How to Get Admission in the University of Cambridge

How Cambridge teaches: Tripos and supervisions

The University of Cambridge is a collegiate university in England. Its undergraduate courses are organised into the Tripos system, and teaching includes supervisions — small-group sessions, often one-to-one or in pairs, where students discuss their work with academics alongside lectures and practicals. Admissions is designed to find students who will excel in this intensive environment.

This guide outlines the official undergraduate process. Deadlines, assessments, and requirements are set by Cambridge and change each year, so confirm the current details on the official Cambridge admissions pages.

Entry requirements and choosing a course

Cambridge sets academic entry requirements for each course, expressed in terms of A-levels, the International Baccalaureate, and recognised equivalents for international qualifications. You apply for a specific course, so begin by reading the official course page and checking whether your subjects and grades meet the stated requirements.

Requirements are course-specific and updated regularly, so verify them on the official Cambridge site rather than relying on general summaries.

The October UCAS deadline

Cambridge has an earlier UCAS deadline than most UK universities — historically in mid-October. You apply through UCAS, and missing this deadline normally means you cannot be considered that cycle. You can normally apply to either Cambridge or Oxford in the same year, not both.

Start early so your UCAS form, personal statement, and reference are ready, and so you can complete any additional Cambridge application steps in time. Confirm the exact date on UCAS and the Cambridge site.

Admissions assessments and any written work

Many Cambridge courses use an admissions assessment, and some ask for examples of written work. The specific assessment depends on the course and is updated regularly, so check the current requirement for your exact course and complete any registration by the stated deadline where one applies.

For medicine, note that the BMAT has been discontinued (final sitting autumn 2023); UK medicine now generally uses the UCAT. Always verify which assessment your chosen course requires on the official admissions page.

• Check the admissions assessment required for your specific course
• Prepare any written work the course asks you to submit
• Medicine: the UCAT is the standard UK admissions test (BMAT discontinued)

Interviews

Shortlisted applicants are invited to interviews, which Cambridge typically holds in December. Interviews are academic and subject-focused, exploring how you think through problems in your subject rather than testing memorised facts. They may be online or in person depending on Cambridge's current arrangements, including for international applicants.

Admission is competitive and decisions rest with the university and its colleges — no service can guarantee a place. Prepare by knowing your subject deeply and practising reasoning aloud.

Colleges and offers

Cambridge is made up of colleges, and you can either choose a college or make an open application in which a college is assigned for consideration. Your college does not change the Cambridge degree you earn. After interviews, the university makes decisions and successful applicants receive offers, usually conditional on final exam results.