Cambridge Acceptance Rates by Course
- Andrew Doane
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
It is famously challenging to get accepted at Cambridge, no matter the course, but some are more difficult than others. We analysed the latest data (from the 2024 application cycle) to find out which courses are the most competitive, and which are the least.
Course | Applications | Offers | Offer Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
Anglo-Saxon, Norse, & Celtic | 65 | 42 | 64.6% |
Archaeology | 79 | 41 | 51.9% |
Architecture | 526 | 88 | 16.7% |
Asian & Middle Eastern Studies | 111 | 61 | 55.0% |
Chemical Engineering & Biotechnology | 421 | 76 | 18.1% |
Classics | 115 | 67 | 58.3% |
Computer Science | 1863 | 168 | 9.0% |
Design | 110 | 35 | 31.8% |
Economics | 1571 | 197 | 12.5% |
Education | 164 | 54 | 32.9% |
Engineering | 2654 | 371 | 14.0% |
English | 719 | 230 | 32.0% |
Geography | 437 | 140 | 32.0% |
History | 599 | 222 | 37.1% |
History & Modern Languages | 94 | 44 | 46.8% |
History & Politics | 260 | 71 | 27.3% |
History of Art | 103 | 47 | 45.6% |
Human, Social, & Political Sciences | 1259 | 228 | 18.1% |
Land Economy | 614 | 111 | 18.1% |
Law | 1604 | 288 | 18.0% |
Linguistics | 120 | 55 | 45.8% |
Mathematics | 1840 | 537 | 29.2% |
Medicine | 1791 | 288 | 16.1% |
Modern & Medieval Languages | 218 | 152 | 69.7% |
Music | 130 | 82 | 63.1% |
Natural Sciences | 2529 | 650 | 25.7% |
Philosophy | 288 | 66 | 22.9% |
Psychological & Behavioural Sciences | 837 | 108 | 12.9% |
Theology, Religion & Philosophy of Religion | 128 | 61 | 47.7% |
Veterinary Medicine | 336 | 81 | 24.1% |
Source: Undergraduate Admissions Statistics , University of Cambridge, June 2025
Computer Science (9%), Economics (12.5%), Psychological & Behavioural Sciences (12.9%), Engineering (14.0%), Medicine (16.1%) are the most competitive courses at Cambridge, with the highest number of applications per offer.
On the other hand, Modern & Medieval Languages (69.7%), Anglo-Saxon, Norse, & Celtic (64.6%), Music (63.1%), Classics (58.3%), Asian & Middle Eastern Studies (55.0%) stand out as the courses with the fewest applications per offer, meaning they are the least competitive courses. This makes sense, as they are focused on more niche subject areas.
We don't recommend choosing which course to apply for based on its offer rate, but it can be a useful data point when considering between a few subjects, particularly if your heart is set on Cambridge. If you want to find out more, or speak with course experts to help you decide, you can book a consultation here.
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