🇬🇧 University of Cambridge — Tuition, Scholarships & Visa Pathway for International Students
QS 2027 #6 · £29,052–70,554 a year · Cambridge
Quick Facts
| Location | Cambridge, England, United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Global Ranking | #6 in the QS World University Rankings 2027 (published June 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 (2026-27)
£29,052–70,554 per year (2026-27 overseas tuition (Economics/Humanities to Medicine), plus a college fee of £11,500–£14,950). Source: University of Cambridge: undergraduate tuition fees 2026-27 (PDF), checked 30 October 2026. Add at least £10,827 a year for living costs (study visa minimum; source below).
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 ranked #6 in the QS World University Rankings 2027, 3rd of the 5 universities in the United Kingdom covered on VisaCalc. International tuition runs £29,052–70,554 a year depending on the program. After graduating: graduate visa: 2 years (3 for PhD); 18 months for applications from 1 Jan 2027. Whether it is a good fit depends on your program, budget and career plans; use the cost calculator and comparison charts on this page.
What tuition does Cambridge charge international students?
£29,052–70,554 per year (2026-27 overseas tuition (Economics/Humanities to Medicine), plus a college fee of £11,500–£14,950), checked 30 October 2026.
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 Website
Worked example: a full degree at University of Cambridge
An international student starting a 3-year bachelor's at the lowest fee shown, budgeting the official visa living-cost figure. Rates are converted at the 29 Oct 2026 reference rates; use the calculator above to change any assumption.
| Tuition | £29,052 a year (lowest rate in the published range: 2026-27 overseas tuition (Economics/Humanities to Medicine), plus a college fee of £11,500–£14,950) |
| Living costs | £10,827 a year (Home Office maintenance funds for 9 months outside London (£1,203/month; London £1,570/month) for applications from 30 Nov 2026) |
| Years | 3 (typical bachelor's length) |
| Total, fees flat | £119,637 ≈ ₹1.52 crore ≈ $159,198 |
| Total if costs rise 4% a year | £124,486 ≈ ₹1.58 crore |
| Most expensive programme, same assumptions | £244,143 ≈ ₹3.10 crore |
The visa living-cost figure is a legal minimum, not a comfortable budget. Scholarships are not deducted.
Sources
- University of Cambridge: undergraduate tuition fees 2026-27 (PDF)
- XuanXiao: QS World University Rankings 2027 (top 50)
- Morgan Smith Immigration: maintenance rises from 30 Nov 2026 (HC 584)
- Exchange rates: open.er-api.com reference rates, 29 Oct 2026
How we checked this page
Fees for University of Cambridge come from the University of Cambridge: undergraduate tuition fees 2026-27 (PDF); the QS 2027 position from XuanXiao: QS World University Rankings 2027 (top 50); living costs from Morgan Smith Immigration: maintenance rises from 30 Nov 2026 (HC 584). Checked on 30 October 2026. Course-level fees vary, so confirm your exact program on the official University of Cambridge website before paying anything. VisaCalc is independent of University of Cambridge. Not admissions or immigration advice.