University of Cambridge Accommodation 2026-27: Cost, Facilities & Photos

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Shreyashi Pathak

Study Abroad Expert | Updated on - Jan 19, 2026

The University of Cambridge runs on a college system, with 31 colleges each handling its own student housing. Most accommodation is college owned, spread across historic courts and newer buildings rather than one single campus. However, what you get depends heavily on the college you belong to, especially once you move from undergraduate to postgraduate study.

Key points at a glance

Accommodation details are college specific, not centrally fixed, and vary in room type, facilities, and building age
Most colleges prioritise undergraduates, while postgraduates may face limited or partial availability
Postgraduate only colleges like Clare Hall and Darwin do not admit undergraduates
Costs are usually shared after an offer is made, but typical spending sits around £5,000–£10,000+ per year for term time college rooms
Undergraduate contracts are mostly term time only (about 27 to 39 weeks), while postgraduates often stay longer

For admission details, refer to the University of Cambridge admission

Table of Contents

Types of Room at the University of Cambridge
31 Cambridge Colleges: Accommodation and Amenities Overview
University of Cambridge Accommodation Cost 2026
University of Cambridge Off Campus Accomodation Option

Types of Room at the University of Cambridge

Cambridge doesn’t run accommodation from one central list—each College manages its own rooms, so exact names, rents, and locations sit on individual College pages, not a single official sheet. The University instead publishes average cost estimates based on student surveys, giving a realistic price band for 2026, while actual rents vary by College, room type, and contract length.

Type of Accommodation	Description	Who It’s Meant For	Key Features
College-Owned Rooms (Standard Single)	Single study bedroom in historic or modern College buildings	Undergraduates (mainly); some postgraduates	Guaranteed for most undergrads; shared or basic facilities; College dining & libraries
En-Suite Rooms	Single room with private bathroom	Undergraduates & postgraduates	More privacy; newer or upgraded buildings; higher demand
Rooms with Shared Facilities	Single rooms sharing kitchen/bathroom	Mostly postgraduates	Communal living; housekeeping often included
Studios / Self-Contained Flats	Private studio with kitchenette and bathroom	Postgraduates; some couples	Independent living; limited supply
Couples / Family Accommodation	Flats or houses (1–3 bedrooms)	Postgraduates with partners/family	Family-friendly layouts; very limited availability
University-Managed Accommodation	Flats/houses run by the University	Postgraduates, staff, visiting scholars	Modern builds; waiting list system
Private Rented Accommodation	Rooms/flats from private landlords	Mostly postgraduates	No guarantee; flexible choice; high demand

31 Cambridge Colleges: Accommodation and Amenities Overview

The accommodation facilities across all 31 colleges of the University of Cambridge are summarized below:

College Name	Accommodation Types Available	Amenities Included	Other Details (Location, Special Features, Focus)
Christ's College	Single rooms in medieval, Victorian, or Modernist buildings; ~50% en-suite	Café/bar, formal dining hall, self-service canteen, library, gym, sports courts	Central Cambridge, within 5-min walk of facilities; undergrad-focused. Access to shops, cafés, green spaces
Churchill College	Single rooms (40%+ en-suite); some family flats for postgrads	Large dining hall, Buttery Bar	42-acre site, short walk from city centre; undergrad/postgrad/family focus. Diverse, relaxed community
Clare College	Single rooms with en-suites, basic cooking facilities	Buttery/riverside café	Memorial Court (first years), Castle Court (later years); river-adjacent, undergrad-focused
Clare Hall (Postgrad-only)	Single en-suite rooms, studios, 1–3 bed flats/houses for couples/families	Utilities/internet, communal kitchens, laundry, dining hall, gym, gardens	Quiet site near city centre/river; postgrad/family focus. Eco-friendly, arts/music facilities
Corpus Christi College	Single rooms in medieval courtyards	Not specified	Historic central site; undergrad-focused
Darwin College (Postgrad-only)	Single en-suite rooms, studios, 1–2 bed flats for couples/families	Utilities/internet, kitchens, laundry, dining hall, bar, gym, boat club	Riverside, central yet peaceful; postgrad/family focus. Social events, gardens
Downing College	Single-occupancy rooms (~50% en-suite), accessibility-adapted	Internet, kitchen spaces, free laundry	On main site; undergrad-focused. Fosters community
Emmanuel College	Single rooms on main site or nearby houses	Not specified	Central site; undergrad-focused
Fitzwilliam College	Single rooms (mostly semi/fully en-suite)	Kitchens, dining hall, music rooms, auditorium, art studio, gym, squash courts, gardens, café	Within 5-min walk of main site; undergrad/postgrad mix. Modern, high-quality
Girton College	Single rooms (Victorian/modern); en-suites in Swirles Court (from year 2)	Internet, communal kitchens	Main site (green grounds); Swirles Court in Eddington; undergrad-focused
Gonville & Caius College	Single rooms, en-suites, sets (study+bedroom)	Communal kitchens, free laundry	Central location with beautiful grounds; undergrad-focused
Homerton College	Bedrooms (most en-suite)	Wi-Fi in bedrooms	South Cambridge with green spaces; undergrad-focused
Hughes Hall (Mature undergrads/postgrads)	Single rooms in Victorian building, modern en-suites, shared houses	Not specified	City centre near Mill Road; mature undergrad/postgrad focus. Affordable rents
Jesus College	Single rooms (most en-suite, refurbished)	En-suite bathrooms, kitchens, free laundry	5-min from city centre; undergrad-focused
King’s College	En-suite rooms, shared facilities	Coffee shop, shared kitchens, grand Hall dining	Central Cambridge; undergrad-focused
Lucy Cavendish College	Single rooms (Victorian houses to modern apartments), en-suites, limited studios/flats for couples/families	Social/kitchen spaces, gym, bar/café, dining hall, 24/7 library	Short stroll from centre; undergrad/postgrad mix. Eco-friendly
Magdalene College	Single rooms (medieval), en-suites (Cripps Court), sets (modern)	Not specified	Riverside, longest waterfront; central; undergrad-focused
Murray Edwards College	En-suite rooms in Pearl House (first years)	Large shared kitchens, Dome dining hall	Huntingdon Road; women’s college (all genders welcome); undergrad-focused
Newnham College	Single rooms (historic with balconies, modern en-suites)	Kitchens, Buttery, Hall dining, café-bar	On-site, next to arts/humanities; undergrad-focused
Pembroke College	Single rooms, new en-suites	Dining hall, café/bar	Central/main site or nearby houses; undergrad-focused
Peterhouse	En-suite rooms	Free laundry, dining hall, library/theatre/music rooms, bar, computer room, gym, boathouse, sports grounds/Deer Park	Central, 5-min walk to centre; undergrad-focused
Queens’ College	En-suite/shared bathrooms with kitchenettes	Dining hall, café/bar	River Cam central site (Tudor/Georgian/modern); undergrad-focused
Robinson College	~50% en-suite single rooms; remainder shared bathrooms	Not specified	College grounds, opposite University Library; undergrad-focused
Selwyn College	65% en-suite rooms	Gym, new library, cafeteria, bar	Spacious site with gardens, short walk to centre; undergrad-focused
Sidney Sussex College	Modern en-suites, College houses, study-bedroom sets	Dining rooms (Hall/Old Kitchen), bar	Central, short walk to departments; undergrad-focused. Random allocation for first years
St Catharine's College	Single rooms in main site flats (second years spacious flats)	High-speed internet	Central picturesque site; undergrad-focused
St Edmund's College	Single rooms (various sizes/ages), en-suites, shared bathrooms/clusters, limited doubles/flats for couples/families	Utilities, cleaning, communal kitchens/living areas, 2 laundries	10-acre leafy site, 10-min walk to centre; mature undergrad/postgrad focus. Graded rents
St John’s College	Types not detailed	Free laundry, dining hall, gym, bar	Ancient courts; undergrad-focused
Trinity College	High-quality rooms (types not detailed)	Internet connection	Central on river; undergrad-focused. Excellent Hall meals
Trinity Hall	Rooms in historical buildings, modern en-suite blocks	Gym, squash/tennis/playing fields, boathouse, music rooms, dining hall, Aula Bar/Coffee Shop	Central quiet corner with river views; undergrad-focused
Wolfson College	Single rooms/en-suites, shared houses, family flats	Utilities/cleaning, self-catering kitchens, dining hall (3 meals/day, Formal Halls)	Just beyond city centre with gardens; mature undergrad/postgrad focus

Trick: Always accept your College offer quickly—housing allocation starts soon after. If you're postgrad, reply to any housing questionnaire ASAP and emphasize you're international/new arrival (some Colleges prioritize this).

University of Cambridge Accommodation Cost 2026

Undergraduates stay in College owned single rooms, either basic or en suite, placed on or close to the College site. Rooms are locked in from year one and usually stay with you for the full course, with term time contracts and bills bundled in. For 2026–27, accommodation averages £865 per month (₹1,04,665), translating to roughly £5,000–£8,000+ per year (₹6.05–9.68 lakh).

Postgraduates, on the other hand, tap into a mixed pool of College halls, shared houses, studios, or family units, depending on what opens up. There is no blanket guarantee and private rentals often fill the gap. Costs sit near £895 per month (₹1,08,295), within an overall annual living estimate of £19,860 (₹24.03 lakh).

Accommodation Type	Location	Who It’s For	What Costs Include	Monthly Cost Range (2026–27)
Standard Single Room (basic, shared facilities possible)	Main College site or other College-owned properties across Cambridge	Undergraduates mainly; some postgraduates	Rent, water, electricity, heating, internet, cleaning of shared areas, basic self-catering facilities	£865 (₹1.05 lakh)
En-Suite Room (private bathroom)	Main College site or College-owned buildings	Undergraduates & postgraduates	Same as standard room, plus private bathroom	£865–£895 (₹1.05–1.08 lakh)
Postgraduate Hall / Graduate Hostel	College-owned halls on or off main site	Postgraduates	Rent, utilities, furnished room, routine maintenance	£895 (₹1.08 lakh)
College Shared Houses / Flats	College-owned houses or flats across Cambridge	Postgraduates	Rent, utilities, furniture, maintenance	£895 (₹1.08 lakh)
Family Flats / Maisonettes	Select College-owned properties	Postgraduates with partner/family	Rent, utilities, furniture, maintenance	£19,860/year (~₹24 lakh)

Note: Undergraduates receive College-owned accommodation automatically for their first year, with single students often covered for the full 3–4 year course. Contracts run term-time only (27–39 weeks) so no rent is due during breaks. Postgraduates have no guaranteed rooms; availability depends on College and year, with many getting one-year priority before turning to private rentals.

University of Cambridge Off Campus Accomodation Option

At Cambridge, off campus housing simply means private rentals outside College control. This route is mostly taken by postgraduates when College rooms are limited or independence is preferred, while undergraduates usually stay in guaranteed College accommodation. Costs and contracts differ sharply from College housing, so planning early matters.Here are the common housing options international students choose when studying at the University of Cambridge, explained in simple terms.

Off-Campus Accommodation Type	Typical Areas in Cambridge	Who It Suits	Contract Length	Monthly Cost Range	Key Notes
Shared Room in Student House or Flat	City centre, Mill Road, Hills Road, Chesterton, Newmarket Road	Postgraduates and students sharing with 4–8 people	Usually 12 months	£600–£900 (₹72,600–₹1.09L) + £100–£200 bills (₹12,100–₹24,200) or £700–£1,000 all-inclusive (₹84,700–₹1.21L)	Lowest-cost option. High demand. Common on SpareRoom and Rightmove.
Private Studio or Self-Contained Flat	Central Cambridge, Station area, CB1, Mill Road	Students or couples wanting full privacy	12 months	£900–£1,500+ (₹1.09L–₹1.82 Lakhs+)	Independent living. Modern units often fall around £1,000–£1,300 (₹1.21L–₹1.57 Lakhs).
One-Bedroom Apartment or Maisonette	City outskirts, Chesterton, edges of Eddington	Couples or small families	12 months	£1,200–£2,000+ (₹1.45L–₹2.42 Lakhs+)	Limited student supply. More space, higher rent.
Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA)	Station area, Newmarket Road	Students wanting managed housing	44–51 weeks or 12 months	£800–£1,200 (₹96,800–₹1.45 Lakhs)	Private student halls like Student Castle or The Cam Foundry. Bills usually included.
Shared House Rented as a Group	Perne Road, Victoria Road, residential zones	Groups of 4–7 students	12 months joint contract	£2,500–£4,000 per house (₹3.03 Lakhs–₹4.84 Lakhs) or £500–£800 per person (₹60,500–₹96,800)	Cost-efficient when split. Popular with postgrad groups.

Tips:

Private rentals are competitive and in-person viewings are important to avoid overcharging or scams.
Living in College helps build networks and support especially for international students.
Plan for rising costs and use 2026-27 estimates as a guide.
Families should contact the College or University Childcare Service early because options are limited.

Before applying, students should check College websites to see accommodation details like en-suite availability and location. After receiving an offer, contact the College housing office or tutor early if you have special needs such as accessibility or family requirements. Postgraduates without a guaranteed spot can explore University-owned properties via the Accommodation Service or seek private rentals, but demand is high so act quickly. For short-term arrival, many internationals book a hotel or B&B for the first week or two while settling in.

University of Cambridge Accommodation: Students' Opinion

AI-Generated Summary based on 7 Reviews

Cambridge University provides on-campus housing through its 30 colleges, offering individual rooms for the entire duration of the degree. The college hostels charge approximately £7000 annually. Off-campus accommodation is also an option, with costs ranging from £20,000 to £30,000 per year. Some students reported monthly rents of about £780, which included amenities like heating, water, cleaning, gym, and internet. On-campus accommodations are within walking distance of academic departments.

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Uni of Cambridge review

Likes

Access to the UK's sharpest minds, leading companies, and prestigious alumni network
Globally diverse cohort - classmates from over 50 countries, great way to meet new people and make lifelong connections from across the globe
Fun extracurricular activities and college life - such as sports, MBAT, debate clubs, and formal dinners

Dislikes

Balance between academic and non-academic endeavours. While we were encouraged to not focus al our time on studies and told to spend time networking, the academically rigorous nature of the course often clashed with such aspirations.

Accommodation

Off Campus

The University of Cambridge has a collegiate system. Accommodation is managed by your college.

The University of Cambridge has a collegiate system. Accommodation is managed by your college.

academic: 8/10

faculty: 6/10

infrastructure: 10/10

accomodation: 8/10

placement: 8/10

extracurricular: 6/10

0 0

Apan

University of Cambridge( Enrolled 2023 )MPhil Advanced Computer ScienceJune 4, 2025

9.7 /10

My Masters in University of Cambridge Experience

Likes

Collegiate system provides a unique communal experience. Each college is a mini society within Cambridge; addressing different needs based on academic rigour, gender, age, etc.
Global Exposure from around 100 countries.
Chance to work under top computer scientists.

Dislikes

Short terms. Each term is only 8 weeks long.
Each week starts from Thursday for an odd reason.
Workload can overwhelming you. In the first term, I wrote 2 essays, each 1500 words long and reading 4 papers per week. In the second term, I read at least 3 papers per week, and writing a 1000 word review while doing my research.

Accommodation

Off Campus

Finding accommodation can be challenging; however, since my application got accepted early,. I got the invitation from Wolfson College to stay in their accommodation. The monthly rent was around £780 (£190 per week), which included heating, water, weekly cleaning facilities, a gym, and internet. My accommodation was within the college campus, so I didn't have to worry at all.

Finding accommodation can be challenging; however, since my application got accepted early,. I got the invitation from Wolfson College to stay in their accommodation. The monthly rent was around £780 (£190 per week), which included heating, water, weekly cleaning facilities, a gym, and internet. My accommodation was within the college campus, so I didn't have to worry at all.

academic: 10/10

faculty: 10/10

infrastructure: 10/10

accomodation: 10/10

placement: 8/10

extracurricular: 10/10

0 0

Prachi Dewangan

University of Cambridge( Enrolled 2023 )MBAFebruary 18, 2025

8.0 /10

A Day At University of Cambridge

Likes

Academic facilities, dedicated libraries, research tools.
Case study based lectures
Mental health platform free for students

Dislikes

Lack of individual focus on studies, everybody is on their own
No placements system, self secure jobs by creating network
Food and travel expensive

Accommodation

Off Campus

I was provided college accommodation. Cambridge has a unique collegiate system which is different from any other university.
There are 30 colleges in Cambridge University which are responsible for accommodation and food and have no meaning in academics.
The monthly rent was around 50000 rupees and it was 1 km from my department. The food was also provided near accommodation.

I was provided college accommodation. Cambridge has a unique collegiate system which is different from any other university.
There are 30 colleges in Cambridge University which are responsible for accommodation and food and have no meaning in academics.
The monthly rent was around 50000 rupees and it was 1 km from my department. The food was also provided near accommodation.

+8 more

academic: 8/10

faculty: 8/10

infrastructure: 10/10

accomodation: 8/10

placement: 6/10

extracurricular: 8/10

0 0

YASH

University of Cambridge( Enrolled 2018 )BA EnglishMarch 14, 2022

7.8 /10

University of Cambridge is awesome.

Accommodation

Off Campus

I opted for off campus stay because I used to stay in one of my friend's houses nearby. However, the college hostels charge around £7000 for accommodation

Monthly Expenses: GBP 7,000

Cambridge University is itself a brand name. Being a student at this university is itself an honour. The admission procedure includes filling out the admission form at the official website of you qualify for the eligibility criteria.

academic: 9/10

faculty: 8/10

infrastructure: 8/10

accomodation: 7/10

placement: 8/10

extracurricular: 7/10

0 0

Sanjana Ayagari

University of CambridgeBA LawMarch 28, 2021

6.7 /10

University Review

Accommodation

Off Campus

Accommodation is provided in the form of individual rooms for all three years of the degree and costs can vary quite a lot. The rough range is about 20,000 to 30,000 pounds per year.

One of the best undergraduate law programs in the world. I appreciated the world-class teaching and the professors who were at the leading edge of their subjects.

academic: 9/10

faculty: 9/10

infrastructure: 7/10

accomodation: 8/10

placement: 7/10

0 0

Ananya

University of CambridgeBA LawJanuary 26, 2021

6.3 /10

Review of Cambridge University

Accommodation

Off Campus

The accommodation is generally good. Not too expensive (options for different price points) and good facilities.

Well reputed and offers a good quality education. Really nice campus town.

academic: 8/10

faculty: 8/10

infrastructure: 9/10

accomodation: 7/10

placement: 6/10

0 0

Sharon

University of Cambridge( Current Student )Modern and Medieval LanguagesMarch 15, 2019

8.8 /10

Oxbridge

It's prestigious and this means that graduates often enjoy excellent job opportunities. It's hard to get into (interview process, high grades, etc.) so the need to work hard to get in was a source of motivation when I was studying for my A level exams.

academic: 10/10

faculty: 9/10

infrastructure: 10/10

accomodation: 8/10

placement: 8/10

extracurricular: 8/10

0 0