University of Cambridge

 

Cambridge University

The University of Cambridge is one of the most prestigious in the United Kingdom and is located in the charming city of Cambridge, England.

Ranked as the 2nd best university in the world in 2018, Cambridge has thousands of illustrious graduates. Cambridge alumni include: Charles Dickens, Isaac Newton, Emma Thompson, Arianna Huffington, Alan Turing and Stephen Hawking. In addition, 96 of its alumni have been awarded the Nobel Prize and 10 have received the Fields Medal.

Today, Cambridge University is home to more than 21,000 students who belong to 31 colleges (constituent educational institutions of the university) and 100 university departments.



 

The University of Cambridge shares many traditions with the University of Oxford, which is why they are frequently associated with the term "Oxbridge". Founded in 1209 by Oxford University students, Cambridge is the 4th oldest university in the world and regularly tops the international rankings.

Alongside Oxford, Cambridge is one of the most selective universities in England, and indeed in the world, with only 1 student admitted out of 5 applicants. Because of this selectivity, you cannot apply for both Oxford and Cambridge in your applications to British universities - you must apply to only one of the two.

SCOLARITY

At the bachelor's level, 30 courses are offered, from which students must choose one. Some courses cover more than one field of study:

• The Human, Social and Political Sciences permit understudies to pick modules, for example, Politics and International Relations, Anthropology and Sociology.

• Natural Sciences (Natural Sciences) allows students to choose modules in hard sciences, from Biology, through Physics-Chemistry, to Earth Sciences and Mathematic.

• Most bachelor's degree courses generally last 3 or 4 years. Each year at Cambridge consists of 3 terms. Cambridge terms, like those at Oxford, are quite unusual compared to other British universities, as they only last 8 weeks.

• These periods are full of intense work, and allow a great concentration on academic subjects through lectures, tutoring, and personal work. Science students usually have lab sessions at least once a week, and students in essay disciplines will normally have 1 or 2 essays to work on during each week of the term.

• The term period is also a good time to interact with other students between lab sessions and through student associations.

What is tutoring?

   Oxford and Cambridge are the only UK universities to offer regular one-to-one or small group tutoring with university specialists. This is an opportunity for students to explore certain topics in greater depth by asking questions related to the topic of a course, and to receive recommendations for further reading, tailored to their personal interests in the subject matter, or what they hope to discover in greater depth.

   In Cambridge, you may find yourself at conferences or tutorials with the same academic who has published a book or article on the subject you are studying!

LIVING AND STUDYING IN CAMBRIDG

Cambridge students are welcomed in one of 31 educational institutions known as colleges, each with its own character. For a good overview of Cambridge's institutions, their location in the city and student life there, please consult the university brochure.

Cambridge's colleges are scattered around the city of Cambridge, which has a lively center with lots of green spaces, museums, and an exceptional architectural mix. The colleges are true havens for students in the heart of the city, offering them a living space, a place to share meals with other students, to relax and, of course, to study.

The places dedicated to study are numerous and include: departmental buildings and libraries, the University library, smaller libraries within the different institutions, and other spaces such as rooms for working with others or alone, the "College JCRs" (Junior Common Rooms), which are also places to socialize with other students from the University.

Around Cambridge, you can also get away from the stress of your essays in a student bar, attend a performance at the ADC Theatre (whose stage once hosted alumni Rachel Weisz, Ian McKellen and Hugh Laurie), or listen to lectures by great speakers at the Cambridge Union.
Although Cambridge students work hard, they also like to have fun, and there are many opportunities to enjoy student life in Cambridge, from the traditional formal dinners and year-end galas to the 959 (!) student associations that are offered. Associations are an opportunity to get involved in something new, to pursue an existing passion.

In terms of getting around the city, most people go to Cambridge (to attend conferences for example) on foot or by bike, although the city is also well served by buses. Getting around outside Cambridge is quite convenient too: taking a train from Cambridge Station will get you to London in an hour, whether it's for a day trip or a weekend excursion.