International Student Team

Visiting the University

Visiting Students

Students wishing to visit the University through the Erasmus Exchange Programme should contact the International Office after reading the dedicated sections of the website. For other possibilities, please check the relevant section of the undergraduate prospectus or contact the college or department you wish to visit.

Visiting Scholars

Scholars wishing to visit the University should consult the websites of the department or college which they would like to visit. Some departments have a formal application process and may also charge a fee for using the facilities. If you are not a person with settled status in the UK or a national of a country within the European Economic Area, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland then you will probably need a visa. There is more information about this on the visa web pages.

Visiting scholars who are accepted to a department may search for housing using the Accommodation Service, which has a list of private and University held housing in the vicinity. Sites outside the University domain which may be helpful in searching for housing include the Cambridge Accommodation Notice Board and EasyRoomate (the University cannot accept responsibility for the content or reliability of these external sites).

Once in Cambridge, the Newcomers and Visiting Scholars Group can help visiting scholars and their families settle into life in Cambridge and meet local people.

Visiting Colleges

Visitors to the University who would like to see individual colleges may do so in various ways. The City of Cambridge tourist office offers blue badge tours which go through many of the colleges and describe the way of life for students and scholars at Cambridge.

Alternatively, if the questions are more in depth, websites of the colleges may be consulted and contact made directly in order to learn specific information about the college.

Visiting Departments

Visitors to the University who would like to see individual departments may do so in various ways. The City of Cambridge tourist office offers blue badge tours which go past the exterior of centrally located departments and faculties and describe the way of life for students and scholars at Cambridge.

Alternatively, if the questions are more in depth, websites of the departments may be consulted and contact made directly in order to learn specific information about programmes and/or visiting.

Visiting the University on behalf of an Institution

Institutions wanting to visit the University in order to forge links are encouraged to contact the International Office as far in advance of the visit as possible. Alternatively contact can be taken up directly with the relevant college or department.

Getting to Cambridge

1) By Air

Cambridge is served by four major airports: Stansted (the closest), Luton, Heathrow and Gatwick (the furthest away). There are National Express coach services to Cambridge from all four airports (see www.nationalexpress.com) and a one way ticket costs around £10 - £30. From Stansted, it is quicker to catch the direct train to Cambridge, which takes 30 minutes and costs around £8 one way.

2) By Train

There are direct trains from London (King’s Cross and Liverpool Street stations) which take about one hour and Stansted Airport, which take about 30 minutes. For all train times see www.nationalrail.co.uk/ or call National Rail Enquiries on 08457 484950.

Once you arrive, there are buses going into the City Centre and there is also a taxi rank. More information regarding taxis can be found at the University’s designated webpage on this topic, and bus information is in the next section.

3) By Bus

The city bus station is on Drummer Street, close to Emmanuel College. Here most bus services will terminate for Cambridge. The main exception to this are the Airport Buses, operated by National Express, which depart a block away from Drummer Street on Parkside (please see the map).

Once you arrive, there is a taxi rank on block up on Drummer Street. More information regarding taxis can be found at the University’s designated webpage on this topic.

The following firms operate buses within Cambridge:

4) By Road

From the south, leave the M11 at Junction 11 and from the north, leave the A1 at the A14.

Parking in Cambridge

Please see the Cambridgeshire County Council’s website for information about:

Maps

For more information about getting to Cambridge, please see the main University pages for visitors and the University maps.

The International Office is located at 16 Mill Lane, Cambridge CB2 1SB. It is under the number 14 on this map.

A number of maps of Cambridge, including maps of bus routes and parking can be found at Cambridge Online (please note this site is external to the University).