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{{short description|Collegiate university in Cambridge, England}} {{Short description|Public collegiate university in England}}
{{Redirect|Cambridge University}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2013}} {{Use British English|date=December 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox university {{Infobox university
| name = University of Cambridge | name = University of Cambridge
| image = University of Cambridge coat of arms.svg | image = University of Cambridge coat of arms.svg
| image_size = | image_size = 150
| image_upright = .6 | image_upright =
| caption = ] | caption = ]
| latin_name = Universitas Cantabrigiensis<ref>{{Cite book |title=Record of the Jubilee Celebrations of the University of Sydney |date=1903 |publisher=William Brooks and Co. |isbn=9781112213304 |publication-place=], ] |language=en-AU }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |title=Records of The Tercentenary Festival of Dublin University |date=1894 |publisher=] |isbn=9781355361602 |publication-place=], ] |language=en-IE }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |title=Actes du Jubilé de 1909 |date=1910 |publisher=Georg Keck & Cie |isbn=9781360078335 |publication-place=], ] |language=fr-CH }}</ref>
| latin_name = Universitas Cantabrigiensis
| motto = {{lang-la|Hinc lucem et pocula sacra}} | motto = {{langx|la|Hinc lucem et pocula sacra}}
| mottoeng = Literal: From here, light and sacred draughts. | mottoeng = Literal: From here, light and sacred draughts.<br>Nonliteral: From this place, we gain enlightenment and precious knowledge.
Non literal: From this place, we gain enlightenment and precious knowledge.
| established = {{circa|{{start date and age|df=yes|1209}}}} | established = {{circa|{{start date and age|df=yes|1209}}}}
| other_name = The Chancellor, Masters and Scholars of the University of Cambridge | other_name = The Chancellor, Masters and Scholars of the University of Cambridge
| type = ] ] | type = ] ]<br />]
| endowment = £7.121&nbsp;billion (including colleges){{refn|Colleges £4,101.2M,<ref name="CamCollAssets2019">]</ref> University £3,020.0M<ref name="CamUniEndow2019">{{Cite web |title=Reports and Financial Statement 2019 |url=https://www.cam.ac.uk/system/files/reports_and_financial_statements_2019_final.pdf |access-date=2 April 2020 |publisher=University of Cambridge}}</ref>}} | endowment = £2.47 billion (2023; excluding colleges)<ref name="annualfinstat23">{{Cite web |title=Reports and the Financial Statements 2023 |url=https://www.cam.ac.uk/system/files/university_of_cambridge_group_annual_reports_financial_statements_2022-23.pdf |access-date=14 June 2024 |publisher=University of Cambridge}}</ref>
| budget = £2.308 billion (excluding colleges)<ref name="cam.ac.uk">{{Cite web |title=Reports and the Financial Statements 2019 |url=https://www.cam.ac.uk/system/files/reports_and_financial_statements_2019_final.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=25 August 2021 |publisher=University of Cambridge}}</ref> | budget = £2.32 billion (2022/2023; excluding colleges)<ref name="finstat23">{{Cite web |title=Reports and the Financial Statements 2023 |url=https://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/reporter/2023-24/weekly/6731/section3.shtml |access-date=14 June 2024 |publisher=University of Cambridge}}</ref>
| chancellor = ] | chancellor = ]
| vice_chancellor = ] | vice_chancellor = ]
| students = 24,450 (2020)<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 2020 |title=Cambridge at a glance |url=https://www.cam.ac.uk/about-the-university/cambridge-at-a-glance}}</ref> | students = 22,975 (2022/23)<ref name="HESAStudents">{{cite web |title=Where do HE students study? {{!}} HESA |url=https://www.hesa.ac.uk/data-and-analysis/students/where-study#provider |publisher=] |website=hesa.ac.uk}}</ref>
| undergrad = 12,850 (2020) | undergrad = 13,750 (2022/23)<ref name="HESAStudents"/>
| postgrad = 11,600 (2020) | postgrad = 9,225 (2022/23)<ref name="HESAStudents"/>
| city = ] | city = ]
| country = England | country = England
| campus_type = {{Ubl
| campus_type = ]<br />{{convert|288|ha}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 November 2016 |title=Estate Data |url=https://www.em.admin.cam.ac.uk/operating-estate/estate-data |access-date=1 April 2018 |website=Estate Management |publisher=University of Cambridge}}</ref>
| ]:
| sporting_affiliations = ]
| {{convert|617|ha}}<ref name=estate>{{Cite web |date=July 2021 |title=Operational Estate Facts & Figures |url=https://www.em.admin.cam.ac.uk/what-we-do/annual-report-and-facts-figures |access-date=28 February 2023 |website=Estates Division |publisher=University of Cambridge |archive-date=1 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301044308/https://www.em.admin.cam.ac.uk/what-we-do/annual-report-and-facts-figures |url-status=live }}</ref>{{efn|Refers to operational estate owned by the university, including the {{convert|550|ha|adj=on}} University Farm<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.em.admin.cam.ac.uk/what-we-do/estate-operations/university-farm-rural-estate/farm-facts-figures|title=Farm Facts & Figures|access-date=28 February 2023|website=Estates Division|date=June 2020|publisher=University of Cambridge|archive-date=1 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301044305/https://www.em.admin.cam.ac.uk/what-we-do/estate-operations/university-farm-rural-estate/farm-facts-figures|url-status=live}}</ref> but not including college-owned property or investment properties}}
| colours = {{color box|#A3C1AD}} ]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Identity Guidelines – Colour |url=http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/communications/services/identityguidelines/guidelines-colour.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080910064615/http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/communications/services/identityguidelines/guidelines-colour.pdf |archive-date=10 September 2008 |access-date=28 March 2008 |publisher=University of Cambridge Office of External Affairs and Communications}}</ref>
}}
| website = {{url|cam.ac.uk/}}
| affiliations = {{hlist|]|]|]|]|]|]|]}}
| colours = {{color box|#A3C1AD}} Cambridge Blue<ref>{{Cite web |title=Identity Guidelines – Colour |url=http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/communications/services/identityguidelines/guidelines-colour.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080910064615/http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/communications/services/identityguidelines/guidelines-colour.pdf |archive-date=10 September 2008 |access-date=28 March 2008 |publisher=University of Cambridge Office of External Affairs and Communications}}</ref>
| website = {{URL|https://cam.ac.uk}}
| logo = University of Cambridge logo.svg | logo = University of Cambridge logo.svg
| logo_size = 255px | logo_size = 255px
| academic_staff = 5,940 (2022/23)<ref name="HESAStaff">{{Cite web|url=https://www.hesa.ac.uk/data-and-analysis/staff/working-in-he|title=Who's working in HE?|publisher=] |website=www.hesa.ac.uk}}</ref>
| academic_affiliations = {{plainlist|
| administrative_staff = 6,525 (2022/23)<ref name="HESAStaff"/>
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]}}
| faculty = 6,170 (2020)<ref name="hesa">{{Cite web |title=Who's working in HE? |url=https://www.hesa.ac.uk/data-and-analysis/staff/working-in-he |url-status=live |access-date=25 August 2021 |publisher=HESA}}</ref>
| administrative_staff = 3,615 (excluding colleges)<ref name="hesa" />
}} }}
The '''University of Cambridge''' is a ] ] ] in ], England. Founded in 1209, the University of Cambridge is the ]. The university's founding followed the arrival of scholars who left the ] for Cambridge after a dispute with local townspeople.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Catto |first=J. I. |title=The History of the University of Oxford: I The Early Oxford Schools |publisher=Clarendon Press |year=1984 |isbn=0199510113 |edition=1st |location=Oxford |pages=37–41 |language=English}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=A Brief History: Early records |url=http://www.cam.ac.uk/univ/history/records.html |access-date=17 August 2008 |publisher=University of Cambridge |archive-date=2 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110902111945/http://www.cam.ac.uk/univ/history/records.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The two ] English universities, although sometimes described as rivals, share many common features and are often jointly referred to as '']''.
<!--Start a discussion on the talk page before making changes to the lead-->
The '''University of Cambridge''' is a ] ] in ]. Founded in 1209<ref name="Early records">{{Cite web |date=28 January 2013 |title=Early records |url=https://www.cam.ac.uk/about-the-university/history/early-records |access-date=5 December 2019 |website=University of Cambridge |language=en}}</ref> and granted a ] by ] in 1231, Cambridge is the world's ].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sager |first=Peter |title=Oxford and Cambridge: An Uncommon History |date=2005}}</ref> The ] grew out of an association of scholars who left the ] after a dispute with the townspeople.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A Brief History: Early records |url=http://www.cam.ac.uk/univ/history/records.html |access-date=17 August 2008 |publisher=University of Cambridge}}</ref> The two English ] share many common features and are often jointly referred to as '']''.


In 1231, 22 years after its founding, the university was recognised with a ], granted by ]. The University of Cambridge includes ] and ]. The largest department is ], which has £1 billion of annual revenue and reaches 100 million learners.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 2023 |title=
Cambridge is ranked among the most prestigious universities in the world and currently sits as the world's second best university, and the best in Europe, according the ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=QS World University Rankings 2023: Top Global Universities |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2023 |access-date=2022-06-08 |website=Top Universities |language=en}}</ref> Cambridge has won more ] than any other institution with 121 Nobel laureates.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nobel prize winners |url=https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/research-at-cambridge/nobel-prize-winners |access-date=10 June 2022 |publisher=University of Cambridge}}</ref> The University's ] and faculty also include 11 ], 7 ], 47 ] and 14 ]. {{Asof|2016}}, University alumni had won 194 ]s.<ref name="Hawks">"". ''Hawks Club''. Retrieved 17 May 2019.</ref>
Cambridge University Press & Assessment grows global impact
|url=https://www.cam.ac.uk/news/cambridge-university-press-assessment-grows-global-impact/ |access-date=29 January 2024 |publisher=University of Cambridge }}</ref> All of the colleges are self-governing institutions within the university, managing their own personnel and policies, and all students are required to have a college affiliation within the university. Undergraduate teaching at Cambridge is centred on weekly small-group ] in the colleges with lectures, seminars, laboratory work, and occasionally further supervision provided by the central university faculties and departments.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Tapper |first1=Ted |title=Oxford, the Collegiate University |last2=Palfreyman |first2=David |publisher=Springer |year=2011 |isbn=978-94-007-0046-8 |series=Higher Education Dynamics |volume=34 |pages=95–115 |chapter=The Tutorial System: The Jewel in the Crown |doi=10.1007/978-94-007-0047-5_6 |access-date=7 June 2021 |chapter-url=https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-94-007-0047-5_6 |archive-date=7 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607211616/https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-94-007-0047-5_6 |url-status=live | issn=1571-0378 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=December 2017 |title=What should students expect from their College and the University? |url=https://magazine.alumni.cam.ac.uk/brainwaves82/ |access-date=7 June 2021 |publisher=University of Cambridge |archive-date=7 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607210917/https://magazine.alumni.cam.ac.uk/brainwaves82/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


The university operates eight cultural and scientific museums, including the ] and ]. ] hold a total of approximately 16&nbsp;million books, around nine&nbsp;million of which are in ], a ] and one of the world's largest ]. Cambridge alumni, academics, and affiliates have won 124 Nobel Prizes.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-09 |title=University of Cambridge alumni awarded 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry {{!}} University of Cambridge |url=https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/university-of-cambridge-alumni-awarded-2024-nobel-prize-in-chemistry |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=www.cam.ac.uk |language=en}}</ref> Among the university's ] are 194 ]-winning athletes<ref name="Hawks">" {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308013239/https://www.hawksclub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Olympians-A2-Poster-Artwork.pdf |date=8 March 2021 }}". ''Hawks Club''. Retrieved 17 May 2019.</ref> and several historically iconic and transformational individuals in their respective fields, including ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and others.
Cambridge is formed from a variety of institutions which include ] and ]. All the colleges are self-governing institutions within the university, each controlling its own membership and with its own internal structure and activities. All students are members of a college. The university does not have a main campus, and its colleges and central facilities are scattered throughout the city. ] at Cambridge centres on weekly small-group ] in the colleges in groups of typically 1–4 students. This intensive method of teaching is widely considered the 'jewel in the crown' of an Oxbridge undergraduate education.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Tapper |first=Ted |title=Oxford, the Collegiate University |last2=Palfreyman |first2=David |publisher=Springer |year=2011 |isbn=978-94-007-0046-8 |series=Higher Education Dynamics |volume=34 |pages=95–115 |chapter=The Tutorial System: The Jewel in the Crown |doi=10.1007/978-94-007-0047-5_6 |access-date=7 June 2021 |chapter-url=https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-94-007-0047-5_6}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=December 2017 |title=What should students expect from their College and the University? |url=https://magazine.alumni.cam.ac.uk/brainwaves82/ |access-date=7 June 2021 |publisher=University of Cambridge}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Jewel in the Crown? |url=https://sckool.org/edited-by-david-palfreyman.html?page=2 |access-date=7 June 2021 |publisher=David Palfreyman}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title='Jewel in the crown?' The Oxbridge College: its origin, character and future |url=https://www.cetl.hku.hk/conf2016/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Jewel-in-the-Crown-double-spaced-submitted-paper-19082016.pdf |access-date=7 June 2021 |publisher=Duncan Dormor}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Tutorial System: The Jewel in the Crown |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/251166430 |access-date=7 June 2021 |publisher=Ted Tapper, David Palfreyman}}</ref> In addition, lectures, seminars, laboratory work and occasionally further supervisions are provided by the central university faculties and departments, while ] is also predominantly provided centrally. Degrees are conferred by the university, not the colleges.


==History==
By both ] and material consolidated assets, Cambridge is the wealthiest university in Europe.<ref>]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=Richard |last2=Greenwood |first2=Xavier |date=28 May 2018 |title=Oxford and Cambridge university colleges hold £21bn in riches |url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/2018/may/28/oxford-and-cambridge-university-colleges-hold-21bn-in-riches |website=The Guardian}}</ref> In the fiscal year ending 31 July 2019, the central university, excluding colleges, had a total income of £2.192&nbsp;billion, of which £592.4&nbsp;million was from research grants and contracts.<ref name="cam.ac.uk" /> At the end of the same financial year, the central university and colleges together possessed a combined endowment of over £7.1&nbsp;billion and overall consolidated net assets (excluding 'immaterial' historical assets) of over £12.5&nbsp;billion.{{refn|Colleges £7,424.3M,<ref name="CamCollAssets2019" /> University (consolidated) £5,144.8M<ref name="cam.ac.uk" />}} ] combines the oldest university press in the world with one of the world's leading examining bodies, providing assessment to over eight million learners globally every year and reaching some fifty million learners, teachers and researchers monthly.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022 |title=Appointment of the Vice-Chancellor |url=https://prttcaun2202.thirtythreestaging.co.uk/application/files/1816/4822/5464/University_of_Cambridge_Vice-Chancellor_Further_Particulars.pdf |access-date=7 June 2022 |publisher=University of Cambridge}}</ref> The university also operates eight cultural and scientific museums, including the ], as well as a ]. ], of which there are over 100, hold a total of around 16&nbsp;million books, around nine&nbsp;million of which are in ], a ]. The university is home to, but independent of, the ] – the world's oldest debating society. The university is closely linked to the development of the high-tech ] known as ']', the largest technology cluster in Europe.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UK Innovation Strategy: Leading the future by creating it |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1005000/uk-innovation-strategy.pdf |access-date=26 July 2021 |publisher=Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy}}</ref> It is the central member of ], an ] based around the ].
===Founding===

== History ==
{{See also|Timeline of Cambridge}} {{See also|Timeline of Cambridge}}
By the late 12th century, the Cambridge area already had a scholarly and ecclesiastical reputation, due to monks from the nearby bishopric church of ]. However, it was an incident at ] which is most likely to have led to the establishment of the university: three Oxford scholars were hanged by the town authorities for the death of a woman, without consulting the ecclesiastical authorities, who would normally take precedence (and pardon the scholars) in such a case, but were at that time in conflict with ]. Fearing more violence from the townsfolk, scholars from the University of Oxford started to move away to cities such as ], ], and ]. Subsequently, enough scholars remained in Cambridge to form the nucleus of a new university when it had become safe enough for academia to resume at Oxford.<ref name="Early records" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Davies |first=Mark |date=4 November 2010 |title='To lick a Lord and thrash a cad': Oxford 'Town & Gown' |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/oxford/hi/people_and_places/history/newsid_9158000/9158705.stm |access-date=3 January 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Leedham-Green |first=Elisabeth |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xvScOaG7mHYC |title=A Concise History of the University of Cambridge |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=1996 |isbn=978-0-521-43978-7 |page=3 |access-date=9 May 2015}}</ref> In order to claim precedence, it is common for Cambridge to trace its founding to the 1231 charter from ] granting it the right to discipline its own members (''ius non-trahi extra'') and an exemption from some taxes; Oxford was not granted similar rights until 1248.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Middle Ages |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/timeline/middleages_timeline_noflash.shtml |access-date=7 September 2013 |website=British History Timeline |publisher=BBC}}</ref> Prior to the founding of the University of Cambridge in 1209, ] and the area surrounding it already had developed a scholarly and ecclesiastical reputation due largely to the intellectual reputation and academic contributions of monks from the nearby bishopric church in ]. The founding of the University of Cambridge, however, was inspired largely by an incident at the ] during which three Oxford scholars, as an administration of justice in the death of a local ]-area woman, were ] by town authorities without first consulting ecclesiastical authorities, who traditionally would be inclined to pardon scholars in such cases. But during this time, Oxford's town authorities were in conflict with ]. Fearing more violence from Oxford townsfolk, University of Oxford scholars began leaving Oxford for more hospitable cities, including Paris, ], and ]. Enough scholars ultimately took residence in Cambridge to form, along with the many scholars already there, the nucleus for the new university's formation.<ref name="Early records">{{Cite web |date=28 January 2013 |title=Early records |url=https://www.cam.ac.uk/about-the-university/history/early-records |access-date=5 December 2019 |website=University of Cambridge |language=en |archive-date=16 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130216091436/http://www.cam.ac.uk/univ/history/records.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Davies |first=Mark |date=4 November 2010 |title='To lick a Lord and thrash a cad': Oxford 'Town & Gown' |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/oxford/hi/people_and_places/history/newsid_9158000/9158705.stm |access-date=3 January 2014 |archive-date=4 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104002457/http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/oxford/hi/people_and_places/history/newsid_9158000/9158705.stm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Leedham-Green |first=Elisabeth |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xvScOaG7mHYC |title=A Concise History of the University of Cambridge |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=1996 |isbn=978-0-521-43978-7 |page=3 |access-date=9 May 2015 |archive-date=27 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230927184430/https://books.google.com/books?id=xvScOaG7mHYC |url-status=live }}</ref>


A ] in 1233 from ] gave graduates from Cambridge the right to teach "everywhere in ]".<ref>{{Cite book |last=de Ridder-Symoens |first=Hilde |title=A History of the University in Europe: Universities in the Middle Ages |year=2003 |isbn=978-0-521-54113-8 |editor-last=Cambridge University Press |volume=1 |page=89}}</ref> After Cambridge was described as a '']'' in a letter from ] in 1290,<ref name="Hackett">{{Cite book |last=Hackett |first=M.B. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7og8AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA178 |title=The original statutes of Cambridge University: The text and its history |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=1970 |isbn=978-0-521-07076-8 |page=178 |access-date=2 September 2012}}</ref> and confirmed as such in a ] by ] in 1318,<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Willey |first=David |author-link=David Willey (journalist) |date=2012 |title=Vatican reveals Cambridge papers |journal=Cam |volume=66 |page=5}}</ref> it became common for researchers from other European ] to visit Cambridge to study or to give lecture courses.<ref name="Hackett" /> By 1225, a chancellor of the university was appointed, and writs issued by ] in 1231 established that rents in Cambridge were to be set ''secundum consuetudinem universitatis'', according to the custom of the university, and established a panel of two masters and two townsmen to determine these. A letter from ] two years later to the chancellor and the guild of scholars granted the new university ''ius non trahi extra'', or the right not to be drawn out, for three years, meaning its members could not be summoned to a court outside of the diocese of Ely.<ref>{{cite journal | url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/23272738 | jstor=23272738 | title=The Dispersal of Scholars from Oxford and the Beginnings of a University at Cambridge: A Study of the Sources | last1=Zutshi | first1=Patrick | journal=The English Historical Review | date=2012 | volume=127 | issue=528 | pages=1041–1062 | doi=10.1093/ehr/ces209 | access-date=1 March 2023 | archive-date=1 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301163530/https://www.jstor.org/stable/23272738 | url-status=live }}</ref> After Cambridge was described as a '']'' in a letter from ] in 1290,<ref name="Hackett">{{Cite book |last=Hackett |first=M.B. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7og8AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA178 |title=The original statutes of Cambridge University: The text and its history |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=1970 |isbn=978-0-521-07076-8 |page=178 |access-date=2 September 2012}}</ref> and confirmed as such by ]'s 1318 ],<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Willey |first=David |author-link=David Willey (journalist) |date=2012 |title=Vatican reveals Cambridge papers |journal=Cam |volume=66 |page=5}}</ref> it became common for researchers from other European ] to visit Cambridge to study or give lecture courses.<ref name="Hackett" />


=== Foundation of the colleges === === Foundation of the colleges ===
{{see also|Colleges of the University of Cambridge|Oxford and Cambridge Act 1571}}
The ] at the University of Cambridge were originally an incidental feature of the system. No college is as old as the university itself. The colleges were endowed fellowships of scholars. There were also institutions without endowments, called hostels. The hostels were gradually absorbed by the colleges over the centuries, but they have left some traces, such as the name of Garret Hostel Lane.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Cooper |first=Charles Henry |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7bQWAAAAIAAJ |title=Memorials of Cambridge |publisher=W. Metcalfe |year=1860 |volume=1 |page=32 |access-date=9 September 2012}}</ref>
], Cambridge's first college, was founded in 1284]] ] Chapel]]
], Cambridge's first college, founded in 1284]]
], ], founded ], Cambridge's first college, in 1284. Many colleges were founded during the 14th and 15th centuries, but colleges continued to be established until modern times, although there was a gap of 204 years between the founding of ] in 1596 and that of ] in 1800. The most recently established college is ], built in the late 1970s. However, ] only achieved full university college status in March 2010, making it the newest full college (it was previously an "Approved Society" affiliated with the university).
The ] of the present-day University of Cambridge were originally an incidental feature of the university; no college within the University of Cambridge is as old as the university itself. The colleges within the university were initially endowed fellowships of scholars. There were also institutions without endowments, called hostels, which were gradually absorbed by the colleges over the centuries, and they have left some traces, including the naming of Garret Hostel Lane and ], a street and bridge in Cambridge.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Cooper |first=Charles Henry |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7bQWAAAAIAAJ |title=Memorials of Cambridge |publisher=W. Metcalfe |year=1860 |volume=1 |page=32 |access-date=9 September 2012 |archive-date=27 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230927184441/https://books.google.com/books?id=7bQWAAAAIAAJ |url-status=live }}</ref>


The University of Cambridge's first college, ], was founded in 1284 by ], the ]. Multiple additional colleges were founded during the 14th and 15th centuries, and colleges continued to be established during modern times, though there was a 204-year gap between the founding of ] in 1596 and that of ] in 1800. The most recent college to be established is ], which was built in the late 1970s. Most recently, in March 2010, ] achieved full university college status, making it technically the university's newest full college.
In ] times, many colleges were founded so that their members would ] for the ]s of the founders, and were often associated with chapels or ]s. The colleges' focus changed in 1536 with the ]. ] ordered the university to disband its Faculty of ]<ref>{{Cite book |last=Helmholtz |first=R.H. |title=Roman Canon Law in Reformation England |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=1990 |isbn=978-0-521-38191-8 |series=Cambridge Studies in English Legal History |pages=35,153}}</ref> and to stop teaching "]". In response, colleges changed their curricula away from canon law, and towards the ], the Bible, and mathematics.


In ] times, many colleges were founded so that their members could ] for the ]s of the founders. University of Cambridge colleges were often associated with chapels or ]s. The colleges' focus began to shift in 1536, however, with the ] and ]'s order that the university disband the ] that governed the university's faculty<ref>{{Cite book |last=Helmholtz |first=R.H. |title=Roman Canon Law in Reformation England |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=1990 |isbn=978-0-521-38191-8 |series=Cambridge Studies in English Legal History |pages=35,153}}</ref> and stop teaching ]. In response, colleges changed their curricula from canon law to ], the Bible, and mathematics.
Nearly a century later, the university was at the centre of a Protestant schism. Many nobles, intellectuals and even commoners saw the ways of the ] as too similar to the Catholic Church, and felt that it was used by the Crown to usurp the rightful powers of the counties. ] was the centre of what became the ] movement. In Cambridge, the movement was particularly strong at Emmanuel, St Catharine's Hall, Sidney Sussex and ].<ref>Thompson, Roger, Mobility & Migration, East Anglian Founders of New England, 1629–1640, Amherst: ], 1994, 19.</ref> They produced many "non-conformist" graduates who greatly influenced, by social position or preaching, some 20,000 Puritans who left for ] and especially the ] during the ] decade of the 1630s. ], Parliamentary commander during the English Civil War and head of the English Commonwealth (1649–1660), attended ].

] Chapel]]
Nearly a century later, the university found itself at the centre of a ] schism. Many nobles, intellectuals, and also commoners saw the ] as too similar to the ] and felt that it was being used by ] to usurp the counties' rightful powers. ] emerged as the centre of what ultimately became the ]. In Cambridge, the Puritan movement was particularly strong at ], ], ], and ].<ref>Thompson, Roger, ''Mobility & Migration, East Anglian Founders of New England, 1629–1640'', Amherst: ], 1994, 19.</ref> These colleges produced many nonconformist graduates who greatly influenced, by social position or preaching, some 20,000 Puritans who ultimately left England for ] and especially ] during the ] decade of the 1630s, settling in the ] ] and other fledgling American colonies.


=== Mathematics and mathematical physics === === Mathematics and mathematical physics ===
{{see also|Lucasian Professor of Mathematics|Mathematical Tripos}}
] was once compulsory for all undergraduates studying for the Bachelor of Arts degree, the main first degree at Cambridge in both arts and sciences. From the time of ] in the later 17th century until the mid-19th century, the university maintained an especially strong emphasis on ], particularly ]. The exam is known as a ].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Forsyth |first=A. R. |year=1935 |title=Old Tripos days at Cambridge |journal=The Mathematical Gazette |volume=19 |issue=234 |pages=162–179 |doi=10.2307/3605871 |jstor=3605871}}</ref> Students awarded ] after completing the mathematics Tripos are termed ], and the top student among them is the ]. The ] is competitive and has helped produce some of the most famous names in British science, including ], ] and ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The History of Mathematics in Cambridge |url=http://www.maths.cam.ac.uk/about/history/ |access-date=9 September 2012 |publisher=Faculty of Mathematics, University of Cambridge}}</ref> However, some famous students, such as ], disliked the system, feeling that people were too interested in accumulating marks in exams and not interested in the subject itself.
The university quickly established itself as a global leader in the study of mathematics. The university's examination in mathematics, known as the ],<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Forsyth |first=A. R. |year=1935 |title=Old Tripos days at Cambridge |journal=The Mathematical Gazette |volume=19 |issue=234 |pages=162–179 |doi=10.2307/3605871 |jstor=3605871|s2cid=165040321 }}</ref> was initially compulsory for all undergraduates studying for the Bachelor of Arts degree, the most common degree first offered at Cambridge. From the time of ] in the late 17th century until the mid-19th century, the university maintained an especially strong emphasis on ], and especially ]. Students awarded ] after completing the mathematics Tripos exam are called ], and the top student among them is known as the ], a position that has been described as "the greatest intellectual achievement attainable in Britain."<ref name="Forfar 1996">{{cite journal |last=Forfar |first=David |title=What became of the Senior Wranglers?|journal=Mathematical Spectrum |volume=29 |issue=1 |year=1996}}</ref>


The Cambridge Mathematical Tripos is highly competitive and has helped produce some of the most famous names in British science, including ], ], and ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The History of Mathematics in Cambridge |url=http://www.maths.cam.ac.uk/about/history/ |access-date=9 September 2012 |publisher=Faculty of Mathematics, University of Cambridge |archive-date=14 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201214184157/https://www.maths.cam.ac.uk/about/history |url-status=live }}</ref> However, some famous students, such as ], disliked the Tripos system, feeling that students were becoming too focused on accumulating high exam marks at the expense of the subject itself.
Pure mathematics at Cambridge in the 19th century achieved great things, but also missed out on substantial developments in French and German mathematics. Pure mathematical research at Cambridge finally reached the highest international standard in the early 20th century, thanks above all to G. H. Hardy, his collaborator ] and ]. In geometry, ] brought Cambridge onto the international mainstream in the 1930s.


Pure mathematics at the University of Cambridge in the 19th century achieved great things, though it largely missed out on substantial developments in French and German mathematics. By the early 20th century, however, pure mathematical research at Cambridge reached the highest international standard, thanks largely to G. H. Hardy and his collaborators, ] and ]. ] and others helped establish Cambridge as a global leader in ] in the 1930s.
Although diversified in its research and teaching interests, Cambridge today maintains its strength in mathematics. Cambridge alumni have won six ]s and one ] for mathematics, while individuals representing Cambridge have won four Fields Medals.<ref>The six alumni are ] (Abel Prize and Fields Medal), ], ], ], ], ] and the four official representatives were ], ], ], ] (see also {{Cite web |title=Fields Medal |url=http://mathworld.wolfram.com/FieldsMedal.html |access-date=3 December 2009 |publisher=Wolfram MathWorld}})</ref>


=== Modern period === ===Modern period===
{{see also|Cambridge movement (philosophy)}}
] was founded in 1882]]
], founded in 1882]]
After the ] formalised the organisational structure of the university, the study of many new subjects was introduced, such as theology, history and ].<ref>{{Cite web |editor-last=The National Archives |title=Cambridge University Act 1856 |url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Vict/19-20/88/contents |access-date=2 May 2012}}</ref> Resources necessary for new courses in the arts, architecture and ] were donated by ], of ], who also founded the ].<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 May 2010 |editor-last=University of Cambridge |title=Biography – The Hon. Richard Fitzwilliam, 7th Viscount FitzWilliam |url=http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/gallery/hiddenhistories/biographies/bio/love/fitzwilliam_biography.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130630183332/http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/gallery/hiddenhistories/biographies/bio/love/fitzwilliam_biography.html |archive-date=30 June 2013 |access-date=2 May 2012}}</ref> In 1847, Prince Albert was elected Chancellor of the University of Cambridge after a close contest with the Earl of Powis. Albert used his position as Chancellor to campaign successfully for reformed and more modern university curricula, expanding the subjects taught beyond the traditional mathematics and classics to include modern history and the natural sciences. Between 1896 and 1902, ] sold part of its land to build the '']'', with new scientific laboratories for ], ] and ].<ref>{{harvnb|Taylor|1994|p=22}}</ref> During the same period, the '']'' was erected, including the ], which has since moved to the ], and other ] and medicine.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Cambridge University Physics Society |title=A Hundred Years and More of Cambridge Physics |year=1995 |isbn=978-0-9507343-1-6 |editor-last=Cambridge University Physics Society}}</ref>
The ] formalised the university's organisational structure and introduced the study of many new subjects, including theology, history, and ]s.<ref>{{Cite web |editor-last=The National Archives |title=Cambridge University Act 1856 |url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Vict/19-20/88/contents |access-date=2 May 2012 |archive-date=7 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120407000931/http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Vict/19-20/88/contents |url-status=live }}</ref> Resources necessary for new courses in the arts, architecture, and ] were donated by ] of ], who also founded ] in 1816.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 May 2010 |editor-last=University of Cambridge |title=Biography – The Hon. Richard Fitzwilliam, 7th Viscount FitzWilliam |url=http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/gallery/hiddenhistories/biographies/bio/love/fitzwilliam_biography.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130630183332/http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/gallery/hiddenhistories/biographies/bio/love/fitzwilliam_biography.html |archive-date=30 June 2013 |access-date=2 May 2012}}</ref> In 1847, ] was elected the university's chancellor in a close contest with the ]. As chancellor, Albert reformed university curricula beyond its initial focus on mathematics and classics, adding ] and the ]s. Between 1896 and 1902, ] sold part of its land to permit the construction of ], the university's grouping of scientific laboratories for the study of ], ], and ].<ref>{{harvnb|Taylor|1994|p=22}}</ref> During this period, the ] was erected, including the ], which has since moved to ], and other ] and medicine.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Cambridge University Physics Society |title=A Hundred Years and More of Cambridge Physics |year=1995 |publisher=Cambridge University Physics Society |isbn=978-0-9507343-1-6 |editor-last=Cambridge University Physics Society}}</ref> The University of Cambridge began to award PhD degrees in the first third of the 20th century; the first Cambridge PhD in mathematics was awarded in 1924.<ref>John Aldrich – {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304103452/http://www.economics.soton.ac.uk/staff/aldrich/Doc1.htm |date=4 March 2016 }}</ref>


The university contributed significantly to the ] in ] with 13,878 members of the university serving and 2,470 being ] during the war. Teaching, and the fees it earned, nearly came to a halt during World War I, and severe financial difficulties followed. As a result, the university received its first systematic state support in 1919, and a ] was appointed in 1920 to recommend that the university (but not its colleges) begin receiving an annual grant.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 January 2013 |editor-last=University of Cambridge |title=The Revived University of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries |url=http://www.cam.ac.uk/about-the-university/history/nineteenth-and-twentieth-centuries |access-date=7 August 2014 |archive-date=7 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140707145603/http://www.cam.ac.uk/about-the-university/history/nineteenth-and-twentieth-centuries |url-status=live }}</ref> Following ], the university experienced a rapid expansion in applications and enrollment, partly due to the success and popularity gained by many Cambridge scientists.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A Brief History: The University after 1945 |url=http://www.cam.ac.uk/univ/history/post1945.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080804082343/http://www.cam.ac.uk/univ/history/post1945.html |archive-date=4 August 2008 |access-date=9 May 2015 |publisher=University of Cambridge}}</ref> This was not without controversies, however. For example, Cambridge researchers were accused in 2023 of helping to develop weapon systems for Iran.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/06/08/drones-cambridge-iran-raf-ukraine-suicide-universities/|title=The 11 UK universities accused of helping to develop Iran's 'suicide drones'|author1=Gabriella Swerling|author2=Louisa Clarence-Smith|date=8 June 2023|newspaper=The Telegraph}}</ref>
The University of Cambridge began to award PhD degrees in the first third of the 20th century. The first Cambridge PhD in mathematics was awarded in 1924.<ref>John Aldrich – </ref>

In the ], 13,878 members of the university served and 2,470 were killed. Teaching, and the fees it earned, came almost to a stop and severe financial difficulties followed. As a consequence the university first received systematic state support in 1919, and a ] appointed in 1920 recommended that the university (but not the colleges) should receive an annual grant.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 January 2013 |editor-last=University of Cambridge |title=The Revived University of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries |url=http://www.cam.ac.uk/about-the-university/history/nineteenth-and-twentieth-centuries |access-date=7 August 2014}}</ref> Following the ], the university saw a rapid expansion of student numbers and available places; this was partly due to the success and popularity gained by many Cambridge scientists.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A Brief History: The University after 1945 |url=http://www.cam.ac.uk/univ/history/post1945.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080804082343/http://www.cam.ac.uk/univ/history/post1945.html |archive-date=4 August 2008 |access-date=9 May 2015 |publisher=University of Cambridge}}</ref>


==== Parliamentary representation ==== ==== Parliamentary representation ====
{{Main|University of Cambridge (UK Parliament constituency)}} {{Main|Cambridge University (UK Parliament constituency)}}
{{Category see also|Members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom for the University of Cambridge}}
The University of Cambridge was one of only two universities to hold parliamentary seats in the ] and was later one of 19 represented in the ]. The constituency was created by a ] of 1603 and returned two members of parliament until 1950 when it was abolished by the ]. The constituency was not a geographical area; rather, its electorate consisted of university graduates. Before 1918, the franchise was restricted to male graduates with a ] or ] degree.


=== Women's education ===
The university was one of only two universities to hold parliamentary seats in the ] and was later one of eight represented in the ]. The constituency was created by a ] of 1603 and returned two members of parliament until 1950, when it was abolished by the ].
], one of two female-only colleges at the university]]
For the first several centuries of its existence, as was the case broadly in England and the world, the University of Cambridge was only open to male students. The first colleges established for women were ], founded by ] in 1869, ], founded by ] and ] in 1872, ], founded in 1885 by ] as the Cambridge Teaching College for Women, ], founded in 1954 by ] as ], and ], founded in 1965. Prior to ultimately being permitted admission to the university in 1948, female students were granted the right to take University of Cambridge exams beginning in the late 19th century.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chambers |first=Suzanna |date=31 May 1998 |title=At last, a degree of honour for 900 Cambridge women |work=] |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/at-last-a-degree-of-honour-for-900-cambridge-women-1157056.html |access-date=9 May 2015 |archive-date=19 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819075153/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/at-last-a-degree-of-honour-for-900-cambridge-women-1157056.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Women were also allowed to study courses, take examinations, and have prior exam results recorded retroactively, dating back to 1881; for a brief period after the turn of the 20th century, this allowed the ] to receive '']'' degrees from the ].<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 March 2012 |title=Trinity Hall's Steamboat Ladies |url=http://trinitynews.ie/trinity-halls-steamboat-ladies/ |access-date=9 September 2012 |publisher=Trinity news |archive-date=12 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212042531/http://trinitynews.ie/trinity-halls-steamboat-ladies/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1998, a special graduation ceremony was held in which the women who attended Cambridge before admission was allowed in 1948 were finally conferred their degrees.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wade |first1=Francesca |title='Frustrate the Feminine Fanatics' – how women overcame their critics at Cambridge University |url=https://www.apollo-magazine.com/frustrate-the-feminine-fanatics-how-women-overcame-their-critics-at-cambridge-university/ |access-date=20 July 2024 |work=] |date=18 October 2019}}</ref>


Beginning in 1921, women were awarded diplomas that conferred the title associated with the Bachelor of Arts degree. But since women were not yet admitted to the Bachelor of Arts degree program, they were excluded from the university's governance structure. Since University of Cambridge students must belong to a college, and since established colleges remained closed to women, women found admissions restricted to the few university colleges that had been established only for them. ], the first graduate college of the university, matriculated both male and female students from its inception in 1964 and elected a mixed fellowship. Undergraduate colleges, starting with ], ], and ]'s colleges, began admitting women between 1972 and 1988. Among women's colleges at the university, ] began admitting male students in 1979, and ] began admitting men in 2021. But the other female-only colleges have remained female-only colleges as of 2023. As a result of ], ending its ban on male students in 2008, Cambridge is now the only remaining university in the United Kingdom with female-only colleges; the two female-only colleges at the university are ] and ].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Martin |first=Nicole |date=8 June 2006 |title=St Hilda's to end 113-year ban on male students |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=UK |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1520628/St-Hilda%27s-to-end-113-year-ban-on-male-students.html |url-status=dead |access-date=8 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202175950/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1520628/St-Hilda%27s-to-end-113-year-ban-on-male-students.html |archive-date=2 December 2008}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=June 2007 |title=Single-sex colleges: a dying breed? |url=http://www.hero.ac.uk/uk/studying/archives/2007/single_sex_colleges__a_dying_breed__Jun.cfm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080612072113/http://www.hero.ac.uk/uk/studying/archives/2007/single_sex_colleges__a_dying_breed__Jun.cfm |archive-date=12 June 2008 |access-date=20 April 2009 |publisher=HERO}}</ref> As of the 2019–2020 academic year, the university's male to female enrollment, including post-graduates, was nearly balanced with its total student population being 53% male and 47% female.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Special No 19 |url=http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/reporter/2004-05/special/19/ |access-date=8 September 2008 |website=Cambridge University Reporter |archive-date=1 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201081210/http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/reporter/2004-05/special/19/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
The constituency was not a geographical area. Its electorate consisted of the graduates of the university. Before 1918 the franchise was restricted to male graduates with a doctorate or ] degree.


In 2018 and later years, the university has come under some criticism and faced legal challenges over alleged sexual harassment at the university.<ref>" {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815025105/https://www.varsity.co.uk/news/16576 |date=15 August 2020 }}," ''Varsity News'', 16 November 2018.</ref><ref>" {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926121304/https://www.varsity.co.uk/news/17737 |date=26 September 2020 }}," ''Varsity News'', 28 July 2019.</ref> In 2019, for example, former student Danielle Bradford, represented by sexual harassment lawyer ], sued the university for its handling of her sexual misconduct complaint. "I was told that I should think about it very carefully because making a complaint could affect my place in my department", Bradford alleged in 2019.<ref>Rosie Bradbury, " {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111180549/https://www.varsity.co.uk/news/17750 |date=11 November 2020 }}," ''Varsity News'', 13 August 2019.</ref> In 2020, hundreds of current and former students accused the university in a letter, citing "a complete failure" to deal with sexual misconduct complaints.<ref>James Tapper, " {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913034214/https://www.theguardian.com/education/2020/feb/22/cambridge-university-sexual-misconduct-cases |date=13 September 2020 }}", ''The Guardian'', 22 February 2020.</ref>
=== Women's education ===
] is one of two extant women's colleges]]
For its first several centuries only male students were enrolled into the university. The first colleges for women were ] (founded by ]) in 1869 and ] in 1872 (founded by ] and ]), followed by ] in 1885 (founded by ] as the Cambridge Teaching College for Women), ] (founded by ] as ]) in 1954, and ] in 1965. The first women students were examined in 1882 but attempts to make women full members of the university did not succeed until 1948.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chambers |first=Suzanna |date=31 May 1998 |title=At last, a degree of honour for 900 Cambridge women |work=] |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/at-last-a-degree-of-honour-for-900-cambridge-women-1157056.html |access-date=9 May 2015}}</ref> Women were allowed to study courses, sit examinations, and have their results recorded from 1881; for a brief period after the turn of the twentieth century, this allowed the "]" to receive '']'' degrees from the ].<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 March 2012 |title=Trinity Hall's Steamboat Ladies |url=http://trinitynews.ie/trinity-halls-steamboat-ladies/ |access-date=9 September 2012 |publisher=Trinity news}}</ref>


===Town and gown===
From 1921 women were awarded diplomas which "conferred the Title of the Degree of Bachelor of Arts". As they were not "admitted to the Degree of Bachelor of Arts" they were excluded from the governing of the university. Since students must belong to a college, and since established colleges remained closed to women, women found admissions restricted to colleges established only for women. ], the first wholly graduate college of the university, matriculated both men and women students from its inception in 1964 – and elected a mixed fellowship. Of the undergraduate colleges, starting with Churchill, Clare and King's Colleges, the former men's colleges began to admit women between 1972 and 1988. Of the female-only colleges, Girton began to admit male students from 1979, and Lucy Cavendish from 2021, but the other female-only colleges did not do likewise. As a result of ], ending its ban on male students in 2008, Cambridge is now the only remaining United Kingdom university with female-only colleges (Newnham and Murray Edwards).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Martin |first=Nicole |date=8 June 2006 |title=St Hilda's to end 113-year ban on male students |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=UK |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1520628/St-Hilda%27s-to-end-113-year-ban-on-male-students.html |url-status=dead |access-date=8 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202175950/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1520628/St-Hilda%27s-to-end-113-year-ban-on-male-students.html |archive-date=2 December 2008}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=June 2007 |title=Single-sex colleges: a dying breed? |url=http://www.hero.ac.uk/uk/studying/archives/2007/single_sex_colleges__a_dying_breed__Jun.cfm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080612072113/http://www.hero.ac.uk/uk/studying/archives/2007/single_sex_colleges__a_dying_breed__Jun.cfm |archive-date=12 June 2008 |access-date=20 April 2009 |publisher=HERO}}</ref> In the academic year 2019–2020, the university's student sex ratio, including post-graduates, was male 53%: female 47%.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Special No 19 |url=http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/reporter/2004-05/special/19/ |access-date=8 September 2008 |website=Cambridge University Reporter}}</ref>
{{Main|Town and gown}}
{{Further|Away with the learning of clerks, away with it!|Silicon Fen}}
The relationship between the university and the city of ] has sometimes been uneasy. The phrase ] continues to be employed to distinguish between Cambridge residents (town) and University of Cambridge students (gown), who historically wore ]. Ferocious rivalry between Cambridge's residents and university students have periodically erupted over the centuries. During the ] of 1381, strong clashes led to attacks and ] of university properties as locals contested the privileges granted by the British government to the University of Cambridge's academic staff. Residents burned university property in ] to the famed rallying cry "]".<ref>{{Cite book |last=Firth Green |first=Richard |title=A Crisis of Truth: Literature and Law in Ricardian England. |publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press |year=2002 |isbn=978-0-8122-1809-1 |location=Philadelphia}}</ref> Following these events, the ] was given special powers allowing him to prosecute criminals and reestablish order in the city. Attempts at reconciliation between the city's residents and students followed; in the 16th century, agreements were signed to improve the quality of streets and student accommodation around the city. However, this was followed by new confrontations when the ] reached Cambridge in 1630 and colleges refused to assist those affected by the disease by locking their sites.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Shepard |first1=Alexandra |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xLkULGOljPsC |title=Communities in Early Modern England: Networks, Place, Rhetoric |last2=Phil |first2=Withington |year=2000 |isbn=978-0-7190-5477-8 |editor-last=Manchester University Press |pages=216–234 |publisher=Manchester University Press |access-date=4 September 2012 |archive-date=27 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230927184431/https://books.google.com/books?id=xLkULGOljPsC |url-status=live }}</ref>

Such conflicts between Cambridge's residents and university students have largely disappeared since the 16th century, and the university has grown as a source of enormous employment and expanded wealth in Cambridge and the region.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bringham |first=Allan |date=7 October 2008 |title=Is Town v Gown a thing of the past? |work=] |url=http://www.colc.co.uk/cambridge/tours/article2.htm |access-date=9 May 2015 |via=Cambridge Online |archive-date=23 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923205344/http://www.colc.co.uk/cambridge/tours/article2.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> The university also has proven a source of extraordinary growth in ] and ] start-ups and established companies and associated providers of services to these companies. The economic growth associated with the university's high tech and biotech growth has been labeled the Cambridge Phenomenon, and has included the addition of 1,500 new companies and as many as 40,000 new jobs added between 1960 and 2010, mostly at ], a business cluster launched by the university in the late 20th century.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What is the Cambridge Phenomenon? |url=http://www.cambridgephenomenon.com/what-phenomenon/ |access-date=4 September 2012 |publisher=Cambridge Phenomenon |archive-date=11 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811070123/https://www.cambridgephenomenon.com/what-phenomenon/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


=== Myths, legends and traditions === === Myths, legends and traditions ===
{{Main|University of Cambridge legends}}
] over the River Cam (at ])]]
{{Main|University of Cambridge legends}} {{See also|Category:Terminology of the University of Cambridge}} {{See also|Category:Terminology of the University of Cambridge}}
{{Further|Nine Lessons and Carols|wooden spoon (award)}}
As an institution with such a long history, the university has developed a large number of myths and legends. The vast majority of these are untrue, but have been propagated nonetheless by generations of students and tour guides.
] crossing ] at ]]]
Partly because of the University of Cambridge's extensive history, which now exceeds 800 years, the university has developed a large number of traditions, myths, and legends. Some are true, some are not, and some were true but have been discontinued but have been propagated nonetheless by generations of students and tour guides.


A discontinued tradition is that of the ], the 'prize' awarded to the student with the lowest passing honours grade in the final examinations of the Mathematical Tripos. The last of these spoons was awarded in 1909 to Cuthbert Lempriere Holthouse, an oarsman of the Lady Margaret Boat Club of ]. It was over one metre in length and had an oar blade for a handle. It can now be seen outside the Senior Combination Room of St John's. Since 1908, examination results have been published alphabetically within class rather than in strict order of merit. This made it harder to ascertain who was "entitled" to the spoon (unless there was only one person in the third class), and so the practice was abandoned. One such discontinued tradition is that of the ], the prize awarded to the student with the lowest passing honours grade in the final examinations of the university's ]. The last of these spoons was awarded in 1909 to Cuthbert Lempriere Holthouse, an oarsman of the Lady Margaret Boat Club at ]. It was over one metre in length and had an oar blade for a handle. It can now be seen outside the Senior Combination Room of St John's College. Since 1908, examination results have been published alphabetically within class rather than in strict order of merit, which made it difficult to ascertain the student with the lowest passing grade deserving of the spoon, leading to discontinuation of the tradition.


Each Christmas Eve, BBC radio and television broadcasts ] sung by the ]. The radio broadcast has been a national Christmas tradition since it was first transmitted in 1928 (though the festival has existed since 1918). The radio broadcast is carried worldwide by the ] and is also syndicated to hundreds of radio stations in the US. The first television broadcast of the festival was in 1954.<ref>{{Cite news |date=24 December 2001 |title=Choir that sings to the world |publisher=BBC |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/arts/1703517.stm |access-date=8 September 2008}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Baxter |first=Elizabeth |date=18 December 2009 |title=Carols from King's: Cambridge prepares for Christmas |work=] |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/6840413/Carols-from-Kings-Cambridge-prepares-for-Christmas.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/6840413/Carols-from-Kings-Cambridge-prepares-for-Christmas.html |archive-date=10 January 2022}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Each Christmas Eve, ], sung by the ], are broadcast globally on ] television and radio and syndicated to hundreds of additional radio stations in the U.S. and elsewhere. The radio broadcast has been a national Christmas Eve tradition since 1928, though the festival has existed since 1918 and the celebration itself originated even earlier at ] in Cornwall in 1880.<ref name="guardian-truro">{{cite web |last1=Gray |first1=Christopher |title=How Truro created Christmas musical history |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2013/nov/29/truro-nine-lessons-carols-christmas-history |website=The Guardian |access-date=30 January 2023 |date=29 November 2013 |archive-date=30 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230130232938/https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2013/nov/29/truro-nine-lessons-carols-christmas-history |url-status=live }}</ref> The first television broadcast of the festival was in 1954.<ref>{{Cite news |date=24 December 2001 |title=Choir that sings to the world |publisher=BBC |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/arts/1703517.stm |access-date=8 September 2008 |archive-date=31 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071231210438/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/arts/1703517.stm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Baxter |first=Elizabeth |date=18 December 2009 |title=Carols from King's: Cambridge prepares for Christmas |work=] |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/6840413/Carols-from-Kings-Cambridge-prepares-for-Christmas.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/6840413/Carols-from-Kings-Cambridge-prepares-for-Christmas.html |archive-date=10 January 2022}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
{{wide image|Panorama depicting the Front Court of King's College Cambridge v2.jpg|1000px|align-cap=center|Front Court of ], founded in 1441 by ]}}


==Locations and buildings==
{{wide image|Panorama depicting the Front Court of King's College Cambridge v2.jpg|1000px|align-cap=center|Front Court of King's College}}
] on the ]]]
{{clear}}
] building]]

] building on the ]]]
== Locations and buildings ==


=== Buildings === === Buildings ===
{{see also|A Classical Adventure: The Architectural History of Downing College, Cambridge|Cambridge Medical School building|Cambridge Observatory|Cambridge University Library|Cambridge University Real Tennis Club|Fitzwilliam Museum|Goldie Boathouse|Lady Mitchell Hall|Old Schools|Senate House, Cambridge|Scott Polar Research Institute|University of Cambridge Sports Centre|William Gates Building, Cambridge}}
The university occupies a central location within the city of ], with the students taking up a significant proportion (nearly 20%) of the town's population and heavily affecting the age structure.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 2011 |title=Cambridge City: Annual demographic and socio-economic report |url=http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/3B0B3A7B-E448-4D61-A853-0B5A1A467969/0/CambridgeCityDistrictReport2011.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130828063418/http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/3B0B3A7B-E448-4D61-A853-0B5A1A467969/0/CambridgeCityDistrictReport2011.pdf |archive-date=28 August 2013 |access-date=4 September 2012 |publisher=Cambridgeshire County Council}}</ref> Most of the older colleges are situated nearby the city centre and ], along which it is traditional to ] to appreciate the buildings and surroundings.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A brief history of Punting |url=http://www.cambridgerivertour.co.uk/history.php |access-date=4 September 2012 |publisher=Cambridge River Tour}}</ref>
The university occupies a central location within the city of ]. University of Cambridge students represent approximately 20 percent of the town's population, which was 145,674 as of 2021, resulting in a lower age demographic in the city.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 2011 |title=Cambridge City: Annual demographic and socio-economic report |url=http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/3B0B3A7B-E448-4D61-A853-0B5A1A467969/0/CambridgeCityDistrictReport2011.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130828063418/http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/3B0B3A7B-E448-4D61-A853-0B5A1A467969/0/CambridgeCityDistrictReport2011.pdf |archive-date=28 August 2013 |access-date=4 September 2012 |publisher=Cambridgeshire County Council}}</ref>

Most of the university's older colleges are located near the city centre, through which ] flows. Students and others traditionally ] on the River Cam, which provides views of the university's buildings that surround the river.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A brief history of Punting |url=http://www.cambridgerivertour.co.uk/history.php |access-date=4 September 2012 |publisher=Cambridge River Tour |archive-date=26 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326232140/http://www.cambridgerivertour.co.uk/history.php |url-status=live }}</ref>


Examples of notable buildings include ],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Vitullo-Martin |first=J. |date=19 December 2009 |title=What the late Middle Ages wrought |work=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704517504574590023741272370}}</ref> the history faculty building<ref>{{Cite web |title=Faculty of History: The building |url=http://www.hist.cam.ac.uk/directory/building |access-date=9 May 2015 |publisher=University of Cambridge}}</ref> designed by ]; and the Cripps Building at ].<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 March 2009 |title=Modernist building at St John's College Cambridge is listed |url=http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/about/news/modernist-st-johns-cambridge-listed |publisher=English Heritage}}/</ref> The ] of several of the colleges is also notable: ] contains "some of the earliest patterned brickwork in the country"<ref>{{Cite web |last=Woodcock |first=N. |last2=Norman |first2=D. |date=20 August 2010 |title=Building Stones of Cambridge: A walking tour around the historic city-centre. Department of Earth Sciences |url=http://www.esc.cam.ac.uk/teaching/geological-sciences/building-stones-of-cambridge |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140115221640/http://www.esc.cam.ac.uk/teaching/geological-sciences/building-stones-of-cambridge |archive-date=15 January 2014 |publisher=University of Cambridge Retrieved from}}</ref> and the brick walls of St John's College provide examples of ], ] and ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Joshi |first=A. |last2=Ryan |first2=D. |date=20 June 2013 |title=Bricks: A Light Foundation |url=http://johnianblog.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/a-johnian-blog-xxx.html |publisher=Johnianblog.blogspot.co.uk}}</ref> A few of the notable University of Cambridge buildings are ];<ref>{{Cite news |last=Vitullo-Martin |first=J. |date=19 December 2009 |title=What the late Middle Ages wrought |work=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704517504574590023741272370 |access-date=8 August 2017 |archive-date=13 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170613090855/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704517504574590023741272370 |url-status=live }}</ref> the history faculty building<ref>{{Cite web |title=Faculty of History: The building |url=http://www.hist.cam.ac.uk/directory/building |access-date=9 May 2015 |publisher=University of Cambridge |archive-date=22 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150422002126/http://www.hist.cam.ac.uk/directory/building |url-status=live }}</ref> designed by ]; and the New Court and Cripps Buildings at ].<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 March 2009 |title=Modernist building at St John's College Cambridge is listed |url=http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/about/news/modernist-st-johns-cambridge-listed |publisher=English Heritage |access-date=30 June 2013 |archive-date=4 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140204032541/http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/about/news/modernist-st-johns-cambridge-listed |url-status=live }}/</ref> The ] of several colleges is notable: ] has some of the earliest patterned brickwork in England<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Woodcock |first1=N. |last2=Norman |first2=D. |date=20 August 2010 |title=Building Stones of Cambridge: A walking tour around the historic city-centre. Department of Earth Sciences |url=http://www.esc.cam.ac.uk/teaching/geological-sciences/building-stones-of-cambridge |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140115221640/http://www.esc.cam.ac.uk/teaching/geological-sciences/building-stones-of-cambridge |archive-date=15 January 2014 |publisher=University of Cambridge Retrieved from}}</ref> and the brick walls of St John's College are examples of ], ], and ].<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Joshi |first1=A. |last2=Ryan |first2=D. |date=20 June 2013 |title=Bricks: A Light Foundation |url=http://johnianblog.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/a-johnian-blog-xxx.html |publisher=Johnianblog.blogspot.co.uk |access-date=30 June 2013 |archive-date=2 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102075235/http://johnianblog.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/a-johnian-blog-xxx.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
] on the ]]]
]]]
] on the ]]]


=== Sites === === Sites ===
The university is divided into several sites where the different departments are placed. The main ones are:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Map of the University of Cambridge |url=http://map.cam.ac.uk/ |access-date=4 September 2012 |publisher=University of Cambridge}}</ref> The university is divided into several sites, which house the university's various departments, including:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Map of the University of Cambridge |url=http://map.cam.ac.uk/ |access-date=4 September 2012 |publisher=University of Cambridge |archive-date=25 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170225212649/http://map.cam.ac.uk/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
{{Div col}} {{Div col}}
* Addenbrooke's * ]
* ] * ]
* Madingley/Girton * Madingley/Girton
* ] * ]
* ]
* Old Addenbroke's
* Old Schools * ]
* ]
* Silver Street/Mill Lane
* ] * ]
* ]/]
* ] * ]
* ]
{{Div col end}} {{Div col end}}


The university's School of Clinical Medicine is based in ] where students in medicine undergo their three-year clinical placement period after obtaining their BA degree,<ref>{{Cite web |title=School of Clinical Medicine: History of the School |url=http://www.medschl.cam.ac.uk/about/history.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121209023135/http://www.medschl.cam.ac.uk/about/history.html |archive-date=9 December 2012 |access-date=9 May 2015 |publisher=University of Cambridge}}</ref> while the West Cambridge site is undergoing a major expansion and will host a new sports development.<ref>{{Cite web |title=West Cambridge site |url=http://www.cam.ac.uk/map/v4/drawmap.cgi?mp=main;xx=400;yy=480;sx=4;;tl=West%20Cambridge%20Site |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313184712/http://www.cam.ac.uk///map/v4/drawmap.cgi?mp=main%3Bxx%3D400%3Byy%3D480%3Bsx%3D4%3B%3Btl%3DWest%20Cambridge%20Site |archive-date=13 March 2012 |access-date=9 May 2015 |publisher=University of Cambridge}}</ref> In addition, the ], situated on Trumpington Street, provides management education courses since 1990 and is consistently ranked within the top 20 business schools globally by the ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Business school rankings: University of Cambridge, Judge Business School |url=http://rankings.ft.com/businessschoolrankings/university-of-cambridge-judge |access-date=3 January 2013 |website=]}}</ref> The university's ] is based in ], where medical students undergo their three-year clinical placement period after obtaining their ] degree.<ref>{{Cite web |title=School of Clinical Medicine: History of the School |url=http://www.medschl.cam.ac.uk/about/history.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121209023135/http://www.medschl.cam.ac.uk/about/history.html |archive-date=9 December 2012 |access-date=9 May 2015 |publisher=University of Cambridge}}</ref> The ] site is undergoing a major expansion and will host new buildings and fields for university sports.<ref>{{Cite web |title=West Cambridge site |url=http://www.cam.ac.uk/map/v4/drawmap.cgi?mp=main;xx=400;yy=480;sx=4;;tl=West%20Cambridge%20Site |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313184712/http://www.cam.ac.uk///map/v4/drawmap.cgi?mp=main%3Bxx%3D400%3Byy%3D480%3Bsx%3D4%3B%3Btl%3DWest%20Cambridge%20Site |archive-date=13 March 2012 |access-date=9 May 2015 |publisher=University of Cambridge}}</ref> Since 1990, ], on ], provides management education courses and is consistently ranked among the top 20 business schools in the world by '']''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Business school rankings: University of Cambridge, Judge Business School |url=http://rankings.ft.com/businessschoolrankings/university-of-cambridge-judge |access-date=3 January 2013 |website=] |archive-date=26 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130126042840/http://rankings.ft.com/businessschoolrankings/university-of-cambridge-judge |url-status=live }}</ref>


Given that the sites are in relative close proximity to each other and the area around Cambridge is reasonably flat, one of the favourite modes of transport for students is the bicycle: a fifth of the journeys in the city are made by bike, a figure enhanced by the fact that students are not permitted to hold car park permits, except under special circumstances.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Laker |first=Laura |date=17 August 2011 |title=What makes Cambridge a model cycling city? |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2011/aug/17/cambridge-model-cycling-city |access-date=9 May 2015}}</ref> Many of the sites are quite close together, and the area around Cambridge is reasonably flat. Furthermore, students are not permitted to hold car park permits except under special circumstances. For these reasons, of the favourite modes of transport for students is the bicycle; an estimated one-fifth of journeys in the city are made by bike.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Laker |first=Laura |date=17 August 2011 |title=What makes Cambridge a model cycling city? |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2011/aug/17/cambridge-model-cycling-city |access-date=9 May 2015 |archive-date=9 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109052933/http://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2011/aug/17/cambridge-model-cycling-city |url-status=live }}</ref>


=== 'Town and gown' === ===Notable locations===
The University of Cambridge and its constituent colleges include many notable locations, some of which are iconic or of historical, academic, religious, and cultural significance, including:
{{Main|Town and gown}}
{{Div col}}
The relationship between the university and the city has not always been positive. The phrase ''town and gown'' is employed to differentiate inhabitants of Cambridge from students at the university, who historically wore ]. There are many stories of ferocious rivalry between the two categories. During the ] of 1381, strong clashes brought about attacks and ] of university properties while locals contested the privileges granted by the government to the academic staff, the university's ledgers being burned in ] to the rallying cry ].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Firth Green |first=Richard |title=A Crisis of Truth: Literature and Law in Ricardian England. |publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press |year=2002 |isbn=978-0-8122-1809-1 |location=Philadelphia}}</ref> Following these events, the Chancellor was given special powers allowing him to prosecute the criminals and re-establish order in the city. Attempts to reconcile the two groups followed over time, and in the 16th century agreements were signed to improve the quality of streets and student accommodation around the city. However, this was followed by new confrontations when the ] hit Cambridge in 1630 and colleges refused to help those affected by the disease by locking their sites.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Shepard |first=Alexandra |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xLkULGOljPsC |title=Communities in Early Modern England: Networks, Place, Rhetoric |last2=Phil |first2=Withington |year=2000 |isbn=978-0-7190-5477-8 |editor-last=Manchester University Press |pages=216–234 |access-date=4 September 2012}}</ref>
* ]

* ]
Such conflicts have disappeared. The university provides employment and an increased wealth in the area.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bringham |first=Allan |date=7 October 2008 |title=Is Town v Gown a thing of the past? |work=] |url=http://www.colc.co.uk/cambridge/tours/article2.htm |access-date=9 May 2015 |via=Cambridge Online}}</ref> The enormous growth in the number of ], ], providers of services and related firms situated near Cambridge has been termed the ''Cambridge Phenomenon'': the addition of 1,500 new, registered companies and as many as 40,000 jobs between 1960 and 2010 has been directly related to the presence of the university as a source of employment for Cambridge residents.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What is the Cambridge Phenomenon? |url=http://www.cambridgephenomenon.com/what-phenomenon/ |access-date=4 September 2012 |publisher=Cambridge Phenomenon}}</ref>
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
{{Div end}}


== Organisation and administration == == Organisation and administration ==
{{See also|List of Institutions of the University of Cambridge}} {{See also|List of institutions of the University of Cambridge}}
], ], ] and ] towards ] Chapel, seen from ] chapel whereas on the left, just in front of King's College chapel, is the university ]]] ], ], ], and ] towards ] Chapel seen from ] Chapel on the left. In front of King's College Chapel is the ].]]
Cambridge is a ], which means that its colleges are self-governing and independent, each with its own property, endowments, and income. Most colleges bring together academics and students from a broad range of disciplines. Each faculty, school, or department at the university includes academics affiliated with differing colleges. The university is legally structured as an ] and a common law corporation. Its corporate titles include the ], Masters, and Scholars of the University of Cambridge.<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 March 2013 |title=The University as a charity |url=https://www.cam.ac.uk/about-the-university/how-the-university-and-colleges-work/the-university-as-a-charity |access-date=12 April 2021 |website=University of Cambridge |language=en |archive-date=16 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416204702/https://www.cam.ac.uk/about-the-university/how-the-university-and-colleges-work/the-university-as-a-charity |url-status=live }}</ref>


The college faculties are responsible for giving lectures, arranging seminars, performing research, and determining the ] for teaching, all of which is overseen by the university's general board. Together with the central administration headed by the ], the college faculties make up the University of Cambridge. Facilities such as libraries are provided on all these levels by the university. The ] is the university's largest and primary library. ] is the primary library for the university's ]. Individual colleges each maintain a multi-discipline library designed for each college's respective undergraduates. College libraries tend to operate 24/7 and their usage in generally restricted to members of the college. Conversely, libraries operated by departments are generally open to all students of the university, regardless of subject.
Cambridge is a ], meaning that it is made up of self-governing and independent colleges, each with its own property and income. Most colleges bring together academics and students from a broad range of disciplines, and within each faculty, school or department within the university, academics from many different colleges are present.

The faculties are responsible for ensuring that lectures are given, arranging seminars, performing research and determining the syllabi for teaching, overseen by the General Board. Together with the central administration headed by the ], they make up the entire Cambridge University. Facilities such as libraries are provided on all these levels: by the university (the ]), by the Faculties (Faculty libraries such as the Squire Law Library), and by the individual colleges (all of which maintain a multi-discipline library, generally aimed mainly at their undergraduates).

Legally, the university is an ] and a common law ] with the corporate title "The Chancellor, Masters, and Scholars of the University of Cambridge".<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 March 2013 |title=The University as a charity |url=https://www.cam.ac.uk/about-the-university/how-the-university-and-colleges-work/the-university-as-a-charity |access-date=12 April 2021 |website=University of Cambridge |language=en}}</ref>


=== Colleges === === Colleges ===
{{Main|Colleges of the University of Cambridge}} {{Main|Colleges of the University of Cambridge}}
]]] ]]]
]]] ] at ]]] ]]]
]]]

] over the ] at ]]]
The colleges are self-governing institutions with their own endowments and property, founded as integral parts of the university. All students and most academics are attached to a college. Their importance lies in the housing, welfare, social functions, and undergraduate teaching they provide. All faculties, departments, research centres, and laboratories belong to the university, which arranges lectures and awards degrees, but undergraduates receive their supervisions—small-group teaching sessions, often with just one student—within the colleges (though in many cases students go to other colleges for supervision if the teaching fellows at their college do not specialise in the areas concerned). Each college appoints its own teaching staff and ]s, who are also members of a university department. The colleges also decide which undergraduates to admit to the university, in accordance with university regulations.
The colleges are self-governing institutions with their own endowments and property, each founded as components of the university. All students and most academics are attached to a college. The colleges' importance lies in the housing, welfare, social functions, and undergraduate teaching they provide. All faculties, departments, research centres, and laboratories belong to the university, which arranges lectures and awards degrees, but undergraduates receive their overall academic supervision within the colleges through small group teaching sessions, which often include just one student; though in many cases students go to other colleges for supervision if the teaching fellows at their college do not specialise in a student's particular area of academic focus. Each college appoints its own teaching staff and fellows, both of whom are members of a university department. The colleges also decide which undergraduates to admit to the university, in accordance with university standards and regulations. Costs to students for room and board vary considerably from college to college.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Homerton College Accommodation Guide |url=http://www.homerton.cam.ac.uk/lifeathomerton/facilities/accommodation |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130404020611/http://www.homerton.cam.ac.uk/lifeathomerton/facilities/accommodation |archive-date=4 April 2013 |access-date=13 March 2013 |publisher=Homerton College}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Trinity College Accommodation Guide |url=http://www.trin.cam.ac.uk/index.php?pageid=112 |access-date=13 March 2009 |publisher=Trinity College |archive-date=18 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818131848/http://www.trin.cam.ac.uk/index.php?pageid=112 |url-status=live }}</ref> Similarly, the investment in student education by each college at the university varies widely between the colleges.<ref name="TCS college spending">{{Cite web |title=Analysis: Cambridge Colleges – £20,000 difference in education spending |url=http://www.tcs.cam.ac.uk/issue/news/analysis-20000-difference-in-education-spending/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501000317/http://www.tcs.cam.ac.uk/issue/news/analysis-20000-difference-in-education-spending/ |archive-date=1 May 2013 |access-date=25 April 2013 |publisher=The Cambridge Student}}</ref>

Cambridge has 31 colleges, of which two, ] and ], admit women only. The other colleges are ], though most were originally all-male. ] was the first college to admit both men and women, while ], ], and ] were the first previously all-male colleges to admit female undergraduates, in 1972. ] became the last all-male college to accept women, in 1988.<ref>{{Cite news |last=O'Grady |first=Jane |date=13 June 2003 |title=Obituary – Professor Sir Bernard Williams |work=The Guardian |location=UK |url=https://www.theguardian.com/obituaries/story/0,3604,976477,00.html |access-date=8 May 2009}}</ref> Clare Hall and Darwin admit only postgraduates, and ], ] and ] admit only ] (i.e. 21 years or older on date of ]) students, encompassing both undergraduate and graduate students. ], which was previously a women-only mature college, announced that they would admit men and women from the age of 18 from 2021 onwards.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Lucy Cavendish to become mixed-gender college, admitting students from age 18 |date=11 March 2019 |publisher=<!--Varsity Publications Ltd (omitted as substantially similar to newspaper name)--> |location=Cambridge, UK |url=https://www.varsity.co.uk/news/17319 |last1=Bayliss |first1=Chloe |access-date=22 December 2020 |newspaper=]}}</ref> All other colleges admit both undergraduate and postgraduate students with no age restrictions.

Colleges are not required to admit students in all subjects, with some colleges choosing not to offer subjects such as architecture, history of art or theology, but most offer close to the complete range. Some colleges maintain a bias towards certain subjects, for example with ] leaning towards the sciences and engineering,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Information about Churchill College |url=http://www.chu.cam.ac.uk/the_college/info/ |access-date=7 January 2008 |publisher=Churchill College}}</ref> while others such as ] aim for a balanced intake.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About St. Catharine's College |url=http://www.cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/colleges/stcatharines/ |access-date=8 September 2008 |publisher=University of Cambridge}}</ref> Others maintain much more informal reputations, such as for the students of ] to hold left-wing political views,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alternative Prospectus |url=http://www.cusu.cam.ac.uk/prospective/prospectus/alternativeprospectus.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327202836/http://www.cusu.cam.ac.uk/prospective/prospectus/alternativeprospectus.pdf |archive-date=27 March 2009 |access-date=8 September 2008 |publisher=Cambridge University Students' Union}}</ref> or ]'s and ]'s attempts to minimise their environmental impact.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Drage |first=Mark |date=7 March 2008 |title=Survey ranks colleges by green credentials |work=] |url=http://www.societies.cam.ac.uk/cuecs/current_projects/LT/downloads/07-08/VARSITY_LTarticle08.JPG |url-status=dead |access-date=9 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080910064557/http://www.societies.cam.ac.uk/cuecs/current_projects/LT/downloads/07-08/VARSITY_LTarticle08.JPG |archive-date=10 September 2008}}</ref>


Cambridge has 31 colleges, two of which, ] and ], admit women only. The other colleges are ]. ] was the first college to admit both men and women. In 1972, ], ], and ] were the first previously all-male colleges to admit female undergraduates. In 1988, ] became the last all-male college to accept women.<ref>{{Cite news |last=O'Grady |first=Jane |date=13 June 2003 |title=Obituary – Professor Sir Bernard Williams |work=The Guardian |location=UK |url=https://www.theguardian.com/obituaries/story/0,3604,976477,00.html |access-date=8 May 2009 |archive-date=27 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230927184431/https://www.theguardian.com/news/2003/jun/13/guardianobituaries.obituaries |url-status=live }}</ref> Clare Hall and Darwin admit only postgraduates, and ], ], and ] admit only ] who are 21 years or older on the date of their ]. ], which was previously a women-only mature college, began admitting both men and women in 2021.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Lucy Cavendish to become mixed-gender college, admitting students from age 18 |date=11 March 2019 |publisher=<!--Varsity Publications Ltd (omitted as substantially similar to newspaper name)--> |location=Cambridge, UK |url=https://www.varsity.co.uk/news/17319 |last1=Bayliss |first1=Chloe |access-date=22 December 2020 |newspaper=] |archive-date=15 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115014435/https://www.varsity.co.uk/news/17319 |url-status=live }}</ref> All other colleges admit both undergraduate and postgraduate students without any age restrictions.
Costs to students (accommodation and food prices) vary considerably from college to college.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Homerton College Accommodation Guide |url=http://www.homerton.cam.ac.uk/lifeathomerton/facilities/accommodation |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130404020611/http://www.homerton.cam.ac.uk/lifeathomerton/facilities/accommodation |archive-date=4 April 2013 |access-date=13 March 2013 |publisher=Homerton College}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Trinity College Accommodation Guide |url=http://www.trin.cam.ac.uk/index.php?pageid=112 |access-date=13 March 2009 |publisher=Trinity College}}</ref> Similarly, college expenditure on student education also varies widely between individual colleges.<ref name="TCS college spending">{{Cite web |title=Analysis: Cambridge Colleges – £20,000 difference in education spending |url=http://www.tcs.cam.ac.uk/issue/news/analysis-20000-difference-in-education-spending/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501000317/http://www.tcs.cam.ac.uk/issue/news/analysis-20000-difference-in-education-spending/ |archive-date=1 May 2013 |access-date=25 April 2013 |publisher=The Cambridge Student}}</ref>


There are also several theological colleges in Cambridge, separate from Cambridge University, including ], ] and ], that are, to a lesser degree, affiliated to the university and are members of the ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Westcott House – Partner Universities |url=http://www.westcott.cam.ac.uk/about/partners.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120709055512/http://www.westcott.cam.ac.uk/about/partners.html |archive-date=9 July 2012 |access-date=4 February 2013 |publisher=Westcott.cam.ac.uk}}</ref> Colleges are not required to admit students in all subjects; some colleges choose not to offer subjects such as architecture, art history, or theology, but most offer a complete range of academic specialties and related courses. Some colleges maintain a relative strength and associated reputation for expertise in certain academic disciplines. ], for example, has a reputation for its expertise and focus on the sciences and engineering, in part due to the requirement imposed by Winston Churchill upon the college's founding that 70% of its students studied mathematics, engineering, and the sciences.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Information about Churchill College |url=http://www.chu.cam.ac.uk/the_college/info/ |access-date=7 January 2008 |publisher=Churchill College |archive-date=1 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090301010047/http://www.chu.cam.ac.uk/the_college/info/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Other colleges have more informal academic focus and even demonstrate ideological focus, such as ], which is known for its left-wing political orientation,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alternative Prospectus |url=http://www.cusu.cam.ac.uk/prospective/prospectus/alternativeprospectus.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327202836/http://www.cusu.cam.ac.uk/prospective/prospectus/alternativeprospectus.pdf |archive-date=27 March 2009 |access-date=8 September 2008 |publisher=Cambridge University Students' Union}}</ref> and ] and ], both of which have a reputation for academic focus on ] and environmentalism.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Drage |first=Mark |date=7 March 2008 |title=Survey ranks colleges by green credentials |work=] |url=http://www.societies.cam.ac.uk/cuecs/current_projects/LT/downloads/07-08/VARSITY_LTarticle08.JPG |url-status=dead |access-date=9 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080910064557/http://www.societies.cam.ac.uk/cuecs/current_projects/LT/downloads/07-08/VARSITY_LTarticle08.JPG |archive-date=10 September 2008}}</ref> Three theological colleges at the university, ], ], and ], are members of the ] and associated in partnership with the university.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Westcott House – Partner Universities |url=http://www.westcott.cam.ac.uk/about/partners.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120709055512/http://www.westcott.cam.ac.uk/about/partners.html |archive-date=9 July 2012 |access-date=4 February 2013 |publisher=Westcott.cam.ac.uk}}</ref>


The 31 colleges are:<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 May 2011 |title=Statutes and Ordinances 2011: Admission to Degrees |url=http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/univ/so/pdfs/ordinance02.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018224135/http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/univ/so/pdfs/ordinance02.pdf |archive-date=18 October 2016 |access-date=3 September 2012 |publisher=University of Cambridge}}</ref> The University of Cambridge's 31 colleges are:<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 May 2011 |title=Statutes and Ordinances 2011: Admission to Degrees |url=http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/univ/so/pdfs/ordinance02.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018224135/http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/univ/so/pdfs/ordinance02.pdf |archive-date=18 October 2016 |access-date=3 September 2012 |publisher=University of Cambridge}}</ref>
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=== Schools, faculties and departments === === Schools, faculties and departments ===
{{Main|List of institutions of the University of Cambridge#Schools, Faculties, and Departments}} {{Main|List of institutions of the University of Cambridge#Schools, Faculties, and Departments}}
], ].]] ] at Madingley Hall]]
] (left) houses the university's administrative offices.]]
In addition to the 31 colleges, the university is made up of over 150 departments, faculties, schools, syndicates and other institutions.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 January 2013 |title=Cambridge – Colleges and departments |url=http://www.cam.ac.uk/colleges-and-departments |access-date=27 November 2013 |publisher=University of Cambridge}}</ref> Members of these are usually also members of one of the colleges and responsibility for running the entire academic programme of the university is divided among them.
In addition to the 31 colleges, the university maintains over 150 departments, faculties, schools, syndicates, and other academic institutions.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 January 2013 |title=Cambridge – Colleges and departments |url=http://www.cam.ac.uk/colleges-and-departments |access-date=27 November 2013 |publisher=University of Cambridge |archive-date=18 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160218032632/http://www.cam.ac.uk/colleges-and-departments |url-status=live }}</ref> Members of these are usually members of one of the colleges, and responsibility for the entire academic programme of the university is divided among them.


The university also has a department dedicated to providing ], the ], which is primarily based in ], a 16th-century manor house in ]. Its award-bearing programmes range from Undergraduate Certificates through to part-time master's degrees.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ireland |first=Paul |date=29 June 2016 |title=Personal enrichment |url=https://www.ice.cam.ac.uk/why-cambridge/personal-enrichment |access-date=5 October 2021 |website=www.ice.cam.ac.uk |language=en}}</ref> The university has a department dedicated to providing ], the ], which is based primarily in ], a 16th-century manor house in ]. Its award-bearing programmes include both undergraduate certificates and part-time master's degrees.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ireland |first=Paul |date=29 June 2016 |title=Personal enrichment |url=https://www.ice.cam.ac.uk/why-cambridge/personal-enrichment |access-date=5 October 2021 |website=www.ice.cam.ac.uk |language=en |archive-date=5 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211005223921/https://www.ice.cam.ac.uk/why-cambridge/personal-enrichment |url-status=live }}</ref>

] (left) are the administrative centre of the university]]
A "School" in the University of Cambridge is a broad administrative grouping of related faculties and other units. Each has an elected supervisory body—the "Council" of the school—comprising representatives of the constituent bodies. There are six schools:<ref>{{Cite web |title=About the Schools, Faculties & Departments |url=http://www.cam.ac.uk/deptdirectory/moreinfo.html |access-date=1 May 2010 |publisher=University of Cambridge}}</ref> A school in the University of Cambridge is a broad administrative grouping of related faculties and other units. Each has an elected supervisory body known as a Council, composed of representatives of the various constituent bodies. The University of Cambridge maintains six such schools:<ref>{{Cite web |title=About the Schools, Faculties & Departments |url=http://www.cam.ac.uk/deptdirectory/moreinfo.html |access-date=1 May 2010 |publisher=University of Cambridge |archive-date=8 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130208034035/http://www.cam.ac.uk/deptdirectory/moreinfo.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
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* Arts and Humanities * Arts and Humanities
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Teaching and research in Cambridge is organised by faculties. The faculties have different organisational sub-structures which partly reflect their history and partly their operational needs, which may include a number of departments and other institutions. In addition, a small number of bodies called 'Syndicates' have responsibilities for teaching and research, e.g. ], the ], and the ]. Teaching and research at the university is organised by faculties. The faculties have varying organisational substructures that partly reflect their respective histories and the university's operational needs, which may include a number of departments and other institutions. A small number of bodies called syndicates hold responsibility for teaching and research, including for the ], the ], and the ].


=== Central administration === === Central administration ===

==== Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor ==== ==== Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor ====
{{See also|List of chancellors of the University of Cambridge|List of vice-chancellors of the University of Cambridge}}
]
] officers following a July 2014 graduation ceremony]]
{{See also|List of Vice-Chancellors of the University of Cambridge|List of Chancellors of the University of Cambridge}}
] at the university]]
The office of ] of the university, for which there are no term limits, is mainly ceremonial and is held by ], following the retirement of the ] on his 90th birthday in June 2011. Lord Sainsbury was nominated by the official Nomination Board to succeed him,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home – News – University of Cambridge |url=http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/news/dp/2011051901 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110626082048/http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/news/dp/2011051901 |archive-date=26 June 2011 |access-date=4 February 2013 |publisher=Admin.cam.ac.uk}}</ref> and Abdul Arain, owner of a local grocery store, ] and ] were also nominated.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 June 2011 |title=Update: Booming Blessed To Bloom As Chancellor? " The Tab |url=http://cambridgetab.co.uk/news/booming-blessed-to-bloom-as-chancellor |access-date=4 February 2013 |publisher=Cambridgetab.co.uk}}</ref><ref name="Guardian">{{Cite news |last=Davies |first=Caroline |date=17 June 2011 |title=Cambridge university chancellor race gets tasty as grocer joins in |work=The Guardian |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/jun/17/abdul-arain-shopkeeper-cambridge-university-chancellor |access-date=26 June 2011}}</ref><ref name="CamElectionNews">{{Cite web |date=21 June 2011 |title=Election for the Office of Chancellor |url=http://news.admin.cam.ac.uk/news/2011/06/21/election-for-the-office-of-chancellor/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214013720/http://news.admin.cam.ac.uk/news/2011/06/21/election-for-the-office-of-chancellor/ |archive-date=14 December 2013 |access-date=26 June 2011}}</ref> The ] took place on 14 and 15 October 2011.<ref name="CamElectionNews" /> David Sainsbury won the election taking 2,893 of the 5,888 votes cast, winning on the first count.
The ] of the university is limitless term position that is mainly ceremonial and is held currently by ], who succeeded the ] following his retirement on his 90th birthday in June 2011. Lord Sainsbury was nominated by the nomination board.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home – News – University of Cambridge |url=http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/news/dp/2011051901 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110626082048/http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/news/dp/2011051901 |archive-date=26 June 2011 |access-date=4 February 2013 |publisher=Admin.cam.ac.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2 June 2011 |title=Update: Booming Blessed To Bloom As Chancellor? " The Tab |url=http://cambridgetab.co.uk/news/booming-blessed-to-bloom-as-chancellor |access-date=4 February 2013 |publisher=Cambridgetab.co.uk |archive-date=25 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725221058/http://cambridgetab.co.uk/news/booming-blessed-to-bloom-as-chancellor |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Guardian">{{Cite news |last=Davies |first=Caroline |date=17 June 2011 |title=Cambridge university chancellor race gets tasty as grocer joins in |work=The Guardian |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/jun/17/abdul-arain-shopkeeper-cambridge-university-chancellor |access-date=26 June 2011 |archive-date=9 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109052549/http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/jun/17/abdul-arain-shopkeeper-cambridge-university-chancellor |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="CamElectionNews">{{Cite web |date=21 June 2011 |title=Election for the Office of Chancellor |url=http://news.admin.cam.ac.uk/news/2011/06/21/election-for-the-office-of-chancellor/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214013720/http://news.admin.cam.ac.uk/news/2011/06/21/election-for-the-office-of-chancellor/ |archive-date=14 December 2013 |access-date=26 June 2011}}</ref> The ] took place on 14 and 15 October 2011<ref name="CamElectionNews" /> with Sainsbury taking 2,893 of the 5,888 votes cast, and winning on the election's first count.


] at Cambridge University]]The current ] is ].<ref name="toope">{{Cite web |date=26 September 2016 |title=Professor Stephen Toope appointed as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge |url=https://www.cam.ac.uk/news/professor-stephen-toope-appointed-as-vice-chancellor-of-the-university-of-cambridge |access-date=28 June 2017 |publisher=University of Cambridge}}</ref> While the Chancellor's office is ceremonial, the Vice-Chancellor is the ''de facto'' principal administrative officer of the university. The university's internal governance is carried out almost entirely by its own members,<ref>''Statute and Ordinances'', Historical Note: "The University is&nbsp;... consisting of a Chancellor, Masters and Scholars who from time out of mind have had the government of their members"</ref> with very little external representation on its governing body, the Regent House (though there is external representation on the Audit Committee, and there are four external members on the ], who are the only external members of the Regent House).<ref>Grace 2 5 December 2007</ref> The current ] is ], who began her role in July 2023.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cam.ac.uk/news/next-vice-chancellor-of-cambridge-appointed | title=Next Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge appointed | date=26 September 2022 }}</ref> While the Chancellor's office is ceremonial, the Vice-Chancellor serves as the university's ''de facto'' principal administrative officer. The university's internal governance is carried out almost entirely by ] augmented by some external representation from the Audit Committee and four external members of the ].<ref>Grace 2 5 December 2007</ref>


==== Senate and the Regent House ==== ==== Senate and the Regent House ====
], for the 800th anniversary of the foundation of the university]] ] for the 800th anniversary of the university's founding]]
]]] ]]]
The Senate consists of all holders of the ] degree or higher degrees. It elects the Chancellor and the High Steward, and elected two members of the ] until the ] was abolished in 1950. Prior to 1926, it was the university's governing body, fulfilling the functions that the ] fulfils today.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 June 2011 |title=How the University works: The Senate |url=http://www.cam.ac.uk/univ/works/senate.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130217095022/http://www.cam.ac.uk/univ/works/senate.html |archive-date=17 February 2013 |access-date=9 May 2015 |publisher=University of Cambridge}}</ref> The Regent House is the university's governing body, a direct democracy comprising all resident senior members of the university and the colleges, together with the Chancellor, the ], the Deputy High Steward, and the Commissary.<ref>Statutes and Ordinances, 2007–2008</ref> The public representatives of the Regent House are the two ]s, elected to serve for one year, on the nomination of the Colleges. The university Senate consists of all holders of the ] or higher degrees and is responsible for electing the Chancellor and the High Steward. Until 1950 when the ] was abolished, it was also responsible for electing two members of the ]. Prior to 1926, the university Senate was the university's governing body, fulfilling the functions that ] has provided since.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 June 2011 |title=How the University works: The Senate |url=http://www.cam.ac.uk/univ/works/senate.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130217095022/http://www.cam.ac.uk/univ/works/senate.html |archive-date=17 February 2013 |access-date=9 May 2015 |publisher=University of Cambridge}}</ref> Regent House is the university's governing body, comprising all resident senior members of the university and the colleges, the Chancellor, the ], the Deputy High Steward, and the Commissary.<ref>Statutes and Ordinances, 2007–2008</ref> Public representatives of Regent House are the two ]s, elected to serve for one year terms upon their nominations by the colleges.


==== Council and the General Board ==== ==== Council and General Board ====
] in the snow with ] on the right and ] on the left]]
Although the ] is the principal executive and policy-making body of the university, it must report and be accountable to the ] through a variety of checks and balances. It has the right of reporting to the university, and is obliged to advise the Regent House on matters of general concern to the university. It does both of these by causing notices to be published by authority in the '']'', the official journal of the university. Since January 2005, the membership of the council has included two external members,<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 December 2004 |title=Annual Report of the Council for 2003–04 |url=http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/reporter/2004-05/weekly/5984/1.html |access-date=8 September 2008 |website=Cambridge University Reporter}}</ref> and the Regent House voted for an increase from two to four in the number of external members in March 2008,<ref>Grace 2 5 December 2008</ref><ref>Acta in the ''Reporter'', No 6107, publishing Results of Ballot</ref> and this was approved by Her Majesty the Queen in July 2008.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 July 2008 |title=Statutes approved: Notice |url=http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/reporter/2007-08/weekly/6119/2.html |access-date=8 September 2008 |website=Cambridge University Reporter}}</ref>
Although the ] is the university's principal executive and policy-making body, the Council reports to, and is held accountable by, ] through a variety of checks and balances. The council is obliged to advise Regent House on matters of general concern to the university, which it does by publishing notices to the '']'', the university's official journal.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 December 2004 |title=Annual Report of the Council for 2003–04 |url=http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/reporter/2004-05/weekly/5984/1.html |access-date=8 September 2008 |website=Cambridge University Reporter |archive-date=2 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802111805/http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/reporter/2004-05/weekly/5984/1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In March 2008, Regent House voted to increase from two to four the number of external members on the council,<ref>Grace 2 5 December 2008</ref><ref>Acta in the ''Reporter'', No 6107, publishing Results of Ballot</ref> and this was approved by Her Majesty the Queen in July 2008.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 July 2008 |title=Statutes approved: Notice |url=http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/reporter/2007-08/weekly/6119/2.html |access-date=8 September 2008 |website=Cambridge University Reporter |archive-date=2 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802111750/http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/reporter/2007-08/weekly/6119/2.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
] in the snow with ] on the right and ] on the left]]
The General Board of the Faculties is responsible for the academic and educational policy of the university,<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Mead |first=T.J. |date=25 April 2007 |title=Developing governance by building on good practice: a green paper issued by the University Council |url=http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/reporter/current/weekly/6071/17.html |url-status=dead |journal=] |volume=CXXXVII |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070511054335/http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/reporter/current/weekly/6071/17.html |archive-date=11 May 2007 |access-date=9 May 2015 |number=25}}</ref> and is accountable to the council for its management of these affairs.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}}


The General Board of the Faculties is responsible for the university's academic and educational policies<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Mead |first=T.J. |date=25 April 2007 |title=Developing governance by building on good practice: a green paper issued by the University Council |url=http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/reporter/current/weekly/6071/17.html |url-status=dead |journal=] |volume=CXXXVII |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070511054335/http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/reporter/current/weekly/6071/17.html |archive-date=11 May 2007 |access-date=9 May 2015 |number=25}}</ref> and is accountable to the council for its management of these affairs. Faculty boards are accountable to the general board; other boards and syndicates are accountable either to the general board or to the council. Under this organizational structure, the university's various arms are kept under supervision of both the central administration and Regent House.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301182324/https://www.governance.cam.ac.uk/committees/general-board/Pages/default.aspx |date=1 March 2023 }}, University of Cambridge website, retrieved 1 March 2023</ref>
Faculty Boards are responsible to the General Board; other Boards and Syndicates are responsible either to the General Board (if primarily for academic purposes) or to the council. In this way, the various arms of the university are kept under the supervision of the central administration, and thus the Regent House.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}}


=== Finances === === Finances ===
==== Endowment ====
The Cambridge University Endowment Fund is the main vehicle of investment for the University.<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 July 2023 |title=Cambridge University Endowment Fund: Annual Review 2023 |url=https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/646b2136c83d961d112281e4/65ae50d572005db1d88ec160_CUEF%202023%20Annual%20Review%20(final%20web%20version).pdf |access-date=24 July 2024}}</ref> In the fiscal year ending 31 July 2023, the university group, excluding colleges, reported a total endowment of £3.736&nbsp;billion.<ref name="provicechancellorr">{{Cite web |title=Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Resources and Operations) |url=https://www.saxbam.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Pro-Vice-Chancellor-Resources-and-Operations-Appointment-Brief.pdf |access-date=14 June 2024 |publisher=University of Cambridge}}</ref> The figure includes both restricted and unrestricted funds. When reported strictly using Statements of Recommended Practice (SORPs) guidelines, which accounted for only donations that meet certain criteria among non-profit organizations in the UK, endowment reserve stood at £2.469&nbsp;billion.<ref name="provicechancellorr" /> The 31 colleges reported collective ].


==== Benefactions and fundraising ==== ==== Benefactions and fundraising ====
In the fiscal year ending 31 July 2023, the central university, excluding colleges, reported total consolidated income of £2.518&nbsp;billion, of which £569.5&nbsp;million was from research grants and contracts.<ref name="finstat23" /> In July 2022, the ''Dear World, Yours Cambridge'' Campaign for the university and colleges concluded, raising a total of £2.217&nbsp;billion in commitments.<ref name="finstat23" />
In 2000, ] of ] donated US$210&nbsp;million through the ] to endow the ] for students from outside the UK seeking postgraduate study at Cambridge.<ref>{{Cite web |last=jim.smith |date=16 August 2018 |title=The programme |url=https://www.gatescambridge.org/programme |access-date=25 March 2020 |website=Gates Cambridge |language=en}}</ref>

In the fiscal year ending 31 July 2019, the central university, excluding colleges, had a total income of £2.192&nbsp;billion, of which £592.4&nbsp;million was from research grants and contracts.<ref name="cam.ac.uk" />

Over the past decade to 2019, Cambridge has received an average of £271m a year in philanthropic donations.<ref name="cam.ac.uk" />


The '] Scholarship for Black UK Students' covers tuition costs for two students and maintenance grants for up to four years.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 August 2019 |title=Stormzy announces second year of 'The Stormzy Scholarship', a student funding scheme with Cambridge University |url=https://www.cam.ac.uk/news/stormzy-announces-second-year-of-the-stormzy-scholarship-a-student-funding-scheme-with-cambridge |access-date=24 January 2021 |website=University of Cambridge |language=en}}</ref> The university maintains multiple scholarship programs. The Stormzy Scholarship for Black UK Students covers tuition costs for two students and maintenance grants for up to four years.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 August 2019 |title=Stormzy announces second year of 'The Stormzy Scholarship', a student funding scheme with Cambridge University |url=https://www.cam.ac.uk/news/stormzy-announces-second-year-of-the-stormzy-scholarship-a-student-funding-scheme-with-cambridge |access-date=24 January 2021 |website=University of Cambridge |language=en |archive-date=25 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201225234438/https://www.cam.ac.uk/news/stormzy-announces-second-year-of-the-stormzy-scholarship-a-student-funding-scheme-with-cambridge |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2000, ] of ] donated US$210&nbsp;million through the ] to endow ] for students from outside the United Kingdom to pursue full-time postgraduate study at Cambridge.<ref>{{Cite web |last=jim.smith |date=16 August 2018 |title=The programme |url=https://www.gatescambridge.org/programme |access-date=25 March 2020 |website=Gates Cambridge |language=en |archive-date=1 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200501125737/https://www.gatescambridge.org/programme |url-status=live }}</ref>


In October 2021, the university paused the £400m collaboration with the United Arab Emirates, citing the claims of the Arab nation's involvement in the controversial hacking using the ]'s ] software. As per the reports, the Emirates was the major country involved in the leak of over 50,000 phone numbers, including hundreds belonging to the British. The university's outgoing Vice-Chancellor, ] said the decision to reconsider plans with the UAE was caused by further revelations about the Pegasus software hacking.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 October 2021 |title=Cambridge University halts £400m deal with UAE over Pegasus spyware claims |url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/2021/oct/14/cambridge-university-halts-400m-deal-with-uae-over-pegasus-spyware-claims |access-date=14 October 2021 |website=The Guardian}}</ref> In October 2021, the university suspended its £400m collaboration with the ], citing allegations that UAE was involved in illegal hacking of the university's computer and storage systems using ]'s ] software. UAE also was behind the leak of over 50,000 phone numbers, including hundreds belonging to British citizens. ], the university's outgoing Vice-Chancellor, said the decision to suspend its collaboration with UAE also was a result of additional revelations about UAE's Pegasus software hacking.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 October 2021 |title=Cambridge University halts £400m deal with UAE over Pegasus spyware claims |url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/2021/oct/14/cambridge-university-halts-400m-deal-with-uae-over-pegasus-spyware-claims |access-date=14 October 2021 |website=The Guardian |archive-date=14 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211014194918/https://www.theguardian.com/education/2021/oct/14/cambridge-university-halts-400m-deal-with-uae-over-pegasus-spyware-claims |url-status=live }}</ref>


==== Bonds ==== ==== Bonds ====
The University of Cambridge borrowed £350&nbsp;million by issuing a 40-year security bond in October 2012.<ref name="CN2012oct11ib"> L. Tidy, The Cambridge Student, News, 11 October 2012</ref> Its interest rate is about 0.6 percent higher than a British government 40-year bond. Vice-Chancellor ] hailed the success of the issue.<ref> G. Wearden, The Guardian, 10 October 2012 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118055839/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2012/oct/10/cambridge-university-issues-first-bond |date=18 January 2017 }}</ref> In a 2010 report, the Russell Group of 20 leading universities made a conclusion that higher education could be financed by issuing bonds.<ref name="CN2012oct11ib" /> The University of Cambridge borrowed £350&nbsp;million in October 2012 by issuing 40-year security ],<ref name="CN2012oct11ib"> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208102718/http://www.tcs.cam.ac.uk/news/0019543-cambridge-issues-its-first-350m-bond.html |date=8 December 2015 }} L. Tidy, The Cambridge Student, News, 11 October 2012</ref> whose interest rate is approximately 0.6 percent higher than the ]'s 40-year bond.<ref> G. Wearden, The Guardian, 10 October 2012 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118055839/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2012/oct/10/cambridge-university-issues-first-bond |date=18 January 2017 }}</ref>


=== Affiliations and memberships === === Affiliations and memberships ===
Cambridge is a member of the ] of research-led ], the ], the ], and the ], and forms part of the "]" of research intensive and southern English universities.<ref>{{Cite news |date=6 July 2005 |title=Golden opportunities |publisher=Nature |url=http://www.nature.com/naturejobs/2005/050707/full/nj7047-144a.html |access-date=19 October 2010}}</ref> It is also closely linked with the development of the high-tech business cluster known as "]", and as part of the ], an ]. The University of Cambridge is a member of the ] of research-led ], the ], the ], the ], and it is part of the so-called ] of ] in the ].<ref>{{Cite news |date=6 July 2005 |title=Golden opportunities |publisher=Nature |url=http://www.nature.com/naturejobs/2005/050707/full/nj7047-144a.html |access-date=19 October 2010 |archive-date=17 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101117163616/http://www.nature.com/naturejobs/2005/050707/full/nj7047-144a.html |url-status=live }}</ref> It is also closely linked to the ] business cluster known as ] and is part of ], Europe's largest ].


== Academic profile == == Academic profile ==

=== Admissions === === Admissions ===
{{Merging from|Winter Pool|date = December 2021 | section = Admissions | discussion = Talk:University of Cambridge#Proposed merge of Winter Pool into University of Cambridge}}

{| class="wikitable floatright" style="font-size:85%; text-align:center;" {| class="wikitable floatright" style="font-size:85%; text-align:center;"
|+ UCAS admission statistics |+ Undergraduate admission statistics
! !
! 2019<ref>{{Cite web |title=University Admissions Statistics (2019 cycle) |url=https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/sites/www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/files/publications/ug_admissions_statistics_2019_cycle_0.pdf |website=University of Cambridge}}</ref> ! 2023<ref>{{cite web |title=Undergraduate Admissions Statistics 2023 cycle |url=https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/sites/www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/files/publications/ug_admissions_statistics_2023_cycle.pdf |publisher=University of Cambridge |access-date=17 June 2024}}</ref>
! 2018<ref>{{Cite web |title=Undergraduate Admissions Statistics (2018 cycle) |url=https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/sites/www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/files/publications/ug_admissions_statistics_2018_cycle.pdf |website=University of Cambridge}}</ref> ! 2022<ref>{{Cite web|title=University Admissions Statistics (2022 cycle)|url=https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/sites/www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/files/publications/undergrad_admissions_statistics_2022_cycle.pdf|website=University of Cambridge|access-date=23 June 2023|archive-date=26 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230626030238/https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/sites/www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/files/publications/undergrad_admissions_statistics_2022_cycle.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
! 2021<ref>{{Cite web|title=University Admissions Statistics (2021 cycle)|url=https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/sites/www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/files/publications/ug_admissions_statistics_2021_cycle.pdf|website=University of Cambridge|access-date=12 February 2023|archive-date=12 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212225643/https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/sites/www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/files/publications/ug_admissions_statistics_2021_cycle.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
! 2017
! 2020<ref>{{Cite web|title=University Admissions Statistics (2020 cycle)|url=https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/sites/www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/files/publications/ug_admissions_statistics_2020_cycle.pdf|website=University of Cambridge|access-date=26 April 2022|archive-date=4 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404002831/https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/sites/www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/files/publications/ug_admissions_statistics_2020_cycle.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
! 2016
! 2019<ref>{{Cite web |title=University Admissions Statistics (2019 cycle) |url=https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/sites/www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/files/publications/ug_admissions_statistics_2019_cycle_0.pdf |website=University of Cambridge |access-date=5 February 2021 |archive-date=9 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209101207/https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/sites/www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/files/publications/ug_admissions_statistics_2019_cycle_0.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
! 2015
! 2014
! 2013
|- |-
| '''Applications'''
| '''Applications'''<ref>{{Cite web |year=2017 |title=End of Cycle 2017 Data Resources DR4_001_03 Applications by provider |url=https://www.ucas.com/file/144241/download?token=nlVZq6el |access-date=25 January 2018 |website=UCAS |publisher=UCAS}}</ref>
|21,445
|22,470
|22,795
|20,426
|19,359 |19,359
|18,378
|17,235
|16,795
|16,505
|16,970
|16,330
|- |-
| '''Offer Rate (%)'''
| '''Offer Rate (%)'''<ref>{{Cite web |year=2017 |title=Sex, area background and ethnic group: C05 University of Cambridge |url=https://www.ucas.com/file/90201/download?token=uC_T4bSP |access-date=25 January 2018 |website=UCAS |publisher=UCAS}}</ref>
|21.2
|18.9
|18.7
|23.1
|24.3 |24.3
|24.8
|31.2
|33.8
|33.5
|32.5
|32.2
|- |-
| '''Enrols'''
| '''Enrols'''<ref>{{Cite web |year=2016 |title=End of Cycle 2016 Data Resources DR4_001_02 Main scheme acceptances by provider |url=https://www.ucas.com/file/91026/download?token=Mev12afD |access-date=10 February 2017 |website=UCAS |publisher=UCAS}}</ref>
|3,557
|3,544
|3,660
|3,997
|3,528 |3,528
|3,465
|3,480
|3,440
|3,430
|3,425
|3,355
|- |-
| ] | ]
|78.1
|83.6
|85.9
|84.9
|75.2 |75.2
|76.0
|64.7
|60.6
|62.0
|62.1
|63.8
|- |-
| '''Applicant/Enrolled Ratio''' | '''Applicant/Enrolled Ratio'''
|6.03
|6.34
|6.23
|5.11
|5.49 |5.49
|5.30
|4.95
|4.88
|4.81
|4.95
|4.87
|- |-
| ''']'''<ref name="Complete League Table 2019">{{Cite web |title=Top UK University League Table and Rankings |url=https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/rankings |publisher=Complete University Guide}}</ref>{{NoteTag|New ] system from 2016}} | ''']'''<ref name="CUG Entry">{{Cite web | url=https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/rankings?tabletype=full-table&sortby=entry-standards | title=University League Tables entry standards 2024 | work=The Complete University Guide | access-date=7 June 2023 | archive-date=25 January 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125195135/https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/rankings?tabletype=full-table&sortby=entry-standards | url-status=live }}</ref>
|{{n/a}} |{{n/a}}
|{{n/a}} |{{n/a}}
|209
|{{n/a}}
|226 |207
|592 |205
|600 |}
{| class="wikitable floatright sortable collapsible mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"; style="font-size:85%; text-align:right;"
|601
|+ class="nowrap" |HESA Student Body Composition
|-
!Domicile<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hesa.ac.uk/data-and-analysis/students/where-study#provider|title=Where do HE students study?: Students by HE provider|work=HESA|at=HE student enrolments by HE provider|access-date=8 February 2023|archive-date=4 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104163711/https://www.hesa.ac.uk/data-and-analysis/students/where-study#provider|url-status=live}}</ref> and Ethnicity<ref name="HESA ethnicity">{{cite web|url=https://www.hesa.ac.uk/data-and-analysis/students/whos-in-he/characteristics|title=Who's studying in HE?: Personal characteristics|date=31 January 2023|publisher=HESA|access-date=8 February 2023|archive-date=10 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230210004129/https://www.hesa.ac.uk/data-and-analysis/students/whos-in-he/characteristics|url-status=live}}</ref>
! colspan="2" data-sort-type=number |Total
|-
|]
|align=right| {{bartable|47|%|2||background:red}}
|-
|]{{efn|Includes those who indicate that they identify as ], ], ], ] or any other ethnicity except White.}}
|align=right| {{bartable|21|%|2||background:green}}
|-
|]
|align=right| {{bartable|9|%|2||background:blue}}
|-
|]
|align=right| {{bartable|23|%|2||background:gray}}
|-
! colspan="4" data-sort-type=number |Undergraduate ] Indicators<ref>{{cite web |title=Widening participation: UK Performance Indicators: Table T2a – Participation of under-represented groups in higher education |url=https://www.hesa.ac.uk/data-and-analysis/performance-indicators/widening-participation |website=Higher Education Statistics Authority |publisher=hesa.ac.uk |access-date=8 February 2023 |archive-date=6 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206041422/https://www.hesa.ac.uk/data-and-analysis/performance-indicators/widening-participation |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Times23">{{cite web |date=16 September 2022 |title=Good University Guide: Social Inclusion Ranking |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/good-university-guide-in-full-tp6dzs7wn |work=The Times |access-date=12 February 2023 |archive-date=22 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222124044/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/good-university-guide-in-full-tp6dzs7wn |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|]
|align=right| {{bartable|50|%|2||background:purple}}
|-
|]
|align=right| {{bartable|30|%|2||background:orange}}
|-
|Low Participation Areas{{efn|Calculated from the Polar4 measure, using Quintile1, in England and Wales. Calculated from the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) measure, using SIMD20, in Scotland.}}
|align=right| {{bartable|5|%|2||background:black}}
|} |}


====Process====
] Old Court]]
] New Court]]
] of ], dating back to the 16th Century]] ] of ], dating back to the 16th Century]]
Admission to the University of Cambridge is extremely competitive. In 2022, for instance, around 15% of applicants were admitted.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Application statistics |url=https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/apply/statistics |website=www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk |access-date=15 October 2019 |archive-date=8 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208025321/https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/apply/statistics |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Undergraduate Admissions Statistics |url=https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/files/publications/ug_admissions_statistics_2018_cycle.pdf |access-date=25 August 2021 |publisher=University of Cambridge |archive-date=9 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309002419/https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/files/publications/ug_admissions_statistics_2018_cycle.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2021, Cambridge introduced an over-subscription clause to its offers of admission, which also permits the university to withdraw acceptances if too many students meet its selective entrance criteria. The clause can be invoked in the event of circumstances outside the reasonable control of the university. The clause was introduced following a record number of ] pupils who obtained the highest grades from teacher assessment, which was introduced due to the cancellation of A-level examinations during the ].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Yeomans |first=Emma |title=Cambridge to withdraw places if oversubscribed |language=en-GB |work=] |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/cambridge-to-withdraw-places-if-oversubscribed-xzx2jttw2 |access-date=5 February 2021 |issn=0140-0460 |archive-date=4 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204234242/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/cambridge-to-withdraw-places-if-oversubscribed-xzx2jttw2 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=3 February 2021 |title=Cambridge offer-holders told their places may be withdrawn if their course is over-subscribed |url=https://thetab.com/uk/cambridge/2021/02/03/cambridge-to-withdraw-offers-145887 |access-date=5 February 2021 |website=University of Cambridge |language=en-GB |archive-date=3 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203100703/https://thetab.com/uk/cambridge/2021/02/03/cambridge-to-withdraw-offers-145887 |url-status=live }}</ref>


The university's standard offer for most courses is set at A*AA,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Entrance requirements |url=http://www.cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/requirements/#alevels |access-date=4 February 2013 |website=Cam.ac.uk |archive-date=15 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120215062017/http://www.cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/requirements/#alevels |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=16 March 2009 |title=Cambridge entry level is now A*AA |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7946675.stm |access-date=27 May 2010 |archive-date=26 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326230401/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7946675.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> with A*A*A for science courses, or equivalent in other examination systems, e.g. 7,6,6 or 7,7,6 in IB. Due to a high proportion of applicants receiving the highest school grades, an interview process was introduced as a component of consideration for admission. Interviews are performed by College Fellows, who evaluate candidates on unexamined factors including potential for ] and creativity.<ref name="intguide">{{Cite web |title=Cambridge Interviews: the facts |url=http://www.cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/publications/interviews.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110218144807/http://www.cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/publications/interviews.pdf |archive-date=18 February 2011 |access-date=11 August 2009 |publisher=University of Cambridge}}</ref> Prior to 2020 these interviews were normally held in person but moved online during the COVID-19 pandemic and have, at most colleges, remained online since.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.universityadmissionstutors.co.uk/post/5-hacks-to-ace-your-online-oxbridge-interview |title= 5 Hacks to Ace Your Online Oxbridge Interview |last= |first= |date=11 December 2023 |website=|publisher= University Admissions Tutors |access-date= |quote=}}</ref> For exceptional candidates, a matriculation offer is sometimes offered, requiring only two A-levels at grade E or above. ] maintains that the ] and the University of Cambridge recruit disproportionately from eight schools, which account for 1,310 ] places over three years contrasted with 1,220 from 2,900 other schools.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181207134140/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-46470838 |date=7 December 2018 }} '']''</ref>
==== Procedure ====
Undergraduate applications to Cambridge must be made through ] in time for the early deadline, currently mid-October in the year before starting. Until the 1980s candidates for all subjects were required to sit special entrance examinations,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Walford |first=Geoffrey |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ms8OAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA202 |title=Life in Public Schools |publisher=Taylor & Francis |year=1986 |isbn=978-0-416-37180-2 |page=202 |access-date=2 February 2009}}</ref> since replaced by additional tests for some subjects, such as the Thinking Skills Assessment and the Cambridge Law Test.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Undergraduate Study – Admissions tests |url=http://www.study.cam.ac.uk/undergraduate/apply/tests/ |access-date=20 May 2013 |publisher=University of Cambridge}}</ref> The university has at times considered reintroducing an admissions exam for all subjects.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Henry |first=Julie |date=23 January 2013 |title=Cambridge University entrance exam to make a comeback |work=] |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/9828740/Cambridge-University-entrance-exam-to-make-a-comeback.html}}</ref> The university gave offers of admission (typically conditional on exam results) to 33.5% of its applicants in 2016, the second lowest amongst the ], behind Oxford.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What are my chances of getting into Oxford or Cambridge? |url=https://oxbridgeapplications.com/blog/what-are-my-chances-of-getting-into-oxford-or-cambridge/ |access-date=3 March 2021 |website=Oxbridge Applications |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Gurney-Read |first=Josie |date=19 October 2016 |title=Which elite universities have the highest offer rates |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/2016/10/19/which-elite-universities-have-the-highest-offer-rates/ |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=21 October 2016 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/2016/10/19/which-elite-universities-have-the-highest-offer-rates/ |archive-date=10 January 2022}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bonetti |first=Lisa |date=25 August 2020 |title=Exam results: What next? |url=https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/exam-results-what-next |access-date=3 March 2021 |website=www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cole |first=Lizzy |date=15 April 2019 |title=Oxford vs Cambridge: Which is better? |url=https://www.uniadmissions.co.uk/oxford-vs-cambridge/ |access-date=3 March 2021 |website=UniAdmissions: The Oxbridge Experts |language=en-GB}}</ref> The acceptance rate for students in the 2018–2019 cycle was 18.8%.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Application statistics |url=https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/apply/statistics |website=www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Undergraduate Admissions Statistics |url=https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/files/publications/ug_admissions_statistics_2018_cycle.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=25 August 2021 |publisher=University of Cambridge}}</ref> In 2021, Cambridge introduced an 'over-subscription' clause to its offers, which allows it to withdraw places if too many students meet its entrance criteria. The clause can be invoked in the event of 'circumstances outside the reasonable control of the university'. It was introduced due to a record number of ] pupils getting the highest grades from teacher assessment, which was introduced due to the cancellation of ] in the ].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Yeomans |first=Emma |title=Cambridge to withdraw places if oversubscribed |language=en-GB |work=] |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/cambridge-to-withdraw-places-if-oversubscribed-xzx2jttw2 |access-date=5 February 2021 |issn=0140-0460}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=3 February 2021 |title=Cambridge offer-holders told their places may be withdrawn if their course is over-subscribed |url=https://thetab.com/uk/cambridge/2021/02/03/cambridge-to-withdraw-offers-145887 |access-date=5 February 2021 |website=University of Cambridge |language=en-GB}}</ref>


Strong applicants who are not successful in being admitted to their chosen college at the university may be placed in the ], where they can be considered for admission to other university colleges, which maintains consistency throughout the colleges, some of which receive more applicants than others.
The university's standard offer for most courses is set at A*AA,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Entrance requirements |url=http://www.cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/requirements/#alevels |access-date=4 February 2013 |website=Cam.ac.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=16 March 2009 |title=Cambridge entry level is now A*AA |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7946675.stm |access-date=27 May 2010}}</ref> with A*A*A for sciences courses (or equivalent in other examination systems, e.g. 7,6,6 or 7,7,6 in IB). Due to a high proportion of applicants receiving the highest school grades, the interview process is needed for distinguishing between the most able candidates. The interview is performed by College Fellows, who evaluate candidates on unexamined factors such as potential for original thinking and creativity.<ref name="intguide">{{Cite web |title=Cambridge Interviews: the facts |url=http://www.cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/publications/interviews.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110218144807/http://www.cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/publications/interviews.pdf |archive-date=18 February 2011 |access-date=11 August 2009 |publisher=University of Cambridge}}</ref> For exceptional candidates, a ''Matriculation Offer'' was sometimes previously offered, requiring only two A-levels at grade E or above. The ] maintains that Oxford University and Cambridge University recruit disproportionately from 8 schools which accounted for 1,310 Oxbridge places during three years, contrasted with 1,220 from 2,900 other schools.<ref> '']''</ref>


Undergraduate applications are processed through ], and the deadline for their submission currently is mid-October in the year before prior to beginning. Until the 1980s, candidates for all subjects were required to take special entrance examinations,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Walford |first=Geoffrey |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ms8OAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA202 |title=Life in Public Schools |publisher=Taylor & Francis |year=1986 |isbn=978-0-416-37180-2 |page=202 |access-date=2 February 2009 |archive-date=27 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230927184432/https://books.google.com/books?id=Ms8OAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA202 |url-status=live }}</ref> which have since been replaced by additional tests for some subjects, such as the Thinking Skills Assessment and Cambridge Law Test.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Undergraduate Study – Admissions tests |url=http://www.study.cam.ac.uk/undergraduate/apply/tests/ |access-date=20 May 2013 |publisher=University of Cambridge |archive-date=2 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602061927/http://www.study.cam.ac.uk/undergraduate/apply/tests/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The university has at times considered reintroducing an admissions exam for all subjects.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Henry |first=Julie |date=23 January 2013 |title=Cambridge University entrance exam to make a comeback |work=] |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/9828740/Cambridge-University-entrance-exam-to-make-a-comeback.html |access-date=5 April 2018 |archive-date=27 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230927184433/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/9828740/Cambridge-University-entrance-exam-to-make-a-comeback.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
Strong applicants who are not successful at their chosen college may be placed in the ], where they can be offered places by other colleges. This is in order to maintain consistency throughout the colleges, some of which receive more applicants than others.


Graduate admission is first decided by the faculty or department relating to the applicant's subject. When an offer is made, this effectively guarantees admission to a college—though not necessarily the applicant's preferred choice.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Board of Graduate Studies admissions flowchart |url=http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/univ/gsprospectus/applying/next.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080908011440/http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/univ/gsprospectus/applying/next.html |archive-date=8 September 2008 |access-date=8 September 2008 |publisher=University of Cambridge}}</ref> Graduate admission is first decided by the faculty or department responsible for the applicant's respective academic subject. An offer of acceptance effectively guarantees admission to the university, though not necessarily the applicant's preferred choice of college.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Board of Graduate Studies admissions flowchart |url=http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/univ/gsprospectus/applying/next.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080908011440/http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/univ/gsprospectus/applying/next.html |archive-date=8 September 2008 |access-date=8 September 2008 |publisher=University of Cambridge}}</ref>


==== Access ==== ====Winter pool====
The '''Winter Pool''' or '''inter-College Pool''' is part of the undergraduate application process intended to ensure that the best applicants are offered admission.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/publications/docs/winterpool.pdf|title=Guide to the Winter Pool|website=Cam.ac.uk|access-date=15 March 2022|archive-date=3 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120103121931/http://www.cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/publications/docs/winterpool.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Approximately 20–25% of undergraduate admissions are awarded through the Pool. Each college can place applicants in the Winter Pool. These applicants' applications are then considered by Admissions Tutors or Directors of Studies during the pool, which takes place over three days in January prior to the release of the university's admissions decisions.<ref name=":0a">{{cite web|url=https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/sites/www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/files/publications/guide_to_the_winter_pool.pdf|title=Guide to the Winter Pool|website=Undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk|access-date=15 March 2022|archive-date=8 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008155947/https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/sites/www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/files/publications/guide_to_the_winter_pool.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
]
Public debate in the United Kingdom continues over whether admissions processes at Oxford and Cambridge are entirely merit based and fair; whether enough students from ] are encouraged to apply to Cambridge; and whether these students succeed in gaining entry. In 2020–21, 71% of all successful applicants were from ]<ref>{{Cite news |last=Brackley |first=Paul |title=University of Cambridge to welcome record proportion of state school students in October 2021 |publisher=Cambridge Independent |url=https://www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/education/university-of-cambridge-to-welcome-record-proportion-of-stat-9212211/ |access-date=26 April 2022}}</ref> (about 93% of all students in the UK attend state schools, and 82% of post-16 students<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 January 2012 |title=Philip Hensher: Rejecting Oxbridge isn't clever – it's a mistake |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/commentators/philip-hensher/philip-hensher-rejecting-oxbridge-isn-t-clever-it-s-a-mistake-6292041.html |access-date=26 April 2022 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref>). Critics have argued that the lack of state school applicants with the required grades applying to Cambridge and Oxford has had a negative impact on ]'s reputation for many years, and the university has encouraged pupils from state schools to apply for Cambridge to help redress the imbalance.<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 April 2008 |title=Number of Cambridge state school students falls |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/2008/apr/04/highereducation.accesstouniversity |access-date=3 September 2012}}</ref> Others counter that government pressure to increase state school admissions constitutes inappropriate ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Report by the Sutton Trust |url=http://www.suttontrust.com/reports/Stateschooladmissionstoourleadinguniversities.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080624211305/http://www.suttontrust.com/reports/Stateschooladmissionstoourleadinguniversities.pdf |archive-date=24 June 2008 |access-date=8 September 2008 |publisher=Sutton Trust}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Johnson |first=Rachel |year=2002 |title=A bias against excellence |work=The Spectator |location=UK |url=https://www.questia.com/read/1P3-113479553 |access-date=8 September 2008}}</ref> The proportion of undergraduates drawn from independent schools has dropped over the years, and such applicants now form a minority (29%)<ref name="bbc08">{{Cite news |date=4 June 2009 |title=State school participation rate |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/8083423.stm |access-date=8 August 2009}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=10 October 2007 |title=Call for more university links |publisher=BBC |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7036891.stm |access-date=8 September 2008}}</ref> of the intake. In 2020, 26% of the 3436 applicants from independent schools were admitted to Cambridge, as opposed to 23% of the 9237 applications from state schools.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Undergraduate Admissions Statistics, 2020 Cycle |url=https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/sites/www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/files/publications/ug_admissions_statistics_2020_cycle.pdf}}</ref> Cambridge, together with Oxford and ], is among those universities that have adopted formulae that gives a rating to the ] performance of every school in the country to "weight" the scores of university applicants.<ref>{{Cite news |date=21 January 2013 |title=Education |work=The Times |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/article6350374.ece |access-date=4 February 2013}}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=April 2013}}


For each subject, colleges create an ordered list of the pooled applicants they seek to admit, and take turns choosing applicants. Colleges with specific student requirements, such as mature colleges and women-only colleges, are given priority over applicants eligible for their colleges. Some applicants are selected from the pool by the college that originally pooled them.<ref name=":0a" /> Once all the colleges have selected as many applicants as they need, the pool ends. Some applicants are then interviewed a second time by the colleges before final admissions decisions are made.
With the release of admissions figures, a 2013 article in '']'' reported that ethnic minority candidates had lower success rates in individual subjects even when they had the same grades as white applicants. The university was hence criticised for what was seen as institutional discrimination against ethnic minority applicants in favour of white applicants. The university denied the claims of institutional discrimination by stating the figures did not take into account "other variables".<ref name="Guardian20130226">{{Cite news |last=Parel |first=Kurien |last2=Ball |first2=James |date=26 February 2013 |title=Oxford University accused of bias against ethnic minority applicants |work=] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/2013/feb/26/oxford-university-ethnic-minority-applicants}}</ref> A following article stated that in the years 2010–2012 ethnic minority applicants to medicine with 3 A* grades or higher were 20% less likely to gain admission than white applicants with similar grades. The university refused to provide figures for a wider range of subjects claiming it would be too costly.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Parel |first=Kurien |last2=Ball |first2=James |date=13 March 2013 |title=Cambridge University medicine admissions show race gap |work=] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/2013/mar/13/cambridge-university-medicine-admissions-race}}</ref>


Colleges can pool any candidate, either because the college has no space but believes the applicant is strong enough to get a place, or because the college wants to compare that applicant to other pooled applicants. Most applicants in the pool are pooled at their original college's discretion, but some candidates meet the compulsory pooling criteria.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showpost.php?p=96126895&postcount=1910|title=Official Cambridge 2022 Applicants Thread|website=Thestudentroom.co.uk|access-date=8 October 2022|archive-date=27 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230927184941/https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6655586&page=96#post96126895|url-status=live}}</ref>
There are a number of educational consultancies that offer support with the applications process. Some make claims of improved chances of admission but these claims are not independently verified. None of these companies are affiliated to or endorsed by the University of Cambridge. The university informs applicants that all important information regarding the application process is public knowledge and none of these services is providing any inside information.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bonetti |first=Lisa |date=21 February 2018 |title=Interviews |url=https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/applying/interviews |access-date=8 June 2018 |website=Undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk}}</ref>


There were, as of the 2020–21 admissions cycle, only two grounds for compulsory pooling. For post-qualified applicants, their achieved grades at A level or equivalent and, for applicants with overseas interviews, an interview score of at least eight is achieved in all interviews. The second criterion does not apply to medicine applicants.<ref name="WhatDoTheyKno.comw-2020">{{Cite web|date=26 November 2020|title=Compulsory pooling – a Freedom of Information request to University of Cambridge|url=https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/compulsory_pooling?unfold=1|access-date=12 April 2021|website=WhatDoTheyKno.comw|language=en|archive-date=12 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412082615/https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/compulsory_pooling?unfold=1|url-status=live}}</ref> Previously, ] UMS have been used as pooling criteria, but after ] became linear this was discontinued.<ref name="WhatDoTheyKno.comw-2020" />
Cambridge University has been criticised because many colleges admit a low proportion of black students though many apply. Of the 31 colleges at Cambridge 6 admitted fewer than 10 black or mixed race students from 2012 to 2016.<ref> '']''</ref> Figures from 2019 show that 2% of students were white and 'working class'.<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 February 2019 |title=Half of universities have fewer than 5% poor white students |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/education-47227157 |access-date=8 February 2021}}</ref>


{| class="wikitable"
In January 2021, Cambridge created foundation courses for 'disadvantaged' students.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Media |first=P. A. |date=13 January 2021 |title=Cambridge University to offer free foundation year for disadvantaged pupils |url=http://www.theguardian.com/education/2021/jan/13/cambridge-university-to-offer-free-foundation-year-for-disadvantaged-pupils |access-date=8 February 2021 |website=The Guardian |language=en}}</ref> While the usual entry requirements are A*AA in ], the one-year foundation course has 50 places for students who achieve BBB.<ref>{{Cite news |date=13 January 2021 |title=Cambridge University starts new foundation courses for 'disadvantaged' students |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-55635300 |access-date=8 February 2021}}</ref> If successful on the course, students will receive a recognised ] qualification and can progress to degrees in the arts, humanities and social sciences at Cambridge.<ref name=":0" /> Candidates include those who have been in care, who are estranged from their families, who have missed significant periods of learning because of health issues, those from low-income backgrounds and those from schools that send few students to university.<ref name=":0" />
|+Compulsory pooling criteria for post-qualified candidates
!Qualification Type
!Minimum grades
!Notes
|-
|]
|A*A*A*
|For science applicants, at least three A*s must be in science/maths subjects
|-
|]
|43 points overall with 776 at higher level or
42 points overall with 777 at higher level
|For science applicants, at least two 7s must be in science/maths subjects
|-
|]
|A1A1A1
|For science applicants, at least 3 A1s must be in science/maths subjects
|}
As of 2012, there is only one specifically identified category for pooled applicants, which is known as '''S''', meaning that the application is in special need of reassessment. This is used when candidates whose initial interview scores are of questionable accuracy, such as when a candidate received very different scores from different interviewers, experienced technical issues with interviews conducted over the internet, or was impacted by significant extenuating circumstances such as illness or the loss of a family member.<ref name="WhatDoTheyKno.comw-2020" />


Pooled applicants who are fished by a college may be offered a place immediately or may be invited for an interview. In 2020, just 89 applicants were invited for second interviews, 34 of whom received offers of admission.<ref name=":0a" />
=== Teaching ===
] are read out inside ] and then tossed from the balcony]]
The academic year is divided into three academic terms, determined by the statutes of the university.<ref>{{Cite web |title=University of Cambridge Term dates |url=http://www.cam.ac.uk/univ/termdates.html |access-date=19 April 2010 |website=University of Cambridge}}</ref> ] lasts from October to December; ] from January to March; and ] from April to June.


Each year, approximately 3,500 applicants receive offers from their preference college and a further 1,000 to 1,100 applicants are offered admission by another college through the pool. On average, one in five applicants is pooled and around one in four pooled applicants receives an offer of admission.<ref name=":0a" />
Within these terms undergraduate teaching takes place within eight-week periods called ]s. According to the university statutes, it is a requirement that during this period all students should live within 3 miles of the ]; this is defined as ''Keeping term''. Students can graduate only if they fulfill this condition for nine terms (three years) when obtaining a Bachelor of Arts or twelve terms (four years) when studying for a ] of Science, Engineering or Mathematics.<ref>{{Cite book |last=University of Cambridge |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JSi0S7aH320C |title=Statutes and Ordinances of the University of Cambridge 2009 |year=2009 |isbn=978-0-521-13745-4 |editor-last=] |pages=179–180 |access-date=2 September 2012}}</ref>


Statistics released by the university show that some colleges regularly receive particularly high numbers of applicants, and these colleges tend to take fewer applicants from the pool. Other colleges regularly draw a greater proportion of their undergraduate intake from the pool.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/apply/statistics|title=Application statistics|website=Undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk|access-date=15 March 2022|archive-date=1 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401033735/https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/apply/statistics|url-status=live}}</ref>
These terms are shorter than those of many other British universities.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sastry |first=Tom |last2=Bekhradnia |first2=Bahram |date=25 September 2007 |title=The Academic Experience of Students in English Universities (2007 report) |url=http://www.hepi.ac.uk/downloads/33TheacademicexperienceofstudentsinEnglishuniversities2007.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090325200828/http://www.hepi.ac.uk/downloads/33TheacademicexperienceofstudentsinEnglishuniversities2007.pdf |archive-date=25 March 2009 |access-date=4 November 2007 |publisher=Higher Education Policy Institute |pages=footnote 14 |quote=Even within Russell Group institutions, it is remarkable how consistently Oxford and Cambridge appear to require more effort of their students than other universities. On the other hand, they have fewer weeks in the academic year than other universities, so the extent to which this is so may be exaggerated by these results.}}</ref> Undergraduates are also expected to prepare heavily in the three holidays (known as the Christmas, Easter and Long Vacations). This is why they are referred to as 'Vacations' rather than holidays; students have merely vacated the premises, but are still expected to work.


====Access====
]es involve a mixture of lectures (organised by the university departments), and ] (organised by the colleges). Science subjects also involve laboratory sessions, organised by the departments. The relative importance of these methods of teaching varies according to the needs of the subject. Supervisions are typically weekly hour-long sessions in which small groups of students (usually between one and three) meet with a member of the teaching staff or with a doctoral student. Students are normally required to complete an assignment in advance of the supervision, which they will discuss with the supervisor during the session, along with any concerns or difficulties they have had with the material presented in that week's lectures. The assignment is often an essay on a subject set by the supervisor, or a problem sheet set by the lecturer. Depending on the subject and college, students might receive between one and four supervisions per week.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Undergraduate Study – How will I be taught |url=http://www.study.cam.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/teaching.html |access-date=9 September 2012 |publisher=University of Cambridge}}</ref> This ] is often cited as being unique to Oxford (where "supervisions" are known as "]s")<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shepherd |first=Jessica |date=25 January 2011 |title=Cambridge considers end to one-to-one tuition |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/2011/jan/25/cambridge-may-end-individual-tuition |access-date=9 May 2015}}</ref> and Cambridge.
]<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 June 2014 |title=Oxbridge 'Elitism' |url=http://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/SN00616/SN00616.pdf |access-date=17 October 2016 |archive-date=7 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307043908/http://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/SN00616/SN00616.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Lords Hansard text for 5 Jun 2003 (230605w03) |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200203/ldhansrd/vo030605/text/30605w03.htm#30605w03_sbhd2 |website=publications.parliament.uk |access-date=17 September 2017 |archive-date=20 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220081811/http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200203/ldhansrd/vo030605/text/30605w03.htm#30605w03_sbhd2 |url-status=live }}</ref>]]
Public debate in the United Kingdom exists over whether admissions processes used at the ] and Cambridge are entirely merit-based and fair, whether enough students from ] are encouraged to apply, and whether these students are offered sufficient admission. In 2020–21, 71% of all successful applicants were from ]<ref>{{Cite news |last=Brackley |first=Paul |title=University of Cambridge to welcome record proportion of state school students in October 2021 |publisher=Cambridge Independent |url=https://www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/education/university-of-cambridge-to-welcome-record-proportion-of-stat-9212211/ |access-date=26 April 2022 |archive-date=26 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426163522/https://www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/education/university-of-cambridge-to-welcome-record-proportion-of-stat-9212211/ |url-status=live }}</ref> compared to approximately 93% of all students in the UK who attended state schools and 82% of post-16 students<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 January 2012 |title=Philip Hensher: Rejecting Oxbridge isn't clever – it's a mistake |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/commentators/philip-hensher/philip-hensher-rejecting-oxbridge-isn-t-clever-it-s-a-mistake-6292041.html |access-date=26 April 2022 |website=The Independent |language=en |archive-date=26 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426163522/https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/commentators/philip-hensher/philip-hensher-rejecting-oxbridge-isn-t-clever-it-s-a-mistake-6292041.html |url-status=live }}</ref>).


Critics have argued that the relative lower percent of state school applicants with the required grades for admission to Cambridge and Oxford has had a negative impact on Oxford and Cambridge's collective reputation, though both universities have encouraged pupils from state schools to apply to help redress the perceived imbalance.<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 April 2008 |title=Number of Cambridge state school students falls |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/2008/apr/04/highereducation.accesstouniversity |access-date=3 September 2012 |archive-date=11 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111042457/http://www.theguardian.com/education/2008/apr/04/highereducation.accesstouniversity |url-status=live }}</ref> Others counter that government pressure to increase state school admissions constitutes inappropriate ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Report by the Sutton Trust |url=http://www.suttontrust.com/reports/Stateschooladmissionstoourleadinguniversities.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080624211305/http://www.suttontrust.com/reports/Stateschooladmissionstoourleadinguniversities.pdf |archive-date=24 June 2008 |access-date=8 September 2008 |publisher=Sutton Trust}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Johnson |first=Rachel |year=2002 |title=A bias against excellence |work=The Spectator |location=UK |url=https://www.questia.com/read/1P3-113479553 |access-date=8 September 2008}}</ref> The proportion of undergraduates drawn from independent schools has dropped over the years, constituting, as of 2020, 26% of total admissions among the university's 3,436 applicants from independent schools compared to 23% of the 9,237 applications from state schools.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Undergraduate Admissions Statistics, 2020 Cycle |url=https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/sites/www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/files/publications/ug_admissions_statistics_2020_cycle.pdf |access-date=26 April 2022 |archive-date=4 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404002831/https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/sites/www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/files/publications/ug_admissions_statistics_2020_cycle.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Cambridge, together with Oxford and ], was among those universities that adopted formulae in 2009 to rate the ] performance of schools, using data from the ], and took this into account when assessing university applicants.<ref>{{Cite news |newspaper=The Sunday Times |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/article6350374.ece |archive-date=30 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430103455/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/article6350374.ece |title=Top schools boycott 'biased' Durham|date=24 May 2009|author1=Jack Grimston |author2= Sian Griffiths}}</ref>
A tutor named ] developed the concept of grading students' work quantitatively at the University of Cambridge in 1792.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Postman |first=Neil |title=Technopoly: The Surrender of Culture to Technology |title-link=Technopoly: The Surrender of Culture to Technology |publisher=] |year=1992 |isbn=978-0-679-74540-2 |location=New York City |author-link=Neil Postman}}</ref>


With the release of admissions figures, '']'' reported in 2013 that ethnic minority candidates had lower success rates in individual subjects even when they had the same grades as white applicants. The university was criticised for what was seen as institutional discrimination against ethnic minority applicants in favour of white applicants. The university denied the claims of institutional discrimination, stating the figures did not take into account other variables.<ref name="Guardian20130226">{{Cite news |last1=Parel |first1=Kurien |last2=Ball |first2=James |date=26 February 2013 |title=Oxford University accused of bias against ethnic minority applicants |work=] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/2013/feb/26/oxford-university-ethnic-minority-applicants |access-date=13 December 2016 |archive-date=6 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130706003753/http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2013/feb/26/oxford-university-ethnic-minority-applicants |url-status=live }}</ref> A subsequent article reported that, in the years 2010 to 2012, ethnic minority applicants to medicine with 3 A* grades or higher were 20% less likely to gain admission than white applicants with similar grades. The university refused to provide figures for a wider range of subjects, claiming that assembling and releasing such information was excessively costly.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Parel |first1=Kurien |last2=Ball |first2=James |date=13 March 2013 |title=Cambridge University medicine admissions show race gap |work=] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/2013/mar/13/cambridge-university-medicine-admissions-race |access-date=13 December 2016 |archive-date=10 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170210191551/https://www.theguardian.com/education/2013/mar/13/cambridge-university-medicine-admissions-race |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Research ===
{{See also|Category:Departments of the University of Cambridge}}
The University of Cambridge has research departments and teaching faculties in most academic disciplines. All research and lectures are conducted by university departments. The colleges are in charge of giving or arranging most supervisions, student accommodation, and funding most extracurricular activities. During the 1990s, Cambridge added a substantial number of new specialist research laboratories on several sites around the city, and major expansion continues on a number of sites.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-04-07 |title=Building Projects |url=https://www.em.admin.cam.ac.uk/what-we-do/development-estate/building-projects |access-date=26 January 2018 |publisher=University of Cambridge}}</ref>


Given the competitive nature of gaining admission to the University of Cambridge, a number of educational consultancies have emerged to offer support with the application process. Some claim they can improve chances for admission, though these claims have never been independently verified. None of these companies are affiliated with or endorsed by the University of Cambridge. The university informs applicants that all necessary information regarding the application process is publicly available through the university and none of these services is providing any insight not already publicly available to applicants.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bonetti |first=Lisa |date=21 February 2018 |title=Interviews |url=https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/applying/interviews |access-date=8 June 2018 |website=Undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk |archive-date=12 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141129/https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/applying/interviews |url-status=live }}</ref>
Cambridge also had a research partnership with ] in the United States: the ].


The University of Cambridge has been criticised for admitting a lower percentage of Black students, though many apply. Of the 31 colleges at Cambridge, six of them admitted fewer than 10 Black or mixed race students between 2012 and 2016.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180604024007/https://www.theguardian.com/education/2018/jun/03/cambridge-colleges-poor-record-on-diversity-highlighted-by-report |date=4 June 2018 }} '']''</ref> Similar criticism exists over a relatively lower admission rate for white working class applicants; in 2019, only 2% of admitted students were white working class.<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 February 2019 |title=Half of universities have fewer than 5% poor white students |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/education-47227157 |access-date=8 February 2021 |archive-date=7 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210207142145/https://www.bbc.com/news/education-47227157 |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Graduation ===
] at a graduation ceremony]]
Unlike in most universities, the ] is not awarded by merit of study, but by right, six years and one term after matriculation.


In January 2021, Cambridge created foundation courses for disadvantaged students.<ref name="Media-2021">{{Cite web |last=Media |first=P. A. |date=13 January 2021 |title=Cambridge University to offer free foundation year for disadvantaged pupils |url=http://www.theguardian.com/education/2021/jan/13/cambridge-university-to-offer-free-foundation-year-for-disadvantaged-pupils |access-date=8 February 2021 |website=The Guardian |language=en |archive-date=25 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125105738/https://www.theguardian.com/education/2021/jan/13/cambridge-university-to-offer-free-foundation-year-for-disadvantaged-pupils |url-status=live }}</ref> While the usual entry requirements are A*AA in ], the one-year foundation course has 50 places for students who achieve BBB.<ref>{{Cite news |date=13 January 2021 |title=Cambridge University starts new foundation courses for 'disadvantaged' students |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-55635300 |access-date=8 February 2021 |archive-date=1 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201063421/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-55635300 |url-status=live }}</ref> If successful on the course, students receive a recognised ] qualification and can progress to degrees in the arts, humanities, and social sciences at the university.<ref name="Media-2021" /> Candidates include those who have been in care, who are estranged from their families, who have missed significant periods of learning because of health issues, those from low-income backgrounds, and those from schools with few students attending universities.<ref name="Media-2021" />
At the University of Cambridge, each graduation is a separate act of the university's governing body, the ], and must be voted on as with any other act. A formal meeting of the Regent House, known as a ], is held for this purpose.<ref name="Ceremony">{{Cite web |title=Graduation: The Ceremony |url=http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/students/studentregistry/current/newstud/graduation/ceremony.html |access-date=3 September 2012 |publisher=University of Cambridge}}</ref>
This is the common last act at which all the different university procedures (for: undergraduate and graduate students; and the different degrees) land. After degrees are approved, to have them conferred candidates must ask their Colleges to be presented during a Congregation.


=== Teaching ===
]
{{see also|Cambridge School (intellectual history)|List of professorships at the University of Cambridge}}
Graduates receiving an undergraduate degree wear the ] that they were entitled to before graduating: for example, most students becoming Bachelors of Arts wear undergraduate gowns and not BA gowns. Graduates receiving a postgraduate degree (e.g. PhD or Master's) wear the academic dress that they were entitled to before graduating, only if their first degree was also from the University of Cambridge; if their first degree is from another university, they wear the academic dress of the degree that they are about to receive, the BA gown without the strings if they are under 24 years of age, or the MA gown without strings if they are 24 and over.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Graduation dress code |url=http://www.pem.cam.ac.uk/current-students/graduation/dress-code/ |access-date=3 September 2012 |publisher=]}}</ref> Graduates are presented in the Senate House college by college, in order of foundation or recognition by the university, except for the royal colleges.
] are read aloud at ] and then tossed from the balcony in accordance with a tradition that began in the 18th century.]]
The University of Cambridge academic year is divided into three academic terms determined by the statutes of the university.<ref>{{Cite web |title=University of Cambridge Term dates |url=http://www.cam.ac.uk/univ/termdates.html |access-date=19 April 2010 |website=University of Cambridge |archive-date=18 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130218001719/http://www.cam.ac.uk/univ/termdates.html |url-status=live }}</ref> ] lasts from October to December; the ] last from January to March; and the ] last from April to June.


Within these terms, undergraduate teaching takes place during eight-week periods called full terms. According to university statutes, it is a requirement during these periods that all students live within three miles of the ], which is known as keeping term. Students eligible for graduation must fulfill this condition for nine terms (three years) while pursuing a Bachelor of Arts or twelve terms (four years) when pursuing a Master of Science, engineering, or mathematics degree.<ref>{{Cite book |last=University of Cambridge |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JSi0S7aH320C |title=Statutes and Ordinances of the University of Cambridge 2009 |year=2009 |isbn=978-0-521-13745-4 |editor-last=] |pages=179–180 | publisher=Cambridge University Press |access-date=2 September 2012 |archive-date=27 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230927184939/https://books.google.com/books?id=JSi0S7aH320C |url-status=live }}</ref>
During the congregation, graduands are brought forth by the ] of their college, who takes them by the right hand, and presents them to the vice-chancellor for the degree they are about to take. The Praelector presents graduands with the following ] statement (the following forms were used when the vice-chancellor was female), substituting "____" with the name of the degree:


These terms are shorter than those of many other British universities.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Sastry |first1=Tom |last2=Bekhradnia |first2=Bahram |date=25 September 2007 |title=The Academic Experience of Students in English Universities (2007 report) |url=http://www.hepi.ac.uk/downloads/33TheacademicexperienceofstudentsinEnglishuniversities2007.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090325200828/http://www.hepi.ac.uk/downloads/33TheacademicexperienceofstudentsinEnglishuniversities2007.pdf |archive-date=25 March 2009 |access-date=4 November 2007 |publisher=Higher Education Policy Institute |pages=footnote 14 |quote=Even within Russell Group institutions, it is remarkable how consistently Oxford and Cambridge appear to require more effort of their students than other universities. On the other hand, they have fewer weeks in the academic year than other universities, so the extent to which this is so may be exaggerated by these results.}}</ref> Undergraduates are also expected to prepare heavily in the three holidays known as the Christmas, Easter, and Long Vacation holiday periods, which are referred to by the university as vacations rather than holidays; students vacate the premises during these periods but are still expected to be pursuing studies and assignments.
{{Quotation|"{{lang|la|Dignissima domina, Domina Procancellaria et tota Academia praesento vobis hunc virum quem scio tam moribus quam doctrina esse idoneum ad gradum assequendum _____; idque tibi fide mea praesto totique Academiae.}}

The ] exam involves a mixture of lectures organised by the university department) and ] and organised by the colleges. Science subjects involve laboratory sessions organised by the departments. The relative importance of these methods of teaching varies according to the needs of the subject. Supervisions are typically weekly hour-long sessions in which small groups of students, usually between one and three students, who meet with a member of the teaching staff or with a doctoral student. Students are normally required to complete an assignment in advance of this supervision, which they then discuss with the supervisor during the session. The assignment is often an essay on a subject assigned by the supervisor, or a problem sheet set by the lecturer. Depending on the subject and college, students sometimes receive between one and four supervisory sessions each week.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Undergraduate Study – How will I be taught |url=http://www.study.cam.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/teaching.html |access-date=9 September 2012 |publisher=University of Cambridge |archive-date=12 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150212033748/http://www.study.cam.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/teaching.html |url-status=live }}</ref> This ] is often cited as being unique to Oxford, where supervisions are known as ]s,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shepherd |first=Jessica |date=25 January 2011 |title=Cambridge considers end to one-to-one tuition |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/2011/jan/25/cambridge-may-end-individual-tuition |access-date=9 May 2015 |archive-date=9 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109061231/http://www.theguardian.com/education/2011/jan/25/cambridge-may-end-individual-tuition |url-status=live }}</ref> and Cambridge and is sometimes credited with the exceptional nature generally associated with the education at these two world-renowned universities. A tutor named ] developed the concept of grading students' work quantitatively at the University of Cambridge in 1792.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Postman |first=Neil |title=Technopoly: The Surrender of Culture to Technology |title-link=Technopoly: The Surrender of Culture to Technology |publisher=] |year=1992 |isbn=978-0-679-74540-2 |location=New York City |author-link=Neil Postman}}</ref>

=== Research ===
{{See also|Category:Departments of the University of Cambridge}}
The University of Cambridge has research departments and teaching faculties in nearly every academic discipline, and ll research and lectures are conducted by university departments. The colleges are charged with giving or arranging most supervisions, student accommodation, and funding most extracurricular activities. During the 1990s, the University of Cambridge added a substantial number of new specialist research laboratories on several sites around the city, and major expansion continues.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-04-07 |title=Building Projects |url=https://www.em.admin.cam.ac.uk/what-we-do/development-estate/building-projects |access-date=26 January 2018 |publisher=University of Cambridge |archive-date=27 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127035338/https://www.em.admin.cam.ac.uk/what-we-do/development-estate/building-projects |url-status=live }}</ref> From 2000 to 2006, the University of Cambridge maintained a research partnership with ] in the United States, known as the ], which was discontinued after evolving into what is now called the CMI Partnership Programme.


===Graduation tradition and ceremony===
(Most worthy Vice-Chancellor and the whole University, I present to you this man whom I know to be suitable as much by character as by learning to proceed to the degree of ____; for which I pledge my faith to you and to the whole University.)"
] at a graduation ceremony.]]
] for graduation]]
The university's governing body ] manages and votes on graduations. A formal meeting of Regent House, known as a ], is held for this purpose,<ref name="Ceremony">{{Cite web |title=Graduation: The Ceremony |url=http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/students/studentregistry/current/newstud/graduation/ceremony.html |access-date=3 September 2012 |publisher=University of Cambridge |archive-date=18 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120418230241/http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/students/studentregistry/current/newstud/graduation/ceremony.html |url-status=live }}</ref> which is typically the final act during which all university procedures for undergraduate and graduate students and other degrees are finalised. After degrees are approved, candidates for graduation are required to request their respective college presents them during commencement congregation.


Graduates receiving an undergraduate degree wear the ] to which they are entitled prior to graduating; for example, most students becoming Bachelor of Arts graduates wear undergraduate gowns and not BA gowns. Graduates receiving a post-graduate degree wear the academic dress that they were entitled to before graduating if their first degree was also from the University of Cambridge; if their first degree was from another university, they wear the academic dress of the degree that they are about to receive. The BA gown without the strings is worn if the graduate is 24 years old or younger, and the MA gown without strings is worn if the graduate is 24 years old or older.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Graduation dress code |url=http://www.pem.cam.ac.uk/current-students/graduation/dress-code/ |access-date=3 September 2012 |publisher=] |archive-date=11 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811070502/https://www.pem.cam.ac.uk/current-students/graduation/dress-code |url-status=live }}</ref> Graduates are presented their degrees in ] by each respective college in order of foundation or recognition by the university, except for the university's royal colleges.
and female graduands with the following:


During the University of Cambridge's congregation ceremony, graduands are brought forth by the ] of their respective college, who takes them by the right hand and presents them to the vice-chancellor to receive the degree they have earned. The Praelector presents graduands with the following ] statement, substituting "____" with the name of the degree and substituting "woman" for "man" if the graduate is female:
"{{lang|la|Dignissima domina, Domina Procancellaria et tota Academia praesento vobis hanc mulierem quam scio tam moribus quam doctrina esse idoneam ad gradum assequendum ____; idque tibi fide mea praesto totique Academiae.}}


{{Blockquote|"{{lang|la|Dignissima domina, Domina Procancellaria et tota Academia praesento vobis hunc virum quem scio tam moribus quam doctrina esse idoneum ad gradum assequendum _____; idque tibi fide mea praesto totique Academiae.}}}}
(Most worthy Vice-Chancellor and the whole University, I present to you this woman whom I know to be suitable as much by character as by learning to proceed to the degree of ____; for which I pledge my faith to you and to the whole University.)"


The Latin statement translates in English as, "Most worthy Vice-Chancellor and the whole University, I present to you this man whom I know to be suitable as much by character as by learning to proceed to the degree of ____; for which I pledge my faith to you and to the whole University."
After presentation, the graduand is called by name and kneels before the vice-chancellor and proffers their hands to the vice-chancellor, who clasps them and then confers the degree through the following Latin statement—the ] ({{lang|la|in nomine Patris}}...) may be omitted at the request of the graduand:


After presentation, the graduate is called by name and kneels before the vice-chancellor and proffers their hands to the vice-chancellor, who clasps them and then confers the degree through the following Latin statement, known as the ] ({{lang|la|in nomine Patris}}), which may be omitted at the request of the graduand:
"{{lang|la|Auctoritate mihi commissa admitto te ad gradum ____, in nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti.}}


(By the authority committed to me, I admit you to the degree of ____, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.)"}} "{{lang|la|Auctoritate mihi commissa admitto te ad gradum ____, in nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti}}, which translates in English as: "By the authority committed to me, I admit you to the degree of ____, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."


The now-graduate then rises, bows and leaves the Senate House through the Doctor's door, where they receive their certificate, into ].<ref name="Ceremony" /> The new graduate then rises, bows, and leaves the Senate House through the Doctor's door in ], where they receive their degree certificate.<ref name="Ceremony" />


=== Libraries and museums === === Libraries and museums ===
Line 407: Line 457:
{{See also|Category:Museums of the University of Cambridge}} {{See also|Category:Museums of the University of Cambridge}}
]]] ]]]
], the art and antiquities museum of the University of Cambridge]]
The university has ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Facilities and resources |url=http://www.cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/courses/facilities.html |access-date=3 January 2013 |publisher=Cambridge Admissions Office}}</ref> The ] is the central research library, which holds over 8&nbsp;million volumes. It is a ] library, therefore it is entitled to request a free copy of every book published in the UK and Ireland.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Legal Deposit in the British Library |url=http://www.bl.uk/aboutus/stratpolprog/legaldep/ |access-date=3 January 2013 |publisher=The British Library}}</ref> In addition to the University Library and its dependents, almost every faculty or department has a specialised library; for example, the History Faculty's ] possesses more than 100,000 books. Furthermore, every college has a library as well, partially for the purposes of undergraduate teaching, and the older colleges often possess many early books and manuscripts in a separate library. For example, ] ] has more than 200,000 books printed before 1800, while ] ] possesses one of the greatest collections of medieval manuscripts in the world, with over 600 manuscripts.
The University of Cambridge has ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Facilities and resources |url=http://www.cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/courses/facilities.html |access-date=3 January 2013 |publisher=Cambridge Admissions Office |archive-date=12 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212150701/http://www.cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/courses/facilities.html |url-status=live }}</ref> ], which holds over eight million volumes, is the central research library. It is a ] library, which entitles it to request a free copy of every book published in the UK and Ireland.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Legal Deposit in the British Library |url=http://www.bl.uk/aboutus/stratpolprog/legaldep/ |access-date=3 January 2013 |publisher=The British Library |archive-date=9 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161109221146/http://www.bl.uk/aboutus/stratpolprog/legaldep |url-status=live }}</ref>


In addition to the University Library and its dependents, almost every faculty or department has a specialised library; for example, the History Faculty's ] houses in excess of 100,000 books. Every college also maintains a library, partly for the purpose of undergraduate teaching; older colleges often possess many early books and manuscripts in a separate library. For example, ] ] houses over 200,000 books printed before 1800 and ] ] has over 600 ], representing one of the largest such collections in the world. ] on the campus of ] houses the official papers of former British prime ministers ] and ].
], the art and antiquities museum of the University of Cambridge]]
Cambridge University operates eight arts, cultural, and scientific museums, and a botanic garden.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Museums & Collections |url=https://www.museums.cam.ac.uk/ |access-date=26 January 2018 |publisher=University of Cambridge}}</ref> The ], is the art and antiquities museum, the ] is a contemporary art gallery, the ] houses the university's collections of local antiquities, together with archaeological and ethnographic artefacts from around the world, the ] houses a wide range of zoological specimens from around the world and is known for its iconic ] skeleton that hangs outside. This Museum also has specimens collected by ]. Other museums include, the ], the ], the ] which is the geology museum of the university, the ], part of the ] which is dedicated to ] and his men, and focuses on the exploration of the Polar Regions.


The university operates eight arts, cultural, and scientific museums, and a ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Museums & Collections |url=https://www.museums.cam.ac.uk/ |access-date=26 January 2018 |publisher=University of Cambridge |archive-date=3 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203041402/https://www.museums.cam.ac.uk/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ] is the art and antiquities museum; ] is the university's ] gallery; the ] houses the university's collections of local antiquities along with archaeological and ] artefacts from around the world; ] houses a wide range of ] specimens from around the world and is known for its iconic ] skeleton that hangs outside the museum. Cambridge University Museum of Zoology also holds specimens collected by ], an 1831 University of Cambridge alumnus. Other museums include the ], ], ], the university's geology museum, which displays some of Darwin's geological specimens and equipment (Darwin had studied under Adam Sedgwick, and wrote "I a geologist" in a notebook in 1838), and ], part of the ], which is dedicated to ] and his men and focuses on the exploration of the ]. ], created in 1831, is the university's botanical garden.
The ] is the botanic garden of the university, created in 1831.


=== Publishing and assessments === === Publishing and assessments ===
{{see also|Cambridge University Press}}
The university's publishing arm, the ], is the oldest printer and publisher in the world, and it is the second largest university press in the world.<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 January 2002 |title=Oldest printing and publishing house |url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/2000/oldest-printing-and-publishing-house |access-date=28 March 2012 |publisher=Guinnessworldrecords.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Black |first=Michael |title=Cambridge University Press, 1583–1984 |year=1984 |isbn=978-0-521-66497-4 |pages=328–9}}</ref>
The university's publishing arm, ], is the oldest printer and publisher in the world and the second largest ] in the world.<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 January 2002 |title=Oldest printing and publishing house |url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/2000/oldest-printing-and-publishing-house |access-date=28 March 2012 |publisher=Guinnessworldrecords.com |archive-date=24 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024222944/http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/2000/oldest-printing-and-publishing-house |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Black |first=Michael |title=Cambridge University Press, 1583–1984 |year=1984 |isbn=978-0-521-66497-4 |pages=328–9|publisher=Cambridge University Press }}</ref> It is also the largest department of the university by financial income, reporting income above £800 million.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 2022 |title=Financial statements of the University of Cambridge |url=https://www.cam.ac.uk/system/files/university_of_cambridge_group_annual_reports_financial_statements_2021-22.pdf |access-date=13 April 2023 |archive-date=11 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311042357/https://www.cam.ac.uk/system/files/university_of_cambridge_group_annual_reports_financial_statements_2021-22.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>


The university set up its Local Examination Syndicate in 1858. Today, the syndicate, which is known as ], is Europe's largest assessment agency and it plays a leading role in researching, developing and delivering assessments across the globe.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About OCR – Oxford and Cambridge and RSA Examinations |url=http://www.ocr.org.uk/about-us/ |access-date=3 January 2013 |publisher=]}}</ref> The university established its Local Examination Syndicate in 1858, now known as ] after its merger with Cambridge University Press. It is the largest assessment agency in Europe. Cambridge University Press & Assessment plays a leading role in researching, developing, and delivering assessments around the world.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About OCR – Oxford and Cambridge and RSA Examinations |url=http://www.ocr.org.uk/about-us/ |access-date=3 January 2013 |publisher=] |archive-date=4 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130104090903/http://www.ocr.org.uk/about-us/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Awards===
{{Main|Awards and prizes of the University of Cambridge}}
The University of Cambridge issues a number of prestigious awards and prizes annually to accomplished University of Cambridge faculty and students. It also issues some awards to those of varying global academic accomplishment regardless of whether their recipient is affiliated with the University of Cambridge. Some of these awards and prizes rank among the world's most estimable academic and intellectual accomplishments. Among the most prominent of them are:
* ], awarded annually to the university's top-performing student in economics
* ], awarded annually by University of Cambridge mathematics faculty to a UK resident in recognition of distinguished research in mathematics
* ], awarded annually to students who win the ] and ] poetry competition
* ], a prize issued to winners of an annual competition of the university's undergraduate and graduate in ] translation of ] passeges
* ], a prize issued to winners of the university's annual poetry competition
* ], a prize for students who develop the best Greek composition
* ], awarded annually to the ] student for the best medical school thesis
* ], awarded annually for the best English language poem on a sacred subject
* ], awarded annually to the university's top performing student on the Part II of ]<ref name="Forfar 1996" />
* ], awarded every other year for the best essay about British literature or history
* ], awarded annually to the top performing ] student in the areas of probability, statistics, finance and optimization.
* ], awarded annually to the top ] student
* ], awarded annually to the top performing ] student in areas of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics (DAMTP)


=== Reputation and rankings === === Reputation and rankings ===
{{Infobox UK university rankings
{{Infobox university rankings|Complete_N=2|QS_N_year=2023|QS_W_year=2022|ARWU_N_year=2021|ARWU_W_year=2021|TEF_N_ref=<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/teaching/tef-outcomes/|title=TEF outcomes - Office for Students|date=19 June 2019|website=www.officeforstudents.org.uk}}</ref>|ARWU_N_ref=<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.shanghairanking.com/institution?name&r=United%20Kingdom}}</ref>|Complete_N_ref=<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/rankings|title=University League Tables 2022|website=www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk}}</ref>|QS_N_ref=<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2023}}</ref>|QS_W=2|QS_N=1|ARWU_N=1|TEF_N=Gold|QS_W_ref=<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2022|title=QS World University Rankings 2022|website=Top Universities}}</ref>|ARWU_W_ref=<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.shanghairanking.com/institution?name&r=United%20Kingdom}}</ref>|ARWU_W=3|Complete_N_year=2022|FT_N_MBA_year=2022|CWTS_N_ref=<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.leidenranking.com/|title=CWTS Leiden Ranking|first=Centre for Science and Technology|last=Studies (CWTS)|website=CWTS Leiden Ranking}}</ref>|CWTS_N=3|FT_N_MBA_ref=<ref name="auto2">{{Cite web|url=https://rankings.ft.com/rankings/2866/mba-2022}}</ref>|FT_N_MBA=2|CWTS_N_year=2021|THE_W=5|THE_W_ref=<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2022#!/page/0/length/25/sort_by/rank/sort_order/asc/cols/stats}}</ref>|THE_W_year=2022|Guardian_N=2|Guardian_N_ref=<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/ng-interactive/2021/sep/11/the-best-uk-universities-2022-rankings}}</ref>|Guardian_N_year=2022|SundayTimes_N=3|SundayTimes_N_ref=<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/uk-university-rankings-revealed-the-times-league-table-dbxtwgm70}}</ref>|SundayTimes_N_year=2022}}
| ARWU_W = 4
| QS_W = 5
| THE_W = 5
| Complete = 1
| The_Guardian = 3
| Times/Sunday_Times = 4
|USNWR_W=6}}
] performance over the past ten years]]


Owing to its age<ref name=BhopalMyers>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oWGmEAAAQBAJ&pg=PT12|page=12|title=Elite Universities and the Making of Privilege: Exploring Race and Class in Global Educational Economies|publisher=]|author1=Kalwant Bhopal|author2=Martin Myers|date=31 January 2023|isbn=9781000829105 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-SJIEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA108|title=You2Uni: Decide. Prepare. Apply|page=108|author=Stella Cottrell|publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing|date=16 September 2017|isbn=9781137022431 }}</ref> and its social and academic status,<ref name=Abbott>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Dx-0BQAAQBAJ&pg=PA40|title=Student Life in a Class Society|author=Joan Abbott|publisher=Elsevier|page=40|date=17 May 2014|isbn=9781483186580 | orig-date=1971}}</ref><ref name=Dent>{{cite journal|jstor=40220510|title=Old and New Universities|author=H. C. Dent|journal= Bulletin of the American Association of University Professors|publisher=]|pages=88–91|issue=1|date=February 1944|volume=30 |doi=10.2307/40220510}}</ref> the University of Cambridge is considered to be one of Britain's most prestigious or elite universities<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xwm4BgAAQBAJ&pg=PT100|page=92|title=The Gove Legacy: Education in Britain after the Coalition|author=M. Finn|publisher=Springer|date=20 February 2015|isbn=9781137491510 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MX5vAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA6|page=6|title=Christianity and the University Experience: Understanding Student Faith|author1=Mathew Guest|author2= Kristin Aune|author3= Sonya Sharma|author4= Rob Warner|publisher=A&C Black|date=12 September 2013|isbn=9781780936215}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=1Ol-AgAAQBAJ&pg=PA89|title=Gentrification in a Global Context|author1=Rowland Atkinson|author2= Gary Bridge|publisher=Routledge|date=10 December 2004|page=89|isbn=9781134330652 }}</ref> and to form, along with the ], a top two that stand above other UK universities in this regard.<ref name=BhopalMyers/><ref name=Abbott/><ref name=Dent/><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KLKoDQAAQBAJ&pg=PT42|page=42|title=Meeting Jesus at University: Rites of Passage and Student Evangelicals|author=Edward Dutton|publisher=Routledge| date=5 December 2016|isbn=9781351918374 }}</ref>
Cambridge is regularly ranked within the top 5 universities in the world and is currently ranked as the second best University in the world, only behind the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) by the QS Rankings,<ref>{{Cite web |title=QS World University Rankings 2023: Top Global Universities |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2023 |access-date=2022-06-08 |website=Top Universities |language=en}}</ref> and placed it third in the world (1st in the UK) by the prestigious ] rankings, only behind ] and ],<ref>{{Cite web |title=ShanghaiRanking's Academic Ranking of World Universities |url=https://www.shanghairanking.com/rankings/arwu/2020 |access-date=19 July 2021 |website=www.shanghairanking.com}}</ref> and fifth in the world (tied with MIT) by the 2022 Times Higher Education Rankings.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 August 2021 |title=World University Rankings |url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2022/world-ranking |access-date=20 September 2021 |website=Times Higher Education (THE) |language=en}}</ref> Cambridge also ranked fourth in the 2020 ] behind Harvard, MIT and Stanford, and ahead of Oxford.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 October 2020 |title=World Reputation Rankings |url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2020/reputation-ranking |access-date=21 July 2021 |website=Times Higher Education (THE) |language=en}}</ref>


The University of Cambridge is routinely ranked among the world's top five universities, and has sometimes been ranked as the world's best. As of 2024, the University of Cambridge is ranked the second-best university in the world behind the ] and the best university in Europe by '']''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=QS World University Rankings 2023: Top Global Universities |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2023 |access-date=8 June 2022 |website=Top Universities |language=en |archive-date=17 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120917171555/https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> '']'' ranks Cambridge the fourth-best university in the world as of 2024 behind ], ], and MIT.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ShanghaiRanking's Academic Ranking of World Universities |url=https://www.shanghairanking.com/rankings/arwu/2022 |access-date=1 March 2023 |website=www.shanghairanking.com |archive-date=15 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190815195442/http://www.shanghairanking.com/ARWU2019.html |url-status=live }}</ref> '']'' ranks Cambridge third-best in the world (tied with Stanford) in its 2023 rankings behind ] and Harvard.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 August 2021 |title=World University Rankings |url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2023/world-ranking |access-date=12 October 2022 |website=Times Higher Education |language=en |archive-date=25 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230225204846/https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2023/world-ranking |url-status=live }}</ref>
In April 2022, the QS Rankings ranked Cambridge's programmes among the very best in the world, with a 2nd place for Arts and Humanities, 2nd for Engineering and Technology,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Best Universities for Engineering in the UK |url=https://www.studyin-uk.com/study-guide/best-universities-engineering-uk/ |access-date=2022-06-16 |website=SI-UK: Move Forward. Be Great. |language=en}}</ref> 4th for Life Sciences and Medicine, 3rd for Natural Sciences, and 4th for Social Sciences and Management <ref>{{Cite web |title=QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022 |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/subject-rankings/2022 |access-date=8 April 2022 |website=Top Universities |language=en}}</ref>


In April 2022, ''QS Rankings'' ranked Cambridge's programmes among the world's best. Cambridge's Arts and Humanities program is ranked second-best in the world. The University of Cambridge's Engineering and Technology program is ranked second-best in the world. Its Life Sciences and Medicine program is ranked fourth-best in the world. Its Natural Sciences program is ranked third-best in the world. Its Social Sciences and Management program is ranked fourth-best in the world.<ref>{{Cite web |title=QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022 |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/subject-rankings/2022 |access-date=8 April 2022 |website=Top Universities |language=en |archive-date=26 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221026155514/https://www.topuniversities.com/subject-rankings/2022 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Cambridge is consistently ranked as one of the top universities in the world.<ref>{{Cite news |date=26 September 2018 |title=World University Rankings |language=en |work=Times Higher Education (THE) |url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2019/world-ranking#!/page/0/length/25/sort_by/rank/sort_order/asc/cols/stats |url-status=live |access-date=28 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181021113908/https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2019/world-ranking#!/page/0/length/25/sort_by/rank/sort_order/asc/cols/stats |archive-date=21 October 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Adams |first=Susan |title=An Expert List of the World's Best Universities |language=en |work=Forbes |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2018/09/26/an-expert-list-of-the-worlds-best-universities/#1a4003fe4f02 |url-status=live |access-date=28 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928105708/https://www.forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2018/09/26/an-expert-list-of-the-worlds-best-universities/#1a4003fe4f02 |archive-date=28 September 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Strauss |first=Karsten |date=23 September 2016 |title=The World's Top Universities 2016 |work=Forbes |url=http://www3.forbes.com/leadership/the-worlds-top-universities-2016/?kwp_0=245103 |url-status=live |access-date=20 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730132011/http://www3.forbes.com/leadership/the-worlds-top-universities-2016/?kwp_0=245103 |archive-date=30 July 2017}}</ref> In 2011, ] (THE) recognised Cambridge as one of the world's "six super brands" on its ''World Reputation Rankings'', along with ], ], ], ] and ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Morgan |first=John |title=Top Six Universities Dominate THE World Reputation Rankings |url=http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/world-university-rankings/2011/reputation-ranking/analysis |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150331070357/http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/world-university-rankings/2011/reputation-ranking/analysis |archive-date=31 March 2015 |access-date=29 July 2017 |quote="The rankings suggest that the top six-...Stanford University and the University of Oxford – form a group of globally recognised "super brands".}}</ref>


In 2011, '']'' recognised the University of Cambridge as one of the world's six super brands in its "World Reputation Rankings" along with ], Harvard, MIT, Oxford, and Stanford.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Morgan |first=John |title=Top Six Universities Dominate THE World Reputation Rankings |url=http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/world-university-rankings/2011/reputation-ranking/analysis |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150331070357/http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/world-university-rankings/2011/reputation-ranking/analysis |archive-date=31 March 2015 |access-date=29 July 2017 |quote="The rankings suggest that the top six-...Stanford University and the University of Oxford – form a group of globally recognised "super brands".}}</ref>
Cambridge has been highly ranked by most ] and ] league tables. In particular, it had topped the ''QS World University Rankings'' from 2010/11 to 2011/12.<ref name="QS2010">{{Cite web |title=QS World University Rankings (2010) |url=http://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110403044940/http://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2010 |archive-date=3 April 2011}}</ref><ref name="QS2011">{{Cite web |title=QS World University Rankings (2011) |url=http://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001010736/http://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2011/ |archive-date=1 October 2011}}</ref> A 2006 '']'' overall ranking, which combined elements of the THES-QS and ARWU rankings with other factors that purportedly evaluated an institution's global "openness and diversity", suggested Cambridge was sixth around the globe.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Top 100 Global Universities |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14321230/site/newsweek/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080522052332/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14321230/site/newsweek/ <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=22 May 2008 |access-date=8 September 2008 |publisher=MSNBC}}</ref> In ''The Guardian'' newspaper's 2012 rankings, Cambridge had overtaken Oxford in philosophy, law, politics, theology, maths, classics, anthropology and modern languages.<ref name="Shepherd">{{Cite news |last=Shepherd |first=Jessica |date=16 May 2011 |title=University Guide 2012: Cambridge tops The Guardian league table |work=The Guardian |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/2011/may/16/cambridge-tops-guardian-league-table}}</ref> In the 2009 ''Times Good University Guide Subject Rankings'', it was ranked top (or joint top) in 34 out of the 42 subjects which it offers.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Watson |first=Roland |last2=Elliott |first2=Francis |last3=Foster |first3=Patrick |title=The Times Good University Guide Subject Rankings |work=] |url=http://extras.timesonline.co.uk/tol_gug/gooduniversityguide.php |url-status=dead |access-date=26 November 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081110122902/http://extras.timesonline.co.uk/tol_gug/gooduniversityguide.php |archive-date=10 November 2008}}</ref>


The University of Cambridge has been highly ranked by most ] and ] league tables. It was ranked the best university in the world by ''QS World University Rankings'' in both their 2010–11 and 2011–12 rankings.<ref name="QS2010">{{Cite web |title=QS World University Rankings (2010) |url=http://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110403044940/http://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2010 |archive-date=3 April 2011}}</ref><ref name="QS2011">{{Cite web |title=QS World University Rankings (2011) |url=http://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001010736/http://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2011/ |archive-date=1 October 2011}}</ref>
Within the UK, Cambridge is ranked at No.1 by the Times Ranking and at No. 2 by The Complete Guide. According to the 2016 Complete University Guide, the University of Cambridge is ranked first amongst the UK's universities; this ranking is based on a broad raft of criteria from entry standards and student satisfaction to quality of teaching in specific subjects and job prospects for graduates.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Sweeney |first=Kate |date=27 April 2015 |title=Cambridge retains UK's top university ranking |url=http://www.businessweekly.co.uk/news/academia-research/cambridge-retains-uk's-top-university-ranking |journal=Business Weekly |access-date=9 May 2015}}</ref> The university is ranked as the second best university in the UK for the quality of graduates according to recruiters from the UK's major companies.<ref>{{Cite news |date=12 November 2015 |title=The best UK universities chosen by major employers |work=Times Higher Education |location=London |url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/student/news/best-uk-universities-chosen-major-employers}}</ref>


In the 2001 and 2008 Government ]s, Cambridge was ranked first in the country.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Major |first=Lee Elliot |date=14 December 2001 |title=Cambridge tops research tables |work=The Guardian |location=UK |url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/2001/dec/14/researchassessmentexercise.highereducation7 |access-date=9 May 2015}}</ref> In 2005, it was reported that Cambridge produces more PhDs per year than any other British university (over 30% more than second placed Oxford).<ref>{{Cite news |last=MacLeod |first=Donald |date=22 September 2005 |title=University figures show sharp research divide |work=The Guardian |location=UK |url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/2005/sep/22/highereducation.uk2 |access-date=8 September 2008}}</ref> In 2006, a ] study showed that Cambridge has the highest research paper output of any British university, and is also the top research producer (as assessed by total paper citation count) in 10 out of 21 major British research fields analysed.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 May 2006 |title=Thomson Scientific ranks UK research |url=http://scientific.thomson.com/press/2006/8319732/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080821202159/http://scientific.thomson.com/press/2006/8319732/ |archive-date=21 August 2008 |access-date=8 September 2008 |publisher=Thomson Scientific}}</ref> Another study published the same year by Evidence showed that Cambridge won a larger proportion (6.6%) of total British research grants and contracts than any other university (coming first in three out of four broad discipline fields).<ref>{{Cite journal |date=20 October 2006 |title=Cambridge continues its domination of research resources |url=http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/news/cambridge-continues-its-domination-of-research-resources/206147.article |journal=] |access-date=9 May 2015}}</ref> In 2006, a ] study reported that the University of Cambridge had the highest research paper output of any British university and ranked first in research production as assessed by total paper citation count in ten of 21 major British research fields.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 May 2006 |title=Thomson Scientific ranks UK research |url=http://scientific.thomson.com/press/2006/8319732/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080821202159/http://scientific.thomson.com/press/2006/8319732/ |archive-date=21 August 2008 |access-date=8 September 2008 |publisher=Thomson Scientific}}</ref> An evidence-based study published the same year showed that the University of Cambridge won a larger proportion (6.6%) of total British research grants and contracts than any other university, ranking first in three out of four major measured discipline fields.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=20 October 2006 |title=Cambridge continues its domination of research resources |url=http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/news/cambridge-continues-its-domination-of-research-resources/206147.article |journal=] |access-date=9 May 2015 |archive-date=18 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518063522/http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/news/cambridge-continues-its-domination-of-research-resources/206147.article |url-status=live }}</ref>
The university is also closely linked with the development of the high-tech ] in and around Cambridge, which forms the area known as ] or sometimes the "Cambridge Phenomenon". In 2004, it was reported that Silicon Fen was the second largest ] market in the world, after ]. Estimates reported in February 2006 suggest that there were about 250 active ] directly linked with the university, worth around US$6&nbsp;billion.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cambridge University press release |url=http://www.entrepreneurs.jbs.cam.ac.uk/news/news.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061008053114/http://www.entrepreneurs.jbs.cam.ac.uk/news/news.htm |archive-date=8 October 2006}}</ref>


== Student life ==
{{see also|Academic dress of the University of Cambridge|List of organisations and institutions associated with the University of Cambridge|List of social activities at the University of Cambridge}}


=== Formal halls and May balls ===
== Student life ==
] at ] during the 2005 ]]]
] ]
One privilege of student life at the University of Cambridge is the opportunity to attend formal dinners at a student's respective college, known as ] that are held regularly during academic terms and daily at some of the university's colleges. During Formal Hall, students typically sit down for a meal in their ] while ]s and sometimes guests eat separately at a so-called High Table. The beginning and end of the function is usually marked with ], which is said in ]. Special Formal Halls are organised for Christmas and the Commemoration of Benefactors.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sheinman |first=Anna |date=4 January 2012 |title=Inside Cambridge: Fizz, Fellows and Formal Hall |work=Huffington Post |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/anna-sheinman/cambridge-formals_b_1180791.html |access-date=9 May 2015 |archive-date=11 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111103414/http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/anna-sheinman/cambridge-formals_b_1180791.html |url-status=live }}</ref>


After the exam period, ] is held during which it is customary to celebrate by attending ]s, which are all-night lavish parties held in the colleges where food, drinks, and entertainment are provided. So-called Suicide Sunday, the first day of May Week, is a popular date for ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Living in Cambridge |url=http://www.catalog.group.cam.ac.uk/cambridge.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512090224/http://www.catalog.group.cam.ac.uk/cambridge.html |archive-date=12 May 2012 |access-date=9 May 2015 |publisher=Cambridge Trainee Librarians' Online Group}}</ref>
=== Student Unions ===
{{Main|Cambridge Students' Union}}
All students at the University of Cambridge are represented by ]. The SU was founded in 2020 as a merger of two existing Student Unions in Cambridge: CUSU (the Cambridge University Students‘ Union) and the GU (the Graduate Union). CUSU previously represented all University students, and the GU solely represented graduate students.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Graduate Union |url=https://www.gradunion.cam.ac.uk/ |access-date=4 July 2018 |publisher=Cambridge University Graduate Union}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=27 June 2012 |title=About the Union |url=http://www.cusu.cam.ac.uk/union/ |access-date=2 September 2012 |publisher=Cambridge University Students' Union}}</ref>


===JCR and MCR===
The eight most important positions in the SU are occupied by ]s.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 July 2021 |title=Officers |url=https://www.cambridgesu.co.uk/yourunion/officers/ |access-date=9 September 2021 |publisher=Cambridge Students' Union}}</ref> In 2020, the sabbatical officers were elected with a turnout of 20.88% of the whole student body.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bayliss, Killeen & Lally |first=Chloe, Molly & Catherine |date=5 March 2020 |title=Live: Cambridge SU election results |url=https://www.varsity.co.uk/news/18904 |access-date=9 September 2021 |publisher=Varsity}}</ref>
In addition to university-wide representation, students can participate in their own college student unions, which are known as ] (JCR) for undergraduates and Middle Combination Room (MCR) for post-graduates. These serve as a link between college staff and members and include officers elected annually between the fellow students; individual JCR and MCRs also report to ], which offers training courses for some of the positions within the body.<ref>{{Cite web |title=JCRs/MCRs |url=https://www.cusu.co.uk/communities/jcrs-mcrs/ |access-date=26 January 2019 |publisher=Cambridge University Students' Union |archive-date=27 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127094342/https://www.cusu.co.uk/communities/jcrs-mcrs/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


===Societies===
In 2021, Cambridge Students' Union started a petition against the financial collaboration between the university and the government of the United Arab Emirates worth £400m. The Union cited the cause of the petition as the warning of the "values gap" and threat to "academic freedom and institutional autonomy" reviewed in the internal documents. Citing the grave history of violating the international law of human rights, the Cambridge UCU warned of the university staff of being vulnerable to the repression of gender, sexuality, or freedom of expression.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Statement on the University's proposed partnership with the UAE |url=https://www.cambridgesu.co.uk/news/article/jobs/Statement-on-the-Universitys-proposed-partnership-with-the-UAE/ |access-date=6 August 2021 |website=Cambridge SU}}</ref>
{{Main|Category:Clubs and societies of the University of Cambridge}}
{{See also|Cambridge Union|Cambridge University Moral Sciences Club}}
] at ], the world's oldest continuing running debate society]]
Numerous student-run societies exist at the University of Cambridge designed to encourage students who share common passions or interests to periodically meet or discuss these interests. {{as of|2010}}, there were 751 registered societies at the university.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 January 2010 |title=Societies Directory |url=http://www.cusu.cam.ac.uk/societies/directory/ |access-date=2 September 2012 |publisher=Cambridge University Students' Union |archive-date=7 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181007050624/https://www.cusu.cam.ac.uk/societies/directory/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In addition to these, individual colleges often promote their own societies and sports teams.


Although technically independent from the university, ], a globally-renowned debate organization and the oldest debate organization in the world, offers students high-level debate and public speaking experience. Drama societies include the ] and the comedy club ], whose alumni include many well-known show business personalities. The university's ], composed entirely of university students, offers a range of orchestra programs, including symphonies.
=== Sexual harassment ===
In recent years, Cambridge has come under increased criticism and legal challenges for its mishandling of sexual harassment claims.<ref>"," ''Varsity News'', 16 November 2018.</ref><ref>"S ," ''Varsity News'', 28 July 2019.</ref> In 2019, for example, former student Danielle Bradford sued Cambridge through noted sexual harassment lawyer ] for how the university handled her complaint of sexual misconduct. "I was told that I should think about it very carefully because making a complaint could affect my place in my department."<ref>Rosie Bradbury, "," ''Varsity News'', 13 August 2019.</ref> In 2020, hundreds of current and former students accused the university in a letter of "a complete failure" to deal with complaints of sexual misconduct.<ref>James Tapper, "," ''The Guardian'', 22 February 2020.</ref>


=== Sport === ===Sports===
{{See also|Category:Sport at the University of Cambridge}} {{Main|Category:Sport at the University of Cambridge}}
]]] {{See also|Cambridge University Cricket Club|List of Cambridge University Boat Race crews|Cambridge University Polo Club}}
]]]
] is one of the most popular sports at the University of Cambridge, and there are competitions between colleges, notably the ]s. The University of Cambridge's rowing competition against ] is known as the ]. ]es against Oxford also exist in other sports, including ], ], ], and ]. Athletes who representing the university in a varsity match are entitled to a ] or a Half Blue, depending on the sport and other criteria.<ref name="Hawks-2" />


The ] opened in August 2013. Phase one included a sports hall, a fitness suite, a strength and conditioning room, a multi-purpose room, and ] and ] courts. Phase two of its development included five glass-backed ] courts and a team training room. Future phases include indoor and outdoor tennis courts and a swimming pool.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cambridge Sports Centre |url=http://www.sport.cam.ac.uk/facilities/CambridgeSportsCentre/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419011852/http://www.sport.cam.ac.uk/facilities/CambridgeSportsCentre/index.html |archive-date=19 April 2014 |access-date=19 April 2014 |publisher=Cambridge University Sports Department}}</ref>
] is a particularly popular sport at Cambridge, and there are competitions between colleges, notably the ]s, and against Oxford, the ]. There are also ]es against Oxford in many other sports, ranging from ] and ], to ] and ]. Athletes representing the university in certain sports are entitled to apply for a ] at the discretion of the ''Blues Committee'', consisting of the captains of the thirteen most prestigious sports. There is also the self-described "unashamedly elite" ], which is for men only, whose membership is usually restricted to Cambridge Full Blues and Half Blues.<ref>{{Cite web |editor-last=Hawks' Club |title=Origins of the Cambridge Blue |url=http://www.hawksclub.co.uk/the-club/club-history.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130420100258/http://www.hawksclub.co.uk/the-club/club-history.aspx |archive-date=20 April 2013 |access-date=4 January 2013 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> The Ospreys are the equivalent female club.


The ] opened in August 2013. Phase 1 included a 37x34m Sports Hall, a Fitness Suite, a Strength and Conditioning Room, a Multi-Purpose Room and ] and ] courts. Phase 1b included 5 glass backed ] courts and a Team Training Room. Future phases include indoor and outdoor tennis courts and a swimming pool.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cambridge Sports Centre Cambridge University Sports Department |url=http://www.sport.cam.ac.uk/facilities/CambridgeSportsCentre/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419011852/http://www.sport.cam.ac.uk/facilities/CambridgeSportsCentre/index.html |archive-date=19 April 2014 |access-date=19 April 2014 |publisher=Sport.cam.ac.uk}}</ref> The university also has an ] at ], an indoor ] school, and ], the cricket ground for ]. The university has an ice hockey club called ]. The ] is a private members' club for the university's leading sportsmen.<ref name="Hawks-2">{{Cite web |editor-last=Hawks' Club |title=Origins of the Cambridge Blue |url=http://www.hawksclub.co.uk/the-club/club-history.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130420100258/http://www.hawksclub.co.uk/the-club/club-history.aspx |archive-date=20 April 2013 |access-date=4 January 2013 }}</ref> The Ospreys are the equivalent female club.


===Student newspapers and radio===
The university also has an ] at Wilberforce Road, an Indoor Cricket School and ] Cricket Ground.

=== Societies ===
{{See also|List of social activities at the University of Cambridge|Category:Clubs and societies of the University of Cambridge}}
] in the Main Chamber of ]]]

Numerous student-run societies exist in order to encourage people who share a common passion or interest to periodically meet or discuss. {{as of|2010}}, there were 751 registered societies.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 January 2010 |title=Societies Directory |url=http://www.cusu.cam.ac.uk/societies/directory/ |access-date=2 September 2012 |publisher=Cambridge University Students' Union}}</ref> In addition to these, individual colleges often promote their own societies and sports teams.

Although technically independent from the university, the ] serves as a focus for debating and public speaking, as the oldest free speech society in the world, and the largest in Cambridge. Drama societies notably include the ] and the comedy club ], which are known for producing well-known show-business personalities. The Cambridge University ] explores a range of programmes, from popular symphonies to lesser known works; membership of the orchestra is composed of students of the university.

=== Newspapers and radio ===
{{See also|Category:Publications associated with the University of Cambridge}} {{See also|Category:Publications associated with the University of Cambridge}}
Cambridge's oldest student newspaper is '']''. Established in 1947, notable figures who have edited the newspaper include ], ] media editor ], and '']'' international editor ]. The student newspaper also has featured the early writings of ], who appeared in ''Varsity''{{'s}} literary anthology offshoot '']'', ], ], and ].


''Varsity'' has a circulation of 9,000 and is the only student publication published weekly. News stories from ''Varsity'' have appeared in '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', and '']''.
Cambridge's oldest student newspaper is '']''. Established in 1947, notable figures to have edited the paper include ], BBC media editor ], and Vogue international editor ]. It has also featured the early writings of ] (who appeared in Varsity's literary anthology offshoot, '']''), ], ], and ].


Other student publications include '']'', which is funded by ] and is published fortnightly, '']'', and '']'' Founded by two University of Cambridge students in 2009, ''The Tab'' is an online media outlet featuring light-hearted features content. ''The Mays'' is a literary anthology including student prose, poetry, and visual art from both University of Cambridge and ] students. Founded in 1992 by three Cambridge students, the anthology publishes once a year and is overseen by Varsity Publications Ltd., the same body responsible for ''Varsity''. Another literary journal, ''Notes'', is published roughly twice per term. Additionally, many colleges have their own student-run publications.
With a print run of 9,000, ''Varsity'' is the only student paper to go to print on a weekly basis. News stories from the paper have recently appeared in ''The Guardian'', ''The Times'', ''The Sunday Times'', ''The Daily Telegraph'', ''The Independent'', and ''The i''.


The student radio station, ], is run jointly by University of Cambridge and ] students. The station holds an ] licence (frequency 97.2&nbsp;MHz), and hosts a mixture of music, talk, and sports shows.
Other student publications include '']'', which is funded by Cambridge University Students' Union and goes to print on a fortnightly basis, and '']''. Founded by two Cambridge students in 2009, ''The Tab'' is online-only (apart from one print edition in Freshers' Week), and mostly features light-hearted features content.


=== Student Union ===
'']'' is a literary anthology made up of student prose, poetry, and visual art from both Cambridge and Oxford. Founded in 1992 by three Cambridge students, the anthology goes to print on an annual basis. It is overseen by Varsity Publications Ltd, the same body that is responsible for ''Varsity'', the newspaper.
{{Main|Cambridge Students' Union}}
All students at the University of Cambridge are represented by ], which was founded in 2020 as a merger of two student unions, ] (CUSU) and the Graduate Union (GU). CUSU previously represented all University students, and GU represented graduate students.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Graduate Union |url=https://www.gradunion.cam.ac.uk/ |access-date=4 July 2018 |publisher=Cambridge University Graduate Union |archive-date=13 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113154343/https://www.gradunion.cam.ac.uk/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=27 June 2012 |title=About the Union |url=http://www.cusu.cam.ac.uk/union/ |access-date=2 September 2012 |publisher=Cambridge University Students' Union |archive-date=20 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220225857/https://www.cusu.cam.ac.uk/union/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>


The eight most important positions in Cambridge Students' Union are occupied by ]s.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 July 2021 |title=Officers |url=https://www.cambridgesu.co.uk/yourunion/officers/ |access-date=9 September 2021 |publisher=Cambridge Students' Union |archive-date=17 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917121544/https://www.cambridgesu.co.uk/yourunion/officers/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2020, the sabbatical officers were elected with a turnout of 20.88% of the whole student body.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Bayliss |last2=Killeen |last3=Lally |first1=Chloe |first2=Molly |first3=Catherine |date=5 March 2020 |title=Live: Cambridge SU election results |url=https://www.varsity.co.uk/news/18904 |access-date=9 September 2021 |publisher=Varsity |archive-date=9 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210909093026/https://www.varsity.co.uk/news/18904 |url-status=live }}</ref>
There are many other journals, magazines, and zines. Another literary journal, ''Notes'', is published roughly two times per term. Many colleges also have their own publications run by students.


In 2021, Cambridge Students' Union launched a petition opposing the financial collaboration between the university and the government of ] that was worth £400m. The Union cited a "values gap" and threat to "academic freedom and institutional autonomy" following the release of internal UAE documents. Citing UAE's history of violating international human rights laws, it warned that university staff were vulnerable under the partnership to repression by gender, sexuality, or freedom of expression.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Statement on the University's proposed partnership with the UAE |url=https://www.cambridgesu.co.uk/news/article/jobs/Statement-on-the-Universitys-proposed-partnership-with-the-UAE/ |access-date=6 August 2021 |website=Cambridge SU |archive-date=6 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210806160203/https://www.cambridgesu.co.uk/news/article/jobs/Statement-on-the-Universitys-proposed-partnership-with-the-UAE/ |url-status=dead |date=6 August 2021 }}</ref>
The student radio station, ], is run together with students from Anglia Ruskin university. One of few student radio stations to have an FM licence (frequency 97.2&nbsp;MHz), the station hosts a mixture of music, talk, and sports shows.


In 2023, 72% of the Students' Union voted in favour of hosting talks regarding the removal of all animal products from cafes and canteens operated by the university's catering services. The students backed ] food in response to threats to the climate and biodiversity. The vote is non-binding since the university controls the catering service. The vote was supported by the student chapter of ].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Badshah |first=Nadeem |date=21 February 2023 |title=Cambridge University students vote for completely vegan menus |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/2023/feb/21/cambridge-university-students-vote-for-completely-vegan-menus |access-date=12 April 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=12 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412080510/https://www.theguardian.com/education/2023/feb/21/cambridge-university-students-vote-for-completely-vegan-menus |url-status=live }}</ref> After the vote, ] decided to serve only vegan food at its ] in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Darwin to hold first ever 'vegan' May Ball |url=https://www.varsity.co.uk/news/25360 |access-date=12 April 2023 |website=Varsity Online |language=en |archive-date=12 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412080835/https://www.varsity.co.uk/news/25360 |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== JCR and MCR ===
]]]


=== Politics ===
In addition to university-wide representation, students can benefit from their own college student unions, which are known as JCR ('']'') for undergraduates and MCR (''Middle Combination Room'') for postgraduates. These serve as a link between college staff and members and consists of officers elected annually between the fellow students; individual JCR and MCRs also report to CUSU, which offers training courses for some of the positions within the body.<ref>{{Cite web |title=JCRs/MCRs |url=https://www.cusu.co.uk/communities/jcrs-mcrs/ |access-date=26 January 2019 |publisher=Cambridge University Students' Union}}</ref>
A protest in ] with an attendance of over a thousand students and residents – the city's largest demonstration – called on the University of Cambridge to ] from Israel over Israel's actions in the ] during the ].<ref name="varoctlarge">{{cite news |last1=Williams |first1=Eric |last2=Hilton |first2=Daniel |title=Protesters call for divestment in Cambridge's biggest pro-Palestinian demonstration |url=https://www.varsity.co.uk/news/26399 |work=Varsity Online |date=28 October 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Pro-Palestinian protest in Cambridge calls for ceasefire in Gaza as flag projected onto King's College |url=https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/pro-palestinian-protest-cambridge-calls-28044184 |work=Cambridgeshire Live |date=4 November 2023}}</ref> Students and staff also walked out of lectures in protest over the same issues.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Williams |first1=Eric |last2=Armstrong |first2=Felix |title=Hundreds walk out of lectures in pro-Palestinian protest |url=https://www.varsity.co.uk/news/26520 |work=Varsity Online |date=10 November 2023 |language=en}}</ref>


] at the University of Cambridge wrote an open letter to the university, with more than 1,400 signatories, demanding it acknowledge the "slaughter of innocent Palestinians", "sever financial ties with Israel" as it had with Russia following the ], and demanding it investigate its financial ties with ] that potentially supplied to Israel, mentioning, among others, ] and ].<ref name="varoctlarge"/><ref name="varNov">{{cite news |last1=Williams |first1=Eric |title=Over 1,400 students and staff demand Cambridge 'sever financial ties' with Israel |url=https://www.varsity.co.uk/news/26308 |work=Varsity Online |date=20 October 2023 |language=en}}</ref>
=== Formal Halls and May Balls ===
] at ] during its 2005 ]]]

One privilege of student life at Cambridge is the opportunity to attend formal dinners at college. These are called ] and occur regularly during term time, daily at some colleges. Students sit down for a meal in their ] (at most colleges), while ]s, and sometimes guests, eat separately at ''High Table.'' the beginning and end of the function is usually marked with a grace said in Latin. Special Formal Halls are organised for events such as Christmas and the Commemoration of Benefactors.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sheinman |first=Anna |date=4 January 2012 |title=Inside Cambridge: Fizz, Fellows and Formal Hall |work=Huffington Post |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/anna-sheinman/cambridge-formals_b_1180791.html |access-date=9 May 2015}}</ref>

After the exam period, ] is held and it is customary to celebrate by attending ]s. These are all-night long lavish parties held in the colleges where food and drinks are served and entertainment is provided. ''Suicide Sunday'', the first day of May Week, is a popular date for organising ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Living in Cambridge |url=http://www.catalog.group.cam.ac.uk/cambridge.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512090224/http://www.catalog.group.cam.ac.uk/cambridge.html |archive-date=12 May 2012 |access-date=9 May 2015 |publisher=Cambridge Trainee Librarians' Online Group}}</ref>
{{clear}}


== Notable alumni and academics == == Notable alumni and academics ==
{{Main category|Alumni of the University of Cambridge}} {{summarize|from|List of University of Cambridge people|section=y|brevity=y}}
{{Excessive examples|section|date=October 2024}}
{{Main category|Academics of the University of Cambridge}}
{{Main list|List of University of Cambridge people}} {{Main|List of University of Cambridge people}}
{{Further|List of Nobel laureates affiliated with the University of Cambridge|Alumni Cantabrigienses}} {{See also|List of Nobel laureates by university affiliation|Alumni Cantabrigienses}}
The University of Cambridge has produced many distinguished alumni in various fields. As of 2020,<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1980 |url=https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/chemistry/1980/sanger/facts/ |access-date=12 July 2019 |website=NobelPrize.org |language=en-US |archive-date=3 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403124932/https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/chemistry/1980/sanger/facts/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1958 |url=https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/chemistry/1958/sanger/facts/ |access-date=12 July 2019 |website=NobelPrize.org |language=en-US |archive-date=4 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004052925/https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/chemistry/1958/sanger/facts/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 70 alumni have won Nobel Prizes. As of 2019, Cambridge alumni, faculty members, and researchers have won 11 ]s and seven ]s. Highly notable University of Cambridge alumni by specialty include:


=== Education ===
Over the course of its history, a number of Cambridge University academics and alumni have become notable in their fields, both academic and in the wider world. As of October 2020, 121 affiliates of the University of Cambridge have won 122 Nobel prizes (] won twice<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1980 |url=https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/chemistry/1980/sanger/facts/ |access-date=2019-07-12 |website=NobelPrize.org |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1958 |url=https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/chemistry/1958/sanger/facts/ |access-date=12 July 2019 |website=NobelPrize.org |language=en-US}}</ref>), with 70 former students of the university having won the prize. In addition, as of 2019, Cambridge alumni, faculty members and researchers have won 11 Fields Medals and 7 Turing Awards.
{{see also|Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge}}
Notable alumni in academia include the founders and early professors of ], including ] himself; ], founder of ] at Cambridge, the first residential higher education institution for women, and ], founder of the first mixed-sex ] (i.e. private) in England; ], 20th century mathematician and founder of the ] in ], ], founder and vice chancellor of ]; and ], president of ] in Israel.


=== Mathematics and sciences === === Humanities, music, and art ===
]—whose family was also benefactor of ]]] ], who led the ]]]
]]] ], philosopher and poet]]
], philosopher]]
In the humanities, Greek studies were inaugurated at the University of Cambridge in the early sixteenth century by ]; contributions to the field were made by ] and ]. ] was associated with ] in the decipherment of ]. The Latinist ] taught at the university but is more widely known for his contributions as a poet. ] made a significant contribution to ].


University of Cambridge academics include economists such as ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ]. Notable philosophers include ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ]. Notable alumni historians include ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ].
Among the most famous of Cambridge natural philosophers is ], who conducted many of his experiments in the grounds of Trinity College. Others are ], who was responsible for the development of the ] and the mathematicians ] and ]. ] include ], ], ] and ]; ], a specialist in geometry; ], inventor of the ]; ], first to state the law of acceleration; ], the self-taught genius who made substantial contributions to ], ], ] and ]; and ], who brought about the "second great unification of physics" (the first being accredited to Newton) with his classical theory of ]. In 1890, mathematician ] was the person with the highest score in the Cambridge Mathematical Tripos exams, but as a woman was unable to take the title of ']'.


Notable alumni in religion include ], the former ] and his predecessors; ], the biblical translator; ], ], and ], known as the Oxford martyrs from the place of their execution; ] and the ]; ], the Christian philosopher known primarily for formulating the ] for the existence of God; ] and ], largely responsible for the ] of the ]; Evangelical churchman ]; ], the bishop of Natal who interpreted Scripture and its relations with native peoples that seemed dangerously radical at the time; ] and ], theologians; and six winners of the ], the highest accolade in the world associated with the study of religion.
In biology, ], famous for developing the theory of ], was an alumnus of ], although his education was intended to allow him to become a clergyman. Biologists ] and ] worked out a model for the three-dimensional structure of ] while working at the ]; Cambridge graduates ] and especially ] produced key ] data, which was shared with Watson by Wilkins. Wilkins went on to help verify the proposed structure and win the Nobel Prize with Watson and Crick. More recently, ] was part of the team responsible for the first cloning of a mammal (] in 1996), naturalist and broadcaster ], ethologist ], expert on chimpanzees was a PhD student, anthropologist ], former vice-chancellor of the university, and ], a biochemist known for developing ] and receiving two Nobel prizes.


Notable University of Cambridge alumni in the field of musical composition include ], ], ], ] and, more recently, ], ], ], ], ], and ]. The university has also produced world-renowned instrumentalists and conductors, including ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ]. Although the university in music predominantly for its contributions to ], university alumni in popular music include members of contemporary bands such as ], ], ], ], ] songwriter and entertainer ], ], and the singer-songwriter ].
Despite the university's delay in admitting women to full degrees, Cambridge women were at the heart of scientific research throughout the 20th century. Notable female scientists include; biochemist ], plant physiologist ], social anthropologist ], psycho-analyst ], who with her husband translated the works of ], ]-winner ], co-discovery of specialised brain networks for memory and cognition. Veterinary epidemiologist ] has worked to eliminate ] in the ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Prof Sarah Cleaveland |url=http://www.sacids.org/kms/frontend/?l=389 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140514003136/http://www.sacids.org/kms/frontend/?l=389 |archive-date=14 May 2014 |access-date=10 June 2014 |publisher=Southern African Centre for Infectious Disease Surveillance}}</ref>


Artists ], ], ], and ], sculptors ], ], and ], and photographers ], ], and ] are each University of Cambridge alumni.
The university can be considered the birthplace of the computer, mathematician and "father of the computer" ] designed the world's first computing system as early as the mid-1800s. ] went on to devise what is essentially the basis for modern computing and ] later created the first programmable computer. The ] was also invented at Cambridge University, showing the ] in the Computer Laboratories.


=== Literature ===
In physics, ] who is regarded as the father of ], spent much of his life at the university where he worked closely with ] and ], a major contributor to the understanding of the ], ], discoverer of the ], ], discoverer of the ], and ] and ], responsible for first splitting the atom. ], leader of the ] that developed the ], also studied under Rutherford and Thomson. ] devised the ] technique during the Second World War to disrupt ] on enemy planes.
], theoretical physicist]] ], English poet]]
Writers to have studied at the university include the Elizabethan dramatist ], his fellow ], ], and ], arguably the first professional authors in England, and ] who collaborated with ] on '']'', '']'', and the lost '']'' and succeeded him as house playwright for ]. ] matriculated in 1650, known for his ], the original manuscripts of which are now housed in the ] at Magdalene College. ], whose novel '']'' is judged to have inspired many modern narrative devices and styles. In the following century, the novelists ], author of '']'', ], author of '']'' and '']'', and ], remembered for '']'' and '']'', are all University of Cambridge alumni.


Ghost story writer ] served as provost of King's College from 1905 to 1918. Novelist ] was the first Jewish woman to attend the university. Modernist writers to have attended the university include ], ], ], ], and ]. Playwright ], physicist and novelist ], and children's writer ] are each early 20th century alumni of the university. They were followed by postmodernists ], ], and early postcolonial writer ]. More recently, alumni include comedy writers ], ] and ], the popular novelists ], ], ], ], ], ], and ], action writers ], ], and ], and contemporary playwrights and screenwriters, including ], ], ], and ], as well as musical theatre writers ] and ].
Astronomers ], ], ], the discoverer of ] and one of the pioneers of ]; ], theoretical physicist and the university's long-serving ] until 2009; and ], the current ] and former Master of Trinity College. ], a mathematician before his entrance into the ] ], received the ] for his work reconciling science and religion.


Within poetry, University of Cambridge alumni include the poets ], author of '']'', metaphysical poets ], who wrote '']'', ] and ], and ], who is renowned for '']'', Restoration poet and playwright ], pre-romantic poet ] best known his '']'', ], and ], whose joint work '']'' is often cited as marking the beginning of the ], later Romantics including ] and the post-romantic ], authors of the best known ] poems, including ] known for "]" with the first line "Gather ye rosebuds while ye may", and ], who authored "]", classical scholar and lyric poet ], war poets ] and ], modernist ], confessional poets ], ], and ], and, more recently, ], ], ], and ].
Other significant scientists include ], the discoverer of ]; ], co-inventor of the jet engine; ], who formulated the original ]; ], who invented the camera, ], Einstein's major opponent; ], one of the fathers of radio science; ], who made extensive contributions to both theoretical and experimental physics in the 20th century; and ], who first proposed a ] theory.
], philosopher, poet]]


At least nine ] graduated from the University of Cambridge. University alumni have also made notable contributions to literary criticism, having produced, among others, ], ], ], and ], often collectively known as the ], the Marxists ], sometimes regarded as the founding father of ], and ], author of ''Literary Theory: An Introduction'', the most successful academic book ever published, the aesthetician ], new historicist ], and biographical writers including ], a central figure in the ], ], and ].
=== Humanities, music and art ===
In the humanities, Greek studies were inaugurated at Cambridge in the early sixteenth century by ]; contributions to the field were made by ] and ]. ] was associated with ] in the decipherment of ]. The Latinist ] taught at Cambridge but is more widely known as a poet. ] made a significant contribution to ].


Actors and directors who attended the University of Cambridge include ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ]. Directors ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ] each are alumni of the university.
], philosopher]]
Distinguished Cambridge academics include economists such as ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ], a former Master of Trinity College. Philosophers ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ] were all Cambridge scholars, as were historians such as ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ] and Karl W Schweizer, author and historian.


=== Mathematics and sciences ===
Religious figures have included ], former ] and his predecessors; ], the biblical translator; ], ], and ], known as the "Oxford martyrs" from the place of their execution; ] and the ]; ], the Christian philosopher known primarily for formulating the ] for the existence of God; ] and ], largely responsible for the ] of the ]; Evangelical churchman ]; ], the bishop of Natal who developed views on the interpretation of Scripture and relations with native peoples that seemed dangerously radical at the time; ] and ], theologians; and six winners of the ], the highest accolade for the study of religion since its foundation in 1972.
], evolutionary biologist]]
], theoretical physicist and cosmologist]]
], mathematician and physicist who developed ] and ]]]
], a theoretical physicist]]
], who conducted many of his experiments on the grounds of Trinity College, ranks among the most famed University of Cambridge alumni. Other alumni of the university include ], who developed the ] of inquiry, mathematicians ] and ], ] ], ], ], and ]; ], a geometry specialist; ], inventor of the ]; ], first to explain the law of acceleration; ], a genius who made substantial contributions to ], ], ], and ]; and ], who brought about the second great unification of physics (the first being accredited to Newton) with his classical theory of ]. In 1890, mathematician ], a University of Cambridge student, registered the highest score in the Cambridge Mathematical Tripos exams but as a woman was then ineligible to claim the title ].


In biology, University of Cambridge alumni include ], famous for developing the theory of ] and explaining evolution, is an alumnus of ]. Biologists ] and ] developed the model explaining the three-dimensional structure of ] while working at the ]; University of Cambridge graduates ] and especially ] produced key ] data, which was shared with Watson by Wilkins. Wilkins went on to verify the proposed structure and win the Nobel Prize with Watson and Crick. More recently, ] was part of the team responsible for the first cloning of a mammal (] in 1996), naturalist and broadcaster ], ethologist ], expert on chimpanzees was a PhD student at the university, anthropologist ], former vice-chancellor of the university, and ], a biochemist known for developing ] and receiving two Nobel prizes.
]]]
Composers ], ], ], ] and, more recently, ], ], ], ], ] and ] were all at Cambridge. The university has also produced instrumentalists and conductors, including ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ]. Although known primarily for its ], the university has also produced members of contemporary bands such as ], ], ], ], ] songwriter and entertainer ], ], and the singer-songwriter ].


Despite the university's delay in admitting women to its full degree programs, women associated with the University of Cambridge have been at the heart of scientific research throughout the 20th century. Notable female scientists include biochemist ], plant physiologist ], social anthropologist ], psychoanalyst ], who with her husband translated the works of ], ]-winner ], responsible for co-discovering specialised brain networks for memory and cognition. Veterinary epidemiologist ] has contributed to advances in eliminating ] in the ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Prof Sarah Cleaveland |url=http://www.sacids.org/kms/frontend/?l=389 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140514003136/http://www.sacids.org/kms/frontend/?l=389 |archive-date=14 May 2014 |access-date=10 June 2014 |publisher=Southern African Centre for Infectious Disease Surveillance}}</ref>
Artists ], ], ] and ], sculptors ], ] and ], and photographers ], ] and ] all attended as undergraduates.


The university is widely considered the birthplace of the computer; mathematician and father of the computer ] designed the world's first computing system as early as the mid-1800s. Cambridge alumnus ] devised the basis for modern computing, and ] later created the first programmable computer. The ] was also invented at the University of Cambridge, showing the ] in the university's computer laboratories.
=== Literature ===
], often claimed to be ], playwright]]


In physics, ], regarded as the father of ], spent much of his life at the university, where he worked closely with ] and ], a major contributor to the understanding of the ], ], discoverer of the ], ], discoverer of the ], and ] and ], responsible for first splitting the atom. ], leader of the ] that developed the ], also studied under Rutherford and Thomson. ] devised the ] technique used during ] to disrupt ] on ]' planes.
Writers to have studied at the university include the Elizabethan dramatist ], his fellow ] ] and ], arguably the first professional authors in England, and ], who collaborated with Shakespeare on '']'', '']'' and the lost '']'' and succeeded him as house playwright of ]. ] matriculated in 1650, known for his ], the original manuscripts of which are now housed in the ] at Magdalene College. ], whose novel '']'' is judged to have inspired many modern narrative devices and styles. In the following century, the novelists ], best known for '']'', ], author of '']'' and '']'', and ], remembered for '']'' and '']'', were all at Cambridge.


University of Cambridge alumni in astronomy include ], ], and ], discoverer of ] and one of the pioneers of ]; ], theoretical physicist and the university's long-serving ] until 2009; and ], the current ] and former Master of Trinity College. ], a mathematician before his ordination to the ] ], received the ] for his work reconciling science and religion.
Ghost story writer ] served as provost of King's College from 1905 to 1918. Novelist ] was the first Jewish woman to attend the university. Modernist writers to have attended the university include ], ], ], ] and ]. Although not a student, ] wrote her essay '']'' while in residence at Newnham College. Playwright ], physicist and novelist ] and children's writer ] were also among those who passed through the university in the early 20th century. They were followed by the postmodernists ], ], and the early postcolonial writer ]. More recently, alumni include comedy writers ], ] and ], the popular novelists ], ], ], ], ], ] and ], the action writers ], ] and ], and contemporary playwrights and screenwriters such as ], ], ] and ].


Other significant university alumni in science include ], who discovered ]; ], co-inventor of the jet engine; ], who formulated the original ]; ], who invented the camera, ], Einstein's major opponent; ], one of the fathers of radio science; ], who made extensive contributions to both theoretical and experimental physics in the 20th century; and ], who first proposed the ] theory.
], English poet]]
], Author]]
Cambridge poets include ], author of '']'', the Metaphysical poets ] (who penned "]"), ] and ], ], renowned for his late epic '']'', the Restoration poet and playwright ], the pre-romantic ], best known his '']'', ] and ], whose joint work '']'' is often seen to mark the beginning of the ], later Romantics such as ] and the postromantic ], authors of the best known ] poems including ] best known "]" with the first line "Gather ye rosebuds while ye may" and ] who authored "]", classical scholar and lyric poet ], war poets ] and ], modernist ], confessional poets ], ] and ], and, more recently, ], ], ] and ]. At least nine of the Poets Laureate graduated from Cambridge. The university has also made a notable contribution to literary criticism, having produced, among others, ], ], ] and ], often collectively known as the ], the Marxists ], sometimes regarded as the founding father of ], and ], author of ''Literary Theory: An Introduction'', the most successful academic book ever published, the Aesthetician ], the New Historicist ], and biographical writers such as ], a central figure in the ], ] and ].


===Politics===
], comedian and actor]]
], statesman, politician and soldier who served as ]]]
Actors and directors such as ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ] all studied at the university, as did directors such as ], ], ], ], ] and ].
The University of Cambridge has a strong reputation in the field of politics, having educated:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Why Cambridge? |url=http://www.jbs.cam.ac.uk/execed/aboutus/whycambridge/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020090024/http://www.jbs.cam.ac.uk/execed/aboutus/whycambridge/index.html |archive-date=20 October 2012 |access-date=9 May 2015 |publisher=Cambridge Judge Business School}}</ref>
* ], ] (1653–58)<ref>{{Cite web |title='A brave bad man': Oliver Cromwell, 1599–1658 |url=http://www.lib.cam.ac.uk/exhibitions/Cromwell/cromwell.kiosk.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141227134549/http://www.lib.cam.ac.uk/exhibitions/Cromwell/cromwell.kiosk.htm |archive-date=27 December 2014 |access-date=9 May 2015 |publisher=Cambridge University Library}}</ref>
* 14 ], including ], who is widely regarded as the first British Prime Minister. The last Cambridge graduate to have served as British Prime Minister was ].
* At least 30 foreign heads of state or government, including presidents of India, Ireland, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, South Korea, and Zambia; along with prime ministers of Australia, Burma, France, India, Jordan, Malaysia, Malta, Thailand, Pakistan, Poland, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand
* At least nine monarchs, including Kings ], ], and (current King) ] of the United Kingdom, King ], Queen ], and ]. The university had also educated a large number of royals, including ]
* Three signatories of the ], ], ], and ]<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 March 2012 |title=International Cambridge – United States of America |url=http://www.cam.ac.uk/international/research/usa.html |access-date=2 September 2012 |publisher=University of Cambridge |archive-date=5 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120905204229/http://www.cam.ac.uk/international/research/usa.html |url-status=live }}</ref>


=== Sports === ===Sports===
By 2016, athletes who are university graduates or attendees had won 194 Olympic medals, including 88 gold medals.<ref name="Hawks" /> Alumni of the university include Chinese six-time world table tennis champion ]; sprinter and athletics hero ]; inventors of the modern game of football, ] and ]; Indian cricketer Colonel H. H. Shri Sir ]; and ], the mountaineer.


===Technology===
{{Asof|2016}}, athletes who are university graduates or attendees had won a total of 194 Olympic medals, including 88 gold.<ref name="Hawks" /> The legendary Chinese six-time world table tennis champion ]; the sprinter and athletics hero ]; the inventors of the modern game of football, ] and ]; and ], the famed mountaineer all attended Cambridge. Furthermore, Indian Cricketer Colonel H. H. Shri Sir ], Jam Saheb of Nawanagar (often known as Ranji), is widely regarded as one of the best batsmen of not only his generation but also all time. He only played for one year at the university from 1893 to 1894.
University of Cambridge alumni are responsible some of the world's greatest advances in technology, and several have gone on to found or co-found leading technology companies, including:

* ], co-founder and chief executive officer of ], a British artificial intelligence subsidiary of ] responsible for the ] and ] breakthroughs in ]
=== Education ===
* ] and Rob Whitehead, co-founders of ], a British multinational company developing video game simulation software

* ] and ], co-founders of ], a British semiconductor and software design company still based in Cambridge
Notable educationalists to have attended the university include the founders and early professors of Harvard University, including ] himself; ], founder of Girton College, the first residential higher education institution for women, and ], founder of the first mixed-sex ] (i.e. not public) in England; ], 20th century mathematician and founder of the ] in ], ] founder ] of ] and ], Israeli President of ].
* ], co-founder and chief executive officer of ], a Nigerian software and financial services company

* ], founder, president, and CTO of a business, as well as chairman and president of another business; expert on navigation using novel methods
=== Politics ===
Cambridge has a strong reputation in the field of politics, having educated:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Why Cambridge? |url=http://www.jbs.cam.ac.uk/execed/aboutus/whycambridge/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020090024/http://www.jbs.cam.ac.uk/execed/aboutus/whycambridge/index.html |archive-date=20 October 2012 |access-date=9 May 2015 |publisher=Cambridge Judge Business School}}</ref>
* Fourteen ], including ], considered to be the first Prime Minister of Great Britain.
* At least 30 foreign Heads of State/Government, including presidents of India, Ireland, Zambia, South Korea, Uganda and Trinidad and Tobago; along with Prime Ministers of India, Burma, Pakistan, South Africa, New Zealand, Poland, Australia, France, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Malta, Thailand, Malaysia, and Jordan.
* At least nine monarchs, including ], ], King ], Queen ] and ]. The university has also educated ] and a large number of other royals.
* Three signatories of the ] (], ], ]).<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 March 2012 |title=International Cambridge – United States of America |url=http://www.cam.ac.uk/international/research/usa.html |access-date=2 September 2012 |publisher=University of Cambridge}}</ref>
* ], ] (1653–58).<ref>{{Cite web |title='A brave bad man': Oliver Cromwell, 1599–1658 |url=http://www.lib.cam.ac.uk/exhibitions/Cromwell/cromwell.kiosk.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141227134549/http://www.lib.cam.ac.uk/exhibitions/Cromwell/cromwell.kiosk.htm |archive-date=27 December 2014 |access-date=9 May 2015 |publisher=Cambridge University Library}}</ref>

=== Technology ===

Cambridge has a long history of developing technological talent, boasting a rich list of companies founded by Cambridge alumni. Notably, the following alumni:
* ], co-founder and CEO of ], a British artificial intelligence subsidiary of ] behind the ] and ] breakthroughs in AI.
* ] and ], co-founders of ], a British semiconductor and software design company still based in Cambridge.
* Sam Chaudhary, co-founder of ], a San Francisco-based EdTech company connecting teachers with their students and families.
* Philip Kwok, co-founder of EasyA, an EdTech company which gets students 1:1 academic help from tutors in minutes.
* Rahul Vohra, founder of Superhuman, an email messaging app which reduces the time people need to spend on emails.
* ] and Rob Whitehead, co-founders of ], a British multinational company developing video game simulation software.


== In literature and popular culture == == In literature and popular culture ==
{{See also|List of fictional Cambridge colleges|A Disappearing Number|Cambridge Spies|Chariots of Fire|Chariots of Fire (play)|High Table, Lower Orders|Category:Novels set in the University of Cambridge|Porterhouse Blue (TV series)|Psmith|Rock 'n' Roll (play)|The Reeve's Tale|The Riddle of the Sphinx (Inside No. 9)| }}
{{See also|List of fictional Cambridge colleges}}
Throughout its history, the University of Cambridge has frequently been featured in literature, artistic works, television, and film. Cambridge was mentioned as early as the 14th century in ]'s '']''. In '']'', the two main fictional characters are students at a University of Cambridge college called Soler Halle, which is believed to refer to ] and is now part of ].<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Soler Halle |url=https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803100517654 |journal=Oxford Reference |language=en |access-date=15 September 2020 |archive-date=6 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606125900/https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803100517654 |url-status=live }}</ref> The university has been the setting for all or parts of numerous novels, including ]' '']'', ]'s '']'',<ref>{{Cite news |date=24 December 1932 |title=They were defeated |page=7 |work=Evening Post |location=Wellington, NZ |url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=EP19321224.2.33.5 |url-status=live |access-date=7 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110921022121/http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=EP19321224.2.33.5 |archive-date=21 September 2011}}</ref> and ]'s '']''.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Crowley |first=Joseph N. |url=https://archive.org/details/noequalinworlda00crow |title=No equal in the world: an interpretation of the academic presidency |publisher=University of Nevada Press |year=1994 |isbn=978-0-87417-237-9 |location=Reno, NV |page= |access-date=25 February 2012 |url-access=registration}}</ref>

Throughout its history, the university has frequently featured in literature and artistic works by various authors. As of 2020, ] lists 71 films or TV shows that include Cambridge as a filming location.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Filming Location Matching "Cambridge University, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, UK" (Sorted by Popularity Ascending) |url=http://www.imdb.com/search/title/?locations=Cambridge+University,+Cambridge,+Cambridgeshire,+England,+UK |access-date=21 August 2020 |website=IMDb}}</ref>

Cambridge was mentioned as early as the 14th century in ]'s '']''. In '']'', the two main characters are students at a Cambridge college called "Soler Halle". It is believed that this refers to ], which is now part of ].<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Soler Halle |url=https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803100517654 |journal=Oxford Reference |language=en |access-date=15 September 2020}}</ref>

The university has been the setting for all or part of numerous novels, including ]' '']'', ]'s '']'',<ref>{{Cite news |date=24 December 1932 |title=They were defeated |page=7 |work=Evening Post |location=Wellington, NZ |url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=EP19321224.2.33.5 |url-status=live |access-date=7 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110921022121/http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=EP19321224.2.33.5 |archive-date=21 September 2011}}</ref> and ]'s '']''.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Crowley |first=Joseph N. |url=https://archive.org/details/noequalinworlda00crow |title=No equal in the world: an interpretation of the academic presidency |publisher=University of Nevada Press |year=1994 |isbn=978-0-87417-237-9 |location=Reno, NV |page= |access-date=25 February 2012 |url-access=registration}}</ref>


Other notable examples of Cambridge in popular culture include: Other notable examples of the University of Cambridge in popular culture include:
* ]'s best-known poem (1928) is ''Zaibie Kangqiao'' (]: 再别康桥; ]: 再別康橋;.: 'again (or "once more") leave Cambridge'), variously translated into English as "On Leaving Cambridge", "Saying Goodbye to Cambridge Again", "Goodbye Again, Cambridge", etc. The poem is part of China's national curriculum taught to all schoolchildren and has generated a tremendous amount of adoration of Cambridge in China.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cox |first=David |date=22 March 2016 |title=Poetry or property punts: what's driving China's love affair with Cambridge? |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2016/mar/22/china-cambridge-university-poet-xu-zhimo-farewell-property |access-date=23 August 2020 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> * ]'s best-known poem, "On Leaving Cambridge" (]: 再别康桥; ]: 再別康橋), published in 1928, is part of ] taught to all schoolchildren and has generated a tremendous amount of adoration of the University of Cambridge in China.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cox |first=David |date=22 March 2016 |title=Poetry or property punts: what's driving China's love affair with Cambridge? |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2016/mar/22/china-cambridge-university-poet-xu-zhimo-farewell-property |access-date=23 August 2020 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=8 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108092926/http://www.theguardian.com/cities/2016/mar/22/china-cambridge-university-poet-xu-zhimo-farewell-property |url-status=live }}</ref>
* In the '']'' series (1908–1923 collection of novels) by ], both the ] and ], his closest friend, study at Cambridge University. * In the '']'' series, a collection of novels published between 1908 and 1923 by ], the ] and ], his closest friend, study at the University of Cambridge.
* '']'' (1981 film) by ] is partly set at Cambridge between 1919 and 1924, when protagonist ] (played by ]) was a student there. * The 1981 film '']'' is partly set at Cambridge between 1919 and 1924 when protagonist ] (played by ]) was a student there.
* '']'' (1983) features ] in the "church scene". Many members of Monty Python are Cambridge alumni. * The 1983 film '']'' features ] in the film's church scene.
* '']'' (1996) is a film about the mutiny at the time of the Oxford-Cambridge ] of 1987. * The film ], based on the 1971 novel ], is partly filmed at the University of Cambridge.
* The 1989 film '']'' features character John Keating (played by ]), who is a Welton Academy English teacher described in his senior annual as "Cambridge bound".
* '']'' (2008) is a film about a group of boys applying to do history at ] and Cambridge.
* The 1996 film '']'' centers around a mutiny at the time of the 1985 ].
* In ]'s 2011 film '']'', ] is shown meeting his nemesis, ], in Moriarty's office, with a brief stock shot establishing this as ], where Moriarty is a professor.
* The television series '']'' (1993–2004) features ], portrayed by ], who studied as a graduate student at Cambridge.
* In ]'s 2014 Biographical film '']'', young ] falls in love with literature student Jane Wilde at Cambridge University, where both of them study.
* In the television series '']'' (2007–2019), ], portrayed by ], studied astrophysics at Cambridge, and ], portrayed by ], studied law at Cambridge.
* '']'' is a 2014 historical drama that features ] (played by ]) prominently. Several lines in the film's dialogue make reference to Turing being a Cambridge alumnus and fellow of ] of Cambridge.
* In the 2002 film ], a chimpanzee carrying the "Rage" virus is freed from a fictional Cambridge laboratory.
* The 2015 film '']'' about mathematician ] was filmed at ], where Ramanujan was a ].
* The 2008 film '']'' is about a group of boys applying to study history at Cambridge and ].
* In the 2011 film '']'', ] is shown meeting his nemesis, ], in Moriarty's office with a brief stock shot establishing it as ], where Moriarty is a professor.
* In the 2014 biographical film '']'', young ] falls in love with literature student Jane Wilde at the University of Cambridge, where both of them study.
* The 2014 film '']'' is a historical drama that features ] (played by ]), who is referenced as being a Cambridge alumnus and fellow at ] at Cambridge.
* The 2015 film '']'' about mathematician ] was filmed at ], where Ramanujan was a fellow.
* ] (2018) was partly filmed at the University of Cambridge. Joan Smith (played by ]), loosely inspired by ], is depicted as studying physics at Cambridge.
* The 2021 film ] features multiple ] with ties to the University of Cambridge, including ] (played by ]) and ] (played by ]).
* The ] television series '']'' (2014–) is partly set in and filmed at Cambridge.
* The television series '']'' (2021–) stars ] as Professor Jasper Tempest, a genius University of Cambridge criminologist.


== Gallery == == Gallery ==
<gallery mode="packed"> <gallery mode="packed">
File:Cmglee Cambridge Trinity College Great Court.jpg|Great Court, ] File:Cmglee Cambridge Trinity College Great Court.jpg|Great Court at ]
File:Corpus Christi College New Court, Cambridge, UK - Diliff.jpg|] New Court File:Corpus Christi College New Court, Cambridge, UK - Diliff.jpg|New Court at ]
File:Cambridge Gonville and Caius College.jpg|Gatehouse, ] File:Cambridge Gonville and Caius College.jpg|Gatehouse at ]
File:Pembroke College graduation.jpg|First Court, ] File:Pembroke College graduation.jpg|First Court at ]
File:Selwyn College Gatehouse Tower, Cambridge, UK - Diliff.jpg|Gatehouse, ] File:Selwyn College Gatehouse Tower, Cambridge, UK - Diliff.jpg|Gatehouse at ]
File:St Catharine's College Catz University of Cambridge Cambridge England Britain UK United Kingdom United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (40307549695).jpg|Main Court, ] File:St Catharine's College Catz University of Cambridge Cambridge England Britain UK United Kingdom United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (40307549695).jpg|Main Court at ]
File:Hughes Hall and Fenners in February (geograph 4824048).jpg|] and ] File:Hughes Hall and Fenners in February (geograph 4824048).jpg|] and ]
File:Bredon house.png|Bredon House of ] File:Bredon house.png|Bredon House at ]
File:St Edmund's Aerial.jpg|] File:St Edmund's Aerial.jpg|]
File:Flowers (233225591).jpeg|West Lodge Garden, ] File:Flowers (233225591).jpeg|West Lodge Garden at ]
File:Graduation day, Queens' College, Cambridge.JPG|] Old Gatehouse File:Graduation day, Queens' College, Cambridge.JPG|Old Gatehouse at ]
File:Magdalene College Dining Hall, Cambridge, UK - Diliff - sans lens flares.jpg|Dining Hall of ] File:Magdalene College Dining Hall, Cambridge, UK - Diliff - sans lens flares.jpg|Dining Hall at ]
File:JesusCollegeChapelCourt.jpg|Chapel Court, ] File:JesusCollegeChapelCourt.jpg|Chapel Court at ]
File:St John's College Second Court, Cambridge, UK - Diliff.jpg|Second Court, ] File:St John's College Second Court, Cambridge, UK - Diliff.jpg|Second Court at ]
File:Cambridge 13 Trinity Hall 01a Exterior.jpg|] File:Cambridge 13 Trinity Hall 01a Exterior.jpg|]
File:The Cavendish Building, Cambridge (Homerton College) 2012.jpg|The Cavendish Building, ] File:The Cavendish Building, Cambridge (Homerton College) 2012.jpg|The Cavendish Building at ]
File:Darwin College Granary Store, Cambridge, England.jpg|] File:Darwin College Granary Store, Cambridge, England.jpg|]
File:Sidney Sussex Chapel.jpg|The chapel, ] File:Sidney Sussex Chapel.jpg|The chapel at ]
File:Cambridge University Judge Business School interior.jpg|] interior File:Cambridge University Judge Business School interior.jpg|The interior of ]
File:Fitzwilliam college grove summer.jpg|The Grove at ] File:Fitzwilliam college grove summer.jpg|The Grove at ]
File:Cambridge - Girton College Main Gate - June 2018.jpg|Gatehouse, ] File:Cambridge - Girton College Main Gate - June 2018.jpg|Gatehouse at ]
File:Banner celebrating 800 years of University of Cambridge.jpg|2009 Banner celebrating 800 years of University of Cambridge
</gallery> </gallery>


== See also == == See also ==
{{Portal|United Kingdom}} {{Portal|United Kingdom}}
* ]
* ] * ]
* ] * ]
* ]
* ] * ]
* ] * ]
* ] * ]
* ] * ]
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== Notes == == Notes ==
{{Reflist|30em|group="note"}}
{{notelist|30em}}
{{NoteFoot}} {{NoteFoot}}


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* {{Cite book |last=Deacon |first=Richard |title=The Cambridge Apostles: A History of Cambridge University's Elite Intellectual Secret Society |publisher=Cassell |year=1985 |isbn=978-0-947728-13-7 |ref=none}} * {{Cite book |last=Deacon |first=Richard |title=The Cambridge Apostles: A History of Cambridge University's Elite Intellectual Secret Society |publisher=Cassell |year=1985 |isbn=978-0-947728-13-7 |ref=none}}
* Garrett, Martin (2004). ''Cambridge: A Cultural and Literary History'', Signal Books. {{ISBN|1-902669-79-7}} * Garrett, Martin (2004). ''Cambridge: A Cultural and Literary History'', Signal Books. {{ISBN|1-902669-79-7}}
* Koyama, Noboru; Ruxton, Ian, transl. {{Cite web |title=''Japanese Students at Cambridge University in the Meiji Era, 1868–1912: Pioneers for the Modernization of Japan'' |url=http://www.dhs.kyutech.ac.jp/~ruxton/hatenkou.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090217225922/http://www.dhs.kyutech.ac.jp/~ruxton/hatenkou.html |archive-date=17 February 2009 |access-date=8 August 2009}}, {{Cite book |url=http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/1/prweb201396.htm |title=A Translation from a Japanese Original |publisher=Lulu Press |year=2004 |isbn=978-1-4116-1256-3}} This book includes information about the wooden spoon and the university in the 19th century as well as the Japanese students. * Koyama, Noboru; Ruxton, Ian, transl. {{Cite web |title=''Japanese Students at Cambridge University in the Meiji Era, 1868–1912: Pioneers for the Modernization of Japan'' |url=http://www.dhs.kyutech.ac.jp/~ruxton/hatenkou.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090217225922/http://www.dhs.kyutech.ac.jp/~ruxton/hatenkou.html |archive-date=17 February 2009 |access-date=8 August 2009}}, {{Cite book |url=http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/1/prweb201396.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050214195620/http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/1/prweb201396.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 February 2005 |title=A Translation from a Japanese Original |publisher=Lulu Press |year=2004 |isbn=978-1-4116-1256-3}} This book includes information about the wooden spoon and the university in the 19th century as well as the Japanese students.
* {{Cite book |last=Leader |first=Damien |title=A History of the University of Cambridge |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=1988–2004 |isbn=978-0-521-32882-1 |ref=none}} * {{Cite book |last=Leader |first=Damien |title=A History of the University of Cambridge |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=1988–2004 |isbn=978-0-521-32882-1 |ref=none}}
* Lee, John S. and Christian Steer, eds, History of the University of Cambridge, Boydell, 2018. {{ISBN|978-1-78327-334-8}} * Lee, John S. and Christian Steer, eds, History of the University of Cambridge, Boydell, 2018. {{ISBN|978-1-78327-334-8}}
* {{Cite book |last=Leedham-Green |first=Elisabeth |title=A Concise History of the University of Cambridge |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=1996 |isbn=978-0-521-43978-7 |ref=none}} * {{Cite book |last=Leedham-Green |first=Elisabeth |title=A Concise History of the University of Cambridge |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=1996 |isbn=978-0-521-43978-7 |ref=none}}
* {{Cite book |last=Rawle |first=Tim |title=Cambridge |title-link=Cambridge (book) |publisher=Oxbridge Portfolio |year=2016 |isbn=978-0-9572867-2-6 |editor-last=Adamson |editor-first=John |editor-link=John Adamson (publisher) |ref=none |author-link=Tim Rawle}} * {{Cite book |last=Rawle |first=Tim |title=Cambridge |title-link=Cambridge (book) |publisher=Oxbridge Portfolio |year=2016 |isbn=978-0-9572867-2-6 |editor-last=Adamson |editor-first=John |editor-link=John Adamson (publisher) |ref=none |author-link=Tim Rawle}}
* {{Cite book |last=Smith |first=J. |title=Teaching and Learning in 19th-Century Cambridge |last2=Stray |first2=C. |publisher=Boydell Press |year=2001 |isbn=978-0-85115-783-2 |ref=none}} * {{Cite book |last1=Smith |first1=J. |title=Teaching and Learning in 19th-Century Cambridge |last2=Stray |first2=C. |publisher=Boydell Press |year=2001 |isbn=978-0-85115-783-2 |ref=none}}
* {{Cite book |last=Stubbings |first=Frank |title=Bedders, Bulldogs and Bedells: A Cambridge Glossary |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=1995 |isbn=978-0-521-47978-3 |ref=none}} * {{Cite book |last=Stubbings |first=Frank |title=Bedders, Bulldogs and Bedells: A Cambridge Glossary |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=1995 |isbn=978-0-521-47978-3 |ref=none}}
* {{Cite book |last=Webb |first=Grayden |title=The History of the University of Cambridge and Education in England |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=2005 |isbn=978-0-521-32882-1 |ref=none}} * {{Cite book |last=Webb |first=Grayden |title=The History of the University of Cambridge and Education in England |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=2005 |isbn=978-0-521-32882-1 |ref=none}}
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== External links == == External links ==
{{Commons category}}
{{AmCyc Poster|Cambridge, University of|University of Cambridge}} {{AmCyc Poster|Cambridge, University of|University of Cambridge}}
* {{Official website}}
* {{Commons category-inline|University of Cambridge}}
* {{Official website|http://www.cam.ac.uk}}
*
*
* —a zoomable map linking to all the university departments and colleges
* , covering the period of approximately 1200 to 1900


{{University of Cambridge}} {{University of Cambridge}}

{{Navboxes|list ={{Universities in the United Kingdom}} {{Navboxes|list ={{Universities in the United Kingdom}}
{{universities and colleges in the East of England}} {{universities and colleges in the East of England}}
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{{League of European Research Universities}} {{League of European Research Universities}}
{{International Alliance of Research Universities}}}} {{International Alliance of Research Universities}}}}
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Latest revision as of 21:40, 5 December 2024

Public collegiate university in England "Cambridge University" redirects here. For other uses, see Cambridge University (disambiguation).

University of Cambridge
Coat of arms
Latin: Universitas Cantabrigiensis
Other nameThe Chancellor, Masters and Scholars of the University of Cambridge
MottoLatin: Hinc lucem et pocula sacra
Motto in EnglishLiteral: From here, light and sacred draughts.
Nonliteral: From this place, we gain enlightenment and precious knowledge.
TypePublic research university
Ancient university
Establishedc. 1209; 815 years ago (1209)
Endowment£2.47 billion (2023; excluding colleges)
Budget£2.32 billion (2022/2023; excluding colleges)
ChancellorThe Lord Sainsbury of Turville
Vice-ChancellorDeborah Prentice
Academic staff5,940 (2022/23)
Administrative staff6,525 (2022/23)
Students22,975 (2022/23)
Undergraduates13,750 (2022/23)
Postgraduates9,225 (2022/23)
LocationCambridge, England
Campus
Colours  Cambridge Blue
Affiliations
Websitecam.ac.uk

The University of Cambridge is a public collegiate research university in Cambridge, England. Founded in 1209, the University of Cambridge is the world's third-oldest university in continuous operation. The university's founding followed the arrival of scholars who left the University of Oxford for Cambridge after a dispute with local townspeople. The two ancient English universities, although sometimes described as rivals, share many common features and are often jointly referred to as Oxbridge.

In 1231, 22 years after its founding, the university was recognised with a royal charter, granted by King Henry III. The University of Cambridge includes 31 semi-autonomous constituent colleges and over 150 academic departments, faculties, and other institutions organised into six schools. The largest department is Cambridge University Press & Assessment, which has £1 billion of annual revenue and reaches 100 million learners. All of the colleges are self-governing institutions within the university, managing their own personnel and policies, and all students are required to have a college affiliation within the university. Undergraduate teaching at Cambridge is centred on weekly small-group supervisions in the colleges with lectures, seminars, laboratory work, and occasionally further supervision provided by the central university faculties and departments.

The university operates eight cultural and scientific museums, including the Fitzwilliam Museum and Cambridge University Botanic Garden. Cambridge's 116 libraries hold a total of approximately 16 million books, around nine million of which are in Cambridge University Library, a legal deposit library and one of the world's largest academic libraries. Cambridge alumni, academics, and affiliates have won 124 Nobel Prizes. Among the university's notable alumni are 194 Olympic medal-winning athletes and several historically iconic and transformational individuals in their respective fields, including Francis Bacon, Lord Byron, Oliver Cromwell, Charles Darwin, Rajiv Gandhi, John Harvard, Stephen Hawking, John Maynard Keynes, John Milton, Vladimir Nabokov, Jawaharlal Nehru, Isaac Newton, Sylvia Plath, Bertrand Russell, Alan Turing, Ludwig Wittgenstein, and others.

History

Founding

See also: Timeline of Cambridge

Prior to the founding of the University of Cambridge in 1209, Cambridge and the area surrounding it already had developed a scholarly and ecclesiastical reputation due largely to the intellectual reputation and academic contributions of monks from the nearby bishopric church in Ely. The founding of the University of Cambridge, however, was inspired largely by an incident at the University of Oxford during which three Oxford scholars, as an administration of justice in the death of a local Oxford-area woman, were hanged by town authorities without first consulting ecclesiastical authorities, who traditionally would be inclined to pardon scholars in such cases. But during this time, Oxford's town authorities were in conflict with King John. Fearing more violence from Oxford townsfolk, University of Oxford scholars began leaving Oxford for more hospitable cities, including Paris, Reading, and Cambridge. Enough scholars ultimately took residence in Cambridge to form, along with the many scholars already there, the nucleus for the new university's formation.

By 1225, a chancellor of the university was appointed, and writs issued by King Henry III in 1231 established that rents in Cambridge were to be set secundum consuetudinem universitatis, according to the custom of the university, and established a panel of two masters and two townsmen to determine these. A letter from Pope Gregory IX two years later to the chancellor and the guild of scholars granted the new university ius non trahi extra, or the right not to be drawn out, for three years, meaning its members could not be summoned to a court outside of the diocese of Ely. After Cambridge was described as a studium generale in a letter from Pope Nicholas IV in 1290, and confirmed as such by Pope John XXII's 1318 papal bull, it became common for researchers from other European medieval universities to visit Cambridge to study or give lecture courses.

Foundation of the colleges

See also: Colleges of the University of Cambridge and Oxford and Cambridge Act 1571
Emmanuel College Chapel
Peterhouse, Cambridge's first college, founded in 1284

The 31 colleges of the present-day University of Cambridge were originally an incidental feature of the university; no college within the University of Cambridge is as old as the university itself. The colleges within the university were initially endowed fellowships of scholars. There were also institutions without endowments, called hostels, which were gradually absorbed by the colleges over the centuries, and they have left some traces, including the naming of Garret Hostel Lane and Garret Hostel Bridge, a street and bridge in Cambridge.

The University of Cambridge's first college, Peterhouse, was founded in 1284 by Hugh de Balsham, the Bishop of Ely. Multiple additional colleges were founded during the 14th and 15th centuries, and colleges continued to be established during modern times, though there was a 204-year gap between the founding of Sidney Sussex in 1596 and that of Downing in 1800. The most recent college to be established is Robinson, which was built in the late 1970s. Most recently, in March 2010, Homerton College achieved full university college status, making it technically the university's newest full college.

In medieval times, many colleges were founded so that their members could pray for the souls of the founders. University of Cambridge colleges were often associated with chapels or abbeys. The colleges' focus began to shift in 1536, however, with the dissolution of the monasteries and Henry VIII's order that the university disband the canon law that governed the university's faculty and stop teaching scholastic philosophy. In response, colleges changed their curricula from canon law to classics, the Bible, and mathematics.

Nearly a century later, the university found itself at the centre of a Protestant schism. Many nobles, intellectuals, and also commoners saw the Church of England as too similar to the Catholic Church and felt that it was being used by The Crown to usurp the counties' rightful powers. East Anglia emerged as the centre of what ultimately became the Puritan movement. In Cambridge, the Puritan movement was particularly strong at Emmanuel, St Catharine Hall, Sidney Sussex, and Christ's. These colleges produced many nonconformist graduates who greatly influenced, by social position or preaching, some 20,000 Puritans who ultimately left England for New England and especially Massachusetts Bay Colony during the Great Migration decade of the 1630s, settling in the colonial-era Colony of Virginia and other fledgling American colonies.

Mathematics and mathematical physics

See also: Lucasian Professor of Mathematics and Mathematical Tripos

The university quickly established itself as a global leader in the study of mathematics. The university's examination in mathematics, known as the Mathematical Tripos, was initially compulsory for all undergraduates studying for the Bachelor of Arts degree, the most common degree first offered at Cambridge. From the time of Isaac Newton in the late 17th century until the mid-19th century, the university maintained an especially strong emphasis on applied mathematics, and especially mathematical physics. Students awarded first class honours after completing the mathematics Tripos exam are called wranglers, and the top student among them is known as the Senior Wrangler, a position that has been described as "the greatest intellectual achievement attainable in Britain."

The Cambridge Mathematical Tripos is highly competitive and has helped produce some of the most famous names in British science, including James Clerk Maxwell, Lord Kelvin, and Lord Rayleigh. However, some famous students, such as G. H. Hardy, disliked the Tripos system, feeling that students were becoming too focused on accumulating high exam marks at the expense of the subject itself.

Pure mathematics at the University of Cambridge in the 19th century achieved great things, though it largely missed out on substantial developments in French and German mathematics. By the early 20th century, however, pure mathematical research at Cambridge reached the highest international standard, thanks largely to G. H. Hardy and his collaborators, J. E. Littlewood and Srinivasa Ramanujan. W. V. D. Hodge and others helped establish Cambridge as a global leader in geometry in the 1930s.

Modern period

See also: Cambridge movement (philosophy)
Selwyn College, founded in 1882

The Cambridge University Act 1856 formalised the university's organisational structure and introduced the study of many new subjects, including theology, history, and Modern languages. Resources necessary for new courses in the arts, architecture, and archaeology were donated by Viscount Fitzwilliam of Trinity College, who also founded Fitzwilliam Museum in 1816. In 1847, Prince Albert was elected the university's chancellor in a close contest with the Earl of Powis. As chancellor, Albert reformed university curricula beyond its initial focus on mathematics and classics, adding modern era history and the natural sciences. Between 1896 and 1902, Downing College sold part of its land to permit the construction of Downing Site, the university's grouping of scientific laboratories for the study of anatomy, genetics, and Earth sciences. During this period, the New Museums Site was erected, including the Cavendish Laboratory, which has since moved to West Cambridge, and other departments for chemistry and medicine. The University of Cambridge began to award PhD degrees in the first third of the 20th century; the first Cambridge PhD in mathematics was awarded in 1924.

The university contributed significantly to the Allies' forces in World War I with 13,878 members of the university serving and 2,470 being killed in action during the war. Teaching, and the fees it earned, nearly came to a halt during World War I, and severe financial difficulties followed. As a result, the university received its first systematic state support in 1919, and a Royal commission was appointed in 1920 to recommend that the university (but not its colleges) begin receiving an annual grant. Following World War II, the university experienced a rapid expansion in applications and enrollment, partly due to the success and popularity gained by many Cambridge scientists. This was not without controversies, however. For example, Cambridge researchers were accused in 2023 of helping to develop weapon systems for Iran.

Parliamentary representation

Main article: Cambridge University (UK Parliament constituency) See also: Category:Members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom for the University of Cambridge

The University of Cambridge was one of only two universities to hold parliamentary seats in the Parliament of England and was later one of 19 represented in the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The constituency was created by a Royal charter of 1603 and returned two members of parliament until 1950 when it was abolished by the Representation of the People Act 1948. The constituency was not a geographical area; rather, its electorate consisted of university graduates. Before 1918, the franchise was restricted to male graduates with a doctorate or MA degree.

Women's education

Newnham College, one of two female-only colleges at the university

For the first several centuries of its existence, as was the case broadly in England and the world, the University of Cambridge was only open to male students. The first colleges established for women were Girton College, founded by Emily Davies in 1869, Newnham College, founded by Anne Clough and Henry Sidgwick in 1872, Hughes Hall, founded in 1885 by Elizabeth Phillips Hughes as the Cambridge Teaching College for Women, Murray Edwards College, founded in 1954 by Rosemary Murray as New Hall, and Lucy Cavendish College, founded in 1965. Prior to ultimately being permitted admission to the university in 1948, female students were granted the right to take University of Cambridge exams beginning in the late 19th century. Women were also allowed to study courses, take examinations, and have prior exam results recorded retroactively, dating back to 1881; for a brief period after the turn of the 20th century, this allowed the steamboat ladies to receive ad eundem degrees from the University of Dublin. In 1998, a special graduation ceremony was held in which the women who attended Cambridge before admission was allowed in 1948 were finally conferred their degrees.

Beginning in 1921, women were awarded diplomas that conferred the title associated with the Bachelor of Arts degree. But since women were not yet admitted to the Bachelor of Arts degree program, they were excluded from the university's governance structure. Since University of Cambridge students must belong to a college, and since established colleges remained closed to women, women found admissions restricted to the few university colleges that had been established only for them. Darwin College, the first graduate college of the university, matriculated both male and female students from its inception in 1964 and elected a mixed fellowship. Undergraduate colleges, starting with Churchill, Clare, and King's colleges, began admitting women between 1972 and 1988. Among women's colleges at the university, Girton began admitting male students in 1979, and Lucy Cavendish began admitting men in 2021. But the other female-only colleges have remained female-only colleges as of 2023. As a result of St Hilda's College, Oxford, ending its ban on male students in 2008, Cambridge is now the only remaining university in the United Kingdom with female-only colleges; the two female-only colleges at the university are Newnham and Murray Edwards. As of the 2019–2020 academic year, the university's male to female enrollment, including post-graduates, was nearly balanced with its total student population being 53% male and 47% female.

In 2018 and later years, the university has come under some criticism and faced legal challenges over alleged sexual harassment at the university. In 2019, for example, former student Danielle Bradford, represented by sexual harassment lawyer Ann Olivarius, sued the university for its handling of her sexual misconduct complaint. "I was told that I should think about it very carefully because making a complaint could affect my place in my department", Bradford alleged in 2019. In 2020, hundreds of current and former students accused the university in a letter, citing "a complete failure" to deal with sexual misconduct complaints.

Town and gown

Main article: Town and gown Further information: Away with the learning of clerks, away with it! and Silicon Fen

The relationship between the university and the city of Cambridge has sometimes been uneasy. The phrase town and gown continues to be employed to distinguish between Cambridge residents (town) and University of Cambridge students (gown), who historically wore academical dress. Ferocious rivalry between Cambridge's residents and university students have periodically erupted over the centuries. During the Peasants' Revolt of 1381, strong clashes led to attacks and looting of university properties as locals contested the privileges granted by the British government to the University of Cambridge's academic staff. Residents burned university property in Market Square to the famed rallying cry "Away with the learning of clerks, away with it!". Following these events, the University of Cambridge's Chancellor was given special powers allowing him to prosecute criminals and reestablish order in the city. Attempts at reconciliation between the city's residents and students followed; in the 16th century, agreements were signed to improve the quality of streets and student accommodation around the city. However, this was followed by new confrontations when the plague reached Cambridge in 1630 and colleges refused to assist those affected by the disease by locking their sites.

Such conflicts between Cambridge's residents and university students have largely disappeared since the 16th century, and the university has grown as a source of enormous employment and expanded wealth in Cambridge and the region. The university also has proven a source of extraordinary growth in high tech and biotech start-ups and established companies and associated providers of services to these companies. The economic growth associated with the university's high tech and biotech growth has been labeled the Cambridge Phenomenon, and has included the addition of 1,500 new companies and as many as 40,000 new jobs added between 1960 and 2010, mostly at Silicon Fen, a business cluster launched by the university in the late 20th century.

Myths, legends and traditions

Main article: University of Cambridge legends See also: Category:Terminology of the University of Cambridge Further information: Nine Lessons and Carols and wooden spoon (award)
Mathematical Bridge crossing River Cam at Queens' College

Partly because of the University of Cambridge's extensive history, which now exceeds 800 years, the university has developed a large number of traditions, myths, and legends. Some are true, some are not, and some were true but have been discontinued but have been propagated nonetheless by generations of students and tour guides.

One such discontinued tradition is that of the wooden spoon, the prize awarded to the student with the lowest passing honours grade in the final examinations of the university's Mathematical Tripos. The last of these spoons was awarded in 1909 to Cuthbert Lempriere Holthouse, an oarsman of the Lady Margaret Boat Club at St John's College. It was over one metre in length and had an oar blade for a handle. It can now be seen outside the Senior Combination Room of St John's College. Since 1908, examination results have been published alphabetically within class rather than in strict order of merit, which made it difficult to ascertain the student with the lowest passing grade deserving of the spoon, leading to discontinuation of the tradition.

Each Christmas Eve, The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, sung by the Choir of King's College, are broadcast globally on BBC World Service television and radio and syndicated to hundreds of additional radio stations in the U.S. and elsewhere. The radio broadcast has been a national Christmas Eve tradition since 1928, though the festival has existed since 1918 and the celebration itself originated even earlier at Truro Cathedral in Cornwall in 1880. The first television broadcast of the festival was in 1954.

Front Court of King's College, founded in 1441 by King Henry VI

Locations and buildings

The entrance to the original Cavendish Laboratory on the New Museums Site
The Faculty of Education building
The Faculty of Law building on the Sidgwick Site

Buildings

See also: A Classical Adventure: The Architectural History of Downing College, Cambridge; Cambridge Medical School building; Cambridge Observatory; Cambridge University Library; Cambridge University Real Tennis Club; Fitzwilliam Museum; Goldie Boathouse; Lady Mitchell Hall; Old Schools; Senate House, Cambridge; Scott Polar Research Institute; University of Cambridge Sports Centre; and William Gates Building, Cambridge

The university occupies a central location within the city of Cambridge. University of Cambridge students represent approximately 20 percent of the town's population, which was 145,674 as of 2021, resulting in a lower age demographic in the city.

Most of the university's older colleges are located near the city centre, through which River Cam flows. Students and others traditionally punt on the River Cam, which provides views of the university's buildings that surround the river.

A few of the notable University of Cambridge buildings are King's College Chapel; the history faculty building designed by James Stirling; and the New Court and Cripps Buildings at St John's College. The brickwork of several colleges is notable: Queens' College has some of the earliest patterned brickwork in England and the brick walls of St John's College are examples of English bond, Flemish bond, and Running bond.

Sites

The university is divided into several sites, which house the university's various departments, including:

The university's School of Clinical Medicine is based in Addenbrooke's Hospital, where medical students undergo their three-year clinical placement period after obtaining their BA degree. The West Cambridge site is undergoing a major expansion and will host new buildings and fields for university sports. Since 1990, Cambridge Judge Business School, on Trumpington Street, provides management education courses and is consistently ranked among the top 20 business schools in the world by Financial Times.

Many of the sites are quite close together, and the area around Cambridge is reasonably flat. Furthermore, students are not permitted to hold car park permits except under special circumstances. For these reasons, of the favourite modes of transport for students is the bicycle; an estimated one-fifth of journeys in the city are made by bike.

Notable locations

The University of Cambridge and its constituent colleges include many notable locations, some of which are iconic or of historical, academic, religious, and cultural significance, including:

Organisation and administration

See also: List of institutions of the University of Cambridge
View over Trinity College, Gonville and Caius College, Trinity Hall, and Clare College towards King's College Chapel seen from St John's College Chapel on the left. In front of King's College Chapel is the Senate House.

Cambridge is a collegiate university, which means that its colleges are self-governing and independent, each with its own property, endowments, and income. Most colleges bring together academics and students from a broad range of disciplines. Each faculty, school, or department at the university includes academics affiliated with differing colleges. The university is legally structured as an exempt charity and a common law corporation. Its corporate titles include the Chancellor, Masters, and Scholars of the University of Cambridge.

The college faculties are responsible for giving lectures, arranging seminars, performing research, and determining the syllabi for teaching, all of which is overseen by the university's general board. Together with the central administration headed by the Vice-Chancellor, the college faculties make up the University of Cambridge. Facilities such as libraries are provided on all these levels by the university. The Cambridge University Library is the university's largest and primary library. Squire Law Library is the primary library for the university's students of law. Individual colleges each maintain a multi-discipline library designed for each college's respective undergraduates. College libraries tend to operate 24/7 and their usage in generally restricted to members of the college. Conversely, libraries operated by departments are generally open to all students of the university, regardless of subject.

Colleges

Main article: Colleges of the University of Cambridge
Gonville and Caius College
Margaret Wileman Building at Hughes Hall
The President's Lodge at Queens' College
Bridge of Sighs over the River Cam at St John's College

The colleges are self-governing institutions with their own endowments and property, each founded as components of the university. All students and most academics are attached to a college. The colleges' importance lies in the housing, welfare, social functions, and undergraduate teaching they provide. All faculties, departments, research centres, and laboratories belong to the university, which arranges lectures and awards degrees, but undergraduates receive their overall academic supervision within the colleges through small group teaching sessions, which often include just one student; though in many cases students go to other colleges for supervision if the teaching fellows at their college do not specialise in a student's particular area of academic focus. Each college appoints its own teaching staff and fellows, both of whom are members of a university department. The colleges also decide which undergraduates to admit to the university, in accordance with university standards and regulations. Costs to students for room and board vary considerably from college to college. Similarly, the investment in student education by each college at the university varies widely between the colleges.

Cambridge has 31 colleges, two of which, Murray Edwards and Newnham, admit women only. The other colleges are mixed. Darwin was the first college to admit both men and women. In 1972, Churchill, Clare, and King's were the first previously all-male colleges to admit female undergraduates. In 1988, Magdalene became the last all-male college to accept women. Clare Hall and Darwin admit only postgraduates, and Hughes Hall, St Edmund's, and Wolfson admit only mature undergraduate and graduate students who are 21 years or older on the date of their matriculation. Lucy Cavendish, which was previously a women-only mature college, began admitting both men and women in 2021. All other colleges admit both undergraduate and postgraduate students without any age restrictions.

Colleges are not required to admit students in all subjects; some colleges choose not to offer subjects such as architecture, art history, or theology, but most offer a complete range of academic specialties and related courses. Some colleges maintain a relative strength and associated reputation for expertise in certain academic disciplines. Churchill, for example, has a reputation for its expertise and focus on the sciences and engineering, in part due to the requirement imposed by Winston Churchill upon the college's founding that 70% of its students studied mathematics, engineering, and the sciences. Other colleges have more informal academic focus and even demonstrate ideological focus, such as King's, which is known for its left-wing political orientation, and Robinson and Churchill, both of which have a reputation for academic focus on sustainability and environmentalism. Three theological colleges at the university, Westcott House, Westminster College, and Ridley Hall Theological College, are members of the Cambridge Theological Federation and associated in partnership with the university.

The University of Cambridge's 31 colleges are:

  1. Christ's College heraldic shield Christ's
  2. Churchill College heraldic shield Churchill
  3. Clare College heraldic shield Clare
  4. Clare Hall heraldic shield Clare Hall
  5. Corpus Christi heraldic shield Corpus Christi
  6. Darwin College heraldic shield Darwin
  7. Downing College heraldic shield Downing
  8. Emmanuel College heraldic shield Emmanuel
  9. Fitzwilliam College heraldic shield Fitzwilliam
  10. Girton
  11. Gonville and Caius College heraldic shield Gonville & Caius
  12. Homerton
  13. Hughes Hall heraldic shield Hughes Hall
  14. Jesus College heraldic shield Jesus
  15. King's College heraldic shield King's
  16. Lucy Cavendish College heraldic shield Lucy Cavendish
  17. Magdalene College heraldic shield Magdalene
  18. Murray Edwards
  19. Newnham College heraldic shield Newnham
  20. Pembroke College heraldic shield Pembroke
  21. Peterhouse coat of arms Peterhouse
  22. Queens' College heraldic shield Queens'
  23. Robinson College heraldic shield Robinson
  24. Selwyn College heraldic shield Selwyn
  25. Sidney Sussex College heraldic shield Sidney Sussex
  26. St Catharine's College heraldic shield St Catharine's
  27. St Edmund's
  28. St John's College heraldic shield St John's
  29. Trinity College coat of arms Trinity
  30. Trinity Hall heraldic shield Trinity Hall
  31. Wolfson College Crest Wolfson

Schools, faculties and departments

Main article: List of institutions of the University of Cambridge § Schools, Faculties, and Departments
Institute of Continuing Education at Madingley Hall
Old Schools (left) houses the university's administrative offices.

In addition to the 31 colleges, the university maintains over 150 departments, faculties, schools, syndicates, and other academic institutions. Members of these are usually members of one of the colleges, and responsibility for the entire academic programme of the university is divided among them.

The university has a department dedicated to providing continuing education, the Institute of Continuing Education, which is based primarily in Madingley Hall, a 16th-century manor house in Cambridgeshire. Its award-bearing programmes include both undergraduate certificates and part-time master's degrees.

A school in the University of Cambridge is a broad administrative grouping of related faculties and other units. Each has an elected supervisory body known as a Council, composed of representatives of the various constituent bodies. The University of Cambridge maintains six such schools:

  • Arts and Humanities
  • Biological Sciences
  • Clinical Medicine
  • Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Physical Sciences
  • Technology

Teaching and research at the university is organised by faculties. The faculties have varying organisational substructures that partly reflect their respective histories and the university's operational needs, which may include a number of departments and other institutions. A small number of bodies called syndicates hold responsibility for teaching and research, including for the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate, the University Press, and the University Library.

Central administration

Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor

See also: List of chancellors of the University of Cambridge and List of vice-chancellors of the University of Cambridge
Regent House officers following a July 2014 graduation ceremony
Faculty of Divinity at the university

The Chancellor of the university is limitless term position that is mainly ceremonial and is held currently by David Sainsbury, Baron Sainsbury of Turville, who succeeded the Duke of Edinburgh following his retirement on his 90th birthday in June 2011. Lord Sainsbury was nominated by the nomination board. The election took place on 14 and 15 October 2011 with Sainsbury taking 2,893 of the 5,888 votes cast, and winning on the election's first count.

The current vice-chancellor is Deborah Prentice, who began her role in July 2023. While the Chancellor's office is ceremonial, the Vice-Chancellor serves as the university's de facto principal administrative officer. The university's internal governance is carried out almost entirely by Regent House augmented by some external representation from the Audit Committee and four external members of the University's Council.

Senate and the Regent House

Light show on Senate House for the 800th anniversary of the university's founding
Old Court at Clare College

The university Senate consists of all holders of the MA or higher degrees and is responsible for electing the Chancellor and the High Steward. Until 1950 when the Cambridge University constituency was abolished, it was also responsible for electing two members of the House of Commons. Prior to 1926, the university Senate was the university's governing body, fulfilling the functions that Regent House has provided since. Regent House is the university's governing body, comprising all resident senior members of the university and the colleges, the Chancellor, the High Steward, the Deputy High Steward, and the Commissary. Public representatives of Regent House are the two Proctors, elected to serve for one year terms upon their nominations by the colleges.

Council and General Board

Senate House Passage in the snow with Senate House on the right and Gonville and Caius College on the left

Although the University Council is the university's principal executive and policy-making body, the Council reports to, and is held accountable by, Regent House through a variety of checks and balances. The council is obliged to advise Regent House on matters of general concern to the university, which it does by publishing notices to the Cambridge University Reporter, the university's official journal. In March 2008, Regent House voted to increase from two to four the number of external members on the council, and this was approved by Her Majesty the Queen in July 2008.

The General Board of the Faculties is responsible for the university's academic and educational policies and is accountable to the council for its management of these affairs. Faculty boards are accountable to the general board; other boards and syndicates are accountable either to the general board or to the council. Under this organizational structure, the university's various arms are kept under supervision of both the central administration and Regent House.

Finances

Endowment

The Cambridge University Endowment Fund is the main vehicle of investment for the University. In the fiscal year ending 31 July 2023, the university group, excluding colleges, reported a total endowment of £3.736 billion. The figure includes both restricted and unrestricted funds. When reported strictly using Statements of Recommended Practice (SORPs) guidelines, which accounted for only donations that meet certain criteria among non-profit organizations in the UK, endowment reserve stood at £2.469 billion. The 31 colleges reported collective endowment reserve of £4.582 billion.

Benefactions and fundraising

In the fiscal year ending 31 July 2023, the central university, excluding colleges, reported total consolidated income of £2.518 billion, of which £569.5 million was from research grants and contracts. In July 2022, the Dear World, Yours Cambridge Campaign for the university and colleges concluded, raising a total of £2.217 billion in commitments.

The university maintains multiple scholarship programs. The Stormzy Scholarship for Black UK Students covers tuition costs for two students and maintenance grants for up to four years. In 2000, Bill Gates of Microsoft donated US$210 million through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to endow Gates Cambridge Scholarships for students from outside the United Kingdom to pursue full-time postgraduate study at Cambridge.

In October 2021, the university suspended its £400m collaboration with the United Arab Emirates, citing allegations that UAE was involved in illegal hacking of the university's computer and storage systems using NSO Group's Pegasus software. UAE also was behind the leak of over 50,000 phone numbers, including hundreds belonging to British citizens. Stephen Toope, the university's outgoing Vice-Chancellor, said the decision to suspend its collaboration with UAE also was a result of additional revelations about UAE's Pegasus software hacking.

Bonds

The University of Cambridge borrowed £350 million in October 2012 by issuing 40-year security bonds, whose interest rate is approximately 0.6 percent higher than the British government's 40-year bond.

Affiliations and memberships

The University of Cambridge is a member of the Russell Group of research-led British universities, the G5, the League of European Research Universities, the International Alliance of Research Universities, and it is part of the so-called golden triangle of research intensive universities in the south of England. It is also closely linked to the high tech business cluster known as Silicon Fen and is part of Cambridge University Health Partners, Europe's largest academic health science centre.

Academic profile

Admissions

Undergraduate admission statistics
2023 2022 2021 2020 2019
Applications 21,445 22,470 22,795 20,426 19,359
Offer Rate (%) 21.2 18.9 18.7 23.1 24.3
Enrols 3,557 3,544 3,660 3,997 3,528
Yield (%) 78.1 83.6 85.9 84.9 75.2
Applicant/Enrolled Ratio 6.03 6.34 6.23 5.11 5.49
Average Entry Tariff 209 207 205
HESA Student Body Composition
Domicile and Ethnicity Total
British White 47% 47 
British Ethnic Minorities 21% 21 
International EU 9%
International Non-EU 23% 23 
Undergraduate Widening Participation Indicators
Female 50% 50 
Private School 30% 30 
Low Participation Areas 5%

Process

St John's New Court
St John's College New Court
Great Court of Trinity College, dating back to the 16th Century

Admission to the University of Cambridge is extremely competitive. In 2022, for instance, around 15% of applicants were admitted. In 2021, Cambridge introduced an over-subscription clause to its offers of admission, which also permits the university to withdraw acceptances if too many students meet its selective entrance criteria. The clause can be invoked in the event of circumstances outside the reasonable control of the university. The clause was introduced following a record number of A-level pupils who obtained the highest grades from teacher assessment, which was introduced due to the cancellation of A-level examinations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The university's standard offer for most courses is set at A*AA, with A*A*A for science courses, or equivalent in other examination systems, e.g. 7,6,6 or 7,7,6 in IB. Due to a high proportion of applicants receiving the highest school grades, an interview process was introduced as a component of consideration for admission. Interviews are performed by College Fellows, who evaluate candidates on unexamined factors including potential for original thinking and creativity. Prior to 2020 these interviews were normally held in person but moved online during the COVID-19 pandemic and have, at most colleges, remained online since. For exceptional candidates, a matriculation offer is sometimes offered, requiring only two A-levels at grade E or above. Sutton Trust maintains that the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge recruit disproportionately from eight schools, which account for 1,310 Oxbridge places over three years contrasted with 1,220 from 2,900 other schools.

Strong applicants who are not successful in being admitted to their chosen college at the university may be placed in the Winter Pool, where they can be considered for admission to other university colleges, which maintains consistency throughout the colleges, some of which receive more applicants than others.

Undergraduate applications are processed through UCAS, and the deadline for their submission currently is mid-October in the year before prior to beginning. Until the 1980s, candidates for all subjects were required to take special entrance examinations, which have since been replaced by additional tests for some subjects, such as the Thinking Skills Assessment and Cambridge Law Test. The university has at times considered reintroducing an admissions exam for all subjects.

Graduate admission is first decided by the faculty or department responsible for the applicant's respective academic subject. An offer of acceptance effectively guarantees admission to the university, though not necessarily the applicant's preferred choice of college.

Winter pool

The Winter Pool or inter-College Pool is part of the undergraduate application process intended to ensure that the best applicants are offered admission. Approximately 20–25% of undergraduate admissions are awarded through the Pool. Each college can place applicants in the Winter Pool. These applicants' applications are then considered by Admissions Tutors or Directors of Studies during the pool, which takes place over three days in January prior to the release of the university's admissions decisions.

For each subject, colleges create an ordered list of the pooled applicants they seek to admit, and take turns choosing applicants. Colleges with specific student requirements, such as mature colleges and women-only colleges, are given priority over applicants eligible for their colleges. Some applicants are selected from the pool by the college that originally pooled them. Once all the colleges have selected as many applicants as they need, the pool ends. Some applicants are then interviewed a second time by the colleges before final admissions decisions are made.

Colleges can pool any candidate, either because the college has no space but believes the applicant is strong enough to get a place, or because the college wants to compare that applicant to other pooled applicants. Most applicants in the pool are pooled at their original college's discretion, but some candidates meet the compulsory pooling criteria.

There were, as of the 2020–21 admissions cycle, only two grounds for compulsory pooling. For post-qualified applicants, their achieved grades at A level or equivalent and, for applicants with overseas interviews, an interview score of at least eight is achieved in all interviews. The second criterion does not apply to medicine applicants. Previously, AS-Level UMS have been used as pooling criteria, but after A-levels became linear this was discontinued.

Compulsory pooling criteria for post-qualified candidates
Qualification Type Minimum grades Notes
A-Levels A*A*A* For science applicants, at least three A*s must be in science/maths subjects
International Baccalaureate 43 points overall with 776 at higher level or

42 points overall with 777 at higher level

For science applicants, at least two 7s must be in science/maths subjects
Scottish Advanced Highers A1A1A1 For science applicants, at least 3 A1s must be in science/maths subjects

As of 2012, there is only one specifically identified category for pooled applicants, which is known as S, meaning that the application is in special need of reassessment. This is used when candidates whose initial interview scores are of questionable accuracy, such as when a candidate received very different scores from different interviewers, experienced technical issues with interviews conducted over the internet, or was impacted by significant extenuating circumstances such as illness or the loss of a family member.

Pooled applicants who are fished by a college may be offered a place immediately or may be invited for an interview. In 2020, just 89 applicants were invited for second interviews, 34 of whom received offers of admission.

Each year, approximately 3,500 applicants receive offers from their preference college and a further 1,000 to 1,100 applicants are offered admission by another college through the pool. On average, one in five applicants is pooled and around one in four pooled applicants receives an offer of admission.

Statistics released by the university show that some colleges regularly receive particularly high numbers of applicants, and these colleges tend to take fewer applicants from the pool. Other colleges regularly draw a greater proportion of their undergraduate intake from the pool.

Access

Percent of state school students at Cambridge and Oxford

Public debate in the United Kingdom exists over whether admissions processes used at the University of Oxford and Cambridge are entirely merit-based and fair, whether enough students from state schools are encouraged to apply, and whether these students are offered sufficient admission. In 2020–21, 71% of all successful applicants were from state schools compared to approximately 93% of all students in the UK who attended state schools and 82% of post-16 students).

Critics have argued that the relative lower percent of state school applicants with the required grades for admission to Cambridge and Oxford has had a negative impact on Oxford and Cambridge's collective reputation, though both universities have encouraged pupils from state schools to apply to help redress the perceived imbalance. Others counter that government pressure to increase state school admissions constitutes inappropriate social engineering. The proportion of undergraduates drawn from independent schools has dropped over the years, constituting, as of 2020, 26% of total admissions among the university's 3,436 applicants from independent schools compared to 23% of the 9,237 applications from state schools. Cambridge, together with Oxford and Durham, was among those universities that adopted formulae in 2009 to rate the GCSE performance of schools, using data from the Department for Children, Schools and Families, and took this into account when assessing university applicants.

With the release of admissions figures, The Guardian reported in 2013 that ethnic minority candidates had lower success rates in individual subjects even when they had the same grades as white applicants. The university was criticised for what was seen as institutional discrimination against ethnic minority applicants in favour of white applicants. The university denied the claims of institutional discrimination, stating the figures did not take into account other variables. A subsequent article reported that, in the years 2010 to 2012, ethnic minority applicants to medicine with 3 A* grades or higher were 20% less likely to gain admission than white applicants with similar grades. The university refused to provide figures for a wider range of subjects, claiming that assembling and releasing such information was excessively costly.

Given the competitive nature of gaining admission to the University of Cambridge, a number of educational consultancies have emerged to offer support with the application process. Some claim they can improve chances for admission, though these claims have never been independently verified. None of these companies are affiliated with or endorsed by the University of Cambridge. The university informs applicants that all necessary information regarding the application process is publicly available through the university and none of these services is providing any insight not already publicly available to applicants.

The University of Cambridge has been criticised for admitting a lower percentage of Black students, though many apply. Of the 31 colleges at Cambridge, six of them admitted fewer than 10 Black or mixed race students between 2012 and 2016. Similar criticism exists over a relatively lower admission rate for white working class applicants; in 2019, only 2% of admitted students were white working class.

In January 2021, Cambridge created foundation courses for disadvantaged students. While the usual entry requirements are A*AA in A-Levels, the one-year foundation course has 50 places for students who achieve BBB. If successful on the course, students receive a recognised CertHE qualification and can progress to degrees in the arts, humanities, and social sciences at the university. Candidates include those who have been in care, who are estranged from their families, who have missed significant periods of learning because of health issues, those from low-income backgrounds, and those from schools with few students attending universities.

Teaching

See also: Cambridge School (intellectual history) and List of professorships at the University of Cambridge
Results for the Cambridge Mathematical Tripos are read aloud at Senate House and then tossed from the balcony in accordance with a tradition that began in the 18th century.

The University of Cambridge academic year is divided into three academic terms determined by the statutes of the university. Michaelmas term lasts from October to December; the Lent term last from January to March; and the Easter term last from April to June.

Within these terms, undergraduate teaching takes place during eight-week periods called full terms. According to university statutes, it is a requirement during these periods that all students live within three miles of the Church of St Mary the Great, which is known as keeping term. Students eligible for graduation must fulfill this condition for nine terms (three years) while pursuing a Bachelor of Arts or twelve terms (four years) when pursuing a Master of Science, engineering, or mathematics degree.

These terms are shorter than those of many other British universities. Undergraduates are also expected to prepare heavily in the three holidays known as the Christmas, Easter, and Long Vacation holiday periods, which are referred to by the university as vacations rather than holidays; students vacate the premises during these periods but are still expected to be pursuing studies and assignments.

The Tripos exam involves a mixture of lectures organised by the university department) and supervised and organised by the colleges. Science subjects involve laboratory sessions organised by the departments. The relative importance of these methods of teaching varies according to the needs of the subject. Supervisions are typically weekly hour-long sessions in which small groups of students, usually between one and three students, who meet with a member of the teaching staff or with a doctoral student. Students are normally required to complete an assignment in advance of this supervision, which they then discuss with the supervisor during the session. The assignment is often an essay on a subject assigned by the supervisor, or a problem sheet set by the lecturer. Depending on the subject and college, students sometimes receive between one and four supervisory sessions each week. This pedagogical system is often cited as being unique to Oxford, where supervisions are known as tutorials, and Cambridge and is sometimes credited with the exceptional nature generally associated with the education at these two world-renowned universities. A tutor named William Farish developed the concept of grading students' work quantitatively at the University of Cambridge in 1792.

Research

See also: Category:Departments of the University of Cambridge

The University of Cambridge has research departments and teaching faculties in nearly every academic discipline, and ll research and lectures are conducted by university departments. The colleges are charged with giving or arranging most supervisions, student accommodation, and funding most extracurricular activities. During the 1990s, the University of Cambridge added a substantial number of new specialist research laboratories on several sites around the city, and major expansion continues. From 2000 to 2006, the University of Cambridge maintained a research partnership with MIT in the United States, known as the Cambridge–MIT Institute, which was discontinued after evolving into what is now called the CMI Partnership Programme.

Graduation tradition and ceremony

Graduands enter Senate House at a graduation ceremony.
University officials leading the Vice-Chancellor's deputy into Senate House for graduation

The university's governing body Regent House manages and votes on graduations. A formal meeting of Regent House, known as a congregation, is held for this purpose, which is typically the final act during which all university procedures for undergraduate and graduate students and other degrees are finalised. After degrees are approved, candidates for graduation are required to request their respective college presents them during commencement congregation.

Graduates receiving an undergraduate degree wear the academic dress to which they are entitled prior to graduating; for example, most students becoming Bachelor of Arts graduates wear undergraduate gowns and not BA gowns. Graduates receiving a post-graduate degree wear the academic dress that they were entitled to before graduating if their first degree was also from the University of Cambridge; if their first degree was from another university, they wear the academic dress of the degree that they are about to receive. The BA gown without the strings is worn if the graduate is 24 years old or younger, and the MA gown without strings is worn if the graduate is 24 years old or older. Graduates are presented their degrees in Senate House by each respective college in order of foundation or recognition by the university, except for the university's royal colleges.

During the University of Cambridge's congregation ceremony, graduands are brought forth by the Praelector of their respective college, who takes them by the right hand and presents them to the vice-chancellor to receive the degree they have earned. The Praelector presents graduands with the following Latin statement, substituting "____" with the name of the degree and substituting "woman" for "man" if the graduate is female:

"Dignissima domina, Domina Procancellaria et tota Academia praesento vobis hunc virum quem scio tam moribus quam doctrina esse idoneum ad gradum assequendum _____; idque tibi fide mea praesto totique Academiae.

The Latin statement translates in English as, "Most worthy Vice-Chancellor and the whole University, I present to you this man whom I know to be suitable as much by character as by learning to proceed to the degree of ____; for which I pledge my faith to you and to the whole University."

After presentation, the graduate is called by name and kneels before the vice-chancellor and proffers their hands to the vice-chancellor, who clasps them and then confers the degree through the following Latin statement, known as the Trinitarian formula (in nomine Patris), which may be omitted at the request of the graduand:

"Auctoritate mihi commissa admitto te ad gradum ____, in nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti, which translates in English as: "By the authority committed to me, I admit you to the degree of ____, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

The new graduate then rises, bows, and leaves the Senate House through the Doctor's door in Senate House Passage, where they receive their degree certificate.

Libraries and museums

Main article: Libraries of the University of Cambridge See also: Category:Museums of the University of Cambridge
Trinity College's Wren Library
Fitzwilliam Museum, the art and antiquities museum of the University of Cambridge

The University of Cambridge has 116 libraries. Cambridge University Library, which holds over eight million volumes, is the central research library. It is a legal deposit library, which entitles it to request a free copy of every book published in the UK and Ireland.

In addition to the University Library and its dependents, almost every faculty or department has a specialised library; for example, the History Faculty's Seeley Historical Library houses in excess of 100,000 books. Every college also maintains a library, partly for the purpose of undergraduate teaching; older colleges often possess many early books and manuscripts in a separate library. For example, Trinity College's Wren Library houses over 200,000 books printed before 1800 and Corpus Christi College's Parker Library has over 600 medieval manuscripts, representing one of the largest such collections in the world. Churchill Archives Centre on the campus of Churchill College houses the official papers of former British prime ministers Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher.

The university operates eight arts, cultural, and scientific museums, and a botanical garden. Fitzwilliam Museum is the art and antiquities museum; Kettle's Yard is the university's contemporary art gallery; the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology houses the university's collections of local antiquities along with archaeological and ethnographic artefacts from around the world; Cambridge University Museum of Zoology houses a wide range of zoological specimens from around the world and is known for its iconic finback whale skeleton that hangs outside the museum. Cambridge University Museum of Zoology also holds specimens collected by Charles Darwin, an 1831 University of Cambridge alumnus. Other museums include the Museum of Classical Archaeology, Whipple Museum of the History of Science, Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences, the university's geology museum, which displays some of Darwin's geological specimens and equipment (Darwin had studied under Adam Sedgwick, and wrote "I a geologist" in a notebook in 1838), and Polar Museum, part of the Scott Polar Research Institute, which is dedicated to Captain Scott and his men and focuses on the exploration of the Polar Regions. Cambridge University Botanic Garden, created in 1831, is the university's botanical garden.

Publishing and assessments

See also: Cambridge University Press

The university's publishing arm, Cambridge University Press & Assessment, is the oldest printer and publisher in the world and the second largest university press in the world. It is also the largest department of the university by financial income, reporting income above £800 million.

The university established its Local Examination Syndicate in 1858, now known as Cambridge University Press & Assessment after its merger with Cambridge University Press. It is the largest assessment agency in Europe. Cambridge University Press & Assessment plays a leading role in researching, developing, and delivering assessments around the world.

Awards

Main article: Awards and prizes of the University of Cambridge

The University of Cambridge issues a number of prestigious awards and prizes annually to accomplished University of Cambridge faculty and students. It also issues some awards to those of varying global academic accomplishment regardless of whether their recipient is affiliated with the University of Cambridge. Some of these awards and prizes rank among the world's most estimable academic and intellectual accomplishments. Among the most prominent of them are:

Reputation and rankings

Rankings
National rankings
Complete (2025)1
Guardian (2025)3
Times / Sunday Times (2025)4
Global rankings
ARWU (2024)4
QS (2025)5
THE (2025)5
University of Cambridge's national league table performance over the past ten years

Owing to its age and its social and academic status, the University of Cambridge is considered to be one of Britain's most prestigious or elite universities and to form, along with the University of Oxford, a top two that stand above other UK universities in this regard.

The University of Cambridge is routinely ranked among the world's top five universities, and has sometimes been ranked as the world's best. As of 2024, the University of Cambridge is ranked the second-best university in the world behind the MIT and the best university in Europe by QS Rankings. ARWU ranks Cambridge the fourth-best university in the world as of 2024 behind Harvard, Stanford, and MIT. Times Higher Education ranks Cambridge third-best in the world (tied with Stanford) in its 2023 rankings behind Oxford and Harvard.

In April 2022, QS Rankings ranked Cambridge's programmes among the world's best. Cambridge's Arts and Humanities program is ranked second-best in the world. The University of Cambridge's Engineering and Technology program is ranked second-best in the world. Its Life Sciences and Medicine program is ranked fourth-best in the world. Its Natural Sciences program is ranked third-best in the world. Its Social Sciences and Management program is ranked fourth-best in the world.

In 2011, Times Higher Education recognised the University of Cambridge as one of the world's six super brands in its "World Reputation Rankings" along with Berkeley, Harvard, MIT, Oxford, and Stanford.

The University of Cambridge has been highly ranked by most international and UK league tables. It was ranked the best university in the world by QS World University Rankings in both their 2010–11 and 2011–12 rankings.

In 2006, a Thomson Scientific study reported that the University of Cambridge had the highest research paper output of any British university and ranked first in research production as assessed by total paper citation count in ten of 21 major British research fields. An evidence-based study published the same year showed that the University of Cambridge won a larger proportion (6.6%) of total British research grants and contracts than any other university, ranking first in three out of four major measured discipline fields.

Student life

See also: Academic dress of the University of Cambridge, List of organisations and institutions associated with the University of Cambridge, and List of social activities at the University of Cambridge

Formal halls and May balls

The bridge over the River Cam at Clare College during the 2005 May Ball in Cambridge
The University Centre main dining hall

One privilege of student life at the University of Cambridge is the opportunity to attend formal dinners at a student's respective college, known as Formal Hall that are held regularly during academic terms and daily at some of the university's colleges. During Formal Hall, students typically sit down for a meal in their gowns while fellows and sometimes guests eat separately at a so-called High Table. The beginning and end of the function is usually marked with grace, which is said in Latin. Special Formal Halls are organised for Christmas and the Commemoration of Benefactors.

After the exam period, May Week is held during which it is customary to celebrate by attending May Balls, which are all-night lavish parties held in the colleges where food, drinks, and entertainment are provided. So-called Suicide Sunday, the first day of May Week, is a popular date for garden parties.

JCR and MCR

In addition to university-wide representation, students can participate in their own college student unions, which are known as Junior Combination Room (JCR) for undergraduates and Middle Combination Room (MCR) for post-graduates. These serve as a link between college staff and members and include officers elected annually between the fellow students; individual JCR and MCRs also report to Cambridge Students' Union, which offers training courses for some of the positions within the body.

Societies

Main page: Category:Clubs and societies of the University of Cambridge See also: Cambridge Union and Cambridge University Moral Sciences Club
Stephen Fry at Cambridge Union, the world's oldest continuing running debate society

Numerous student-run societies exist at the University of Cambridge designed to encourage students who share common passions or interests to periodically meet or discuss these interests. As of 2010, there were 751 registered societies at the university. In addition to these, individual colleges often promote their own societies and sports teams.

Although technically independent from the university, Cambridge Union, a globally-renowned debate organization and the oldest debate organization in the world, offers students high-level debate and public speaking experience. Drama societies include the Amateur Dramatic Club (ADC) and the comedy club Footlights, whose alumni include many well-known show business personalities. The university's Chamber Orchestra, composed entirely of university students, offers a range of orchestra programs, including symphonies.

Sports

Main page: Category:Sport at the University of Cambridge See also: Cambridge University Cricket Club, List of Cambridge University Boat Race crews, and Cambridge University Polo Club
The boathouse of the Cambridge University Boat Club

Rowing is one of the most popular sports at the University of Cambridge, and there are competitions between colleges, notably the bumps races. The University of Cambridge's rowing competition against Oxford is known as the Boat Race. Varsity matches against Oxford also exist in other sports, including cricket, rugby, chess, and tiddlywinks. Athletes who representing the university in a varsity match are entitled to a Blue or a Half Blue, depending on the sport and other criteria.

The University of Cambridge Sports Centre opened in August 2013. Phase one included a sports hall, a fitness suite, a strength and conditioning room, a multi-purpose room, and Eton and Rugby fives courts. Phase two of its development included five glass-backed squash courts and a team training room. Future phases include indoor and outdoor tennis courts and a swimming pool.

The university also has an athletic track at Wilberforce Road, an indoor cricket school, and Fenner's, the cricket ground for Cambridge University Cricket Club. The university has an ice hockey club called Cambridge University Ice Hockey Club. The Hawks' Club is a private members' club for the university's leading sportsmen. The Ospreys are the equivalent female club.

Student newspapers and radio

See also: Category:Publications associated with the University of Cambridge

Cambridge's oldest student newspaper is Varsity. Established in 1947, notable figures who have edited the newspaper include Jeremy Paxman, BBC media editor Amol Rajan, and Vogue international editor Suzy Menkes. The student newspaper also has featured the early writings of Zadie Smith, who appeared in Varsity's literary anthology offshoot The Mays, Robert Webb, Tristram Hunt, and Tony Wilson.

Varsity has a circulation of 9,000 and is the only student publication published weekly. News stories from Varsity have appeared in The Guardian, The Times, The Sunday Times, The Daily Telegraph, The Independent, and i.

Other student publications include The Cambridge Student, which is funded by Cambridge Students' Union and is published fortnightly, The Tab, and The Mays Founded by two University of Cambridge students in 2009, The Tab is an online media outlet featuring light-hearted features content. The Mays is a literary anthology including student prose, poetry, and visual art from both University of Cambridge and Oxford students. Founded in 1992 by three Cambridge students, the anthology publishes once a year and is overseen by Varsity Publications Ltd., the same body responsible for Varsity. Another literary journal, Notes, is published roughly twice per term. Additionally, many colleges have their own student-run publications.

The student radio station, Cam FM, is run jointly by University of Cambridge and Anglia Ruskin University students. The station holds an FM licence (frequency 97.2 MHz), and hosts a mixture of music, talk, and sports shows.

Student Union

Main article: Cambridge Students' Union

All students at the University of Cambridge are represented by Cambridge Students' Union, which was founded in 2020 as a merger of two student unions, Cambridge University Students' Union (CUSU) and the Graduate Union (GU). CUSU previously represented all University students, and GU represented graduate students.

The eight most important positions in Cambridge Students' Union are occupied by sabbatical officers. In 2020, the sabbatical officers were elected with a turnout of 20.88% of the whole student body.

In 2021, Cambridge Students' Union launched a petition opposing the financial collaboration between the university and the government of United Arab Emirates that was worth £400m. The Union cited a "values gap" and threat to "academic freedom and institutional autonomy" following the release of internal UAE documents. Citing UAE's history of violating international human rights laws, it warned that university staff were vulnerable under the partnership to repression by gender, sexuality, or freedom of expression.

In 2023, 72% of the Students' Union voted in favour of hosting talks regarding the removal of all animal products from cafes and canteens operated by the university's catering services. The students backed vegan food in response to threats to the climate and biodiversity. The vote is non-binding since the university controls the catering service. The vote was supported by the student chapter of Plant-Based Universities. After the vote, Darwin College decided to serve only vegan food at its May Ball in 2023.

Politics

A protest in Cambridge with an attendance of over a thousand students and residents – the city's largest demonstration – called on the University of Cambridge to divest from Israel over Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip during the Israel–Hamas war. Students and staff also walked out of lectures in protest over the same issues.

Students and staff at the University of Cambridge wrote an open letter to the university, with more than 1,400 signatories, demanding it acknowledge the "slaughter of innocent Palestinians", "sever financial ties with Israel" as it had with Russia following the invasion of Ukraine, and demanding it investigate its financial ties with arms manufacturers that potentially supplied to Israel, mentioning, among others, Plasan and Caterpillar.

Notable alumni and academics

This section should include only a brief summary of List of University of Cambridge people. See Misplaced Pages:Summary style for information on how to properly incorporate it into this article's main text.
This section may contain excessive or irrelevant examples. Please help improve the article by adding descriptive text and removing less pertinent examples. (October 2024)
Main article: List of University of Cambridge people See also: List of Nobel laureates by university affiliation and Alumni Cantabrigienses

The University of Cambridge has produced many distinguished alumni in various fields. As of 2020, 70 alumni have won Nobel Prizes. As of 2019, Cambridge alumni, faculty members, and researchers have won 11 Fields Medals and seven Turing Awards. Highly notable University of Cambridge alumni by specialty include:

Education

See also: Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge

Notable alumni in academia include the founders and early professors of Harvard University, including John Harvard himself; Emily Davies, founder of Girton College at Cambridge, the first residential higher education institution for women, and John Haden Badley, founder of the first mixed-sex public school (i.e. private) in England; Anil Kumar Gain, 20th century mathematician and founder of the Vidyasagar University in Bengal, Siram Govindarajulu Naidu, founder and vice chancellor of Sri Venkateswara University; and Menachem Ben-Sasson, president of Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Israel.

Humanities, music, and art

Thomas Cranmer, who led the English Reformation
Muhammad Iqbal, philosopher and poet
Ludwig Wittgenstein, philosopher

In the humanities, Greek studies were inaugurated at the University of Cambridge in the early sixteenth century by Desiderius Erasmus; contributions to the field were made by Richard Bentley and Richard Porson. John Chadwick was associated with Michael Ventris in the decipherment of Linear B. The Latinist A. E. Housman taught at the university but is more widely known for his contributions as a poet. Simon Ockley made a significant contribution to Arabic Studies.

University of Cambridge academics include economists such as John Maynard Keynes, Thomas Malthus, Alfred Marshall, Milton Friedman, Joan Robinson, Piero Sraffa, Ha-Joon Chang, and Amartya Sen. Notable philosophers include Francis Bacon, Bertrand Russell, Ludwig Wittgenstein, Leo Strauss, George Santayana, G. E. M. Anscombe, Karl Popper, Bernard Williams, Allama Muhammad Iqbal, and G. E. Moore. Notable alumni historians include Thomas Babington Macaulay, Frederic William Maitland, Lord Acton, Joseph Needham, E. H. Carr, Hugh Trevor-Roper, Rhoda Dorsey, E. P. Thompson, Eric Hobsbawm, Quentin Skinner, Niall Ferguson, Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., and Karl Schweizer.

Notable alumni in religion include Rowan Williams, the former Archbishop of Canterbury and his predecessors; William Tyndale, the biblical translator; Thomas Cranmer, Hugh Latimer, and Nicholas Ridley, known as the Oxford martyrs from the place of their execution; Benjamin Whichcote and the Cambridge Platonists; William Paley, the Christian philosopher known primarily for formulating the teleological argument for the existence of God; William Wilberforce and Thomas Clarkson, largely responsible for the abolition of the slave trade; Evangelical churchman Charles Simeon; John William Colenso, the bishop of Natal who interpreted Scripture and its relations with native peoples that seemed dangerously radical at the time; John Bainbridge Webster and David F. Ford, theologians; and six winners of the Templeton Prize, the highest accolade in the world associated with the study of religion.

Notable University of Cambridge alumni in the field of musical composition include Ralph Vaughan Williams, Charles Villiers Stanford, William Sterndale Bennett, Orlando Gibbons and, more recently, Alexander Goehr, Thomas Adès, John Rutter, Julian Anderson, Judith Weir, and Maury Yeston. The university has also produced world-renowned instrumentalists and conductors, including Colin Davis, John Eliot Gardiner, Roger Norrington, Trevor Pinnock, Andrew Manze, Richard Egarr, Mark Elder, Richard Hickox, Christopher Hogwood, Andrew Marriner, David Munrow, Simon Standage, Endellion Quartet, and Fitzwilliam Quartet. Although the university in music predominantly for its contributions to choral music, university alumni in popular music include members of contemporary bands such as Radiohead, Hot Chip, Procol Harum, Clean Bandit, Sports Team songwriter and entertainer Jonathan King, Henry Cow, and the singer-songwriter Nick Drake.

Artists Quentin Blake, Roger Fry, Rose Ferraby, and Julian Trevelyan, sculptors Antony Gormley, Marc Quinn, and Anthony Caro, and photographers Antony Armstrong-Jones, Cecil Beaton, and Mick Rock are each University of Cambridge alumni.

Literature

Lord Byron, English poet

Writers to have studied at the university include the Elizabethan dramatist Christopher Marlowe, his fellow University Wits, Thomas Nashe, and Robert Greene, arguably the first professional authors in England, and John Fletcher who collaborated with Shakespeare on The Two Noble Kinsmen, Henry VIII, and the lost Cardenio and succeeded him as house playwright for The King's Men. Samuel Pepys matriculated in 1650, known for his diary, the original manuscripts of which are now housed in the Pepys Library at Magdalene College. Lawrence Sterne, whose novel Tristram Shandy is judged to have inspired many modern narrative devices and styles. In the following century, the novelists W. M. Thackeray, author of Vanity Fair, Charles Kingsley, author of Westward Ho! and Water Babies, and Samuel Butler, remembered for The Way of All Flesh and Erewhon, are all University of Cambridge alumni.

Ghost story writer M. R. James served as provost of King's College from 1905 to 1918. Novelist Amy Levy was the first Jewish woman to attend the university. Modernist writers to have attended the university include E. M. Forster, Rosamond Lehmann, Vladimir Nabokov, Christopher Isherwood, and Malcolm Lowry. Playwright J. B. Priestley, physicist and novelist C. P. Snow, and children's writer A. A. Milne are each early 20th century alumni of the university. They were followed by postmodernists Patrick White, J. G. Ballard, and early postcolonial writer E. R. Braithwaite. More recently, alumni include comedy writers Douglas Adams, Tom Sharpe and Howard Jacobson, the popular novelists A. S. Byatt, Salman Rushdie, Nick Hornby, Zadie Smith, Louise Dean, Robert Harris, and Sebastian Faulks, action writers Michael Crichton, David Gibbins, and Jin Yong, and contemporary playwrights and screenwriters, including Julian Fellowes, Stephen Poliakoff, Michael Frayn, and Peter Shaffer, as well as musical theatre writers Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss.

Within poetry, University of Cambridge alumni include the poets Edmund Spenser, author of The Faerie Queene, metaphysical poets John Donne, who wrote For Whom the Bell Tolls, George Herbert and Andrew Marvell, and John Milton, who is renowned for Paradise Lost, Restoration poet and playwright John Dryden, pre-romantic poet Thomas Gray best known his Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard, William Wordsworth, and Samuel Taylor Coleridge, whose joint work Lyrical Ballads is often cited as marking the beginning of the Romantic movement, later Romantics including Lord Byron and the post-romantic Lord Tennyson, authors of the best known carpe diem poems, including Robert Herrick known for "To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time" with the first line "Gather ye rosebuds while ye may", and Andrew Marvell, who authored "To His Coy Mistress", classical scholar and lyric poet A. E. Housman, war poets Siegfried Sassoon and Rupert Brooke, modernist T. E. Hulme, confessional poets Ted Hughes, Sylvia Plath, and John Berryman, and, more recently, Cecil Day-Lewis, Joseph Brodsky, Kathleen Raine, and Geoffrey Hill.

At least nine Poets Laureate graduated from the University of Cambridge. University alumni have also made notable contributions to literary criticism, having produced, among others, F. R. Leavis, I. A. Richards, C. K. Ogden, and William Empson, often collectively known as the Cambridge Critics, the Marxists Raymond Williams, sometimes regarded as the founding father of cultural studies, and Terry Eagleton, author of Literary Theory: An Introduction, the most successful academic book ever published, the aesthetician Harold Bloom, new historicist Stephen Greenblatt, and biographical writers including Lytton Strachey, a central figure in the Bloomsbury Group, Peter Ackroyd, and Claire Tomalin.

Actors and directors who attended the University of Cambridge include Ian McKellen, Eleanor Bron, Miriam Margolyes, Derek Jacobi, Michael Redgrave, James Mason, Emma Thompson, Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, John Cleese, John Oliver, Freddie Highmore, Eric Idle, Graham Chapman, Graeme Garden, Tim Brooke-Taylor, Bill Oddie, Simon Russell Beale, Tilda Swinton, Thandie Newton, Georgie Henley, Rachel Weisz, Sacha Baron Cohen, Tom Hiddleston, Sara Mohr-Pietsch, Eddie Redmayne, Dan Stevens, Jamie Bamber, Lily Cole, David Mitchell, Robert Webb, Richard Ayoade, Mel Giedroyc, and Sue Perkins. Directors Mike Newell, Robert Icke, Sam Mendes, Simon McBurney, Peter Hall, Trevor Nunn, Stephen Frears, Paul Greengrass, Chris Weitz, and John Madden each are alumni of the university.

Mathematics and sciences

Charles Darwin, evolutionary biologist
Stephen Hawking, theoretical physicist and cosmologist
Isaac Newton, mathematician and physicist who developed classical mechanics and calculus
Abdus Salam, a theoretical physicist

Isaac Newton, who conducted many of his experiments on the grounds of Trinity College, ranks among the most famed University of Cambridge alumni. Other alumni of the university include Francis Bacon, who developed the scientific method of inquiry, mathematicians John Dee and Brook Taylor, pure mathematicians G. H. Hardy, John Edensor Littlewood, Mary Cartwright, and Augustus De Morgan; Michael Atiyah, a geometry specialist; William Oughtred, inventor of the logarithmic scale; John Wallis, first to explain the law of acceleration; Srinivasa Ramanujan, a genius who made substantial contributions to mathematical analysis, number theory, infinite series, and continued fractions; and James Clerk Maxwell, who brought about the second great unification of physics (the first being accredited to Newton) with his classical theory of electromagnetic radiation. In 1890, mathematician Philippa Fawcett, a University of Cambridge student, registered the highest score in the Cambridge Mathematical Tripos exams but as a woman was then ineligible to claim the title Senior Wrangler.

In biology, University of Cambridge alumni include Charles Darwin, famous for developing the theory of natural selection and explaining evolution, is an alumnus of Christ's College. Biologists Francis Crick and James Watson developed the model explaining the three-dimensional structure of DNA while working at the Cavendish Laboratory; University of Cambridge graduates Maurice Wilkins and especially Rosalind Franklin produced key X-ray crystallography data, which was shared with Watson by Wilkins. Wilkins went on to verify the proposed structure and win the Nobel Prize with Watson and Crick. More recently, Ian Wilmut was part of the team responsible for the first cloning of a mammal (Dolly the Sheep in 1996), naturalist and broadcaster David Attenborough, ethologist Jane Goodall, expert on chimpanzees was a PhD student at the university, anthropologist Dame Alison Richard, former vice-chancellor of the university, and Frederick Sanger, a biochemist known for developing Sanger sequencing and receiving two Nobel prizes.

Despite the university's delay in admitting women to its full degree programs, women associated with the University of Cambridge have been at the heart of scientific research throughout the 20th century. Notable female scientists include biochemist Marjory Stephenson, plant physiologist Gabrielle Howard, social anthropologist Audrey Richards, psychoanalyst Alix Strachey, who with her husband translated the works of Sigmund Freud, Kavli Prize-winner Brenda Milner, responsible for co-discovering specialised brain networks for memory and cognition. Veterinary epidemiologist Sarah Cleaveland has contributed to advances in eliminating rabies in the Serengeti.

The university is widely considered the birthplace of the computer; mathematician and father of the computer Charles Babbage designed the world's first computing system as early as the mid-1800s. Cambridge alumnus Alan Turing devised the basis for modern computing, and Maurice Wilkes later created the first programmable computer. The webcam was also invented at the University of Cambridge, showing the Trojan Room coffee pot in the university's computer laboratories.

In physics, Ernest Rutherford, regarded as the father of nuclear physics, spent much of his life at the university, where he worked closely with E. J. Williams and Niels Bohr, a major contributor to the understanding of the atom, J. J. Thomson, discoverer of the electron, James Chadwick, discoverer of the neutron, and John Cockcroft and Ernest Walton, responsible for first splitting the atom. J. Robert Oppenheimer, leader of the Manhattan Project that developed the atomic bomb, also studied under Rutherford and Thomson. Joan Curran devised the 'chaff' technique used during World War II to disrupt radar on Axis powers' planes.

University of Cambridge alumni in astronomy include John Herschel, Arthur Eddington, and Paul Dirac, discoverer of antimatter and one of the pioneers of quantum mechanics; Stephen Hawking, theoretical physicist and the university's long-serving Lucasian Professor of Mathematics until 2009; and Martin Rees, the current Astronomer Royal and former Master of Trinity College. John Polkinghorne, a mathematician before his ordination to the Anglican ministry, received the Templeton Prize for his work reconciling science and religion.

Other significant university alumni in science include Henry Cavendish, who discovered hydrogen; Frank Whittle, co-inventor of the jet engine; William Thomson (Lord Kelvin), who formulated the original Laws of Thermodynamics; William Fox Talbot, who invented the camera, Alfred North Whitehead, Einstein's major opponent; Jagadish Chandra Bose, one of the fathers of radio science; Lord Rayleigh, who made extensive contributions to both theoretical and experimental physics in the 20th century; and Georges Lemaître, who first proposed the Big Bang theory.

Politics

Oliver Cromwell, statesman, politician and soldier who served as Lord Protector of England

The University of Cambridge has a strong reputation in the field of politics, having educated:

Sports

By 2016, athletes who are university graduates or attendees had won 194 Olympic medals, including 88 gold medals. Alumni of the university include Chinese six-time world table tennis champion Deng Yaping; sprinter and athletics hero Harold Abrahams; inventors of the modern game of football, H. de Winton and J. C. Thring; Indian cricketer Colonel H. H. Shri Sir Ranjitsinhji Vibhaji II; and George Mallory, the mountaineer.

Technology

University of Cambridge alumni are responsible some of the world's greatest advances in technology, and several have gone on to found or co-found leading technology companies, including:

  • Demis Hassabis, co-founder and chief executive officer of DeepMind, a British artificial intelligence subsidiary of Alphabet Inc responsible for the AlphaGo and AlphaFold breakthroughs in AI
  • Herman Narula and Rob Whitehead, co-founders of Improbable, a British multinational company developing video game simulation software
  • Sophie Wilson and Steve Furber, co-founders of ARM, a British semiconductor and software design company still based in Cambridge
  • Kennedy Ekezie, co-founder and chief executive officer of Kippa, a Nigerian software and financial services company
  • Ramsey Faragher, founder, president, and CTO of a business, as well as chairman and president of another business; expert on navigation using novel methods

In literature and popular culture

See also: List of fictional Cambridge colleges; A Disappearing Number; Cambridge Spies; Chariots of Fire; Chariots of Fire (play); High Table, Lower Orders; Category:Novels set in the University of Cambridge; Porterhouse Blue (TV series); Psmith; Rock 'n' Roll (play); The Reeve's Tale; and The Riddle of the Sphinx (Inside No. 9)

Throughout its history, the University of Cambridge has frequently been featured in literature, artistic works, television, and film. Cambridge was mentioned as early as the 14th century in Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales. In The Reeve's Tale, the two main fictional characters are students at a University of Cambridge college called Soler Halle, which is believed to refer to King's Hall and is now part of Trinity College. The university has been the setting for all or parts of numerous novels, including Douglas Adams' Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency, Rose Macaulay's They Were Defeated, and Tom Sharpe's Porterhouse Blue.

Other notable examples of the University of Cambridge in popular culture include:

Gallery

See also

Notes

  1. Refers to operational estate owned by the university, including the 550-hectare (1,400-acre) University Farm but not including college-owned property or investment properties
  2. Includes those who indicate that they identify as Asian, Black, Mixed Heritage, Arab or any other ethnicity except White.
  3. Calculated from the Polar4 measure, using Quintile1, in England and Wales. Calculated from the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) measure, using SIMD20, in Scotland.

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Sources

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Bibliography

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