To say that the
University of Cambridge is a prestigious school is a gross understatement. At times, the school has even ranked first among the top universities in the world, beating the likes of Harvard, Oxford, Yale, and more. Just how amazing is this school? For one thing, it's an impressive list of graduates including Isaac Newton, Alan Turing, David Attenborough, and even King Charles III, among many others. You'd rarely find another university that has produced as many notable and legendary graduates as Cambridge; a testament to the higher educational institution's indelible legacy.
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History of The University of Cambridge
Did you know death played a part in the founding of Cambridge University? Before the school was officially established in 1209, the Cambridge area was already known as a haven for scholars. But around the same time, three Oxford scholars were hanged for the death of a local woman without consulting ecclesiastical authorities. This incident led other and more Oxford scholars to move to the Cambridge area, eventually setting up the university there. By 1225, King Henry III issued writs and appointed the university's first official chancellor. Pope Gregory IX later legitimized the school by officially recognizing it, going so far as to give it an
ius non trahi extra (right not to be drawn out) letter.
What Does The University of Cambridge Look Like?
Cambridge Town itself is an idyllic
English countryside town 61.6 miles away from London. As a university town, the school plays a vital role, employing practically all of the residents here. University of Cambridge's campus, on the other hand, boasts grand Gothic architecture that can rival the most famous churches in Europe. Though it has various colleges built in other architectural styles, its striking main halls are what most of the world knows of the university. Set in a largely rural town, the campus captures a dreamy countryside appeal that draws in tourists as it does scholars.
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The University of Cambridge Student Body
As one of the top-ranking
universities near London, as well as the world, it's no surprise that the University of Cambridge draws in a lot of students. The school commonly welcomes about 24,500 enrollees per year, including both new applicants and returning students. To break it down even further, there are around 12,800 undergraduates and 11,700 postgraduates. There are also international students, which make up about 25% of the undergraduates and 50% of postgraduates. And while 24,500 students is still pretty big in its own right, it's far from the largest among the world's top universities. Cambridge only has a 19% acceptance rate, after all.
University of Cambridge's Best Programs and Courses
What's the University of Cambridge best known for? Apart from being one of the
top universities near London, perhaps even in all of the UK, it's also among the top schools for engineering, science, politics, law, and sociology, among many others. Though practically all of Cambridge's academic courses are great, these are the departments that have highlighted the school's iconic scholastic excellence. But if you want to be more specific, it's safe to say that Cambridge's top programs include Law, Mathematics, Engineering, Education, and Philosophy for the undergraduate studies and Finance, Engineering, and Education for the postgraduate courses.
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University of Cambridge’s Prerequisites
For the most part, the University of Cambridge's prerequisites are generally the same as those of other universities. You'll need at least a high school diploma to apply for its undergraduate programs and a Bachelor's Degree in any related field to apply for its postgraduate programs. Do note that you'll need A-level grades just to be considered, practically the same as Oxford University. At the same time, various programs will require either taking an entrance exam, participating in an interview, writing an entrance essay, or submitting a well-curated portfolio.
How Much Does It Cost to Study at The University of Cambridge?
The University of Cambridge may be among the most prestigious schools in the world, but it's not exactly the most expensive. Make no mistake, £9,250.00 per year for UK and EU students and £21,732.00 per year for international students are still pretty high in the grand scheme of things. Nevertheless, there are other universities and even
international schools in London for kids that have more expensive tuition fees. Do take note that your university costs will also include other fees, namely application fees, registration fees, enrollment fees, dormitory fees, and more.
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Where is The University of Cambridge in England?
As already mentioned, the University of Cambridge is located in the town of Cambridge in England. A lively site in its own right, it's a beautiful university town that captures the idyllic appeal of the English countryside all while providing a similar urban energy to that of London. It helps that Cambridge isn't too far from the
central neighborhoods of London. You can easily take a day trip to get from London to Cambridge and vice versa. But if you're looking for a place to stay while you study here, forget the
luxury apartments in London! You'd do well to rent a nice and fairly affordable home in town.
University of Cambridge's Famous Graduates
To say that the University of Cambridge has produced prominent graduates is a complete understatement. Part of what has made this school one of the most prestigious in the world is its wildly impressive alumni. For one thing, King Charles III famously studied here. Not a lot of universities can boast that they've taught the current monarch of Great Britain! Scientists Charles Darwin, Stephen Hawking, and Alan Turing, all influential figures in various scientific fields, have also studied here. And in terms of celebrities, there are Sir David Attenborough, film director Sam Mendes, and actors Emma Thompson and Rachel Weisz too.
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From influential heads-of-state to modern monarchs, the University of Cambridge has produced countless world leaders. The school boasts one of the most prolific legacies among all the top universities around the world.
