If you are an Indian student dreaming of studying at the University of Cambridge, here is something most people do not tell you upfront: your college choice directly affects how much you pay. Cambridge is not one single campus. It is made up of 31 individual colleges, and each one sets its own accommodation and college fees. So two students studying the same course at Cambridge can end up paying very different amounts depending on which college they are in. This guide breaks down the cheapest colleges at Cambridge, what the fees actually look like, and what it all means in Indian rupees, so you can plan your finances before you even apply.
*Conversion Note: £1 = approximately ₹107 (as of 21 April 2026). All INR figures in this article are based on this rate.
Explore University of Cambridge admissions for detailed requirements and deadlines
- How the Cambridge College System Works
- University of Cambridge Tuition Fees for International Students (2026 Entry)
- The College Fee: Where the Real Difference Lies
- Top 5 Cheapest Colleges at Cambridge (By College Fee)
- Accommodation Costs: What You Actually Pay for a Room
5.1 Homerton College – One of the Cheapest for Accommodation
5.2 Selwyn College – Affordable with a Fixed Site
- Total Annual Cost Estimate for Indian Students
- Monthly Living Cost Breakdown (2026-27)
- What Does the College Fee Actually Cover?
- Kitchen Fixed Charge: A Hidden Cost to Watch Out For
- Scholarships for Indian Students at Cambridge
- FAQs
How the Cambridge College System Works
Cambridge is different from most universities. You do not just apply to the university. You apply to a specific college within the university.
Each college is a separate institution with its own:
- Accommodation
- Dining hall
- Library and sports facilities
- College fees (charged on top of university tuition fees)
Think of it like this: the University of Cambridge sets the tuition fee, but your college sets the college fee and accommodation rent separately.
Note – What is a College Fee? At Cambridge, international students pay two types of fees: the University tuition fee (set centrally) and a College fee (set by each individual college). The college fee covers educational, domestic, and pastoral services provided by your college. Home (UK) students doing their first undergraduate degree do not pay a separate college fee. Indian students applying as international students will pay both.
University of Cambridge Tuition Fees for International Students 2026
The tuition fee depends on the subject group you choose. Here is the full breakdown for 2026 entry, sourced directly from the University of Cambridge:
| Subject Group | Courses | Annual Tuition Fee (£) | Annual Tuition Fee (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group 1 | Arts, Humanities, Law, Economics, History, etc. | £29,052 | ~₹31.08 lakhs |
| Group 2 | Mathematics | £32,406 | ~₹34.67 lakhs |
| Group 3 | Architecture, Design, Geography, Music | £38,010 | ~₹40.67 lakhs |
| Group 4 | Engineering, Computer Science, Natural Sciences, Management | £44,214 | ~₹47.30 lakhs |
| Group 5 | Medicine, Veterinary Medicine | £70,554 | ~₹75.49 lakhs |
So if you are planning to study Economics or Law, you are looking at £29,052 (~₹31 lakh) per year in tuition alone. Engineering or Computer Science will cost £44,214 (~₹47 lakh) per year.
The College Fee: Where the Real Difference Lies
On top of tuition, every international student pays an annual College fee. This is where the colleges differ significantly.
Here is the complete official College Fee table for 2026-27, from cheapest to most expensive:
| College | College Fee (£) | College Fee (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| Darwin | £11,500 | ~₹12.30 lakhs |
| Clare Hall | £12,000 | ~₹12,84 lakhs |
| Christ's | £12,600 | ~₹13.48 lakhs |
| Queens' | £12,411 | ~₹13.27 lakhs |
| Saint Catharine's | £12,920 | ~₹13.82 lakhs |
| Homerton | £12,990 | ~₹13.89 lakhs |
| Emmanuel | £13,000 | ~₹13.91 lakhs |
| Peterhouse | £13,000 | ~₹13.91 lakhs |
| Newnham | £13,040 | ~₹13.95 lakhs |
| Magdalene | £13,065 | ~₹13.97 lakhs |
| Girton | £13,100 | ~₹14.01 lakhs |
| Pembroke | £13,150 | ~₹14.07 lakhs |
| Lucy Cavendish | £13,200 | ~₹14.12 lakhs |
| Saint John's | £13,300 | ~₹14.23 lakhs |
| Selwyn | £13,237 | ~₹14.16 lakhs |
| Trinity Hall | £13,245 | ~₹14.17 lakhs |
| King's | £13,356 | ~₹14.29 lakhs |
| Gonville & Caius | £13,398 | ~₹14.33 lakhs |
| Corpus Christi | £12,933 | ~₹13.83 lakhs |
| Hughes Hall | £13,545 | ~₹14.49 lakhs |
| Wolfson | £13,500 | ~₹14.44 lakhs |
| Saint Edmund's | £13,440 | ~₹14.38 lakhs |
| Sidney Sussex | £13,480 | ~₹14.42 lakhs |
| Clare | £13,570 | ~₹14.51 lakhs |
| Trinity | £13,689 (net, after 30% bursary) | ~₹14.64 lakhs |
| Robinson | £13,696 | ~₹14.65 lakhs |
| Jesus | £13,930 | ~₹14.90 lakhs |
| Fitzwilliam | £13,860 | ~₹14.83 lakhs |
| Downing | £14,140 | ~₹15.12 lakhs |
| Churchill | £14,500 | ~₹15.51 lakhs |
| Murray Edwards | £14,950 | ~₹15,99 lakhs |
Source: University of Cambridge Undergraduate Tuition Fees 2026-27 (official document)
Note – Trinity College's Fee: Trinity College's gross college fee is £19,557, but the college automatically awards a 30% bursary to all students liable for this fee. The net fee you actually pay is £13,689. This is fixed for the duration of your undergraduate course.
The difference between the cheapest college (Darwin at £11,500) and the most expensive (Murray Edwards at £14,950) is £3,450 (~₹3,69,150) per year. Over a 3-year course, that adds up to over £10,000 (~₹10.7 lakh).
Explore University of Cambridge courses and fees for program-wise details
Top 5 Cheapest Colleges at Cambridge (By College Fee)
1. Darwin College – £11,500/year (~₹12,30,500)
Darwin is the cheapest college in terms of college fees at Cambridge for 2026-27. It is a postgraduate-only college, which means it does not admit undergraduates. However, if you are applying for a Master's or PhD, Darwin is your most affordable college option.
- College fee: £11,500 (~₹12,30,500)
- Accommodation: Available on-site and off-site
- Rent rates available for 2025-26 on the Darwin College website
Note: Darwin College is exclusively for postgraduate students. Undergraduate applicants cannot apply here.
2. Clare Hall – £12,000/year (~₹12,84,000)
Clare Hall is another postgraduate-only college, known for its welcoming and international community. It is one of the smallest colleges at Cambridge.
- College fee: £12,000 (~₹12,84,000)
- Strong focus on research students and visiting scholars
Note: Like Darwin, Clare Hall only admits postgraduate students.
3. Christ's College – £12,600/year (~₹13,48,200)
Christ's is one of the few undergraduate-admitting colleges in the cheaper bracket. It is a well-established college with strong academic support.
- College fee: £12,600 (~₹13,48,200)
- Admits both undergraduate and postgraduate students
- Located centrally in Cambridge
4. Queens' College – £12,411/year (~₹13,27,977)
Queens' College has one of the lowest college fees among undergraduate-admitting colleges. It is a popular choice and one of the larger colleges at Cambridge.
- College fee: £12,411 (~₹13,27,977)
- Provides 3 years of accommodation for undergraduates
- Located on Silver Street and at Owlstone Croft
5. Saint Catharine's College – £12,920/year (~₹13,82,440)
St Catharine's (often called "St Catz") is a mid-sized college with a friendly atmosphere and reasonable fees.
- College fee: £12,920 (~₹13,82,440)
- Admits undergraduates and postgraduates
- Centrally located near King's College
Accommodation Costs: What You Actually Pay for a Room
The college fee is just one part of the picture. You also pay accommodation rent separately. And this varies a lot between colleges.
Cambridge accommodation contracts run for 27 to 39 weeks per year. You do not pay for a full 12 months, which is a big saving compared to renting privately.
Homerton College – One of the Cheapest for Accommodation
Based on official 2025-26 residence charges from Homerton College:
| Room Type | Annual Rent (UG Year 1) | In INR |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Room | £4,166 | ~₹4.45 lakhs |
| En-suite Room | £4,896 | ~₹5.23 lakhs |
| Harrison House | £5,222 | ~₹5.58 lakhs |
- Daily rate for a standard room: £21.70
- Daily rate for an en-suite room: £25.50
Homerton has consistently been flagged as one of the most affordable colleges for accommodation at Cambridge.
Selwyn College – Affordable with a Fixed Site
Selwyn College's official website states:
- Weekly rent ranges from £140 to £260 per week
- Typical weekly rent for an en-suite room: ~£219
- All utilities included in the rent
- Accommodation guaranteed on a single site for 3-4 years
At £219/week for 30 weeks, annual accommodation at Selwyn works out to roughly **£6,570 (₹7,02,990)**.
Total Annual Cost Estimate for Indian Students
Here is a realistic picture of what an Indian student might spend per year at one of the cheaper Cambridge colleges, using Group 1 subjects (Arts/Humanities/Law/Economics) as an example:
| Cost Component | Amount (£) | Amount (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| University Tuition Fee (Group 1) | £29,052 | ~₹31.08 lakhs |
| College Fee (e.g., Queens') | £12,411 | ~₹13.27 lakhs |
| Accommodation (standard, ~28-30 weeks) | ~£4,200 | ~₹4.49 lakhs |
| Food & Living (9 months) | ~£11,745 | ~₹12.56 lakhs |
| Total (approx.) | ~£57,408 | ~₹61.42 lakhs |
Living cost estimate sourced from the University of Cambridge official living costs page (2026-27 figures).
The university estimates monthly living costs at £1,305 (~₹1,39,635) for 2026-27. For 9 months (term time only), that is £11,745 (~₹12,56,715).
Monthly Living Cost Breakdown (2026-27)
| Category | Monthly Cost (£) | Monthly Cost (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | £865 | ~₹92,555 |
| Food | £195 | ~₹20,865 |
| Personal Items | £80 | ~₹8,560 |
| Social Activities | £95 | ~₹10,165 |
| Study Costs | £20 | ~₹2,140 |
| Miscellaneous | £50 | ~₹5,350 |
| Total | £1,305 | ~₹1,39,635 |
Source: University of Cambridge Living Costs page (2026-27)
What Does the College Fee Actually Cover?
Many Indian students wonder why they have to pay a college fee on top of tuition. Here is what it covers:
- Educational support – supervisions, academic mentoring
- Domestic services – room maintenance, cleaning
- Pastoral care – welfare support, counselling
- Dining facilities – access to the college dining hall
- Library and IT access within the college
It is essentially the cost of being a member of your college community, not just the university.
Kitchen Fixed Charge: A Hidden Cost to Watch Out For
Some Cambridge colleges charge an additional Kitchen Fixed Charge on top of accommodation rent. This covers the running costs of the college kitchen.
- In 2025-26, this ranged from £225 to £260 per year at colleges that charge it
- Not all colleges charge this
- Always check the individual college website before applying
Note – Kitchen Fixed Charge: This is a compulsory annual charge at certain Cambridge colleges to cover kitchen running costs. It is separate from your accommodation rent and your meal costs. Think of it as a maintenance fee for having access to the dining hall infrastructure.
For detailed subject-wise and overall rankings, explore the University of Cambridge ranking page.
Scholarships for Indian Students at Cambridge
Cambridge does offer financial support, but options for international undergraduates are limited. Here is what is available:
- Cambridge Bursary Scheme – Up to £3,500/year for eligible UK/EU students. Indian students on international fee status are not eligible for this.
- Cambridge Commonwealth, European and International Trust – Partial scholarships for international students, including Indians. Mostly for postgraduate study.
- Gates Cambridge Scholarship – Full funding for postgraduate students. Highly competitive.
- Individual College Scholarships – Some colleges offer their own bursaries. Check each college's website directly.
For Indian undergraduate students, full scholarships are rare. Most students self-fund or take education loans.
FAQs
Ques. Can I choose which Cambridge college I want to go to?
Ans. Yes, you can express a preference when applying through UCAS. But you can also make an open application and let Cambridge assign you to a college.
Ques. Does the college I choose affect my degree or academic quality?
Ans. No. All Cambridge students get the same degree from the University of Cambridge. The college affects your accommodation, social life, and college fee, not your academic qualification.
Ques. Is Darwin College really the cheapest at Cambridge?
Ans. Yes, for college fees. But Darwin only admits postgraduate students. For undergraduates, Queens' College at £12,411 is among the cheapest.
Ques. Do Indian students pay the same tuition fee regardless of college?
Ans. Yes. The university tuition fee is the same across all colleges for the same subject. Only the college fee differs.
Ques. Is accommodation guaranteed at Cambridge?
Ans. Yes. Cambridge guarantees accommodation for 3 to 4 years for undergraduate students without children. You live in college-owned property.
Ques. Do I pay rent for the full year at Cambridge?
Ans. No. Accommodation contracts at Cambridge run for 27 to 39 weeks, not 12 months. This makes it significantly cheaper than renting privately.
Ques. What is the cheapest subject to study at Cambridge as an international student?
Ans. Group 1 subjects like Arts, Humanities, Law, Economics, and History have the lowest tuition fee at £29,052 (~₹31 lakh) per year.
Ques. Can Indian students get a scholarship for undergraduate study at Cambridge?
Ans. Full undergraduate scholarships for Indian students are very rare at Cambridge. Most funding options are for postgraduate students. Check individual college websites and the Cambridge Trust for partial support.
Ques. What is the total cost of studying at Cambridge for an Indian student?
Ans. For a Group 1 subject at a cheaper college like Queens', the total annual cost (tuition + college fee + living) is roughly £57,000-£60,000 (~₹61-64 lakh) per year.
Ques. Is Homerton College good for Indian students?
Ans. Homerton is known for being one of the most affordable colleges for accommodation at Cambridge. It is a full undergraduate and postgraduate college with a welcoming community.
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