The University of Cambridge is one of the oldest and most prestigious public research universities in the UK.
It is located in the city of Cambridge in eastern England, stretching along the River Cam, making the city itself a 'university town'.
Its most distinctive feature: the collegiate system.
Cambridge is not a single, unified campus, but rather a collective of 31 Colleges + various university Departments/Faculties/Schools.
Colleges are responsible for student life, supervisions, accommodation, and community; the University is responsible for the curriculum, examinations, degrees, and research platforms.
When you apply, you typically need to consider both your course + college – differences between colleges are more reflected in atmosphere/accommodation/funding, rather than 'this college grants a separate degree'.
It is generally believed to have formed around 1209, having 'split off' from Oxford, making it over 800 years old.
It consistently ranks among the top globally (often in the top 2–5 on QS/THE and other rankings), but more crucially, it's known for its research intensity, alumni network, and disciplinary depth (especially in fields such as natural sciences, mathematics, engineering, computer science, economics/finance, history, literature and languages, and life sciences).
The most renowned aspect of the learning experience is Supervision: many classes are not just large lectures, but small-scale, high-frequency 'one-on-one or 1-on-2/3' discussions with feedback and grading, characterized by a fast pace and high intensity.
Academic freedom is high, but this also means you must maintain self-discipline (the reading/writing load is often substantial).
Undergraduate applications are typically made through UCAS; many courses require an entrance exam + interview (rules vary by course). International students must also meet English language proficiency requirements (e.g., IELTS).
Postgraduate applications go through Cambridge's own postgraduate application system, and specific departmental requirements (research proposal/writing sample/recommendation letters/portfolio, etc.) must be met.
The tuition and scholarship system is relatively complex: there are significant differences in fees for UK domestic students, EU students (depending on policy), and international students; colleges may also offer small grants/awards, but competition for large, full scholarships is fierce.
Cambridge is more like a small city where 'academics are embedded in daily life': Gothic courtyards, libraries, and laboratories coexist; traditional rituals are very strong (gowns, formal dinners, etc.), but cutting-edge research is equally hardcore.