How Cambridge supports undergraduates financially

The University of Cambridge is highly selective and expensive for overseas‑fee students, but there is a mix of:

• Cambridge college bursaries
• University‑level funds (Cambridge Trust and others)
• Home‑country and external scholarships

This article focuses on what IGCSE, A Level and IB students from South East Asia, South Asia and the Middle East can realistically expect at the undergraduate level. Always confirm details on the official Cambridge and college websites, as schemes and amounts change.

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1. Cambridge College Bursaries (Primarily for Home‑Fee Students)

Most popular for:
Students who qualify for home‑fee status in the UK and have lower household income.

Coverage

• Bursaries typically provide non‑repayable grants to help with:
  • Living costs
  • Accommodation
  • Study‑related expenses

Eligibility

• Classified as a home student (UK fee status).
• Household income below a specified threshold.

Key point for international families

• If you remain classified as an overseas‑fee student, you will not normally receive these UK‑oriented bursaries.
• Achieving home‑fee status (via residency and fee rules) can dramatically change your access to Cambridge financial support.

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2. Cambridge Trust & Other University‑Level Scholarships

At the undergraduate level, the Cambridge Trust and similar funds offer limited numbers of scholarships for international students.

Typical coverage

• Partial to substantial contributions towards tuition or living costs.
• Very few awards cover full costs.

Eligibility

• Offer of a place at Cambridge.
• Academic excellence and, in some cases, financial need.

How many & odds

• Numbers are small compared with the total international applicant pool.
• Most successful candidates already have exceptional academic and extracurricular profiles.

How to apply

• Apply to Cambridge by the October UCAS deadline.
• Some scholarships are considered automatically from your main application; others may require additional forms or college nomination.

Duration

• Usually intended for the full length of the undergraduate course, contingent on good progress.

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3. External & Home‑Country Scholarships for Cambridge

Many international undergraduates at Cambridge rely heavily on:

• Government scholarship schemes in their home countries (e.g. from Singapore, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, Oman, etc.).
• Corporate or foundation scholarships that allow study at any leading UK university, including Cambridge.

Coverage

• Some of these can be full‑ride packages (tuition + living costs + travel), but typically come with a bond or service requirement.

How to approach them

• Research 1–2 years in advance which schemes:
  • Allow study at Cambridge specifically.
  • What degrees and grades they require.
  • When their applications open and close.

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4. What % of costs can Cambridge undergraduates realistically get covered?

For most overseas‑fee IGCSE/A Level/IB students:

• Direct Cambridge‑funded full scholarships are rare.
• You may piece together:
  • A home‑country full or partial scholarship, plus
  • Limited Cambridge Trust/college funds (if any),
  • Family contributions and/or private loans.

For home‑fee students (those with UK status):

• Bursaries and national loans can substantially reduce upfront cost, but maintenance funding still needs careful planning.

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Application strategy & timing

• Start 2–3 years ahead:
  • Choose the right subjects (e.g. Maths, Further Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Economics, essay‑based subjects).
  • Aim for AAA or higher or IB 40+ for the most competitive courses.
  • Prepare thoroughly for admissions tests (NSAA, ENGAA, TMUA, BMAT/UCAT, LNAT, etc. as applicable).
• In parallel:
  • Identify home‑country and external scholarships that permit Cambridge.
  • Note deadlines, often earlier than school exams.

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How Tutopiya helps with Cambridge‑aligned scholarship plans

Tutopiya works with IGCSE, A Level and IB students aiming at Cambridge by:

• Providing subject‑specialist tutoring for the most demanding courses.
• Supporting preparation for Cambridge admissions tests and interviews.
• Helping families see Cambridge in the context of wider scholarship opportunities at other UK and international universities.

If Cambridge is on your list, we recommend:

• Treating it as a high‑reach academic and funding option, and
• Building a second tier of universities where institutional scholarships for international students are more generous.