University of Cambridge, Cambridge

The University of Cambridge is a distinguished public collegiate research university, renowned as the world's third-oldest university still in continuous operation since its establishment in 1209. Originating from a group of scholars who departed from the University of Oxford after a local dispute, Cambridge, along with Oxford, forms the storied Oxbridge duo, known for their historic rivalry yet shared characteristics.

Cambridge was officially recognized with a royal charter by King Henry III in 1231, just 22 years after its inception. Today, the university is comprised of 31 semi-autonomous constituent colleges and over 150 academic departments and institutions, organized into six schools. Notably, Cambridge University Press & Assessment is its largest department, generating £1 billion annually and impacting 100 million learners worldwide.

Education at Cambridge is distinctive, centering on small-group "supervisions" held weekly within the colleges, complemented by lectures and laboratory work facilitated by the central university faculties. All Cambridge students must affiliate with one of the self-governing colleges, each managing its personnel and policies.

The university is also celebrated for its extensive cultural and scientific collections, including eight museums such as the Fitzwilliam Museum and the Cambridge University Botanic Garden. Its libraries, notably the Cambridge University Library, a legal deposit library, hold a staggering 16 million books.

Cambridge’s alumni and affiliates include an impressive roster of Nobel laureates, totaling 121, alongside iconic figures across various fields such as Charles Darwin, Stephen Hawking, and Isaac Newton. The university has also contributed to sports, with its alumni winning 194 Olympic medals.

The architectural heritage of Cambridge is vividly displayed in structures like King’s College Chapel, the History Faculty Building by James Stirling, and various colleges adorned with intricate brickwork patterns.