University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom

Overview

History, Affiliations & Rankings

Founded in 1209, the University of Cambridge is the fourth oldest surviving university in the world. A member of the G5, the Russell Group of research-led British universities, the International Alliance of Research Universities among others, the university is a collegiate research university and is also known as Cambridge University. Cambridge claimed the top spot in the Complete and Guardian University Guides 2020 and is also ranked 5th among the most targeted universities by Britain’s leading postgraduate employers (The Graduate Market in 2020). In 2021, the QS and Times Higher Education (THE) ranked Cambridge 7th and 6th respectively on its World University Rankings. In addition, the British Government Assessment Teaching Excellence Framework awarded a rating of Gold to the university.

Infrastructure, Campus & Courses

The University is made up of 31 semi-autonomous constituent colleges, more than 150 academic departments, faculties and other institutions across a total of six schools. Scattered throughout the city of Cambridge, the university does not have a main campus. The wide range of facilities and support offered by the university contribute to making it one of the top universities in the world. These include over 100 libraries; hundreds of student groups, clubs and societies dedicated to community and charity, drama, media, music, politics and so much more; nine specialist museums; sports complexes for over 80 sports, and more. Cambridge further offers 30 undergraduate and 300 postgraduate spanning 21 types of qualifications across a wide spectrum of subject areas.

Accomplishments & Alumni

Cambridge boasts over 298,000 living alumni from across the globe including countries such as the UK, USA, Australia, France, Canada, Germany, China, Hong Kong, India and Singapore, as of September 2018. Currently with 122 Nobel Prize Laureates, 190 Olympic Medalists, 47 Heads of State, the university is associated with former graduates who have achieved recognition across fields not just in the UK but all around the world. Cambridge alumni, researchers and faculty members have also won 11 Field Medals and 7 Turing awards. Some of Cambridge’s notable alumni are Sir Issac Newton, Sir Francis Bacon, John Dee, Muhammad Iqbal, Amartya Sen, John Fletcher, George Herbert, Edmund Spenser, George Mallory to name a few. The university also has a strong reputation in politics with fourteen British prime ministers, at least 30 foreign Heads of State/Government, at least nine monarchs, three signatories of the US Declaration of Independence and more.

Student Diversity & Visiting Companies

With over 20,000 students coming from over 147 countries represented among undergraduates and postgraduates, the University of Cambridge is a truly global and diverse university. Its researchers are also known for collaborating with their counterparts in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas. The university’s 200+ careers events, 14 major careers fairs, 50 employment related skills training sessions, CamCareers email service, and 1500+ internships in a variety of sectors help students become highly employable and find careers across industries and sectors including academia. More than 90% of Cambridge graduates find employment or undertake higher studies within six months after graduation.