Cambridge University is one of the most prestigious universities in the world.
What should foreign students do before applying to Cambridge?
Decide what course you plan to study, study the requirements for applicants, the content of entrance tests of past years. Cambridge consists of 29 colleges that offer a variety of courses. If the desired course is offered by several colleges, then submit an open application - you will be sent to the college with a minimum competition.
How do international students enter Cambridge?
International applicants submit documents through UCAS (University and College Admission Service), as well as applicants from the UK, provide information about education, qualifications, expected grades in the certificate, personal application, academic certificate.
After applying to UCAS, students will receive an additional questionnaire by email (SAQ), fill out a personal application related to Cambridge. Candidates residing outside the European Union must complete a Cambridge Advance Online Application (COPA) on the university's website. Deadlines for UCAS, SAQ and COPA forms vary – check the filing schedule.
What level of English proficiency do foreign students need?
Cambridge's English language requirements are higher than most other UK universities.
Language test requirements:
- IELTS Academic 1 – minimum overall score of 7.5, 7.0 or higher for each element
- TOEFL Internet Based Test (IBT) – minimum overall score of 110, with 25 or higher for each item
- Cambridge English: C2 Proficiency – accepted with a total score of 200, each element not lower than 185
- Cambridge English: C1 Advanced – accepted with a total score of 193, without elements below 185.
What scores do foreign students need to enter Cambridge?
The University of Cambridge recommends foreign applicants continue their studies after grade 11, obtain an A-level certificate, International Baccalaureate (IB), take 5+ Advanced Placement (AP) courses or complete the first year of obtaining a bachelor's degree at a university outside the UK. Admission to Cambridge is based not only on high grades: if the applicant's extracurricular activities are related to the course where he is applying, this will be an advantage.
How do foreign students prepare a Personal Statement?
The Cambridge website emphasizes that the decision to admit is based on the academic abilities, the potential of students. A personal statement should show how much the applicant is passionate about the course for which he is applying, how he interacted with the material of the program outside the classroom, what inspires him, what he hopes to do after studying. Explain how achievements and experiences have affected you. Make a few drafts of a personal statement, ask the teacher to read and correct.
Who should write a reccommendation letter?
A teacher or tutor who can comment on the applicant's academic abilities should write a letter sent with the application. Anyone who writes a letter of recommendation should confidently tell about why the student will achieve academic success in Cambridge on the desired course. On the website of the university there are tips for compiling letters of recommendation, explains how to send letters through UCAS.
How to prepare for the interview?
If the teachers who have read your written statement think you have potential, you will be invited for an interview.
When you apply to Cambridge, you must apply for an interview at Cambridge or at one of seven overseas interview locations:
- Singapore
- Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur)
- China (Shanghai)
- Hong Kong S.A.R
- India (Mumbai)
- Canada (Toronto)
- USA (New York).
An extra charge of £150 is charged for an interview outside Cambridge, except in New York, where the fee is £80.
Some courses require an interview in Cambridge, they are listed on the university's website.
How to prepare for an interview in Cambridge?
The interview will allow the commissioners to see how the applicant thinks and spontaneously reacts to new ideas. It's hard to prepare for. The Cambridge interview process usually consists of two different interviews, each lasting between 20 and 45 minutes.
- The first interview will be subject, where questions will be asked regarding the chosen course. You may be given a text, graph, or situation relevant to the course and asked to comment on them. The goal is to see how you can think through the answer to a new question with the knowledge you already have.
- The second part of the interview is a general academic interview: the questions will focus on why you want to study the chosen program, visit Cambridge, and potential career goals.
Cambridge Graduate Preparation Tips
- Defend your positions in a personal statement - you will be asked about them at the interview.
- Study the topics from the chosen course, prepare a detailed story on the topics.
- If an interviewer asks a question you don't know the answer to, it's better to say you don't know than to come up with an answer.
- If you don't understand the interviewer's question, word, or phrase, ask for clarification! It shows that you are looking for an answer.
