Cambridge vs Oxford: Complete Comparison 2026
Side-by-side look at University of Cambridge and University of Oxford: QS 2026 ranks 5 vs 3. Acceptance, tuition, language tests, and typical IB/A-Level signal…
→ University of Cambridge profile → University of Oxford profile
Summary comparison
Figures come from the GlobalAdmit dataset — always confirm on each university’s official admissions site.
| Metric | University of Cambridge | University of Oxford |
|---|---|---|
| QS rank 2026 | 5 | 3 |
| Country | GB 🇬🇧 | GB 🇬🇧 |
| Acceptance rate | 21% | 17% |
| Tuition (intl / yr) | $44,000 | $45,000 |
| Language (summary) | IELTS 7.5+ · TOEFL 110+ · Duolingo 135+ | IELTS 7.5+ · TOEFL 110+ · Duolingo 130+ |
| IB typical | 40–42/45 | 39/45 |
| A-Level typical | A*A*A | A*A*A |
Strengths
University of Cambridge
- Globally elite QS band (top 10 in 2026).
- Large, diverse international student body.
- UK-style undergraduate depth with strong research postgraduate pathways.
University of Oxford
- Globally elite QS band (top 10 in 2026).
- Selective admissions compared with many peers.
- Large, diverse international student body.
Popular majors (overlap)
Where both profiles list the same popular major label (case-insensitive).
No overlapping popular-major labels in our dataset yet — open each profile for subject-level detail.
Which is right for you?
If rankings are your north star
Oxford sits higher in QS 2026 (3 vs 5). That often correlates with research intensity and global name recognition — but Cambridge can still win on programme fit, city, or cost.
If you are coming from IB / A-Levels / US high school
Compare the admission tabs on each profile: Cambridge vs Oxford can invert depending on whether you are optimising for IB typical offers, A-level expectations, or US-style testing. Use the evaluator after you narrow your list.
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