🇬🇧 University of Cambridge — Tuition, Scholarships & Visa Pathway for International Students
Real tuition figures, real scholarships, and the honest visa pathway after graduation — not marketing copy.
Quick Facts
| Location | Cambridge, England, United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Global Ranking | QS World Ranking: #6 (2026) |
| International Students | Over 25,000 students from 140+ countries |
| English Requirement | Typically IELTS 7.0+ overall with 6.5+ in each band, varies by course |
Tuition for International Students (2026)
£25,000–£35,000/year for most courses, plus a mandatory College Fee of £11,500–£14,950/year on top for all international students (a Cambridge-specific cost that Oxford doesn't have in the same form)
Real Scholarships — Not Just a List of Names
Cambridge Trust Scholarships
The primary funding body for international students — offers full or partial tuition coverage plus a living allowance at undergraduate and postgraduate level, based on academic merit and sometimes financial need.
Gates Cambridge Scholarship
One of the world's most prestigious fully-funded postgraduate scholarships, covering tuition, the College Fee, and living costs for outstanding applicants from outside the UK.
Cambridge International Scholarships (PhD)
Via the Cambridge Trust — covers the University Composition Fee and a maintenance allowance for top-ranked PhD applicants.
💡 What This Actually Means
Unlike Oxford, Cambridge students pay a mandatory College Fee in addition to tuition — factor the full £36,500-£49,950/year combined figure into your budget, not just the headline tuition number.
Visa & Post-Study Work Pathway
Cambridge graduates use the same Graduate Route (2 years unrestricted work) as every other UK university — course prestige doesn't extend your visa, but it can meaningfully improve your odds of securing Skilled Worker sponsorship afterward.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cambridge good for international students?
University of Cambridge is a well-regarded university in United Kingdom. QS World Ranking: #6 (2026). Prospective students should compare tuition, course fit, scholarships, living costs and post-study work options before applying — ranking alone shouldn't drive the decision.
What tuition does Cambridge charge international students?
£25,000–£35,000/year for most courses, plus a mandatory College Fee of £11,500–£14,950/year on top for all international students (a Cambridge-specific cost that Oxford doesn't have in the same form)
What IELTS score do I need for Cambridge?
Typically IELTS 7.0+ overall with 6.5+ in each band, varies by course
Can I work in United Kingdom after graduating from Cambridge?
Cambridge graduates use the same Graduate Route (2 years unrestricted work) as every other UK university — course prestige doesn't extend your visa, but it can meaningfully improve your odds of securing Skilled Worker sponsorship afterward.
See the full United Kingdom university landscape and visa pathway.
🇬🇧 UK University Tiers Guide 🔗 Official Cambridge WebsiteMethodology
Tuition, ranking and scholarship figures are compiled from each university's official admissions/scholarship pages and the QS World University Rankings 2026, cross-checked in July 2026. Figures are ranges and change annually — always confirm exact costs on the university's official site before applying or paying any fees.
Limitations
- Tuition varies significantly by specific programme/faculty — the ranges shown are indicative, not a quote for any specific course.
- Scholarship values and eligibility criteria change annually and by nationality — always verify current terms directly with the university.
- This page does not constitute admissions or immigration advice.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute admissions or immigration advice. Page last reviewed July 2, 2026.
VisaCalc is not affiliated with University of Cambridge and does not represent the university. All figures are independently compiled for informational purposes. Always confirm tuition, scholarships and admission requirements directly on the official Cambridge website before applying or paying any fees.