10 Reasons to study in Cambridge as an International Student
23rd November 22
Cambridge is a small city that has a global reputation, and here at Abbey College Cambridge, we think we’re very lucky to call this beautiful and historic place home. If you are an international student looking to study in the UK, here are a few of the many reasons we think you should consider Cambridge as the place to study for your GCSEs, A Level or Foundation studies.
1. Let’s start with the obvious one – the University of Cambridge!
Cambridge is home to the world-renowned University of Cambridge, with an 850 year history, more Nobel Prize winners than most countries, and consistently ranking amongst the world’s best, it’s fair to say that you would find it hard to pick a more prestigious place to study!
Many of our Abbey College Cambridge international students aspire to a place at Cambridge (and the other place!), and we have a proud record of sending students to Oxbridge every year. But even if you don’t plan to study at Cambridge, having the world’s greatest fonts of knowledge on your doorstep is a huge advantage, and we’re lucky to have privileged access to many of its departments and faculties through our teacher and alumni contacts.
Want to study Engineering? We organise regular visits to the Department of Engineering, interested in Economics, how about attending a lecture by a pioneer in the field at the Marshall Lectures? The university also holds regular free lectures and events covering a wide range of academic disciplines, and we organise regular trips for our students to these events.
2. The inspiring academic atmosphere
Cambridge was founded by academics, so education is very much the city’s reason for being. Cambridge tends to attract students who are ambitious and academically focused, and they find this academic atmosphere, both in the college, and the city, inspires them to even greater heights.
Jacky, one of our A-Level graduates, who is now studying medicine at Cambridge sums it up perfectly: ‘’Cambridge has a very strong academic vibe. It’s a privilege to study here with the cleverest students and professors in the world.’’
3. It is small, compact and flat!
Which means that it’s easy to get around by bus, bike or walking. Our college campus is located in a quiet residential area just to the south of the historic city centre. So it takes about 30 minutes to walk, or 10 minutes to bike to most of the colleges, shops and restaurants – or you can take a bus from the top of our road!
Cambridge’s population stands at around 145,000 people, which makes it quite a small city by British standards. We think you get the best of both worlds here, with all the amenities you would expect from a big city – shops, restaurants, cinemas, without any of the stress and congestion of big city life!
Local shopping and entertainment options:
Cambridge Leisure
Grand Arcade
Grafton Centre
4. It is a multicultural city
For a small city, Cambridge is a very multicultural place. This means that as you explore the city you will meet people from all around the world who call Cambridge home. There are also a wide variety of global cuisines available in the city’s restaurants, and in our on-campus dining room, which offers a rotating changing seasonal menu of international and British dishes.
Outside of the college, Mill Road is the city’s multicultural hub, with over 85 languages spoken within one community. All along this mile-long stretch you will find restaurants and cuisine from around the world to sample, alongside Asian, Middle Eastern and European shops and delis.
5. It is a student-focused city
Cambridge was literally created for students, and during term time more than 30,000 reside here. This means that the city is set up to cater for them. As an international student in Cambridge you can expect a warm welcome, take advantage of lots of discounts, offers and student-focused events such as the Cambridge Festival, free public lectures at the University of Cambridge and Anglia Ruskin University and social events and activities.
6. Great transport links to the rest of the UK and Europe
Cambridge has regular train and bus services to London and other British cities. The main Train Station is located just over a kilometer from the Abbey College Cambridge Campus, and takes about 15 minutes to walk to. There regular trains to London Kings Cross Station and London Liverpool Street Station. The fastest trains take just under one hour, so you can easily pay a weekend visit to the capital.
The nearest international airport is London Stansted, which is located about 30 minutes by train or car. European capitals such as Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam can also be visited from Cambridge City Centre.
7. Beautiful countryside is all around
Cambridge is surrounded by beautiful English countryside, making it easy to get out of the city and into the fresh air when you’re not in lessons. Local highlights include Anglesey Abbey, the Fenland Cathedral City of Ely, and the historic Market Town of Saffron Walden. Closer to home, the beautiful University of Cambridge Botanic Gardens is located a short stroll from the college.
8. Explore the Cambridge Colleges
Many of the 31 colleges that make up the University of Cambridge are world famous themselves, and you can explore their beautiful ancient buildings and libraries at your leisure.
The university offers regular lectures, events, and festivals to the public throughout the year. Many of the lectures showcase the latest developments in their academic field.
9. It is an innovation hub
From cutting-edge start-ups to billion-pound multinationals, despite its small size, Cambridge is an economic powerhouse that consistently ranks at the top of the UK’s most desirable places to live and work. At Abbey College Cambridge we use our industry links to offer our students internships and work experience at world-leading Cambridge companies such as ARM.
10. A city of parks and green spaces
Cambridge is one of the UK’s most beautiful cities with ancient college buildings and more than 30 large parks and green spaces to explore within the city boundaries.
One of the most popular Cambridge pastimes is punting on the River Cam along the beautiful college ‘backs’ through the city centre. All year round you will find students, tourists and locals taking to the water, and you can’t call yourself a true ‘Cantabrigan’ unless you’ve tried punting for yourself!
Want to learn more?
We are delighted that you are interested in Abbey College Cambridge.
If you would like to learn more about our outstanding international college please complete the form below and a member of our admissions team will be in touch.
