skip to content
 

Financial Information

Studying at the University of Cambridge is an investment in your future, and there are a range of funding opportunities available to prospective postgraduate students.

Fees

The cost of studying a postgraduate degree at the University of Cambridge is broken down into two areas:

  1. University Composition Fee: a payment made via your College to the University to cover the cost of your education and your College membership
  2. Maintenance: the estimated minimum cost of living during your time at the University.

These, along with any additional costs, make up the minimum financial commitment you will be required to demonstrate before you can be admitted to the University. For more information about financial commitments, please visit the Postgraduate Admissions website.

Funding

The Department of Sociology puts first-round applicants forward for the Postgraduate Funding Competition, which comprises of a number of sources of funding including the ESRC, Gates, Cambridge and Harding Trusts. The process is streamlined so that applicants are automatically considered for the Postgraduate Funding Competition providing that:

  • the application is made in time for the University funding deadlines (5 Dec 2023).
  • Applicants check the relevant boxes in the Applicant Portal relating to the funding for which you would like to be considered/are eligible.
  • Applicants ask for an extra reference (only if applying for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship).

Applicants can search for funding sources through the Postgraduate Admissions website, the student funding search tool, as well as the webpages of their chosen college.

UK nationals may be eligible for a postgraduate study loan from the UK Government. There are also many other sources of external funding to which prospective students can apply.

Accommodation

If you wish to undertake full-time postgraduate study at the University of Cambridge, you will be required to live in or close to Cambridge for at least the minimum period of study. ( Please check the MPhil or PhD application FAQs for more details).

To find out more about the accommodation on offer, applicants should check the provision of College accommodation for postgraduates. Some Colleges offer postgraduate students accommodation on or off the College site and can provide estimated costs. Other Colleges require students to find their own private accommodation in Cambridge.

Saving money

  • Low transport costs - Cambridge is a small city and most students walk or cycle between their college and department, and there is also a Universal (U) bus service which is just £1 per journey with a Cambridge student card.
  • Low course costs - With excellent library provision across the University, students will need to buy few, if any, books. There are also lots of computer and WiFi facilities that students can use.
  • Low social costs - Much of the Cambridge social life is based in Colleges or University clubs and societies. Many clubs and societies are free or highly discounted for students.
  • Low living costs - All Colleges have their own dining hall, many have a gym and bar, and some even have a pool. Your student card also acts as a discount card for many of the shops around Cambridge.

Career Opportunities

Cambridge has one of the highest proportions of graduates entering graduate-level employment or further study in the country. Our dedicated Careers Service helps you to prepare for your future, whatever path you want to follow.

  • No. 1 in the UK and No. 2 in the world for employer reputation (QS World University Rankings 2020).
  • 1,500+ internships and vacation placements available each year to provide valuable work experience.
  • 200+ careers events and briefing and skills sessions typically offered by the Careers Service each year

Postgraduate FAQs