Applying for undergraduate funding

Step 1: Find your course and College

Applicants may study any subject currently available at the University of Cambridge.  There are over 30 undergraduate courses at Cambridge, covering more than 65 subject areas.

Please visit the undergraduate course directory for further information.

Before making an application to the University, research thoroughly your chosen course of study (via the University undergraduate website).

Colleges

In addition to over 150 departments, faculties and institutes, the University of Cambridge consists of 31 Colleges. Each is an independent institution with its own property, income and staff.

The Colleges are responsible for selecting their own undergraduate students, in accordance with University regulations, and undergraduate teaching is shared between the Colleges and University departments (although degrees are awarded only by the University).

If you are applying for undergraduate study, your application form will ask you to which College you are applying, or you may make an Open Application (meaning that you do not specify a College, and will be considered by any College).

All students who are offered admission to the University, at any level, will be given a place at one of the Colleges; no student arrives to study at Cambridge without membership of one of the Colleges.  

The Trust plays no part in the selection of Colleges for applicants, or assigning accommodation.  

All 31 Colleges are different in size, composition, facilities, and atmosphere. But all Colleges share the same aim of providing a safe, helpful and stimulating environment for their members. Further information is available for undergraduate applicants.

Some scholarship schemes are available to applicants for particular Colleges – for further information see our scholarship search and see the individual College websites.

Step 2: Find your scholarships

Use our scholarship search to find a list of Cambridge Trust scholarships for which you may be eligible.

Please read the information for each scholarship carefully as some awards require a separate application, and there may be additional criteria.

Step 3: Submit your UCAS application

Applicants intending to pursue a course of undergraduate study at the University of Cambridge should complete and submit a UCAS application by the deadline of 15 October 2024 (18:00 UK time) in order to be considered for funding.  

If you do not submit your UCAS application by the relevant deadline, we are unable to consider you for funding.

Full details on how to apply for admission to the University of Cambridge can be found here.

Step 4: Apply for Cambridge Trust funding

To apply for funding from the Cambridge Trust you will first need to gain an offer of admission to a Cambridge College. Please be aware that the Trust is unable to admit students to the University or to any of its Colleges.

Once you have an offer of admission to a Cambridge College, you will be invited by your College to complete an application to the Trust to be considered for funding.

You do not need to apply directly to the Trust for funding, as the Trust only considers applicants who are put forward by their Colleges.

Some Cambridge Trust scholarships require a separate application. If this is the case, you must have submitted your UCAS form by the relevant deadline and have a conditional offer of admission, in conjunction with submitting the separate application, in order to be considered.

Step 5: The awards process

The Trust’s awards period runs from March to July and is an ongoing process throughout that period.  We aim to make our awards as early as possible, but some of our partner funded awards can take time, and sometimes when offers are declined we may be able to offer them elsewhere. 

While we appreciate that this can be an anxious time for applicants, your patience would be appreciated while waiting for a decision.

As long as you have applied by the specific deadlines and have a conditional offer of admission for your course, you will be considered for any awards for which you are eligible.

Please note that due to the number of applications the Trust receives, it is not possible to notify unsuccessful applicants, or to provide individual feedback. Awardees will be notified as soon as possible.