The University of Cambridge is known for its strict admission selection process, which has made most prospective students inquisitive about the Cambridge University acceptance rate.
You are at the right place if you also want to learn more about the institution’s admission requirements for undergraduate and postgraduate students. Cambridge University is among the oldest and best universities in the world.
So without further ado, let’s get started.
Cambridge University Acceptance Rate
The acceptance rate of Cambridge University in 2023 is 21.2%. Of the 21,699 applications received, only 4,590 were offered admission to Cambridge.
Compared to the previous year’s admission statistics, the number of applications dropped by 3.6%, and the acceptance rate increased by 0.4%. Keep in mind that Cambridge has a yield of more than 80%.
| Year | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 21.2% |
| 2022 | 20.8% |
| 2021 | 18.7% |
| 2020 | 23.1% |
| 2019 | 24.2% |
| 2018 | 24.8% |
Want to know the least competitive colleges at the University of Cambridge? Continue reading.
The University of Cambridge Acceptance Rate By College
Below are the acceptance rates of the University of Cambridge’s colleges for 2023.
| College | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|
| Christ | 19.1% |
| Churchill | 22.9% |
| Clare | 19.3% |
| Corpus Christi | 21.9% |
| Downing | 16.2% |
| Emmanuel | 18.8% |
| Fitzwilliam | 23.9% |
| Girton | 28.5% |
| Gonville and Caius | 23.9% |
| Homerton | 22.8% |
| Jesus | 15.2% |
| King’s | 16.9% |
| Lucy Cavendish | 27.8% |
| Magdalene | 22.5% |
| Murray Edwards | 40.6% |
| Newnham | 26.6% |
| Pembroke | 15.5% |
| Queen’s | 21.8% |
| Robinson | 25.4% |
| Selwyn | 21.2% |
| Sidney Sussex | 23.3% |
| St Catharine | 22.5% |
| St Edmund | 26.0% |
| St John | 18.4% |
| Trinity | 18.7% |
| Trinity Hall | 22.5% |
| Wolfson | 21.0% |
From the table above, we can see that Murray Edwards College has the highest acceptance rate (40.6%) while Jesus College has the lowest acceptance rate (15.2%).
Cambridge Acceptance Rate for International Students
The University of Cambridge admits a good percentage of students from countries outside the United Kingdom annually. This helped the institution develop a diverse community of students.
The Cambridge acceptance rate for international students is 21.4%. This means that out of every 1000 international applicants, only 214 are offered admission.
Although it seems like Cambridge is more difficult for international applicants, this isn’t true. That’s just the nature of the institution—your 3.8 GPA, which you think will get you in maybe the median of all applicants.
Regarding international admissions, China has the highest acceptance rate of 23.8%, followed by Singapore (11.5%). The acceptance rate for American applicants is about 4.7%.
While you may already know that studying abroad at a prestigious university will be expensive, there are other things you should know about the University of Cambridge admission requirements for international students.
- Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank: Minimum score of 99.
- Chinese University Entrance Examination: You must be among the top 0.1%.
- European Baccalaureate: Minimum of 85% overall.
- French Baccalaureate: 16 out of 20 is required.
- German Abitur: Minimum of 1.1 overall in subjects related to your course.
- Welsh Baccalaureate: 3 A Levels must be studied as options for the advanced diploma.
How to get into Cambridge University in 2024
Below are some of the criteria used by the admission committee at the University of Cambridge when reviewing applications.
For Undergraduate Applicants
For Postgraduate Applicants
Cambridge GPA Requirements
You need a minimum GPA of 3.7 on a 4.0 scale to get into Cambridge University. This means anyone dreaming of studying at this institution must have a first-class or a strong second-class upper honors degree.
Remember that GPA is just one of the many admission requirements used by the University of Cambridge. Let’s say it’s a cutoff; you don’t expect them to review an applicant with a very low GPA or bad grades.
Don’t get me wrong, having a 4.0 GPA does not guarantee your admission, especially if you lack in other areas. If you know your GPA is below average, ensure your standardized test scores are almost perfect and your essays great.
Remember that admission is competitive, so admission is not guaranteed even if you meet all the criteria and requirements. Earning a spot at Cambridge University is an achievement due to the high level of competition. Still, you can increase your chances with hard work, dedication, and a well-rounded application.
Is Cambridge hard to get into?
Yes, getting into Cambridge University is hard, but not impossible. Want to know how difficult it is to be offered admission to study at Cambridge? Only 1 in every seven applicants is admitted. Mind you, all of these seven applicants have above-average grades and scores.
We all know that the University of Cambridge is one of the most competitive institutions in the United Kingdom, and more brilliant applicants equate to more competition. Also, some colleges are more competitive than others regarding admissions.
It is also worth noting that your course of study is a primary determinant of how hard it is to get in. For example, getting into the University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine is harder than in the School of Arts and Humanities.
If you are not ready to study and grind for months like your life depends on it, maybe you should consider applying to a less competitive UK university. Also, note that the interview may determine whether you get in, especially if your metrics are great.
FAQ
I am sure you now know the admission statistics for the University of Cambridge. Let’s cover some of the frequently asked questions on this topic.
You don’t need to be super bright or the next Albert Einstein or William James Sidis to get into Cambridge University. All you need is to be intelligent and passionate about your field.
No, you don’t need 4 A-Levels to get into Cambridge. Although it’s not part of the criteria used for admission, it may be considered if submitted.
The admission committee at the University of Cambridge does not care about how many As you have in your GCSE results. Your UMS points in AS are reasonable, so you’ll be fine.
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