How the University works
Cambridge is a Collegiate University, which means that in addition to your home Faculty, you will also be a
member of a College
Lectures, seminars and laboratory sessions are organised by the Faculties and Departments.
For undergraduates, lectures are supplemented by small group teaching sessions, known as
Supervisions, in their College
For more information, see: How the University and Colleges work; Ehat is the Colleges; Colleges:
Key factors and figures
Cost of living:
Cambridge is an expensive place to live and we estimate that your living costs for the year will be a
minimum of 11,020 for 9 month stay (October to June).
This covers accommodation, food, study materials, personal expenses and local travel and will vary
according to your individual lifestyle.
If you find yourself in financial difficulties, ask your home university for assistance.
Working restrictions:
The university does not permit students to work during term time
You should not expect to supplement funding with a part-time job during university terms.
Term entry
Students taking undergraduate courses must come for the full year (3 terms).
Teaching takes places in Michaelmas and Lent terms.
Easter term is mainly for revision, assessment and research.
“Full Term” = 8 week teaching and assessment period for undergraduates.
Subject frameworks
The course you can take are determined bu the Course Framework for the subject area you’ve been
nominated for.
Cannot select courses from multiple frameworks, or in other Facutlries.
Courses for next academic year not finalised until June.
Nomination (March) – Invitation to online application form (April) – Complete language assessment (April)
– Upload documentation to webform (April) – Application is considered by Department (May – June) –
Departmental acceptance / rejection (June) – College Pool process (July) – College acceptance (August) –
Receive information from College about accommodation (August) – ISO issue Confirmation of Acceptance
for Study (August – Sep) – Apply for Student visa using CAS – Arrival in Cambridge (early October).
Nomination: You have been nominated to Cambridge under a bilateral agreement in a specific
subject are and for a specific period of time. If you are undure of these detais, please contact your
home university’s Exchange co-ordinator.
Launage assessment: in 3 parts: reading, writing and listening (online)
Duration 3 hours (recommended maximum)
Speaking assessment: Language Centre will contact you to arrange this
ISO will notify you by email of your results – the assessment is pass / fail
Unfortunately we cannot provide detailed feedback
Invitation to the online application form
You will receive this via mail by 15th April
Unloading document: A list of documents to upload is given on a later slide. These should be uploaded by
30th April.
Language certificate from Cambridge
Learning Agreement
Letter of recommendation
Transcript of current course of study
Transcript of previous university studies
CV
All documents must be in English or translated if the original document is not available in English.Select
only the number of courses specified in the subject framework. Use Exhanges@admin.cam.ac.uk as the
contact email address
Applications are passed to the Departmental/Faculty decision
ISO will contact you if your selected courses are full or unavailable
Faculty/Departmental decisions communicated in late June.
Not possible to choose your College
College placements communicated in late July
Signed Learning Agreements sent with College membership
Your place at Cambridge will not be confirmed until you have been accepted by a College.
College: accommodation and food/academic support (Director of Studies)/Pastoral support (Tutor)/Library
and IT/Sports facilities and Entertainment/Peer support (your fellow students)/Welfare (College nurse,
Chaplain, Counsellor)/Teaching (Undergraduate supervisions).
The Uk left the EU at 24:00 on 30th January 2020. Most non UK or Itish nationals will require a
Student visa to study in the UK, except:
Students coming for less than 6 months
EEA nationals living in the UK before 31 December 2020 who have a status under the EU Settlement
Scheme
All students will need to provide a copy of their passport once they have been accepted by the
relevant Faculty of Department.
The International Student Office will issue you with a Confirmation of Acceptance for study once
you gave been accepted by a College.
Student visa application fee currently 362, plus a 470 mandatory Immigration Health Surcharge.
By Air Cambridge is served by 4 main airports: Stansted (the closest), Heathrow, Gatwick, London
City and Luton.
No centrally organised welcome events for exchange students
Your College will organise induction activities for international students in the week pefore the start
of term
Your host department will also have its own induction events.
Certificates of arrival – send to Exchanges@admin.cam.ac.uk
University Teaching begins: Thursday 5th October
Next steps:
Receive link to the online application form by email bu 15th April
Start preparing supporting oducments
Take language assessment
Complete application and upload supporting documents by 30th April.
