University of Cambridge: Most sought after destination for Indians

The University of Cambridge is one of the most ancient and distinguished universities in the world. The University has been ranked number 1 in the 2013 Guardian, Sunday Times and Complete University Guides and it is one of the three most targeted universities by top employers according to The Graduate Market in 2012. Despite University’s stringent admission regulations, the students around the world are most intended to join the University and Indians are no exception. 

Former Indian Students
In 2012-13, there were over 300 students from India studying in Cambridge (67 undergraduates and 239 postgraduates). About half (111 out of 241 in 2009-10) of them are supported by scholarship and bursary schemes administered by the Cambridge Trusts.

Among former students, three Indian Prime Ministers, Jawaharlal Nehru, Rajiv Gandhi and Manmohan Singh, were educated at Cambridge, and in turn, the University is now home to distinguished academics from India, including Professor Sir Partha Dasgupta (Economics), Professor Ashok Venkataraman (Cancer Research), and Nobel laureate Sir Venkatraman Ramakrishnan (Molecular Biology).

Work out before applying:
Applying to the University should not be a regular practice; instead, a proper exercise should be done before applying. The exercise on the following shall assist you for entry into the University

• Courses available
• Entry Requirements
• Application procedure
• Fee structure and annual cost of studying
• Scholarships
• Accommodation facilities
• Visa and Immigration

Courses Available
The University offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate and research courses in arts, social science, medicine, science and engineering disciplines. 

In most subjects, the first degree at Cambridge is the Bachelor of Arts (with Honours). The BA degree is normally a three-year post-secondary school course but some subjects such as Engineering, Physics, Chemistry and Modern Languages can be studied over four years.

Entry Requirements
For undergraduate courses
If you wish to apply for an undergraduate course, you need to be in the top one or two per cent of your year group, and doing very well in the subject area you would like to study.

• In order to be considered for admission to Cambridge, applicants from India must normally be either potential affiliated students (i.e. applying to study for a second Bachelors degree) or studying for the International Baccalaureate or A Levels.
• Applications from students taking CBSE or ISC Class XII examinations will be considered but only for Computer Science, Economics, Engineering, Mathematics, and Natural Sciences courses. To be shortlisted for interview such applicants will need to have achieved a minimum CGPA of 9.8 and gradeA1 in their Class X examinations in the relevant subjects.
• Candidates who attempted the National Talent Search Examination (NTSE), Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY) examination or similar national or state level talent examinations may wish to give details on their performance.
• Any offers of admission made to such students will be conditional on performance in theIIT – JEE (JEE Advanced) or, in the case of Economics or Mathematics, on performance in STEP Mathematics

For graduate courses:
There are various modes of study at the University for Graduate Courses. They are- 

• Full-Time and Part-Time Study
• Studying While Employed by the University
• Pre-Sessional Courses
• Visiting Students
• Higher Degrees

Academic requirements will vary from course to course, and you should check the individual course entry in the qualifications directory for the course specific requirements. You are normally expected to hold or to have achieved by the start of your course:

• At least a 2i honours degree from an overseas university and
• Completion of, or release from, any current training or education course.

For complete information on graduate courses, visitwww.admin.cam.ac.uk/students/gradadmissions/prospec/ 

English language requirements
If English is not your first language, it is essential that your English language skills are good enough for you to undertake an intensive and challenging academic course that is taught and examined in English. Therefore, you may be asked to achieve one of the formal qualifications listed below as part of the conditions of your offer

• IELTS - normally a minimum overall grade of 7.5, usually with 7.0 or above in each element
• Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English - grade A or B

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