Did you know that international students have to pay college fees on top of tuition fees to study at Cambridge University?
This is why you need to save to send your child to Cambridge University. UK’s oldest and top institute with the lowest acceptance rate and skyrocketing tuition fees – getting admission at this college is not enough.
From expensive tuition costs to living expenses costing £12,400 on average (11-12 lakhs yearly), the need to invest and save is urgent!
Suppose, if your child goes for an MBA in this university, he or she will have to pay Rs 58 to 59 lakhs per year for tuition fees. Similarly, if your child is going for BTech or MBBS here, he or she will have to pay somewhere around Rs 33 – 58 lakhs per year for tuition fees.
If you are planning for UK universities like Cambridge, it helps to check updated costs and guidance from platforms like Edufund Abroad, especially when you are trying to estimate living and tuition expenses well in advance.
How do you need to save to send your child to Cambridge?
1. Preparing an education fund
Preparing an education fund helps in growing your financial corpus. You can do this by investing in financial assets which have a longer-term plan. These plans include mutual funds, ETFs, and so on. Start by deciding your monthly budget.
Choose an investment plan which suits your need and budget. Make sure that you do not invest in a plan which offers low returns. ULIPs are a really good option if you are saving up for your child’s education at the University of Cambridge.
Public Provident Fund is another great option that you can go for. Parents prefer going for PPF because it provides a specific interest rate and is extremely secure. Apart from this, you must always prepare a long-term investment option.
Many parents start planning early using mutual funds and PPF, but it also helps to understand actual international costs. This is where platforms such as Edufund Abroad make things easier because they break down expenses for top universities like Cambridge in simple terms.
2. Balanced investment options
Fixed deposits are great ways to invest but do not beat inflation. You cannot rely on them for the long term since they provide fixed returns of 5-6% while inflation in the current economy averages around 7-8%.
The chances are that as an investor, you will lose the opportunity to gain from the markets.
Equity funds will be a good option for you if you start early as a parent. Around eight to ten years are required for you to build the right amount of corpus. You can go for SIPs in equity funds because they have a good return value and do not require heavy sums of money in one go.
Equity exposure until five years to the date of maturity can prove to be extremely beneficial. In the last decade, equity mutual funds have delivered an average return of 15%.
If you consider yourself a moderate-risk investor, you can still invest 60% to 70% of your total investment amount in equities.
Make sure that you have a sufficiently long investing horizon so that you can counter crashes and volatility. Remember investing is risky but a good plan and a great advisor can help you manage your money better even in the worst climate.
3. Aggressive investment options
Equity investment leads to higher risk but also good returns. If you want to add more options to your portfolio, you can go for aggressive investments.
In such a type of investment option, the investor takes on more risk to that he or she can achieve a higher potential return. Investing in stocks is a way of doing so. Although it is quite volatile and requires daily inspection, it has the potential to offer a chance for greater gains when compared to other types of investment.
Some other types of aggressive investment options are stock mutual funds, real estate investment trusts, hedge funds, emerging markets, small-cap stock funds, private equity, foreign stocks, global funds, and so on.
There are many ways to save to send your child to Cambridge but all start with smart planning for the right cost with the right experts. If you want the best for your child’s education, connect with us.
Is Cambridge University affordable for Indian students?
Cambridge University is expensive, but many Indian students still study there through a mix of scholarships, family savings, and education loans. Planning early helps spread costs and reduce financial pressure.
If you are planning your child’s journey to Cambridge, expert guidance from EduFund Abroad can help you plan finances correctly and avoid costly mistakes.
What is the total cost of studying at Cambridge for Indian students?
The total cost usually includes tuition fees, college fees, accommodation, food, health insurance, and personal expenses. For most Indian students, the annual cost can range from ₹45–70 lakhs depending on the course and lifestyle.
Can Indian parents take an education loan for Cambridge University?
Yes. Indian parents can take education loans from Indian banks and NBFCs to fund Cambridge education. Loans may be secured or unsecured depending on the amount, co-borrower profile, and lender policies.
Are there scholarships available for Indian students at Cambridge?
Yes. Cambridge offers need-based and merit-based scholarships for international students, including Indians. External scholarships and government schemes may also help reduce the overall cost.
Is collateral mandatory for an education loan for Cambridge?
Collateral is not always mandatory. Some lenders offer unsecured education loans for top universities like Cambridge, but interest rates may be higher compared to secured loans.
What is the minimum academic requirement to get into Cambridge from India?
Cambridge has very high academic standards. Indian students usually need excellent Class 12 scores, strong subject performance, competitive test scores, and a compelling personal statement.
When should Indian students start planning for Cambridge admissions?
Ideally, students should start planning 18–24 months in advance. This allows time for academics, entrance tests, scholarships, visa preparation, and financial planning.
Is studying at Cambridge worth the cost for Indian students?
For many students, Cambridge offers strong global exposure, research opportunities, and long-term career benefits. However, families should carefully evaluate ROI, course outcomes, and funding options before committing.
Do Indian students get part-time work opportunities at Cambridge?
Yes. International students can work part-time during term and full-time during vacations, subject to UK visa rules. This helps manage living expenses but should not be relied on for tuition fees.
What are the biggest mistakes Indian families make while planning for Cambridge?
Common mistakes include underestimating living costs, ignoring currency fluctuations, delaying loan approvals, and assuming scholarships will cover most expenses
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About the author
Anand Patinge
Head of Marketing, EduFund
Anand Patinge is the Head of Marketing at EduFund. He specializes in education loans and study abroad services. He’s spent years helping families navigate loan options, admissions, and overseas education planning with clarity and confidence. Outside work, he’s always up for a good conversation and a strong cup of coffee.
