What does Cambridge Uni look for?

Cambridge looks for exceptional academic ability, deep passion, and potential to think critically beyond the syllabus, valuing intellectual curiosity, self-discipline, and strong performance in relevant subjects, demonstrated through top grades (like A*A*A at A-Level), insightful personal statements about extracurricular subject exploration, and potential for independent thought during interviews. They focus heavily on subject-specific enthusiasm, not just broad extracurriculars, seeking students who thrive in their chosen field.

What does Cambridge University look for in applicants?

Each part of the application is important, but we are most interested in your academic ability, as shown in your most recent and relevant performance. Each applicant is different. The parts of an application where an applicant shows their potential can vary. We don't consider any part of your application on its own.

Do you need all 9s to get into Cambridge?

Yes, your grades will need to really dazzle. GCSEs are seen as evidence of work ethic – and you need a really strong one of those to cope with studying at Oxford or Cambridge. Our guesstimate is that the average successful applicant has around eight 8/9 grade GCSEs under their belt.

What kind of students get into Cambridge?

You need to have top grades to study at the University of Cambridge. You'll need to check the entry requirements for your course before you apply. You may need to have qualifications in a particular subject and achieve certain grades. The entry requirements for your course may differ between Cambridge Colleges.

What does Cambridge look for in international students?

Examples of qualifications that would be considered suitable for admission to Cambridge include: A Levels. International Baccalaureate (IB) five or more Advanced Placement (AP) Tests at Score 5, and at least 95% or higher in 5 subjects.

Welcome to Cambridge!

Can an average student get into Cambridge?

Studying at Cambridge is an aspiration for many ambitious students. Competition for a place may be high but that doesn't mean that it is out of reach for you. The acceptance rate for undergraduates is around 20% (most recent data: 2023/24). The acceptance rate for postgraduates is 29% (2023/24).

How to maximize chances of getting into Cambridge?

How to make your application stand out

1. read books about your subject, specialist magazines and journals. ...
2. browse websites related to your subject. ...
3. visit museums, exhibitions and galleries.
4. watch films and documentaries.
5. listen to podcasts.
6. attend seminars and lectures, online or in person.

What is the #1 hardest college to get into?

There isn't one single #1 hardest school, as it varies slightly by year and source, but Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, and Caltech consistently rank among the top, often with acceptance rates below 4%, with some lists pointing to Harvard or even Minerva University as the absolute lowest (around 1-3%) due to extreme competition and high standards. 

Do you need all 9s for Oxbridge?

First, let's look at what GCSEs you will need to get into Oxford. Oxford has explained its stance on GCSE results in multiple places. In all instances, the same message is made fairly clear; there are no set GCSE requirements but it is recommended that applicants have a high proportion of 7, 8 and 9 Grades.

What GCSEs did Kate Middleton get?

Kate Middleton received 11 GCSEs while attending Marlborough College, following that up with strong A-Level results of As in Maths and Art, and a B in English, before earning a 2:1 in History of Art at St Andrews University, demonstrating her academic ability. She was known as a studious student, achieving these results after attending St Andrew's School (Pangbourne) and Downe House before her final private school, Marlborough.
 

Is 3 A-levels enough for Cambridge?

The reality is that three A-levels are enough for nearly all university applications, including to top institutions like Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, and the London School of Economics. These universities base their offers on three subjects.

What is the easiest course to get into at Cambridge?

Once again, the top ten courses for offer rate and acceptance rate are relatively consistent; Modern and Medieval Languages (MML) is by far and away the 'easiest' course to get into at the University of Cambridge, with a whopping 61% of applicants receiving an offer, and 50.4% eventually being accepted onto the course.

What are Cambridge interviewers looking for?

whether you'll thrive in the Cambridge learning environment. your ability to think critically and independently. your curiosity and openness to new ideas. your enthusiasm for your subject.

Should I take 3 or 4 A levels?

You should take at least 3 A levels or 6 IB subjects. These are standard entry requirements for most undergraduate courses in the UK. Our offers are usually based on 3 A levels taken together in Year 13. Taking 4 A levels will not normally give you an advantage.

Do Ivy Leagues look at 9th grade?

9th grade represents 1/3 of the academic record you'll apply with. It will be a problem if you don't do well. Ivies are looking for top grades across the board.

What happens if I get all 9s in GCSE?

Getting all 9s in GCSEs is an exceptional achievement. It shows you're dedicated and want to do your best. These grades can lead to great academic chances and success in your final years of school and at university. But don't forget, doing your best is what really counts.

Does Oxford prefer 4 A levels?

Not only this, but Oxford does not expect you to take an extra AS Level in Year 12 on top of your three A-Level subjects. It's important not to stretch yourself too thinly when it comes to demonstrating your academic excellence, which is why it is better to get three stunningly good grades than four mediocre ones.

Where do top 1% send kids to college?

The "top 1%" of students, often defined by family income, tend to go to highly selective, elite universities like Dartmouth, Yale, Penn, Brown, Princeton, and Stanford, MIT, and Harvard, with some Ivy League schools having a higher concentration of these students than the bottom 60% of income earners. Rankings vary, but MIT, Princeton, Harvard, Stanford, and UC Berkeley consistently appear at the top for overall academic standing, attracting top talent across all income levels. 

Where do the 1% go to college?

The 1% of the wealthiest Americans disproportionately attend highly selective, elite universities, particularly Ivy League schools (Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Dartmouth, Brown, Penn, Columbia) and other top institutions like MIT, Stanford, Duke, and UChicago, where they make up a large percentage of the student body, often outnumbering students from the bottom 60% of income earners combined. Liberal arts colleges and prestigious public universities also attract many wealthy students, with specific examples including WashU St. Louis, UVA, UCLA, UC Berkeley, Vanderbilt, and Johns Hopkins.
 

What's the easiest Ivy League to get into?

Statistically, Cornell University is often cited as the "easiest" Ivy League to get into due to its highest overall acceptance rate (around 8-9%), but it's crucial to understand that no Ivy is easy, and acceptance varies significantly by college within Cornell, with some programs like Engineering being highly competitive, while Hotel Administration and ILR are less so. Dartmouth College and Brown University are next in line by acceptance rate, but all Ivies are extremely selective. 

What is the easiest Russell group to get into?

Based on offer rates and entrance standards, universities such as Liverpool, Queen Mary (QMUL), Nottingham, Newcastle, and Cardiff emerge as the easiest Russell Groups to get into. These institutions tend to have either higher offer rates or lower entrance standards – or both.

How to be a top 1% student?

To be a top 1% student, combine active, strategic learning (like active recall, spaced repetition, using external resources) with strong habits (consistent attendance, participation, managing health/time) and a growth mindset (believing in your ability to improve, seeing challenges as opportunities). It's about consistent, deliberate effort beyond basic requirements, focusing on deep understanding, and leveraging systems for efficient learning. 

Is a 70% an A in the UK?

UK degree classifications are as follows: First-Class Honours (First or 1st) (70% and above) Upper Second-Class Honours (2:1, 2. i) (60-70%)