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Studying at Cambridge doesn’t mean you have to break the bank! This page outlines what financial support is available to Home students and what costs you can expect when studying at Cambridge. If you have any concerns or questions, please contact jcr-access-academic@magd.cam.ac.uk.

What support is available to students at Magdalene?

Government Finance

The government offers financial support to all Home students. This support covers the cost of tuition fees (£9,535 for 2025–2026) and, depending on your household income, some or all of your living costs (up to £10,544 for 2025–2026) whilst at university. This support is a loan, so has to be repaid in installments once you have graduated. You can find out more about government support (including links to the various agencies) here: Government Financial Support. You have to apply to the relevant agency to obtain a student loan every academic year.

University and Magdalene Bursaries

Both the University and Magdalene College have bursaries to make studying in Cambridge more affordable. Because these are bursaries, not loans, they do not have to be repaid. The University provides up to £3,500 per year, and Magdalene provides up to £2,000 per year, depending on your household income.

If you have applied for a student loan (and agreed to share your information directly with the university, including your household income), you don’t have to do anything to receive the bursaries. No additional application is needed!

Other Magdalene Support

Magdalene provides other financial support to its students. This includes a hardship fund to deal with any unexpected financial problems that arise during your time here. For more information on the financial support available, visit: Magdalene Undergraduate Funding.

Family Contribution

If the financial support you can access from the government, university and Magdalene is limited because of your household income, you will need to find additional funding. Working is not allowed during term time at Cambridge, and students often find they need to relax (or study) in the holidays (although many choose to work). Your family is therefore expected to make a financial contribution to your studies. The University outlines what the expected contribution from your family is here, depending on your household income: Contribution from your Family.

How much does studying at Magdalene cost?

The University estimates that studying at Cambridge will cost on average £1,240 per month in 2025–2026 (excluding tuition fees). A breakdown of costs is available here: Living Costs. Most students do not spend the whole year in Cambridge, so should budget for between 7 and 9 months per year.