Ultimate Guide to Study in Cambridge for Indian Students – 2025 Edition

About the University of Cambridge

• Founded in 1209, consistently ranked in the Top 3 globally

• Comprises 31 colleges and over 100 departments

• Emphasizes deep academic thinking, research, and supervision-based learning

• Alumni include Sir Isaac Newton, Stephen Hawking, Charles Darwin, and over 120 Nobel Laureates Study in Cambridge for Indian Students

Why Choose Cambridge?

✅ World-renowned education with deep academic rigor
✅ Small-group supervision system for personalized learning
✅ Globally respected degrees and unmatched career opportunities
✅ Beautiful historic campus, libraries, and museums
✅ Vibrant student life with clubs, debates, sports, and Indian societies

Popular Courses Among Indian Students

Undergraduate

• Computer Science

• Engineering

• Medicine

• Economics

• Law

• Mathematics

• Natural Sciences

• Architecture

• History & Politics

Postgraduate

• Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in various fields

• MBA (Cambridge Judge Business School)

• PhD programs in Engineering, Sciences, and Humanities

• LLM (Master of Law)

• MASt in Mathematics/Applied Mathematics

Eligibility & Admission Requirements

Undergraduate (UG) Applicants:

• CBSE/ISC/State Boards not directly accepted

• Must take A-levels, IB, or foundation programs

• Cambridge entrance assessments/admission tests required (ENGAA, TMUA, LNAT, etc.)

• Submit UCAS application by 15 October

• Interview is mandatory

• Submit academic transcripts, predicted grades, written work

Postgraduate (PG) Applicants:

• A first-class degree (70%+) from a top Indian university

• IELTS 7.5 overall (minimum 7.0 in each band) or TOEFL 110+

• SOP, academic references, writing samples

• GRE/GMAT (required for some courses)

• Portfolio (for architecture/design)

Application Timeline (UG)

• Gates Cambridge Scholarship – Fully-funded for PG students

• Cambridge Trust Scholarships

• Commonwealth Scholarship

• Inlaks Scholarship

• Chevening Scholarship (for PG study in UK)

• JN Tata Endowment (for loan scholarships)

• Rhodes (for Oxford) – but Cambridge has equivalent Gates program

Many scholarships cover tuition + living + visa + flights.

Accommodation

• UG students usually stay in college housing

• PG students can live in college or university-owned flats

• Rent ranges from £500–£900/month

• Includes access to dining halls, common rooms, and social clubs

Student Visa for Indian Students

• Apply for UK Student Visa (Tier 4)

• CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) needed from Cambridge

• Documents required:

  • Valid copyright

  • Proof of English proficiency

  • Financial documents (show funds for tuition + £1,334/month for living)

  • CAS letter from the university

• copyright fee: ~£490

• NHS Surcharge: ~£776/year

Work Opportunities

• Part-time work: Up to 20 hours/week during term

• Internships: Through the Cambridge Careers Service

• Post-study work: 2-year Graduate Route Visa after degree

• Cambridge graduates are recruited by Google, Apple, McKinsey, BCG, UN, and top academic institutions

Required Documents (PG Applicants)

• Academic transcripts

• IELTS/TOEFL scores

• Statement of Purpose (SOP)

• Letters of Recommendation (2–3)

• Resume/CV

• Research proposal (for MPhil/PhD)

• Application fee (~£50–£100)

Life at Cambridge

    Safe, walkable, and student-centered

• Over 500 student clubs, sports, music, and debating societies

• Indian Society, Bollywood Nights, Diwali, Holi celebrations

• Weekend getaways to London, Oxford, or Scottish Highlands

Tips for Indian Applicants

✅ Start preparing 1.5 years in advance
✅ Practice for admission interviews & tests
✅ Write a strong SOP and academic essay
✅ Apply for scholarships early – especially Gates Cambridge
✅ Join open days, webinars, and alumni meetups