Overview
Study at Clare College, part of the University of Cambridge. You will enroll directly in the College as a visiting student, studying alongside local students and living in accommodations arranged by the College.
At Clare College, Cambridge you’ll have the option to study for the entire Academic Year only.
Academics
At Cambridge, students are educated in the supervision system, generally consisting of weekly or biweekly tutorial sessions of one to three students and one tutor. Students usually prepare for a tutorial session by writing a paper on a given topic which serves as the basis for a dialogue between student and tutor. Students mainly take two tutorials per semester, although students may substitute a substantial dissertation for one of their tutorials in their final term. This system stresses self-motivation, dedication to the subject matter, independent thinking and strong written and verbal skills.
Please note that the academic calendar at Oxford and Cambridge is different from Columbia's. The academic year runs from early October to late June and is broken into three terms: October to December, January to March, and April to June.
Program Features
Each college has its own halls, grounds, faculty, and administration. Students are enrolled in a single college. While the individual college organizes accommodation, and extracurricular activities, the University defines the academic disciplines, organizes lectures, gives exams, and grants degrees. Some clubs and activities are available on a University-wide basis as well.
Eligibility
Review eligibility to ensure that you meet all Columbia requirements to study abroad.
Most Colleges require a minimum GPA of 3.7 for admission, as well as a strong background in your intended field(s) of study.
Review the external program webpage to understand any additional program prerequisites.
Application Instructions
To apply, you must complete the two steps below. Deadlines vary and some applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Therefore, you should complete the steps below simultaneously:
- To apply for Columbia clearance (approval) to study abroad, click on "Start Your Application" on this webpage. Clearance applications are approved on a rolling basis until the application deadline listed on this webpage.
- You will apply to the Oxford and/or Cambridge Colleges of your choice. You are allowed to apply to more than Oxford or Cambridge College, but we recommend keeping your list to 2-3 Colleges. Please note some college might have restrictions on which subjects you can study.
- For Clare College, Cambridge, the application to study as a visiting student is not available on their website. Please start a clearance application for Clare College, Cambridge on the UGE website and UGE will be in touch with applicants about how to apply to the College directly.
- Oxbridge Colleges tend to be selective regarding admission for visiting students, especially those studying for only one semester.
- Most Colleges review applications only once per year in the early Spring term (ie. January), whether for the fall, spring, or full year. For example, applications for Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 are all reviewed in January 2024.