How to get into the University of Cambridge: Steps & Tips

Author: Dee Lawlor — Last update: 26 February 2025

The University of Cambridge is one of the world’s leading academic institutions, and regularly tops global university rankings. Not surprisingly, they are very selective, and getting into Cambridge is difficult even for the most excellent students.

But don’t let that deter you! For a successful application, it is important that you plan ahead and learn about the admissions process. Read on for advice and top tips and learn more about what it takes to study at Cambridge University:

Study at the University of Cambridge: Find Bachelors & Masters

🤔 University of Cambridge Acceptance Rates:

Studying at Cambridge is an aspiration for many ambitious students. Competition for a place may be high but that doesn’t mean that it is out of reach for you.

The acceptance rate for undergraduates is around 20% (most recent data: 2023/24).
The acceptance rate for postgraduates is 29% (2023/24).

Many people will apply for Cambridge simply to say that they went to Cambridge. So, the admissions team have to be sure that they are choosing students who genuinely want to study. Courses at Cambridge are challenging (they get their reputation for a reason) and depending on the topic, the courses are more research focused and theory based. If you can demonstrate that you are not only an excellent student with good grades, but that you are truly passionate about your subject, then Cambridge will be interested in you.

🏆 What rank is the University of Cambridge?

In every major university ranking, Cambridge is at or near the top: Usually the best or second best university in the UK; the same for all of Europe; and in the top 5 universities worldwide.

Rank in Europe	Rank in the world	University	Location
1	3	University of Oxford	Oxford, United Kingdom
2	5	University of Cambridge	Cambridge, United Kingdom
3	7	ETH Zurich	Zürich, Switzerland
4	9	UCL	London, United Kingdom
5	24	Université PSL	Paris, France

Cambridge is part of the so-called Russell Group, an association of top universities in the UK. It is similar to the Ivy League group of universities in America.

👀 What kinds of students does the University of Cambridge look for?

There is no escaping it, Cambridge will want you to have exceptional grades. So, show your determination and passion early by working hard in school.

The applications board in Cambridge will also want to see that you have curiosities and hobbies outside of school. In your personal statement, be sure to mention any relevant interests that you have, that show that you are a well-rounded, confident, and open-minded person.

📚 Cambridge entry requirements:

Entry requirements will vary between degrees, so it is essential that you check the details for the specific programme you are interested in. Review the course information carefully, as each may require different steps.

Undergraduate degrees: The University of Cambridge accepts A-levels or the International Baccalaureate (IB).
Postgraduate applications require a relevant Bachelor’s degree. Remember to check out each individual postgraduate programme to find out the exact requirements.
English language requirements: As one of the leading universities in the English-speaking world, Cambridge expects very good English of its applicants, higher than most other top universities. You will need to provide an English language certificate or have evidence of good school English, or a previous academic degree taught in English. For Bachelors, expect a minimum TOEFL score of 110 and a minimum IELTS score of 7.5. For Masters, some are open to applicants with a TOEFL score of 100 or an IELTS score of 7.0, others also require 110 or 7.5, respectively. Cambridge English certificates are (not very surprisingly) also accepted. The exact requirements are programme-specific; and it is possible that an offer is made to you under the condition that you reach a certain English test score before enrolment.
Specific programme tests: such as Economics might have their own assessments for which you need to register. Some might require you to attend in person.
Interview: Many degrees also include an interview as part of their application process.
References: You will need good references from teachers/professors who can attest to your character and achievements.

Cambridge Tip: The university offers numerous videos featuring students sharing advice about the application process. Be sure to !

📝 Steps to Apply to the University of Cambridge:

The process for applying to Cambridge can be quite demanding. There are many steps to get through but don’t let that put you off! You just need to be prepared.

The applications process for undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) are a little different and they can change from year to year, so make sure you check the Cambridge website for the latest information.

Undergraduate applications (= Bachelors)

Explore the courses on offer and decide what you might be interested in.
Meet the entry requirements.
Check the admission assessments (entry exams) and deadlines. Cambridge does not follow the general UCAS applications deadline (which would be late January) - instead, you generally apply by mid-October the year before you enrol. (By the way: The same is true for the University of Oxford, if you’re not content with applying to only one top British university.)
Prepare your Personal Statement and References.
Register with the UCAS platform.
Submit your application before the deadline.
Fill out any additional forms at
Submit any written work or a portfolio if needed.
Attend your interview.
Prepare for the college admission assessment and entry exams.

Note: Cambridge does not usually participate in Clearing, meaning a late application will not be possible.

Postgraduate applications (= Masters)

Explore the courses on offer and decide what you might be interested in.
Check the entry requirements. Do you meet them?
Check the application deadline. (They’re usually in April, but it can be beneficial to apply earlier, as some Masters have rolling admissions. Unfortunately, this process is not always transparent - you may still have to wait until the deadline for them to consider your application.)
Find a supervisor (if you need one).
Research funding opportunities.
Choose your referees.
Prepare your supporting documents.
Submit your application and supporting documents on the Cambridge website.

📈 How to increase your chances of getting into Cambridge:

Research the entry requirements to make sure you have the basics of what the university are asking for. Once you are sure you have those, start exploring: Reach out to alumni and current students for advice, check out the researchers working in the college or department you want to join, and focus on your CV, side projects and extracurricular activities.

Do you love visiting museums and galleries? Do you volunteer? In what ways do you pursue your interests – think of what podcasts you might listen to, what books you like to read, do you go to talks and exhibitions? Show that you have your own thoughts and opinions and that you are interested in the world and passionate about your subject of choice.

50�Ȼ� Tip: Build a strong cv with many activities. If it doesn’t get you into Cambridge, it’s still going to be time well spent on your future.

💸 Tuition fees at Cambridge:

The tuition fees for international students are between £27,000 and £41,000 a year for a Bachelor’s programme and between £27,000 and £36,000 for Masters. For medicine and veterinary it can go up beyond £70,000.

Fees for national students are lower but only apply to students from the UK, or Irish students living in the UK or Ireland.

Don’t forget about the hidden extra charges in the application process. The application assessment fee is £50, though it doesn’t apply to all courses.

As always, you will need to consider your living expenses too. In 2025-26, the minimum resources needed in Cambridge for a full 12 months (excluding tuition and college fees) are estimated to be approximately £14,880, including food, housing, transportation, and entertainment.

🎓 Most notable alumni of Cambridge:

With 125 Nobel Prize winners and a global network of over 200,000 alumni, the University of Cambridge has a long history of excellence and influence across various fields. Here are a few:

Sir Isaac Newton: Mathematician, physicist, and astronomer. Developed the laws of motion and gravity.
Charles Darwin: Naturalist, geologist, and biologist. Developed the theory of evolution by natural selection.
Stephen Hawking: Theoretical physicist and cosmologist. Author of A Brief History of Time.
Sylvia Plath: Poet, novelist, and short-story writer. Author of The Bell Jar.
Alan Turing: Mathematician, computer scientist, and cryptanalyst. Played a key role in breaking the Enigma code.
Emma Thompson: Academy Award-winning actress and screenwriter.
John Maynard Keynes: Economist. Founder of Keynesian economics.
Arianna Huffington: Co-founder of The Huffington Post.

🏛️ Popular subjects at Cambridge:

Cambridge offers 30 undergraduate courses and over 300 postgraduate programmes, providing a wide range of academic opportunities.

Study at Cambridge: Find Bachelors & Masters

66 Programmes in the United Kingdom

Dee is an expert on all things living and breathing and has spent many years studying and working abroad. She has a BSc in Zoology from the University of Aberdeen (UK) and an MSc in Imaging & Microscopy from University College Dublin (Ireland), as well as a Diploma in Counselling Studies from Dublin Business School. She is the author of “Introduction to Light Microscopy” (Springer).