University of Cambridge - College awards and grants

What College awards and grants cover

Each of the 29 colleges in Cambridge manages its own fund for its undergraduate students. ‘College scholarships and grants’ is the umbrella term for all these funds. Depending on the college and the type of funding, the money can be used for books and equipment, general study costs, living expenses, travel as part of academic work or for personal development, as well as for unexpected financial emergencies. The amounts vary considerably. Some are small, such as Clare College’s travel allowance of around 340 EUR (300 GBP) for the entire duration of the degree. Others are substantial, such as means-tested scholarships worth up to around 11,500 EUR (10,000 GBP) per year or the full waiver of tuition fees. Some are awards for outstanding examination results, whilst others are hardship grants or sports scholarships.

Who can apply

• Where you study: You are an undergraduate student at one of the 29 colleges in Cambridge and are applying through your own college.
• Field of study: Open to all disciplines. Some individual prizes are restricted to a specific field, such as medicine.
• Nationality: Applicants of all nationalities are welcome to apply. Some awards are restricted to specific regions of origin.
• What decides it: That depends on the specific grant. For some, good academic performance is the deciding factor; for others, it is financial need; and for others still, it is your subject or your background.

How to apply

There is no central application office. You should apply directly to your chosen college and check its funding pages for details of the relevant scholarships, conditions and deadlines. Cambridge does not set a standard deadline, as each college and each scholarship follows its own timetable.

How realistic are your chances?

As this is not a single competition but a whole range of scholarships awarded by the college, your chances depend entirely on which scholarship you apply for. Smaller grants for books, travel or financial emergencies are within reach if you meet the relevant criteria. The larger means-tested grants and full scholarships are more competitive. It’s best to take a close look at what your own college offers and apply for the scholarships for which you are clearly eligible.