University of Cambridge facts for kids
Coat of arms
|
|
| Latin: Universitas Cantabrigiensis | |
|
Other name
|
The Chancellor, Masters and Scholars of the University of Cambridge |
|---|---|
| Motto | Latin: Hinc lucem et pocula sacra |
|
Motto in English
|
Literal: From here, light and sacred draughts. Non literal: From this place, we gain enlightenment and precious knowledge. |
| Type | Public research university |
| Established | c. 1209 |
| Endowment | £7.802 billion (2022; including colleges) |
| Budget | £2.518 billion (2022/23; excluding colleges) |
| Chancellor | The Lord Sainsbury of Turville |
| Vice-Chancellor | Deborah Prentice |
|
Academic staff
|
6,170 (2020) |
|
Administrative staff
|
3,615 (excluding colleges) |
| Students | 24,450 (2020) |
| Undergraduates | 12,850 (2020) |
| Postgraduates | 11,600 (2020) |
| Location |
,
England
|
| Campus |
|
| Colours | Cambridge Blue |
| Affiliations |
|
 |
|
The University of Cambridge is a famous public university in Cambridge, England. It was started in 1209, making it one of the oldest universities in the world that is still running. Cambridge was founded by scholars who left the University of Oxford after a disagreement with local people. Both Cambridge and Oxford are very old English universities. They are often called Oxbridge because they share many similar features.
In 1231, King Henry III officially recognized the university with a royal charter. The University of Cambridge has 31 colleges that are mostly independent. It also has over 150 academic departments and other groups. These are organized into six main "schools." The biggest part of the university is Cambridge University Press & Assessment, which helps millions of students learn. All students at Cambridge must belong to one of its colleges. Colleges manage their own rules and staff. Teaching for undergraduate students often happens in small groups called "supervisions" at the colleges. There are also lectures and lab work from the main university departments.
Cambridge has eight museums and a botanical garden. Its 116 libraries hold about 16 million books. The main Cambridge University Library alone has about nine million books. Many famous people have studied or worked at Cambridge. This includes 121 Nobel Prize winners and 194 Olympic medal winners. Some well-known alumni are Francis Bacon, Lord Byron, Charles Darwin, Stephen Hawking, Isaac Newton, and Alan Turing.
Contents
- Discovering the History of Cambridge University
- Exploring Cambridge University's Campus
- How Cambridge University is Organized
- How to Join Cambridge University
- Life as a Cambridge Student
- Famous People from Cambridge University
- Images for kids
- See also
Discovering the History of Cambridge University
How Cambridge University Began
Before the University of Cambridge started in 1209, the town of Cambridge was already known for its smart monks and scholars. The university's beginning was largely due to an event at the University of Oxford. Three Oxford scholars were executed by town leaders after a local woman died. This happened without asking church leaders, who usually protected scholars. Because of this, many Oxford scholars left for safer cities like Paris, Reading, and Cambridge. Enough scholars came to Cambridge to help form the new university.
By 1225, Cambridge had its own leader, called a chancellor. In 1231, King Henry III made rules about rents in Cambridge. He said they should follow the university's customs. A few years later, Pope Gregory IX gave the university a special right. This meant its members could not be forced to go to court outside of the local area.
In 1290, Pope Nicholas IV called Cambridge a studium generale, which meant it was a major center for learning. This was confirmed by Pope John XXII in 1318. After this, researchers from other European universities often visited Cambridge to study or give lectures.
Starting the Colleges
The 31 colleges at Cambridge today were not part of the university at first. No college is as old as the university itself. Colleges started as places where groups of scholars lived and worked. There were also "hostels" without special funding, which were later taken over by the colleges.
Cambridge's first college, Peterhouse, was founded in 1284 by Hugh de Balsham, the Bishop of Ely. Many more colleges were started in the 1300s and 1400s. New colleges continued to be built even in modern times. For example, Robinson was built in the late 1970s. The newest full college is Homerton College, which got its full university college status in 2010.
In medieval times, many colleges were founded for religious reasons. They were often connected to chapels or abbeys. But in 1536, things changed. King Henry VIII ordered the university to stop teaching canon law (church law) and scholastic philosophy. Colleges then started teaching classics, the Bible, and mathematics instead.
About 100 years later, the university was involved in a religious split. Many people felt the Church of England was too much like the Catholic Church. They thought the King was using it to take power. The Puritan movement became very strong in the East of England. In Cambridge, colleges like Emmanuel, St Catharine's, Sidney Sussex, and Christ's were especially Puritan. Many students from these colleges later moved to New England in America in the 1630s.
Mathematics and Science at Cambridge
Cambridge quickly became a world leader in mathematics. The university's math exam, called the Mathematical Tripos, was once required for all students getting a Bachelor of Arts degree. From the time of Isaac Newton in the late 1600s until the mid-1800s, the university focused strongly on applied mathematics and mathematical physics. Students who got top honors in the math exam were called wranglers. The very best student was known as the Senior Wrangler, which was seen as a huge achievement in Britain.
The Cambridge Mathematical Tripos was very competitive. It helped produce famous scientists like James Clerk Maxwell and Lord Kelvin. However, some students, like G. H. Hardy, didn't like the Tripos system. They felt it made students focus too much on exam scores instead of truly understanding the subject.
In the 1800s, pure mathematics at Cambridge made great progress. By the early 1900s, Cambridge's pure math research was world-class, thanks to G. H. Hardy and others. In the 1930s, W. V. D. Hodge helped make Cambridge a global leader in geometry.
Modern Times at Cambridge
The Cambridge University Act 1856 officially set up the university's structure. It also added many new subjects to study, like theology, history, and Modern languages. Money for new courses in arts, architecture, and archaeology came from Viscount Fitzwilliam. He also founded the Fitzwilliam Museum in 1816. In 1847, Prince Albert became the university's chancellor. He changed the courses to include modern history and natural sciences. Between 1896 and 1902, Downing College sold some land. This allowed for the building of Downing Site, which has science labs for anatomy, genetics, and Earth sciences. During this time, the New Museums Site was also built. This included the Cavendish Laboratory, which later moved.
The University of Cambridge started giving PhD degrees in the early 1900s. The first Cambridge PhD in mathematics was given in 1924.
The university helped a lot during World War I. About 13,878 university members served, and 2,470 died. Teaching and fees almost stopped during the war, causing money problems. Because of this, the university got its first regular government support in 1919. After World War II, many more students applied and enrolled. This was partly because many Cambridge scientists became famous.
Cambridge and Parliament
The University of Cambridge was one of only two universities that had seats in the Parliament of England. Later, it was one of 19 universities represented in the Parliament of the United Kingdom. This special right was given by a Royal charter in 1603. The university sent two members to parliament until 1950, when this system ended. The people who voted were university graduates.
Women's Education at Cambridge
For many centuries, like most universities, Cambridge was only for male students. The first colleges for women were Girton College, founded in 1869, and Newnham College, founded in 1872. Other women's colleges followed, like Hughes Hall (1885), Murray Edwards College (1954), and Lucy Cavendish College (1965).
Women were allowed to take Cambridge exams starting in the late 1800s. They could also study courses and have their exam results recorded from 1881. For a short time, this even allowed some women to get degrees from the University of Dublin.
From 1921, women received diplomas that were like a Bachelor of Arts degree. But they were not fully admitted to the degree program. This meant they couldn't be part of the university's leadership. Since Cambridge students must belong to a college, women could only join the few colleges made just for them.
Darwin College was the first graduate college to accept both men and women from its start in 1964. Undergraduate colleges began admitting women between 1972 and 1988. Magdalene was the last all-male college to accept women in 1988.
Among the women's colleges, Girton started admitting male students in 1979. Lucy Cavendish began admitting men in 2021. However, Newnham and Murray Edwards are still only for women as of 2023. As of 2019–2020, the number of male and female students at Cambridge was almost equal.
University and City Life
The relationship between the university and the city of Cambridge has sometimes been difficult. The phrase "town and gown" is used to tell apart city residents ("town") from university students ("gown"), who used to wear special academic clothes. There have been strong rivalries between them over the centuries.
During the Peasants' Revolt in 1381, there were fights and looting of university buildings. Local people were angry about the special rights given to university staff. They even burned university property in Market Square, shouting "Away with the learning of clerks, away with it!". After this, the university's leader, the Chancellor, was given special powers to keep order in the city.
Later, in the 1500s, agreements were made to improve streets and student housing. But new problems arose when the plague hit Cambridge in 1630. Colleges refused to help those affected by the disease and locked their gates.
Today, these conflicts have mostly disappeared. The university has brought a lot of jobs and wealth to Cambridge. It has also led to huge growth in high tech and biotech companies. This economic growth is called the "Cambridge Phenomenon." It has created many new companies and jobs, especially in Silicon Fen, a business area started by the university.
Cambridge Traditions and Stories
Because the University of Cambridge is over 800 years old, it has many traditions, myths, and legends. Some are true, some are not, and some used to be true but are no longer practiced.
One tradition that stopped was the "wooden spoon." This was a prize given to the student with the lowest passing grade in the final math exams. The last spoon was given in 1909. It was over a meter long and looked like an oar. You can still see it at St John's College. The tradition ended because after 1908, exam results were listed alphabetically, not by exact score. This made it hard to find the student who deserved the spoon.
Every Christmas Eve, The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols is sung by the Choir of King's College. It is broadcast worldwide on BBC radio and TV. The radio broadcast has been a Christmas Eve tradition since 1928. The festival itself started in 1918.
Exploring Cambridge University's Campus
University Buildings
The university is located right in the middle of Cambridge city. About 20% of the city's population are University of Cambridge students.
Most of the university's older colleges are near the city center, where the River Cam flows. Students and visitors often go punting on the river. This offers great views of the university buildings along the water.
Some famous Cambridge buildings include King's College Chapel. The history faculty building was designed by James Stirling. The New Court and Cripps Buildings are at St John's College. The brickwork of some colleges is special. Queens' College has some of England's oldest patterned brickwork.
University Sites
The university is spread across several areas, called "sites." These sites hold different departments. They include:
- Addenbrooke's Hospital
- Downing Site
- Madingley/Gorton
- New Museums Site
- North West Cambridge Development
- Old Addenbrooke's Site
- Old Schools
- Sidgwick Site
- Silver Street/Mill Lane
- West Cambridge
The university's medical school is at Addenbrooke's Hospital. Medical students spend three years there after getting their first degree. The West Cambridge site is growing a lot. It will have new buildings and sports fields. Since 1990, the Cambridge Judge Business School has offered business courses. It is often ranked among the top business schools in the world.
Many of the university sites are close together. The area around Cambridge is also quite flat. Students are usually not allowed to have car permits. Because of this, bicycles are a very popular way for students to get around. About one-fifth of all journeys in the city are made by bike.
Special Places at Cambridge
The University of Cambridge and its colleges have many notable places. Some are famous or important for history, academics, religion, and culture. These include:
- Bridge of Sighs, Cambridge
- Cambridge University Botanic Garden
- Church of St Mary the Great, Cambridge
- Downing Site
- Fenner's
- Goldie Boathouse
- King's College Chapel, Cambridge
- Lady Mitchell Hall
- Mathematical Bridge
- Nevile's Court, Trinity College, Cambridge
- Sidgwick Site
- St Bene't's Church
- The Backs
- Trinity College Chapel, Cambridge
- West Cambridge
How Cambridge University is Organized
Cambridge is a "collegiate university." This means its colleges are independent and manage their own money and property. Most colleges have students and teachers from many different subjects. Each university department or school has teachers who are also part of different colleges.
The university departments are in charge of lectures, seminars, research, and deciding what to teach. The university's main board oversees all of this. The colleges and the central university, led by the Vice-Chancellor, make up the University of Cambridge. Libraries and other facilities are available at all these levels. The Cambridge University Library is the largest. Each college also has its own library for its students. College libraries are often open 24/7.
The university is a special type of charity and a legal organization. Its official name is "The Chancellor, Masters and Scholars of the University of Cambridge."
Cambridge Colleges
.jpg)
.jpg)
The 31 colleges are independent parts of the university. All students and most teachers belong to a college. Colleges are important for housing, student well-being, social events, and teaching. All departments and research centers belong to the main university. The university arranges lectures and gives out degrees. But students get their main academic help in small group sessions at their colleges. These sessions often have only one student.
Each college hires its own teachers and fellows. These teachers are also part of a university department. Colleges also decide which students to accept, following the university's rules.
Cambridge has 31 colleges. Two of them, Murray Edwards and Newnham, only accept women. The other colleges are mixed. Darwin was the first college to accept both men and women. In 1972, Churchill, Clare, and King's were the first all-male colleges to accept women for undergraduate studies. In 1988, Magdalene was the last all-male college to accept women.
Some colleges, like Clare Hall and Darwin, only accept students who have already completed a first degree. Hughes Hall, St Edmund's, and Wolfson only accept older students (21 or older). Lucy Cavendish, which used to be a women-only college for older students, started accepting both men and women in 2021. All other colleges accept both younger and older students.
Colleges don't have to offer all subjects. Some don't offer architecture or theology. But most offer a full range of subjects. Some colleges are known for certain subjects. For example, Churchill is known for science and engineering. This is because its founder, Winston Churchill, wanted 70% of its students to study these subjects. Other colleges have less formal focuses, like King's being known for its left-wing politics.
The cost of living and studying varies a lot between colleges. The amount each college spends on student education also differs.
Three religious colleges, Westcott House, Westminster College, and Ridley Hall Theological College, are linked with the university.
The University of Cambridge's 31 colleges are:
Christ's
Churchill
Clare
Clare Hall
Corpus Christi
Darwin
Downing
Emmanuel
Fitzwilliam
Girton
Gonville & Caius
Homerton
Hughes Hall
Jesus
King's
Lucy Cavendish
Magdalene
Murray Edwards
Newnham
Pembroke
Peterhouse
Queens'
Robinson
Selwyn
Sidney Sussex
St Catharine's
St Edmund's
St John's
Trinity
Trinity Hall
Wolfson
_shield.svg){kind=small}
_shield.svg){kind=small}
_shield.svg){kind=small}
_shield.svg){kind=small}
University Departments and Schools
.jpg)
Besides the 31 colleges, the university has over 150 departments, faculties, and other academic groups. Most people in these groups are also members of one of the colleges. These groups share the responsibility for the university's academic programs.
The university has a department for continuing education. It is called the Institute of Continuing Education. It is based at Madingley Hall, a 16th-century manor house. It offers courses that can lead to degrees.
A "school" at Cambridge is a large group of related departments. Each school has a council that oversees it. The University of Cambridge has six such schools:
- Arts and Humanities
- Biological Sciences
- Clinical Medicine
- Humanities and Social Sciences
- Physical Sciences
- Technology
Teaching and research are organized by "faculties." Faculties have different structures. They might include several departments. Some groups called "syndicates" are also responsible for teaching and research. These include the University Press and the University Library.
University Leadership
Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor Roles
The Chancellor of the university is a mostly ceremonial role. It has no time limit. The current Chancellor is David Sainsbury, Baron Sainsbury of Turville. He took over from the Duke of Edinburgh in 2011.
The Vice-Chancellor is the university's main administrative leader. The current Vice-Chancellor is Deborah Prentice, who started in July 2023. The university's internal decisions are mostly made by a group called Regent House.
University Governance: Senate and Regent House
The university's Senate includes everyone with a Master of Arts or higher degree. It is responsible for choosing the Chancellor. Until 1950, it also chose two members of the House of Commons. Before 1926, the Senate was the main governing body.
Today, Regent House is the university's governing body. It is a direct democracy. This means all senior members of the university and colleges, plus the Chancellor and other officials, are part of it. Two "Proctors" are chosen each year by the colleges to represent Regent House.
Council and General Board Functions
The University Council is the main group that makes decisions and policies. It reports to Regent House. The Council advises Regent House on important university matters. It does this by publishing notices in the Cambridge University Reporter, the university's official journal. In 2008, the number of outside members on the council was increased from two to four.
The General Board of the Faculties is in charge of the university's academic and educational policies. It reports to the Council. Faculty boards report to the General Board. Other boards and groups report to either the General Board or the Council. This structure helps keep all parts of the university supervised.
University Finances and Funding
Donations and Fundraising Efforts
In the year ending July 31, 2023, the main university (not including colleges) had a total income of £2.518 billion. About £569.5 million came from research grants. In July 2022, the "Dear World, Yours Cambridge" fundraising campaign ended. It raised a total of £2.217 billion for the university and colleges.
The university has several scholarship programs. The Stormzy Scholarship, for example, helps Black UK students with tuition and living costs.
In 2000, Bill Gates of Microsoft donated $210 million through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. This money created Gates Scholarships for students from outside the UK who want to study for advanced degrees at Cambridge.
In October 2021, the university paused its £400 million partnership with the United Arab Emirates. This was because of claims that the UAE had used special software to hack the university's computer systems. The university's Vice-Chancellor said the decision was also due to other information about the hacking.
University Bonds
In October 2012, the University of Cambridge borrowed £350 million. It did this by selling 40-year bonds. The interest rate on these bonds was slightly higher than the British government's bonds.
University Connections and Groups
The University of Cambridge is part of the Russell Group, which is a group of leading research universities in the UK. It is also part of the "golden triangle" of research universities in the south of England. It is closely linked to Silicon Fen, a high-tech business area. Cambridge is also part of Cambridge University Health Partners, a large medical science center in Europe.
How to Join Cambridge University
Understanding the Admissions Process
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applications | 22,470 | 22,795 | 20,426 | 19,359 | 18,378 |
| Offer Rate (%) | 18.9 | 18.7 | 23.1 | 24.3 | 24.8 |
| Enrols | 3,544 | 3,660 | 3,997 | 3,528 | 3,465 |
| Yield (%) | 83.6 | 85.9 | 84.9 | 75.2 | 76.0 |
| Applicant/Enrolled Ratio | 6.34 | 6.23 | 5.11 | 5.49 | 5.30 |
| Average Entry Tariff | N/A | 209 | 207 | 205 | 212 |
| Domicile and Ethnicity | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| British White | 47% |
|
|
| British Ethnic Minorities | 21% |
|
|
| International EU | 9% |
|
|
| International Non-EU | 23% |
|
|
| Undergraduate Widening Participation Indicators | |||
| Female | 50% |
|
|
| Private School | 30% |
|
|
| Low Participation Areas | 5% |
|
|
Admission to the University of Cambridge is very competitive. For example, in 2022, only about 15% of students who applied were accepted. In 2021, Cambridge added a rule that lets them withdraw offers if too many students meet their entry requirements. This rule can be used if there are unusual circumstances, like when many students got top grades during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The usual grades needed for most courses are A*AA. For science courses, it's A*A*A. Because many applicants have top school grades, interviews are a key part of the admission process. College teachers interview students to see their potential for original thinking and creativity. Before 2020, these interviews were in person, but now many are online. For very special students, an offer might be made that only requires two A-levels at grade E or above.
Some strong applicants who don't get into their first-choice college might be put into the "Winter Pool." This allows other colleges to consider them. This helps make sure that the best students get a place, even if their first college is full.
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. The deadline is usually in mid-October the year before you want to start. Until the 1980s, all students had to take special entrance exams. Now, some subjects have extra tests. The university has thought about bringing back a general admissions exam.
For graduate admissions, the department for your subject decides first. If they accept you, you are guaranteed a place at the university. However, it might not be at your preferred college.
The Winter Pool System
The Winter Pool is part of the undergraduate application process. It helps make sure the best students get accepted. About 20–25% of undergraduate admissions happen through the Pool. Colleges can put applicants into the Winter Pool if they think the student is strong but the college doesn't have space. Or they might want to compare the student with others.
During the Pool, which lasts three days in January, admissions tutors review these applications. Colleges take turns choosing applicants from the Pool. Colleges with special needs, like those for older students or women-only colleges, get priority. Some students are chosen by the college that first put them in the Pool. After colleges choose enough students, the Pool ends. Some students might have a second interview before a final decision is made.
As of 2020–21, there were two main reasons for a student to be put into the Pool automatically. One is if they have very high grades, like A*A*A* at A-level. The other is if they had an overseas interview and scored at least eight in all interviews.
There is also a special category for pooled applicants called S. This means the application needs to be looked at again. It's used if interview scores are unclear, if there were technical problems with an online interview, or if the student had major personal issues like illness.
Students chosen from the Pool might get an offer right away or be invited for another interview. In 2020, only 89 students had second interviews, and 34 of them received offers.
Each year, about 3,500 students get offers from their first-choice college. Another 1,000 to 1,100 students get offers from a different college through the Pool. On average, one in five applicants is put into the Pool, and about one in four of those students gets an offer.
University data shows that some colleges get many more applicants. These colleges tend to take fewer students from the Pool. Other colleges often take a larger share of their students from the Pool.
Fairness in Admissions
There is public discussion in the UK about whether admissions at Cambridge and Oxford are completely fair. People wonder if enough students from state schools (public schools) are encouraged to apply and accepted. In 2020–21, 71% of successful applicants were from state schools. This is compared to about 93% of all students in the UK who attend state schools.
Some critics say that fewer state school applicants with the required grades hurts Cambridge and Oxford's reputation. Both universities have encouraged state school students to apply. Others argue that government pressure to increase state school admissions is not appropriate. The percentage of students from private schools has dropped over the years. In 2020, 26% of admissions were from private schools, compared to 23% from state schools. Cambridge, Oxford, and Durham started using a formula in 2009 to rate schools' exam performance. They use this data when looking at university applicants.
In 2013, The Guardian newspaper reported that students from ethnic minority backgrounds had lower success rates in some subjects. This was even if they had the same grades as white applicants. The university denied claims of unfair treatment. They said the numbers didn't include other important factors. A later article reported that from 2010 to 2012, ethnic minority students applying for medicine with top grades were 20% less likely to get in than white students with similar grades. The university said it was too costly to provide figures for more subjects.
Because getting into Cambridge is so competitive, many education companies offer help with applications. They claim they can improve chances of admission, but this has not been proven. These companies are not connected to or supported by the University of Cambridge. The university tells applicants that all needed information is available for free.
The University of Cambridge has also been criticized for accepting a lower percentage of Black students, even though many apply. From 2012 to 2016, six of Cambridge's 31 colleges accepted fewer than 10 Black or mixed-race students. Similar criticism exists for white working-class applicants. In 2019, only 2% of accepted students were white working-class.
In January 2021, Cambridge started foundation courses for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The usual entry requirements are very high. But this one-year foundation course has 50 spots for students who get lower grades. If they do well, they get a special qualification. They can then go on to study arts, humanities, and social sciences at the university. This program helps students who have been in care, are separated from their families, have missed school due to health, come from low-income families, or are from schools with few university students.
How Teaching Works at Cambridge
The University of Cambridge academic year has three terms. These are Michaelmas term (October to December), Lent term (January to March), and Easter term (April to June).
During these terms, undergraduate teaching happens in eight-week periods called "full terms." Students must live within three miles of the Church of St Mary the Great during these times. This is called "keeping term." Students need to do this for nine terms (three years) to get a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Cambridge terms are shorter than at many other British universities. Students are expected to study a lot during the three holiday periods. These are called "vacations" by the university. Students leave the campus during these times but are still expected to study.
The Tripos exam involves lectures (organized by the university department) and "supervisions" (organized by the colleges). Science subjects also have lab sessions. The importance of these teaching methods changes depending on the subject. Supervisions are usually weekly, hour-long sessions. Small groups of students (one to three) meet with a teacher or a doctoral student. Students usually complete an assignment before the supervision. They then discuss it with the supervisor. This assignment might be an essay or a problem sheet. Students might have one to four supervisions each week. This teaching system is special to Oxford and Cambridge. It is often said to be why education at these universities is so good.
A teacher named William Farish started the idea of grading students' work with numbers at Cambridge in 1792.
University Research
The University of Cambridge has research departments and teaching faculties in almost every subject. All research and lectures are done by university departments. The colleges are responsible for most supervisions, student housing, and funding student activities. In the 1990s, Cambridge added many new research labs around the city, and it continues to grow. From 2000 to 2006, Cambridge had a research partnership with MIT in the United States. This was called the Cambridge–MIT Institute.
Graduation Ceremonies and Traditions
The university's governing body, Regent House, manages and votes on graduations. A formal meeting, called a "congregation," is held for this. This is usually the final step for students to get their degrees. After degrees are approved, students must ask their college to present them at the graduation ceremony.
Students getting an undergraduate degree wear the special academic clothes they are allowed to wear before graduating. For example, most students becoming Bachelor of Arts wear undergraduate gowns. Students getting a higher degree wear the academic clothes of the degree they are about to receive.
During the ceremony, students are brought forward by a college official called the Praelector. The Praelector holds their right hand and presents them to the Vice-Chancellor. The Praelector says a Latin statement, like this:
"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.
This means in English: "Most worthy Vice-Chancellor and the whole University, I present to you this person whom I know to be suitable by character and by learning to receive the degree of ____; for which I pledge my faith to you and to the whole University."
After being presented, the student kneels before the Vice-Chancellor. The Vice-Chancellor clasps their hands and gives them the degree with another Latin statement:
"Auctoritate mihi commissa admitto te ad gradum ____, in nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti," which means: "By the authority given 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 stands, bows, and leaves the Senate House. They receive their degree certificate.
For the Cambridge Master of Arts degree, it is not given based on new study. It is given by right after six years and one term from when the student first started at the university.
Libraries and Museums at Cambridge
The University of Cambridge has 116 libraries. The Cambridge University Library is the main research library. It has over eight million books. It is a "legal deposit" library. This means it can ask for a free copy of every book published in the UK and Ireland.
Besides the main University Library, almost every department has a special library. For example, the History Faculty's library has over 100,000 books. Every college also has a library, mainly for undergraduate students. Older colleges often have very old books and manuscripts in separate libraries. For instance, Trinity College's Wren Library has over 200,000 books printed before 1800. Corpus Christi College's Parker Library has over 600 medieval manuscripts, one of the largest collections in the world. The Churchill Archives Centre at Churchill College holds important papers from former British prime ministers Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher.
The university runs eight museums for art, culture, and science, plus a botanical garden. The Fitzwilliam Museum is for art and old objects. Kettle's Yard is the university's modern art gallery. The Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology has collections of local old items and objects from around the world. The Cambridge University Museum of Zoology has many animal specimens. It is famous for its large finback whale skeleton hanging outside. This museum also has specimens collected by Charles Darwin, who studied at Cambridge. Other museums include the Museum of Classical Archaeology, Whipple Museum of the History of Science, Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences (a geology museum with some of Darwin's items), and the Polar Museum (about exploring the North and South Poles).
The Cambridge University Botanic Garden, started in 1831, is the university's botanical garden.
Publishing and Assessments
The university's publishing part, Cambridge University Press & Assessment, is the oldest printer and publisher in the world. It is the second largest university publisher. It is also the university's largest department by income, earning over £800 million.
The university started its Local Examination Syndicate in 1858. It is now part of Cambridge University Press & Assessment. It is the largest assessment organization in Europe. It plays a big role in creating and giving tests around the world.
University Awards and Prizes
The University of Cambridge gives many important awards and prizes each year. These are for talented students and teachers at Cambridge. Some awards are also given to people around the world, whether they are from Cambridge or not. These awards are among the most respected in academics. Some of the most well-known are:
- Adam Smith Prize, for the top economics student
- Adams Prize, for important math research by a UK resident
- Browne Medal, for winners of Latin and Greek poetry contests
- Carus Greek Testament Prizes, for winners of a Greek translation contest of New Testament passages
- Chancellor's Gold Medal, for the winner of the annual poetry contest
- Porson Prize, for the best Greek writing
- Raymond Horton-Smith Prize, for the best medical school thesis
- Seatonian Prize, for the best English poem on a religious topic
- Senior Wrangler, for the top math student, called "the greatest intellectual achievement attainable in Britain."
- Thirlwall Prize, for the best essay on British literature or history
- Thomas Bond Sprague Prize, for the best score on a specific math exam
- Tyson Medal, for the top astronomy student
Cambridge University's Reputation
| National rankings | |
|---|---|
| Complete (2021) | 1 |
| Guardian (2021) | 3 |
| Times / Sunday Times (2021) | 3 |
| Global rankings | |
| ARWU (2020) | 4 |
| QS (2021) |
2 |
| THE (2021) | 5 |
Because it is so old and has such a high academic standing, the University of Cambridge is seen as one of Britain's most important universities. It is often grouped with the University of Oxford as the top two universities in the UK.
The University of Cambridge is regularly ranked among the top five universities in the world. Sometimes it has even been ranked as the best. As of 2024, QS Rankings places Cambridge as the second-best university globally, after MIT. It is ranked the best university in Europe. ARWU ranks Cambridge as the fourth-best university in the world as of 2023. Times Higher Education ranks Cambridge third-best in the world in its 2023 rankings.
In April 2022, QS Rankings rated Cambridge's programs among the world's best. Its Arts and Humanities program is ranked second-best. Its Engineering and Technology program is second-best. Its Life Sciences and Medicine program is fourth-best. Its Natural Sciences program is third-best. Its Social Sciences and Management program is fourth-best.
In 2011, Times Higher Education called Cambridge one of the world's six "super brands" in its "World Reputation Rankings."
Cambridge has been highly ranked by most international and UK university lists. It was ranked the best university in the world by QS World University Rankings in 2010–11 and 2011–12.
A 2006 study found that Cambridge produced the most research papers of any British university. It also ranked first in research production based on how often its papers were cited. Another study that year showed Cambridge won a larger share of British research grants than any other university.
Life as a Cambridge Student
Formal Dinners and May Balls
One special part of student life at Cambridge is attending "Formal Hall" dinners at your college. These are held regularly. Students usually wear their gowns for the meal. Teachers and guests eat at a separate "High Table." The meal often begins and ends with a prayer said in Latin. Special Formal Halls are held for Christmas and other events.
After the exam period, there is "May Week." During this time, students celebrate by going to May Balls. These are fancy, all-night parties held at the colleges with food, drinks, and entertainment. The first day of May Week is also popular for garden parties.
Student Unions (JCR and MCR)
Students can also join their college's student unions. These are called the Junior Combination Room (JCR) for undergraduate students and the Middle Combination Room (MCR) for graduate students. These groups connect students with college staff. They have elected student officers. Individual JCRs and MCRs also report to the main Cambridge Students' Union.
Student Societies and Clubs
Many student-run societies exist at Cambridge. They help students with shared interests meet and discuss things. As of 2010, there were 751 registered societies. Colleges also have their own societies and sports teams.
The Cambridge Union is a famous debate organization. It is the oldest debate organization in the world. It offers students high-level debate and public speaking experience. Drama groups include the Amateur Dramatic Club (ADC) and the comedy club Footlights. Many famous entertainers have come from Footlights. The university's Chamber Orchestra is made up entirely of students.
Sports at Cambridge
Rowing is very popular at Cambridge. There are competitions between colleges, like the "bumps races." The University of Cambridge also competes against Oxford in rowing, known as the Boat Race. There are also "Varsity matches" against Oxford in other sports, like cricket, rugby, and chess. Athletes who represent the university in a Varsity match can earn a "Blue" award.
The University of Cambridge Sports Centre opened in 2013. It has a sports hall, a fitness room, and courts for different sports. Future plans include tennis courts and a swimming pool.
The university also has an athletic track, an indoor cricket school, and Fenner's, a cricket ground.
The university has an ice hockey club called Cambridge University Ice Hockey Club.
The Hawks' Club is a private club for the university's top male athletes. The Ospreys is the similar club for female athletes.
Student Newspapers and Radio
Cambridge's oldest student newspaper is Varsity. It started in 1947. Famous people like Jeremy Paxman and Amol Rajan have edited it. The newspaper has also featured early writings by authors like Zadie Smith.
Varsity prints 9,000 copies and is the only student publication published weekly. News stories from Varsity have appeared in major newspapers like The Guardian and The Times.
Other student publications include The Cambridge Student, which is published every two weeks. The Tab is an online media outlet with light-hearted articles. The Mays is a literary collection of student writing and art from both Cambridge and Oxford. It is published once a year. Another literary journal, Notes, is published about twice a term. Many colleges also have their own student publications.
The student radio station, Cam FM, is run by students from both Cambridge University and Anglia Ruskin University. It broadcasts on 97.2 MHz and has music, talk, and sports shows.
Cambridge Student Union
All students at the University of Cambridge are represented by Cambridge Students' Union. It was formed in 2020 by combining two older student unions.
The eight most important positions in the Students' Union are held by full-time officers. In 2020, these officers were elected with about 20.88% of all students voting.
In 2021, the Students' Union started a petition against the university's financial partnership with the government of the United Arab Emirates. The Union said there was a "values gap" and a threat to "academic freedom." They warned that university staff could be at risk because of the UAE's history of human rights issues.
In 2023, 72% of the Students' Union voted to discuss removing all animal products from university cafes and canteens. Students supported vegan food to help the climate and biodiversity. This vote is not binding, as the university controls the catering service. After the vote, Darwin College decided to serve only vegan food at its May Ball in 2023.
Student Politics and Activism
A protest in Cambridge had over a thousand students and residents. This was the city's largest protest. They asked the University of Cambridge to stop investing in Israel because of its actions in the Gaza Strip during the Israel–Hamas war. Students and staff also walked out of lectures to protest the same issues.
Students and staff at Cambridge wrote an open letter to the university. Over 1,400 people signed it. They asked the university to recognize the "slaughter of innocent Palestinians." They also demanded that the university "cut financial ties with Israel," just as it did with Russia after the invasion of Ukraine. They also asked for an investigation into the university's financial links with arms manufacturers that might supply Israel.
Famous People from Cambridge University
Over its 800-year history, many people from Cambridge University have become famous leaders, innovators, and historical figures. As of 2020, 70 alumni have won Nobel Prizes. As of 2019, Cambridge alumni, teachers, and researchers have won 11 Fields Medals (for math) and seven Turing Awards (for computing).
Here are some famous Cambridge alumni by their field:
Education Leaders
Notable alumni in education include the founders of Harvard University, like John Harvard. Others include Emily Davies, who founded Girton College (the first women's higher education place). John Haden Badley founded the first mixed-sex private school in England. Anil Kumar Gain founded the Vidyasagar University in India.
Humanities, Music, and Art Figures
In the humanities, Greek studies started at Cambridge in the early 1500s with Desiderius Erasmus. John Chadwick helped decode an ancient writing system called Linear B. The poet A. E. Housman taught at Cambridge.
Cambridge academics include famous economists like John Maynard Keynes and Milton Friedman. Important philosophers include Francis Bacon, Bertrand Russell, and Ludwig Wittgenstein. Famous historians include Thomas Babington Macaulay and Joseph Needham.
In religion, notable alumni include Rowan Williams, a former Archbishop of Canterbury. William Tyndale translated the Bible. William Wilberforce and Thomas Clarkson helped end the slave trade. Six winners of the Templeton Prize (for religion) are also Cambridge alumni.
Famous musicians from Cambridge include composers Ralph Vaughan Williams and John Rutter. Conductors like Colin Davis and John Eliot Gardiner also studied there. Pop music alumni include members of bands like Radiohead and Clean Bandit.
Artists like Quentin Blake and Antony Gormley, and photographers like Cecil Beaton, are also Cambridge alumni.
Literature and Writing Talents
Writers who studied at Cambridge include Elizabethan playwrights Christopher Marlowe and John Fletcher. Samuel Pepys kept a famous diary. Novelists like William Makepeace Thackeray (who wrote Vanity Fair) and A. A. Milne (who wrote Winnie-the-Pooh) are alumni.
More recently, alumni include comedy writers Douglas Adams and Tom Sharpe. Popular novelists include A. S. Byatt, Salman Rushdie, and Zadie Smith. Playwrights like Julian Fellowes also studied at Cambridge.
In poetry, Cambridge alumni include John Milton (famous for Paradise Lost), Lord Byron, and Lord Tennyson. War poets Siegfried Sassoon and Rupert Brooke also attended. More recent poets include Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath.
At least nine Poets Laureate graduated from Cambridge. Many literary critics also came from the university.
Actors and directors who attended Cambridge include Ian McKellen, Emma Thompson, Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, John Cleese, Tom Hiddleston, and Eddie Redmayne. Directors like Sam Mendes and Peter Hall are also alumni.
Mathematics and Science Innovators
.png)
Isaac Newton, who did many experiments at Trinity College, is one of Cambridge's most famous alumni. Other alumni include Francis Bacon, who developed the scientific method. Mathematicians like G. H. Hardy and Srinivasa Ramanujan made huge contributions. James Clerk Maxwell developed the theory of electromagnetic radiation. In 1890, mathematician Philippa Fawcett got the highest score in the Cambridge math exams. But as a woman, she couldn't officially claim the title of Senior Wrangler.
In biology, Charles Darwin (from Christ's College) developed the theory of natural selection. Biologists Francis Crick and James Watson discovered the structure of DNA while working at the Cavendish Laboratory. Maurice Wilkins and Rosalind Franklin provided key data for this discovery. More recently, Ian Wilmut was part of the team that cloned Dolly the Sheep. Naturalist David Attenborough and chimpanzee expert Jane Goodall also studied at Cambridge.
Many women scientists from Cambridge have been important. These include biochemist Marjory Stephenson and brain researcher Brenda Milner.
The university is often seen as the birthplace of the computer. Charles Babbage designed an early computing system. Alan Turing created the basis for modern computing. Maurice Wilkes built the first programmable computer. The webcam was also invented at Cambridge.
In physics, Ernest Rutherford, known as the father of nuclear physics, spent much of his life at Cambridge. He worked with Niels Bohr, who helped us understand the atom. J. J. Thomson discovered the electron. James Chadwick discovered the neutron. J. Robert Oppenheimer, who led the project to develop the atomic bomb, also studied there.
Cambridge alumni in astronomy include John Herschel and Stephen Hawking, a famous theoretical physicist. Martin Rees is the current Astronomer Royal.
Other important scientists include Henry Cavendish, who discovered hydrogen. Frank Whittle co-invented the jet engine. Lord Kelvin developed the Laws of Thermodynamics.
Political Figures
The University of Cambridge has a strong history in politics. It has educated:
- Oliver Cromwell, who was the leader of England from 1653–58.
- 14 British Prime Ministers, including Robert Walpole, often called the first British Prime Minister.
- At least 30 foreign heads of state or government, including presidents and prime ministers from many countries.
- At least nine monarchs, including Kings Edward VII, George VI, and (current King) Charles III of the United Kingdom.
Sports Stars
As of 2016, athletes who graduated or attended Cambridge had won 194 Olympic medals, including 88 gold medals. Alumni include Chinese table tennis champion Deng Yaping. Sprinter Harold Abrahams and mountaineer George Mallory also studied there.
Technology Innovators
Cambridge alumni have made huge advances in technology. Several have founded or co-founded leading tech companies:
- Demis Hassabis, co-founder of DeepMind, an AI company known for AlphaGo.
- Herman Narula and Rob Whitehead, co-founders of Improbable, a company that makes video game simulation software.
- Sophie Wilson and Steve Furber, co-founders of ARM, a British company that designs computer chips.
- Kennedy Ekezie, co-founder of Kippa, a Nigerian software and financial services company.
Images for kids
-
Great Court at Trinity College
-
New Court at Corpus Christi College
-
Gatehouse at Gonville and Caius College
-
First Court at Pembroke College
-
Gatehouse at Selwyn College
-
Main Court at St Catharine's College
-
Hughes Hall and Fenner's
-
Bredon House at Wolfson College
-
West Lodge Garden at Downing College
-
Old Gatehouse at Queen's College
-
Dining Hall at Magdalene College
-
Chapel Court at Jesus College
-
Second Court at St John's College
-
The Cavendish Building at Homerton College
-
The chapel at Sidney Sussex College
-
The interior of Judge Business School
-
The Grove at Fitzwilliam College
-
Gatehouse at Girton College
-
2009 Banner celebrating 800 years of University of Cambridge
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpeg)
_2012.jpg)
See also
In Spanish: Universidad de Cambridge para niños
- Armorial of British universities
- Cambridge University Constabulary
- Cambridge University primates
- Coat of arms of the University of Cambridge
- List of medieval universities
- List of Nobel laureates affiliated with the University of Cambridge
- List of organisations and institutions associated with the University of Cambridge
- List of organisations with a British royal charter
- List of professorships at the University of Cambridge
- List of universities in the United Kingdom
