University of Cambridge

Overview

The University of Cambridge is the second-oldest university in the English-speaking world and is regarded as one of the world's top five universities. The University is a member of the Russell Group, a network of research-led British universities; the Coimbra Group, an association of leading European universities; the League of European Research Universities; and the International Alliance of Research Universities. It is also considered part of the "Golden Triangle", a geographical concentration of leading research universities.

As a collegiate university, Cambridge is unusual for having no campus and as such is a group of 31 self-governing colleges coming under one Cambridge banner. Each college is a part of Cambridge whilst being largely independent. They appoint their own teaching staff and fellows in each subject, decide which students to admit, provide the supervision teaching for undergraduates, and are responsible for the domestic arrangements and welfare of students and staff. Choosing the right college is crucial, both to ensure the student win a place, and also ensuring the degree is a successful one.

Cambridge has produced 89 Nobel winners to date, more than any other university, while Trinity College alone has produced more Nobel prize winners than France. University of Cambridge is also the third biggest landowner in the country, after the Queen and the Church of England.

Services for International Students

Colleges are the main point of contact for students, and vary in their orientation arrangements. Alongside this, support is available from student societies and volunteer alumni groups, who run fresher parties throughout September to introduce students to each other and university life.

The International Student Team runs an orientation program at the start of each academic year to offer information about the university, plus offer the chance to meet other international students.

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

Ranking

• 1st in the Times University Guide 2020
• 1st in the Guardian University Guide 2020
• 7th in the QS World University Rankings 2021
• 3rd in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020

The University of Cambridge performed excellently in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework, with 87% of its submissions rated as ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’, receiving the best results in the UK for aeronautical and electronic engineering, business and management, chemistry, classics and clinical medicine.

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 in the town.

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 of the 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. There are National Express coach services to Cambridge from all four airports and direct trains from London which take about one hour.

Alumni

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

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