Tuition Fees
The (UK) Government regulated tuition fee is a maximum of £9,250 for home, first degree undergraduates.
You can apply to the Students Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) for a tuition fee loan to cover this cost.
As tuition is free for Scots going to Scottish universities fees can appear as an issue. However, it must be noted that as the tuition fee loan completely covers these they are zero cost to the student at the time of studying and repayment is means related and gradual. Furthermore, any investment is likely to be paid off many times over through the higher than average income and better career opportunities usually open to Cambridge graduates.
Living Costs
Students live in College or College accommodation and only pay rent when in residence; i.e. perhaps 27 weeks a year rather than having to take accommodation for a full 52 weeks a year. You can also take most meals in College at competitive rates.
To contribute to these costs, you can also apply to the SAAS as above for both a Student Bursary (non-repayable) and a Student Loan. The amounts available differ according to various criteria.
Loan Repayment
You normally won’t have to make any repayments while you are studying. Repayment starts after you leave your course and are earning over a certain (threshold) amount a year.
Cambridge Bursary Scheme
The Cambridge Bursary Scheme gives non-repayable bursaries for living costs to eligible students.
A Cambridge Bursary up to a maximum of £3,500 per year is available to UK undergraduates depending on household income. The Cambridge Bursary is an annual gift, it is not a loan and it does not need to be repaid.
You do not need to take out a student loan to receive the Cambridge Bursary but you do need to be assessed as eligible for UK Government funding.
Additional Funding Sources
- Faculty awards, grants and prizes are given in recognition of academic achievement.
- College grants and loans are available for books and equipment, for academic or other achievement, for travel and to help with unforeseen financial difficulties.
- Stormzy Scholarships are available for Black UK Students.
- Zero Gravity offer scholarships and other assistance to applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds.
- St Catharine’s College Cambridge offers bursaries (sponsored by the Finlay Family) covering tuition fees and a living allowance for Scottish students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Further information on exceptional financial assistance is available here.
The University has advice here about finance and living costs.