University of Cambridge
Cambridge
CB2 1TN
Registry Tel 01223 332200
Fax 01223 366383,
Website: www.cam.ac.uk.
Student enquiries: Cambridge Admissions Office, Fitzwilliam House, 32 Trumpington Street, Cambridge CB2 1QV, Tel 01223 333308, email: admissions@cam.ac.uk; or the Admissions Tutor of any Cambridge college. Website: www.cam.ac.uk/admissions
Applications: Both to the university/college and to UCAS.

Founded: 13th century.

Site: Scattered throughout city centre. Most colleges and university facilities (faculties, departments, libraries, labs) and sports grounds within walking or biking distance.

How to get there: Two mainline links from London (King's Cross and Liverpool St), rail and coach links around the country; close to A14/M11. Within city, walk or bike.

Special features: Distinctive collegiate system. All staff and students of the university live within a few miles of city centre. University is committed to admitting the most able students.

The colleges: Each college is a self-governing community which elects its own fellows, admits its own undergraduates and provides academic, sporting and social facilities as well as accommodation. Most colleges admit undergraduates to read all the subjects at Cambridge. For most undergraduates the college is the focal point of their Cambridge life. Each has its own brochure, in addition to the university prospectus; see list below.

Academic features: Teaching in university lectures, labs etc and in college. Courses, called Tripos, usually very broad for first two years (eg biological sciences part 1), followed by more specialist part 2 (eg neuroscience); a flexible system, which allows you to study additional subjects.

Awarding body: Cambridge University.

Main undergraduate awards: BA, MB/BChir, MBNetMB, MEng, MSci.

Length of courses: 3 years; others 4 years eg languages, MEng, MSci; 5+ years MB/BChir.

Library & information services: All students have access to at least three libraries: university library (copyright library receiving all books published UK); departmenVfaculty specialist library; and college library. Computerised catalogue links all three. Annual expenditure on information provision, £221 per (FTE) student. Separate IT service. Students have IT access through college, department and university sites. University computer network links all colleges and departments; open 24 hours/day; most college rooms linked into it. Many IT courses (taught and self-guided) on use of internet, software applications, programming.

Other learning facilities: Language centre (open to all students, computer-assisted learning). Eight specialist museums eg Fitzwilliam; Botanic Gardens.

Careers: University careers service.

Student advice & services: Pre-entry advice from university admissions office and colleges. University counselling service, disability resource centre, childcare information and financial support administrator. Most other support services (eg welfare, religion) are college based.

Amenities: University provision for wide range of societies in addition to college facilities. Sporting facilities: First class university sports grounds, boat club etc in addition to facilities in colleges.

Accommodation: All first years in college accommodation, 85% of all students. Provision and price varies between the colleges: average approx £66 per week without meals. Hardly any students live at home. Living expenses budget: Minimum budget of £5200 pa (excluding tuition fees) recommended by university (£6110 for international students).

Term-time work: University does not normally allow term-time work for full-time students (terms are only 8 weeks long and very intense).

Financial help: Total available £550,000 government funds, 350 students helped (awards £100-£3500); colleges also have own hardship funds. Isaac Newton Trust Bursaries - up to £1000 pa guaranteed for UK students assessed as exempt from paying tuition fees (by their LEAs). Childcare bursaries (£26,000 awarded in 2003/04). Numerous university and college scholarships and studentships are available, particularly for self-financing students. Apply for help to the College in the first instance.

University tuition fees: Home students up to £1200 pa for first degrees (in 2005). International students pay £8088 pa (classroom), £10,596 (lab), £19,614 (clinical).

College fees: Home and ELI students who are publicly funded (eg are eligible for a student loan) are exempt from paying college fees; international students pay £2000-£3000 pa, depending on the college.