Cambridge's overall acceptance rate is approximately 18–21% — but this masks dramatic variation by subject. The most competitive subjects accept fewer than 10% of applicants, making Cambridge as selective as many Ivy League schools for particular courses.
Cambridge Overall Acceptance Rate (2025–2026)
| Academic Year | Applications | Offers | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 entry | ~21,500 | ~4,350 | ~20–21% |
| 2023 entry | ~21,000 | ~4,287 | ~20.4% |
| 2022 entry | ~20,426 | ~4,192 | ~20.5% |
| 2020 entry | ~19,359 | ~4,201 | ~21.7% |
Cambridge's acceptance rate is relatively stable and slightly higher than Oxford's — but subject-level rates tell a very different story.
Cambridge Acceptance Rate by Subject (2024 Entry)
| Subject | Applications | Offers | Offer Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medicine | ~2,200 | ~285 | ~13.0% |
| Computer Science | ~1,800 | ~180 | ~10.0% |
| Natural Sciences | ~6,000 | ~780 | ~13.0% |
| Mathematics | ~3,500 | ~340 | ~9.7% |
| Engineering | ~3,200 | ~380 | ~11.9% |
| Law | ~2,200 | ~285 | ~13.0% |
| Economics | ~3,500 | ~310 | ~8.9% |
| Architecture | ~550 | ~85 | ~15.5% |
| History | ~2,100 | ~310 | ~14.8% |
| English | ~2,500 | ~355 | ~14.2% |
| Modern and Medieval Languages | ~750 | ~145 | ~19.3% |
| Classics | ~350 | ~100 | ~28.6% |
| Music | ~400 | ~90 | ~22.5% |
| Geography | ~700 | ~155 | ~22.1% |
| Theology | ~200 | ~80 | ~40.0% |
Most competitive Cambridge subjects:
- Economics: ~8.9%
- Mathematics: ~9.7%
- Computer Science: ~10.0%
- Engineering: ~11.9%
- Medicine: ~13.0%
Cambridge vs Oxford Acceptance Rates
| Subject | Cambridge Rate | Oxford Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Medicine | ~13% | ~7.9% |
| Mathematics | ~9.7% | ~9.7% |
| Computer Science | ~10.0% | ~8.9% |
| Economics | ~8.9% | ~9.1% |
| Law | ~13.0% | ~11.0% |
| Engineering | ~11.9% | ~11.0% |
| History | ~14.8% | ~12.3% |
| English | ~14.2% | ~12.4% |
Oxford is slightly more selective than Cambridge at the subject level for most courses — but both institutions are genuinely world-class and comparable in prestige.
Cambridge Graduate Acceptance Rates
| Programme | Est. Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|
| Cambridge MBA (Judge) | ~20–25% |
| Cambridge LLM | ~20–25% |
| MPhil (various) | ~15–25% |
| PhD Computer Science | ~8–12% |
| PhD Mathematics (Part III) | ~15–20% |
| PhD Economics | ~8–12% |
| PhD Humanities | ~10–18% |
Cambridge Admissions Process
Step 1: UCAS Application (October 15 Deadline)
Same early deadline as Oxford — six weeks before the standard UK deadline.
Step 2: Supplementary Application Questionnaire (SAQ)
Cambridge requires all applicants to complete a Subject-Specific Supplementary Application Questionnaire (SAQ) online by the same October 15 deadline.
Step 3: Written Admissions Assessments (October/November)
| Subject | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Mathematics | STEP (Sixth Term Examination Paper) — used for conditional offers |
| Natural Sciences | NSAA (Natural Sciences Admissions Assessment) |
| Computer Science | CSAT (Computer Science Admissions Test) |
| Engineering | ENGAA (Engineering Admissions Assessment) |
| Economics | ECAA (Economics Admissions Assessment) |
| Law | LNAT |
| Medicine | UCAT + BMAT (or UCAT) |
| History | HAA (History Admissions Assessment) |
| Classics | CAA |
| Modern Languages | MML written assessment |
STEP for Mathematics: Cambridge typically makes conditional offers requiring STEP grade 1 or 2 — a separate exam taken in June alongside A-levels. STEP preparation is intense and takes months.
Step 4: College Interviews (December)
Interview format varies by subject:
- Sciences: problem-solving sessions with unfamiliar material
- Humanities: discussion of a passage or source you have not seen before
- Typically 2 interviews; 20–30 minutes each
Step 5: Conditional Offer
| Subject | Typical Offer |
|---|---|
| Mathematics | AAA + STEP 1 and 2 |
| Natural Sciences | AAA (Chemistry/Physics/Maths typically required) |
| Engineering | AAA |
| Computer Science | AAA |
| Law | A*AA |
| Medicine | A*AA (Chemistry required) |
| Economics | A*AA |
| History | A*AA |
| English | A*AA |
Cambridge's Supervision System
Cambridge's undergraduate teaching is delivered through supervisions — small-group sessions (typically 1–2 students) with an academic expert, usually weekly. This intensive tutorial system requires students who:
- Engage intellectually with material at a deep level
- Are comfortable defending their thinking under questioning
- Can produce written work of high quality weekly
This is very different from lecture-based teaching and is why the interview process specifically tests how candidates think and respond to challenge.
International Applicants at Cambridge
International students make up approximately 20% of Cambridge's undergraduate intake. Key international qualifications:
| Qualification | Typical Cambridge Requirement |
|---|---|
| IB Diploma | 40–42 points with 7,7,6 or 7,7,7 at Higher Level |
| US (SAT/ACT) | SAT 1500+ / ACT 34+ (plus strong academic record) |
| Indian (CBSE/ISC) | 95%+ aggregate in top subjects |
IELTS Requirements for Cambridge
Cambridge's requirements by tier:
| Level | IELTS Min | Per-Section | For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 7.5 | 7.0 | Most undergraduate and graduate |
| Higher (Humanities/Law) | 7.5 | Writing 7.5 | Humanities, Law |
| Highest | 8.0 | 8.0 all | Some graduate programmes |
Undergraduate: IELTS 7.5 overall, no section below 7.0. Graduate (most): IELTS 7.5 with per-section minimums of 7.0. Cambridge Humanities (Writing): 7.5 Writing minimum specifically.
How to Improve Your Cambridge Application
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Prepare intensively for the admissions test in your subject — STEP, NSAA, ENGAA, BMAT, or LNAT. These tests are specifically designed to assess aptitude beyond the A-level curriculum, and poor test performance rarely leads to an interview.
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Read widely in your subject — Cambridge tutors will ask you to discuss ideas you encountered outside your curriculum. Your personal statement should reference specific texts, papers, or experiments that genuinely interested you.
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Practice explaining your thinking aloud — interviews at Cambridge are not about knowing the answer. They are about demonstrating how you approach a problem you have never seen before. Practice thinking through problems verbally.
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IELTS 7.5 with Writing 7.5 for Humanities — for English, History, and Law at Cambridge's graduate level, the Writing per-section minimum of 7.5 is strictly enforced.
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Choose your college thoughtfully — some Cambridge colleges have slightly higher acceptance rates in specific subjects. Open application is a reasonable choice if you are uncertain.
Prepare for IELTS with Gabble — Cambridge requires IELTS 7.5 overall with no section below 7.0; Humanities requires Writing 7.5 specifically. Reach your target with AI-powered band-level feedback.