The Cambridge University had been attracting a worldwide stream of students from other continents for many years and that trend is still continuing. Being one of the oldest yet most respected universities around the world and with the best programs, Cambridge is a place where international students dream of. At the same time, the competition is really tough, particularly for international students. In this article, we’ll parse the acceptance rate, examine the mandatory requisites during the application, as well as give some tips on increasing the possibility of you to be admitted.
1. Understanding the Acceptance Rate
Although Cambridge University does not explicitly mention an acceptance rate for foreign students, it is famous for high competition. The main acceptance rate consists of around 20% for undergraduate studies and 30% for postgraduate degrees, however, there are negligible changes each year.
International students are the group whose acceptance rate may be a little bit less due to an immense number of applicants from all around the world. Therefore, we consider that the acceptance rate for international students is somewhere between 10 and 15 percent for undergraduate courses and 20 to 25 percent for postgraduate programs as remaining parts of the applicants. Those who are less successful teach English and conduct classes of moderate difficulty under the supportive outreach of the instructor.
2. What Makes Cambridge So Competitive?
Cambridge University is recognized for subscribing to the highest standards of academic quality. Students from all over the world, who are among the best and the most promising ones, are flocking to the university adding to the gravity of the situation where people who are even the best-candidates are outstripped by others. International students who have to deal with the extra challenges arising from the use of a visa, language proficiency, and the adaptation to the education system are the others like these.
The biggest factors,
Courses Popularity: Culprits such as law, medicine, engineering, and economics are revered competitive, which usually with the acceptance rate dropping below the average.
School’s stringency: Cambridge is interested in learners who have good grades, usually with A*AA in A-Levels and with other qualifications in the other systems.
English Proficiency: Candidates who are not native speakers have to show that they have a good command of English, namely a minimum of 7.5 in IELTS or 110 in TOEFL.
3. Admission Requirements for International Students
International students who are interested in a Cambridge degree have to meet the general academic and language requirements. A general overview of what students should deliver is as follows:
Academic Requirements
All the participants in the process are expected to have very good results and not just the international ones. Foreign students must have:
Certification from High Schools or Equivalent: Depending on the situation in your country of origin, you could have A-Levels, International Baccalaureate (IB) or the choice of another recognized qualification.
High Grades: The college gives the student a list of the qualifications provided for by the university, generally above AAAAA for undergraduate courses.
Standardized Tests: Some disciplines may feature more tests such as BMAT for medicine, MAT for mathematics, or the Cambridge Law Test.
English Language Proficiency
For international students who first language is not English, proving that they are proficient is the key point. The tests accepted for this purpose include:
Applicants should have a minimum overall score of 7.5 with a minimum of 7.0 in each component for IELTS.
For TOEFL iBT, students must get at least 110 in total and at least 25 in all academics.
Personal Statement and References
Personal Statement: The personal statement should be a well-detailed introduction of the students’ academic interests, the reason behind applying to Cambridge, and any relevant extracurricular achievements.
References: Strong academic references are a necessity. The work of at least one teacher or academic advisor, who is well-acquainted with your performance, should be provided.
4. How to Improve Your Chances of Acceptance
As much as Cambridge University is competitive, there are many methods to raise your likelihood of becoming a student there:
Start Early
Early application preparation your application always is a better choice especially if SATs, TLSIG, or increasing your language skills are demanded.
Master the UCAS application system as it is the only one used in the UK, the same applies to Cambridge University, a Further Education College and Into University if you want.
Research Your Course Thoroughly
The entrance tests or interviews for certain courses of Cambridge are an obstacle for those students who have to take English exams or SATs. Be the first to take care of the additional material one must provide. Be careful, as you can maximize your chances by selecting less saturated programs if you do so wisely even though the top ranking ones such as medicine and law usually have packed applications.
Be tactical in the selection of courses. In addition to the medical and legal programs that are saturated, there are still some lesser-known but equally high-quality programs that can be chosen, thereby ensuring the likelihood of acceptance.
Highlight Extracurriculars
Cambridge University gives preference to the students besides the classroom who exhibit a genuine interest in learning and are ready to apply it in the future. Apart from your personal statement, mention the research projects, internships or other experiences relevant to what you are applying for at Cambridge.
Ace the Interview
Foreigners can be requested to come to the interview as the part of the application process. The interviews are designed not only to test your knowledge but also to find out how creative you are in problem-solving and how passionate you are about the subject.
5. Cambridge’s Support for International Students
Even though the acceptance rate at Cambridge is incredibly competitive, the university is still quite supportive of its international students. The school not only lets foreign students study in the UK but has also come up with various programs that help students get used to the country and settle in easily. Some of them include orientation programs, visa assistance, and various support services throughout their studies.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
There are several scholarships that are available to international students who are concerned about the expenses involved in studying in Cambridge. The Cambridge Trust has taken the initiative to provide a selection of scholarships that cater specifically to the needs of international students, covering tuition fees and living costs.