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University of Cambridge

Ranked
Cambridge, United Kingdom
5th in World University Rankings 2024
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About

Basic information and contact details for the University of Cambridge

institution

Founded in 1209, the University of Cambridge is a collegiate public research institution. Its 800-year history makes it the fourth-oldest surviving university in the world and the second-oldest university in the English-speaking world.

Cambridge serves more than 18,000 students from all cultures and corners of the world. Nearly 4,000 of its students are international and hail from over 120 different countries. In addition, the university’s International Summer Schools offer 150 courses to students from more than 50 countries.

The university is split into 31 autonomous colleges where students receive small group teaching sessions known as college supervisions. 

Six schools are spread across the university’s colleges, housing roughly 150 faculties and other institutions. The six schools are: Arts and Humanities, Biological Sciences, Clinical Medicine, Humanities and Social Sciences, Physical Sciences and Technology.

The campus is located in the centre of the city of Cambridge, with its numerous listed buildings and many of the older colleges situated on or near the river Cam.

The university is home to over 100 libraries, which, between them, hold more than 15 million books in total. In the main Cambridge University library alone, which is a legal depository, there are eight million holdings. The university also owns nine arts, scientific and cultural museums that are open to the public throughout the year, as well as a botanical garden.

Cambridge University Press is a non-school institution and operates as the university’s publishing business. With over 50 offices worldwide, its publishing list is made up of 45,000 titles spanning academic research, professional development, research journals, education and bible publishing.

In total, 92 affiliates of the university have been awarded Nobel Prizes, covering every category. 

The university’s endowment is valued at nearly £6 billion.

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Rankings

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Key Student Statistics

A breakdown of student statistics at the University of Cambridge

gender ratio
Student gender ratio
48 F : 52 M (1)
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International student percentage
38% (1)
student per staff
Students per staff
11.5 (1)
student
Student total
20565 (1)

Based on data collected for the (1) World University Rankings 2024

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Subjects Taught at the University of Cambridge

See below for a range of subjects taught at the University of Cambridge

Life Sciences2nd

  • Veterinary Science
  • Biological Sciences

Law3rd

  • Law

Education4th

  • Education

Arts and Humanities3rd

  • Languages, Literature and Linguistics
  • History, Philosophy and Theology
  • Archaeology
  • Art, Performing Art and Design
  • Architecture

Business and Economics=5th

  • Economics and Econometrics
  • Business and Management
  • Accounting and Finance

Clinical and Health3rd

  • Medicine and Dentistry
  • Other Health

Computer Science7th

  • Computer Science

Engineering5th

  • General Engineering
  • Civil Engineering
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Social Sciences6th

  • Sociology
  • Politics and International Studies
  • Geography

Psychology3rd

  • Psychology

Physical Sciences5th

  • Chemistry
  • Geology, Environmental, Earth and Marine Sciences
  • Physics and Astronomy
  • Mathematics and Statistics