costs13/100B+
    Cost of Living Index69.65 (45%)
    Rent Index31.84 (38%)
    Tuition Affordability4%
    University's Base Tuition (Program May Vary)$118,440

    ~$39,480/yr × 3 yrs · social-science avg

    University-wide average. Specialized programs (medicine, business, engineering) often cost more — confirm on the program page.

    Source: GBP 29,052/yr · converted 2026-05-04 · official tuition page

    Avg. Monthly Cost of Living$1,750/mo

    SafetyA-52th pctCrime idx 40.3

    Grade and percentile compare this city's Numbeo Crime Index against the other universities in our database. Higher percentile = safer.

    Cambridge has a low overall crime level, but residents report a high concern about crime increasing in the past five years.

    Students should be aware of increasing crime trends and secure belongings, especially items left in cars.

    Source

    Culture & Inclusion

    Racial Inclusion95/100A+
    LGBTQ+ Inclusion90/100A-
    Xenophobia Safety85/100A-
    International Students41/100
    Natl. English Proficiency100/100

    100th percentile

    Abortion Access85/100A-

    Cost Breakdown

    Bars show affordability (0–100, higher is cheaper relative to other universities). Raw index numbers are price levels with New York City = 100 — lower = cheaper city.

    Overall Affordability13/100B+

    Composite of cost of living, rent, groceries, dining, and local purchasing power.

    Cost of Living45/100(NYC index 69.7)

    Cheaper than 45% of universities here.

    Rent38/100(NYC index 31.8)

    Cheaper rent than 38% of universities here.

    Groceries (NYC = 100)56.6
    Restaurants (NYC = 100)76.8
    Local Salaries (NYC = 100, higher = stronger)88.8
    Tuition Affordability4/100B-

    Cheaper tuition than 4% of universities here.

    Monthly Living Cost$1,750/mo
    Annual tuition$39,480 / year
    Total program cost$118,440 (3 yrs)

    Official source: GBP 29,052 / year · converted 2026-05-04 · official page

    Quick Facts

    International Students41%

    8630th percentile among published universities

    Student:Teacher Ratio12:1
    Times Higher Ed Ranking#3(top 1%)
    English-Taught Programs33

    Post-Grad Visa

    Graduate visa, 2 years (3 years for PhD), full work rights, no direct PR pathway but can switch to skilled worker visa, no sponsorship needed

    Visit Website

    Spot something off?

    If you work at University of Cambridge — or study or studied there — you can send us a correction free of charge. Tell us what should change and we'll update the listing.

    Free. We only use your contact info to follow up on this correction.

    Work at this university? Claim this listing