Study Abroad Programs in Cambridge, England

Course Structure. To study abroad at the University of Cambridge, which is actually a federation of thirty-one colleges under the Cambridge legacy, each acting as independent institutions with their own traditions and identities, you can apply directly to one of the colleges or through a partner program. Eight of the colleges offer a select number of spots to students applying directly for yearlong study abroad in Cambridge. Partner programs such as IFSA-Butler or Arcadia University are connected to specific colleges and are available as summer, semester, or yearlong programs. Admission to any college within the University of Cambridge is competitive as academics are extremely rigorous.

As a study abroad student at the University of Cambridge, you must apply to one department from which you will take all of your courses. Within the colleges, a course is called “a paper” while your major or field of study is called a “course” or a “Tripos.” These classes include a combination of lectures, readings, and essays. Another distinct part of studying abroad in Cambridge is the culture of “Supervisions”: classes of four or five students taught by one professor. These classes are discussion-based and require a high degree of participation in weekly meetings. Almost all courses include a timed essay as a final exam too.

If you are interested in studying outside of the University of Cambridge, Anglia Ruskin University is an excellent option for study abroad students. It is one of the largest public universities in Eastern England with an exceptional reputation in the sciences, offering a less intense academic experience that is still immersed in the university culture of the city.

Areas of Study. Cambridge is one of the premier universities in the world and offers all fields of study, but it is particularly well known for its science and engineering departments. Silicon Fen, the region surrounding Cambridge, is home to high-tech businesses focused on software, electronics, and biotechnology. This large scientific community is a significant contributor to the University’s widespread reputation in these academic fields.