Discover the best universities, events, deals, and experiences that make Cambridge the perfect city for students
Cambridge is home to two prestigious institutions offering exceptional education and student experiences.
Ranked among the top 3 universities in the world, Cambridge is synonymous with academic excellence, ground-breaking research, and a collegiate system that defines student life unlike anywhere else.
Cambridge's world-famous supervision system gives you weekly one-to-one or small-group teaching with experts at the top of their field. Staff are leading researchers whose discoveries shape their disciplines globally.
Cambridge is one of the UK's most stunning cities — entirely cycleable, packed with history, and just 50 minutes from London King's Cross by train. The city is compact enough to feel like home from day one.
Cambridge's collegiate system gives every student a home within a home — your own college provides community, welfare, social events, and sport alongside the wider university. Students come from 135+ countries.
Cambridge offers some of the most generous financial support in the UK via the Cambridge Bursary scheme. College accommodation is guaranteed for most students in first year, and subsidised college meals keep day-to-day costs manageable.
Anglia Ruskin is one of the UK's largest universities, with campuses in Cambridge and Chelmsford — known for health, business, and creative courses with strong industry connections and excellent student support.
ARU puts employability at the heart of every course — with placements, industry links, and practical skills built in from day one. Around 86% of graduates are in employment or further study within 15 months of graduating.
ARU's Cambridge campus sits right in the city centre, giving students access to one of the UK's most beautiful and historic cities — with London just 50 minutes away by train and excellent connections throughout the East of England.
With over 45,000 students from around the world, ARU has one of the most diverse student communities in the UK. The Students' Union runs a packed calendar of events, societies, and sports clubs throughout the year.
ARU offers competitive tuition fees compared to many universities, plus bursaries and scholarships for eligible students. Cambridge is more expensive than Northern cities, but ARU's student support teams can help you manage costs and find the right funding.
Discover the best areas to live based on your budget, lifestyle and university.
One of Cambridge's most popular student neighbourhoods — close to the city centre and ARU's campus, with a great mix of terraced houses, independent shops, and easy access to the River Cam.
Cambridge's most vibrant and multicultural street — packed with independent cafés, international restaurants, vintage shops, and a brilliant community feel that students absolutely love.
A quieter, more affordable residential area just south of Mill Road — popular with second and third-year students looking for more space and cheaper rents without straying far from the action.
A well-connected neighbourhood north of the city centre, popular with graduate students — offering riverside walks along the Cam, local pubs, and a relaxed residential feel with great bus links.
A leafy, sought-after neighbourhood on the west side of Cambridge — close to the University's colleges and the River Cam, with beautiful green spaces, peaceful streets, and a strong sense of community.
A more affordable northern suburb that's increasingly popular with students — offering lower rents, good Citi bus links into the city, a local park, and a quieter pace of life away from the tourist crowds.
Everything you need to know about student accommodation in Cambridge.
Secure your student accommodation using these four steps the year before moving in.
Start researching areas and viewing properties for next year. Get a feel for the market before competition heats up.
Peak house hunting season — the best properties go fast. View, decide, and secure your place early!
Last chance to secure places and sign contracts. Don't leave it any later — good options will be gone.
Finalise details, arrange deposits, and prepare to move in. Summer admin sorted before the new year starts.
The best websites and resources for finding student housing in Cambridge — from official university portals to local letting agents.
Our in-depth review of the top local letting agencies in Cambridge — rated for responsiveness, value, and student experience.
The official accommodation portal for the University of Cambridge — covering college rooms, graduate housing, and private sector guidance for students in all years.
Visit siteOfficial housing support for ARU students — covering on-campus halls at the Cambridge campus and private sector listings for returning and postgraduate students.
Visit siteReputable nationwide student accommodation site with hundreds of Cambridge listings — great for finding shared houses and flats in Mill Road, Petersfield, and beyond.
Visit siteStudent property search across Cambridge with thousands of listings. Filter by area, price, and number of bedrooms to find the right fit in Romsey, Chesterton, or Newnham.
Visit siteSearch private rentals and shared houses across Cambridge. Great for comparing prices across Mill Road, Petersfield, Chesterton, and Arbury.
Visit siteFind individual rooms in shared houses across Cambridge — perfect for joining an existing household or finding housemates in Mill Road or Romsey Town.
Visit siteGet a realistic estimate of living costs in Cambridge with our interactive calculator
From the best student nights out to walking routes around the town, get to know Cambridge with our range of guides written by local students.
Whether your child is considering studying in Cambridge or already enrolled, this guide covers costs, safety, accommodation, and what life is really like as a student in one of the world's most extraordinary university cities.
Cambridge University students are typically guaranteed college accommodation in first year — a huge reassurance for parents. After that, most move to shared houses in Petersfield, Mill Road, or Romsey. ARU students can apply for on-campus halls or private rentals.
Cambridge is more expensive than Northern cities but cheaper than central London. The University of Cambridge's bursary scheme is one of the most generous in the UK. Use our budget calculator to plan realistic monthly costs with your child before they start.
Cambridge is home to the world-famous University of Cambridge — ranked in the global top 3 — and Anglia Ruskin University, one of the UK's largest and most inclusive modern universities with excellent graduate outcomes.
Cambridge parent guide →Cambridge University provides college-based welfare teams, a central counselling service, mental health advisors, disability support, and financial hardship funds. Every student has a college tutor as their first point of contact for wellbeing and academic concerns.
Cambridge counselling service →Parents are warmly welcomed at both Cambridge University and ARU open days. Tour the colleges and campuses, meet academic staff, and get honest answers about the admissions process, fees, courses, and day-to-day student life in Cambridge.
View Cambridge open days →From punting on the River Cam and the Fitzwilliam Museum (free entry) to cycling through meadows and the Cambridge Market — Cambridge offers world-class culture, outdoor life, and a genuinely magical environment to live and study in.
Cambridge is one of the UK's safest and most walkable cities. The collegiate system at Cambridge University means students always have a close community around them. The city is compact, well-lit, and predominantly cycle-friendly — popular student areas like Mill Road and Petersfield are well-connected and have a strong local community feel.
Typical monthly costs range from £1,100–£1,400 including rent, food, transport, and social life. Rent averages £650–£900/month depending on the area and housing type. Cambridge University's bursary scheme can significantly reduce costs for eligible students, and college accommodation often includes subsidised meals.
Cambridge University provides college welfare teams, a central counselling service, mental health advisors, financial hardship funds, and academic support tutors. Every student has a college tutor responsible for their welfare. ARU has its own dedicated student services team, including mental health and money advice support.
Cambridge is brilliantly connected — just 50 minutes from London King's Cross by direct train, with regular services throughout the day. The city itself is compact, beautiful, and full of things to do together: punting, the Botanic Garden, world-class museums, and independent cafés on Mill Road all make for a wonderful visit.
Both Cambridge University and Anglia Ruskin welcome parents at open days — tour the colleges and campuses, meet academic staff, and get honest answers about the admissions process, student life, fees, and support available.
Everything you need to know about student life in Cambridge.
Cambridge is more expensive than most UK cities outside London — expect to budget around £1,100–£1,400/month in total, covering rent, food, transport, and social life. Rent is the biggest cost, typically £650–£900/month for a room in a shared house. However, Cambridge University's generous bursary scheme can significantly reduce costs for eligible students, and college accommodation often includes subsidised meals which helps keep day-to-day spending down.
Cambridge is one of the safest cities in the UK. It's compact, well-lit, and has a very low crime rate relative to its size. The collegiate system at Cambridge University means students always have a college community around them. Popular student areas like Mill Road and Petersfield are friendly, well-connected neighbourhoods. As with anywhere, standard precautions apply at night — but the overall environment is very welcoming and safe.
Cambridge's nightlife is more intimate than big cities like Leeds or Manchester but has real character. The city centre has historic pubs and cocktail bars, while Cowley Road-style independents line Mill Road. College bops (themed parties run by each college) are a uniquely Cambridge institution and a huge part of social life. For bigger club nights, the Kuda and Vinyl venues are popular. Many students also make use of Cambridge's easy train link to London for bigger nights out.
For private housing in Cambridge, start looking in January or February for the following September — the market moves fast and popular areas like Mill Road and Petersfield fill up quickly. Cambridge University students in college accommodation will be contacted by their college in autumn term about second-year arrangements, so check your college's specific process early. ARU students should apply for halls as soon as applications open, typically from spring of the preceding year.
College rooms at Cambridge University typically cost £650–£950/month including bills and often meals. Private shared houses in areas like Mill Road or Petersfield average £700–£950/month per person. Purpose-built student accommodation runs £800–£1,100/month. Cambridge is notably more expensive than Northern university cities, but bursaries, college subsidies, and the fact that most students cycle (keeping transport costs near zero) help to offset this.
Mill Road is the most vibrant and popular student street — packed with independent cafés, international food, and a brilliant community feel. Petersfield is central and convenient, popular with ARU students. Romsey Town offers more affordable rents just south of Mill Road. Chesterton suits those wanting a riverside, relaxed setting, while Newnham is leafy and close to the University's colleges. Arbury is the most budget-friendly option to the north of the city.
Absolutely not — and a car would be more trouble than it's worth. Cambridge is one of the most cycle-friendly cities in the UK, with dedicated lanes throughout and the entire city reachable by bike in under 20 minutes. Most students cycle everywhere. Parking is expensive and heavily restricted in the centre. A reliable second-hand bike is the single best investment you can make as a Cambridge student — budget around £80–£150 and get it insured.
Cambridge is exceptionally well connected. London King's Cross is just 50 minutes by direct train — one of the fastest city-to-city rail links in the UK. London Liverpool Street is around 80 minutes. National Express coaches offer a cheaper alternative. Birmingham, Stansted Airport, Peterborough, and Ely are all within easy reach. With a 16–25 Railcard, a return to London can cost as little as £15–£25, making weekend trips very accessible.
Cambridge's Citi bus network connects all major neighbourhoods to the city centre and both university campuses with frequent services. Day and weekly passes offer good value. That said, cycling is faster, cheaper, and more reliable for most journeys within the city — the majority of students rarely use buses for local travel. The train station is well-served with regular fast services to London and the wider East of England rail network.
Yes — your NUS/TOTUM card gets discounts across Cambridge's shops, cafés, and services. A 16–25 Railcard saves a third on rail fares, including the London train. Cambridge's world-class museums — the Fitzwilliam, Polar Museum, Museum of Natural History, and Whipple — are all free to visit. College subsidised meals and events also make social life considerably cheaper than it might appear from the headline rent figures alone.
Cambridge has a healthy range of part-time work — hospitality and retail across the city centre and Mill Road are the most common routes. Cambridge University students can also work as college porters, library assistants, or serve at college events. Private tutoring is popular and well-paid given the city's academic reputation. Note: Cambridge University students should check their college's guidance on working hours alongside their studies, as the workload can be intense.
Cambridge is exceptional for non-nightlife activity. Punting on the River Cam is a Cambridge rite of passage. The Botanic Garden, Grantchester Meadows, and riverside cycle routes offer stunning outdoor escapes. World-class museums are free. The Cambridge Union hosts world-famous speakers and debates. Over 700 student societies cover everything from rowing to theatre to robotics. Day trips to Ely, Newmarket, and the Norfolk coast are all within easy reach.
For the right person, Cambridge is genuinely exceptional. It combines world-class academia with a beautiful, safe, compact city, outstanding cultural and outdoor options, and a unique collegiate community that's unlike any other student experience in the UK. It's more expensive than Northern cities and the academic environment at Cambridge University is intense — but students consistently describe their time here as one of the most formative and unforgettable periods of their lives.
The University of Cambridge is globally renowned for its supervision system, pioneering research, and extraordinary alumni — including over 120 Nobel laureates, 15 UK Prime Ministers, and countless leaders across science, arts, law, and politics. It is ranked in the world's top 3. Anglia Ruskin University is known for nursing, health sciences, architecture, business, and creative arts — consistently ranked among the UK's top modern universities for teaching quality and graduate employment.
The University of Cambridge needs little introduction — it is one of the finest universities on the planet, consistently ranked in the global top 3. Anglia Ruskin is one of the UK's highest-rated modern universities with TEF Silver status, strong industry links, and excellent graduate outcomes across its courses. Both universities offer outstanding academic support, modern facilities, and active students' unions with packed social calendars.
The University of Cambridge is among the most competitive universities in the world — with acceptance rates around 13–18% depending on subject, most offers requiring A*A*A at A-Level or equivalent, plus strong performance in admissions tests and interviews. Anglia Ruskin is much more accessible, with entry requirements typically ranging from CCC to ABB depending on the course. Both universities hold open days where you can get detailed admissions guidance directly from the relevant department.
Reach 20,000+ students with featured listings and targeted promotions on Unifresher
