University of Cambridge

Location: Cambridge

5 Gibraltar Students each year

No direct flight from Gibraltar

The University of Cambridge is one of the world’s top universities, known for its world-class academics, historic legacy, and challenging, competitive environment. Founded in 1209, it consistently ranks among the best globally. Cambridge offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses across subjects like science, engineering, law, medicine, and the arts.

The university is made up of 31 independent colleges, each providing a close-knit community and strong academic support. Teaching mainly happens through lectures, labs, and small group supervisions. This is one of Cambridge’s unique strengths.

Entry is highly competitive, and students should be prepared for a demanding workload and an intense academic pace. In return, Cambridge offers outstanding career support, global networking opportunities, and access to cutting-edge research and internships.

Uni Website

Transport

Closest Airport with direct flights from Gibraltar

London Gatwick (LGW)

The nearest airport to Cambridge with direct flights to Gibraltar is London Gatwick.

EasyJet operates many flights per week, with a flight time of about 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Ticket prices generally range from £50 to £80 for a return trip.

You can get from Cambridge to Gatwick by train or coach, both taking around 2 hours and 30 minutes.

As well as this London Heathrow (LHR) is a popular airport used by many students.
Nearest Airport

London Stansted Airport (STN)

London Stansted Airport is the closest major airport to Cambridge, with frequent flights to Malaga: an alternative for students traveling to Gibraltar via Spain.

As well as this, London Luton Airport, also within easy reach of Cambridge, provides regular services to Malaga.

Both airports are well-connected to Cambridge by train and coach, making them convenient options for affordable travel.
Transport costs

Low

Getting around Cambridge is easy and cheap. Students can travel across the city by bus for just £2 per trip, and there are discounts of up to 20% with a student ID.

Cycling is the most popular way to get around, thanks to the city’s flat layout and bike-friendly streets.

Some colleges even run their own shuttles.

Students who travel by train can also save a third off ticket prices by using a 16–25 Railcard.

Overall, day-to-day transport costs in Cambridge are low compared to most other university cities.

Going Out

Nightlife

Cambridge’s nightlife is considered fairly average compared to bigger UK cities, but it still has some great spots that students really enjoy.

Vinyl is a popular retro-themed club, perfect for nights out with classic hits and a lively atmosphere.

Hidden Rooms offers a more chilled vibe, known for jazz, funk, and society events.

La Raza mixes things up as a tapas restaurant by day and a lively cocktail bar with DJs by night. For something a bit different.

The Blue Moon is a student-favourite pub, famous for its indie music nights, comedy shows, and big craft beer selection.

MASH Cambridge’s only independent nightclub and live music venue. Known for ‘Woo Wednesdays’ and ‘Deja Vu Thursdays,’ offering diverse music genres and affordable drink deals.

General costs

Living costs in Cambridge are fairly manageable. Students spend around £250-300 per month (excluding rent), though most students cycle to save money.

Although remember costs very much depend on lifestyle and accommodation choices.

Facilities and Day-to-Day Life

Facilities

Library and Study Spaces: With over 100 libraries across the university and colleges, Cambridge offers a variety of quiet study areas, group workspaces, and computer labs. The University Library is open 24/7, providing access to an extensive collection of books, journals, and digital resources.

Sports and Recreation: The Cambridge Sports Centre has a large sports hall, fitness suite, and squash courts. The university also has many sports clubs and recreational options, including rowing and rugby.

Laboratories and Research: Cambridge is known for its cutting-edge research. Students have access to state-of-the-art labs and facilities in fields like engineering, science, and health.

Cafés and Restaurants: The university has plenty of cafés, restaurants, and bars offering diverse dining options, with many colleges also providing their own catering facilities.

Students’ Union and Social Spaces: The Cambridge University Students’ Union (CUSU) organizes events and supports student societies. Each college also has its own common rooms and social spaces to relax and meet people.

Day-to-day life

During the day, students enjoy everything Cambridge has to offer. Punting on the River Cam is a must, offering beautiful views of the historic colleges. Many enjoy wandering through the colleges, exploring the town, or relaxing at cafes with friends.

College social events like BOPs (college parties) and mixers (casual meetups between colleges or societies) are a big part of the social life too.

The Fitzwilliam Museum and the Botanic Garden offer more chilled options, and green spaces like Jesus Green and Parker’s Piece are perfect for sports, picnics, and hanging out.

Accomodation

The University of Cambridge offers a range of accommodation options to suit different needs and budgets, whether students prefer the convenience of campus living or the independence of private housing.

On-Campus Accommodation

Living on campus provides easy access to university facilities and a strong sense of community. Options include En-Suite Rooms (private rooms with bathrooms), Standard Rooms (private rooms with shared bathrooms), Studio Apartments (self-contained units with a kitchen and bathroom), and Shared Flats (Private rooms in flats with shared living spaces for socialising).

All accommodations include Wi-Fi, heating, study desks, and laundry facilities. Prices range from £125 to £240 per week.

Off-Campus Accommodation

For students seeking more flexibility and independence, many choose to rent privately-owned flats or shared houses in Cambridge. The university offers support in finding suitable off-campus housing through its accommodation service, which helps students connect with landlords and find listings.

Off-campus housing offers a wide range of rental options to fit different budgets, from shared houses to private flats. It also gives students the opportunity to experience Cambridge’s vibrant social and cultural scene outside of the college setting.

Additionally, students have the flexibility to choose their housemates and locations, allowing them to find a living situation that best suits their preferences.

Campuses

The University of Cambridge operates from its historic central campus located in the heart of the city. Founded in 1209, the university spans multiple colleges and facilities across Cambridge, with academic departments and research centers situated throughout the city.

Each college has its own distinct campus, typically centered around centuries-old buildings, courtyards, and gardens, offering a unique student experience.

The main university buildings, such as the University Library, are located in the central area, while specific departments are distributed across the city. The university also has modern facilities like the West Cambridge site, home to science and technology departments, and the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, one of the largest in Europe for medical research.

Additional campuses include the Sidgwick Site, which hosts humanities and social sciences, and the Addenbrooke’s Hospital campus, focused on medical studies and clinical research.

What they've said about us

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“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Ray JacksonStructural Engineer

“Science is fun. Science is curiosity. We all have natural curiosity. Science is a process of investigating. It's posing questions and coming up with a method. It's delving in.”
Sam MurrayLead Architect

“I feel confident imposing change on myself. It's a lot more fun progressing than looking back. That's why I need to throw curve balls.”
Jake SmithSalient Corp

“Our task must be to free ourselves by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty.”
Alice JohnsonWriter at ThemeNectar

What do Gibraltar students say about this University?

“Oxbridge offers prestige and strong job prospects, but the workload is intense. I’m glad I did my undergrad at a less intense top uni – still got great results without the pressure. If you’re considering Oxbridge, be sure you’re ready to handle the stress in a healthy way.”

4th Year Student, Crop Science

“The college system builds community and offers a wide range of modules, but the workload is high – especially for maths, which is intense and leaves little room for a social life during term.”

1st Year Student, Mathematics (Theoretical Physics)

“Beautiful city, strong academic support, and great lectures, but the workload is heavy. Spend time choosing your college – it really shapes your experience, and visiting in person can make a big difference.”

1st Year Student, Natural Sciences