UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE ACCEPTANCE RATE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IN 2022

If you’re among the foreigners direly seeking admission to one of the UK’s best universities, chances are that Cambridge University is your most preferred choice.

Frankly, Cambridge University’s acceptance rate for international students is considered quite low. One of the reasons for this is that many foreigners apply to the university from different countries yearly. Nevertheless, a foreigner with all the needed requirements and/or qualifications can edge out many other competitors in the scramble for Cambridge University’s admission.

The University of Cambridge –or Cambridge University –in the English-speaking world’s second-oldest university. The establishment of this university dates back more than 800 years. Structurally, it is a collegiate university composed of 31 colleges, over 150 academic departments and an overall student population of 25,000+ (undergrad and graduate) students.

To help many admission seekers learn their chances of getting into Cambridge University, this post presents comprehensive information about Cambridge University’s various acceptance rates, including the acceptance rate for international students.

University of Cambridge Acceptance Rate for International Students

Despite that the competition for Cambridge University’s admission slots appears stiff for all foreigners, international students account for a considerable portion of the university’s student population. According to reliable data, students from countries outside the United Kingdom account for one-quarter of Cambridge University’s undergraduate population.

Notably, these foreign undergrad students hail from different countries of the world. Data about Cambridge University’s student population further reveals that the university’s international undergrad students come from more than 100 countries.

It is undeniable that foreigners have relatively low chances of gaining admission into the University of Cambridge. However, these changes aren’t as low as some people think as Cambridge University’s acceptance rate for international students stands at 34.6%.

University of Cambridge Acceptance Rate for Undergraduate Students

Based on an analysis of the year-by-year figures of Cambridge University’s acceptances for undergrad applications, it is crystal clear that the university’s undergraduate admissions have been increasing yearly.

Over the years, both applications and admissions for the university’s undergrad programs have been on the increase.

The table above shows the number of undergrad application acceptances for each year from 2016 to 2020.

Although each undergraduate program at Cambridge University has its own acceptance rate (which may be high or low), the overall Cambridge University acceptance rate for undergraduates stands at 21%.

If you’re applying to Cambridge for an undergraduate program, you might be willing to know the specific acceptance rate for your preferred subject. Here is a table with the number of received applications and accepted applications for some of Cambridge University’s undergraduate subjects:

The table above shows the resulting acceptance rates for select undergrad subjects at Cambridge University.

University of Cambridge Acceptance Rate for U.S. Citizens

Cambridge University’s acceptance rate for U.S. citizens appears lower than the university’s general acceptance rate for international students. While Cambridge University’s acceptance rate for Americans is currently estimated as 13%, data shows that in 2016, only 40 were accepted from a total of 347 American applicants. However, not more than 20 of the 40 accepted Americans eventually got admitted by Cambridge University.

While the 13% acceptance rate for U.S. citizens appears really low, it isn’t a pointer to the impression that Cambridge University’s admission is peculiarly hard for Americans. An American’s chances of getting into Cambridge University rely more heavily on their individual qualifications.

As an American, your chances of Cambridge University will be high if you have an excellent ACT or SAT score, up to 5 AP (Advanced Placement) scores at grade 5 and remarkable school qualification scores, as shown in your academic record. The long and short of this is that you need to excel in all the tests (whether US-specific or Cambridge University-specified) that prepare you for Cambridge University’s admission.

University of Cambridge Acceptance Rate for Graduate Students

As usual, postgraduate programs at Cambridge University are more competitive than each other. The postgraduate programs at Cambridge University are frankly some of the very difficult programs to gain entry into. Besides demanding that applicants fulfil the minimum academic requirements stipulated by Cambridge University and the corresponding departments, these postgraduate programs require the applicants to possess relevant experience and strong English skills. They are also expected to back their applications with the availability of suitable supervisors as well as references.

Cambridge University’s acceptance rate for graduate students –applicants coming for PhD, Master’s, etc. –hovers around 42%. As mentioned earlier, some postgraduate programs at this university are more competitive than others. It is therefore unsurprising that a postgraduate program such as MPhil in Developmental Biology has an acceptance rate as low as 9%.

Here is a table with some of Cambridge University’s competitive postgraduate programs and their acceptance rates.

Graduate studies at Cambridge University are generally considered demanding and intense.

University of Cambridge Acceptance Rate for Faculty of Law

Cambridge University’s Faculty of Law has differing acceptance rates for its six degrees notably Doctorate in Law, LRL, IL, BA Tripos Degree in Law, and Masters in Corporate Law.

While the faculty’s acceptance rate notably differs for the various degrees offered, there are 30% and 31% acceptance rates for Master of Corporate Law and Master of Law (LLM) respectively.

The faculty further offers diplomas in international law and in legal studies. As for the faculty’s MPhil degrees, the areas of focus include criminology and criminological research.

University of Cambridge Acceptance Rate for MBA Graduate

The MBA program at Cambridge University is a specialized one-year curriculum program aimed at enhancing the students’ leadership and interpersonal abilities.

It is a kind of management degree program that equips students with in-depth understanding as well as the practical skills that would enable them to succeed in the field of management.

Some of the requirements needed to apply for Cambridge University’s MBA program are fluency in English language, a minimum GPA of 3.3 and a minimum of three-year professional experience.

An MBA degree obtained from Cambridge University is a well-reputed qualification. This is why it is unsurprising that more than 90% of the university’s MBA graduates were said to have received employment offers only a few months after graduating.

The acceptance rate for Cambridge University’s MBA program is 42%.

University of Cambridge Acceptance Rate for Transfer Students

Students applying to Cambridge University on the basis of transfer do not seem to have a favourable acceptance rate. This is partly due to the university’s purported “rigorous” policy against acceptance of transfer applications from an external university.

Therefore, the University of Cambridge’s acceptance rate for transfer students is as low as 7%.

What Are the Required Documents for Applying to Cambridge University?

The document requirements for Cambridge University’s admission are simply the documents an applicant is expected to upload to the UCAS website. Although with few additions, the required documents for Cambridge’s postgraduate admission processing are almost the same as the ones needed for undergraduate admission.

For Cambridge’s undergrad program, the documents to be uploaded are as follows:

• A report of the applicant’s TOEFL/IELTS score
• CV
• Personal statement/SOP (Applicants can find more info about this and what should be contained in the SOP via the university’s application portal)
• Reference letters/LORs
• A loan or scholarship letter (serving as evidence of financial funding)
• Assessment test/written work/portfolio –What an applicant will submit here actually depends on the applicant’s profile, the preferred course as well as the instructions issued by the Cambridge department/faculty for the applicant’s preferred undergrad course
• Visa/passport –if any copies are available
• Academic transcripts, of classes 11 and 12

To apply for any of Cambridge University’s postgraduate courses, the documents to upload are as follows:

• A report of the applicant’s TOEFL/IELTS/CPE/CAE score
• CV/professional resume
• A loan or scholarship letter (serving as evidence of financial funding)
• Visa/passport –if any copies are available
• Assessment test/written work/portfolio –What an applicant will submit here actually depends on the applicant’s profile, preferred course as well as the instructions issued by the Cambridge department/faculty for the applicant’s preferred postgraduate course
• Two reference letters/LORs. The applicant is expected to include the details of their recommenders to enable Cambridge University to directly receive references from the recommenders
• SOP/Essays
• A report of the applicant’s GRE/GMAT score
• Academic transcripts
• For research-based PG courses, a research proposal should be included in the application

The Essential Requirements That Boost Applicants’ Admission Chances

The essential requirements for gaining entry into Cambridge University may be regarded as the various conditions that applicants –particularly the U.S. applicant –need to fulfil ahead of their applications to the university. Armed with all of the essential requirements, an applicant would stand a high chance of being picked during Cambridge University’s selection process.

ACT Tests: Cambridge University prioritizes high ATC test scores of at least 33 (for those applying for subjects in the Sciences) and 32 (for Arts and Humanities).

GPA Score: Cambridge University is far away from the cluster of universities that accept applicants with GPAs considered very low. Your GPA for gaining entry into Cambridge majorly depends on the standard set by the relevant department but generally, the university expects you to have at least 3.7 on a 4.0 scale. If you’re applying to Cambridge University with a GPA far below this, your chances of gaining admission are as impossible as walking a camel through the eye of a needle.

(Proof of) Fees and Finance: One of the core requirements that help pitch you as a qualified candidate for Cambridge University is (evidence of) sufficient funds. It is with this (evidence of) sufficient fund that you can assure the university you’ve got the capability to shoulder all the fees and finances required for your program. On the side of Cambridge University, sufficient fund is an important consideration except for students coming into the university on scholarships.

SAT Reasoning Tests: With 1,500 considered the required SAT score for admission into Cambridge University, an applicant is expected to score up to 750 in each of their SAT component tests. However, there are courses for which a total SAT score of 1,460 (730 in Maths and 730 in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing) is considered enough.

English Language Proficiency Tests: Except for applicants who are native English speakers, it is necessary to take an English language proficiency test before applying to Cambridge University.

As a non-native aspiring to gain entry into Cambridge, you should be ready to take one or some of the following tests: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL); Duolingo English Test (DET); International English Language Testing System (IELTS); Pearson Test of English (PTE), and InitialView.

Advanced Placement (AP) Tests: Although Cambridge University prioritizes AP tests as parts of the requirements for its admission, the school does not mandate an applicant to fulfil their AP test requirement in one sitting. The AP tests required for Cambridge are AP Research, Seminar Courses, and AP Capstone. Notably, a minimum of 5 (AP) test scores at grade 5 are stipulated as the AP test requirement for Cambridge University’s admission.

Clever Tips to Boost Your Admission Chances

Getting into Cambridge University doesn’t appear easy to any applicants including U.K. citizens. In fact, being a U.K. citizen isn’t a passport to Cambridge’s admission as all applicants are expected to have met certain minimum requirements.

Due to acceptance rate variations, some applicants –compared to others –seemingly have higher chances of being admitted to Cambridge University. But to boost your admission chances, irrespective of the acceptance rate for your kind of applicant, here are the tips you should keep in mind:

• Learn about the extracurricular activities that resonate with the core values of Cambridge colleges. Endeavour to actively engage in these activities
• Ensure you obtain a recommendation letter from at least one of the teachers in the department offering your preferred Cambridge course
• Commit yourself to excel on the ACT and SAT. Ensure you don’t score less than 33 and 1,460 on the ACT and SAT respectively
• Volunteer extensively in your community/hometown, ensuring you focus on activities that foster community development
• Engage vastly in activities that can help you build a wealth of experience in the areas of leadership and personal growth
• Always keep a remarkable academic record; ensure your GPA on a 4.0 scale is not less than 3.7

Cambridge University’s Most Competitive UG Programs with Their Acceptance Rates (2022)

Cambridge University’s Least Competitive UG Programs with Their Acceptance Rates (2022)

Cambridge University’s Most Competitive PG Programs with Their Acceptance Rates (2022)

Cambridge University’s Least Competitive PG Programs with Their Acceptance Rates (2022)

Conclusion

Frankly, admission to Cambridge University doesn’t appear easy for any applicant. To really stand a chance of gaining this university’s admission as an international student, you need to meet all of its stipulated requirements for your preferred course as well as your category of applicant.

As you learn about your chances of entry into Cambridge University, we urge you to abide by the clever tips we recommended earlier on how you can boost your admission chances.