We welcome applications from female students from all backgrounds. If Cambridge offers a course that interests you and you are doing well in your studies, we would encourage you to apply to Murray Edwards. Please note that we do not admit students for Education or Philosophy.
The University website provides full details on applying to the University of Cambridge, and you can also find some key Murray Edwards College-specific information below.
To apply to Murray Edwards, choose UCAS Campus Code 'O'.
Entrance requirements
You can find details of our entrance requirements for individual courses, including subject requirements, admissions assessments, submitted work and typical offers, on our subject information pages.
On these pages, we specify subject requirements and typical offers in terms of A Levels and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB). Further information about other equivalent level school and national examinations and EU and international qualifications can be found on the University website. Please contact the College Admissions Office if you have any queries.
Interviews
As part of our assessment process, we interview everyone who has a realistic chance of gaining a place with us. Interviews form just one part of our overall assessment of you, and will always be considered alongside all of the other information in your application. If you are invited to interview, you may find it helpful to read the guidance on what to expect and how best to prepare beforehand.
Application statistics
We aim to admit around 105 students each year, from the UK, Europe and beyond.
Recent application and admission statistics for individual courses at Murray Edwards College are available on the University website. Statistics on the College’s admissions from the UK maintained sector can be found in the annual Undergraduate Admissions Statistics documents linked from the same page.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply if I am under 18?
Although we normally expect students to be 18 on entry, we are prepared to consider those who will be under 18 on a case-by-case basis. We take into account your ability and maturity, and the particular requirements of the subject you wish to study.
Does Murray Edwards consider students who wish to take a gap year?
We are happy to consider students who are either applying for deferred entry in Year 13 or applying with results already in hand.
Can I apply to study at Murray Edwards for just one year as part of my undergraduate studies elsewhere?
This is only possible in connection with a designated and agreed scheme.
Can I apply if I am a 'mature' applicant?
We welcome applications from those over 18 and this includes mature applicants (a term usually used at Cambridge to refer to those over 21 when they start their degree).
Those who are over 21 might also like to seek advice from the Cambridge Colleges that only admit mature students: Hughes Hall, St Edmund's and Wolfson. Speaking with one or more of these Colleges may be especially useful if you are taking qualifications other than A Levels, such as an Access to HE diploma.
Can I apply if I am transgender or if I am non-binary?
We will consider any student who, at the point of application, identifies as female and, where they have been identified as male at birth, has taken steps to live in the female gender (or has been legally recognised as female via the Gender Recognition Act 2004).
In recent years, we have had a number of students who have identified as non-binary or as male. While most have been happy to remain at Murray Edwards, any student who decides they would prefer to be in a mixed College if transitioning to male or rejecting a binary gender category, will have the full support of College. We will do all that is possible to bring a transfer about but this would only be one option. Full tutorial support will be given to the student throughout the process regardless of the option the student chooses to take.
Find out more about how the College supports transgender and non-binary students.
What support is available for disabled applicants?
Murray Edwards welcomes applications from all students with the academic ability and potential to flourish at Cambridge and aims to make the application process as accessible and inclusive as possible.
We strongly encourage you to disclose any disability, specific learning difficulty, long-term health condition or mental health condition and provide any relevant information in your UCAS application. This will allow us to make appropriate adjustments to the admissions assessment and interview process, if required.
Find out more about how the University supports disabled students.
If you have experienced particular personal or educational disadvantage, we advise that your school/college completes and submits an Extenuating Circumstances Form (ECF). If your school/college remains unaware of the full circumstances, your doctor or social worker may complete the form on your behalf. The ECF is designed to ensure that we have the information required to accurately assess your application.
What support is available if I am applying as a care leaver or as an estranged student?
When applying, it’s important that you indicate in your UCAS application that you’ve spent time in local authority care. This is to ensure that you receive all of the support available to you. This information is held in strict confidence by the University.
Currently, prospective students cannot indicate on their UCAS application that they are estranged. If you’re an estranged student we advise that you use the Extenuating Circumstances Form (ECF) to let the University know that you are estranged and living independently.
Find out more about how the University supports care leavers and estranged students.