Postgraduate fees and costs

Wondering what it might cost to study at Magdalene as a postgraduate student?

As a postgraduate student, you will need to budget for three main expenses:

• Course fees
• Accommodation and College costs
• Day-to-day living expenses

Your course fee, known in Cambridge as the University Composition Fee (UCF), covers teaching, supervision, and access to research facilities. The University, not the College, sets this fee, which varies depending on your course and fee status (determined by factors such as nationality and residence).

Detailed information on fee status and specific UCF amounts can be found on the University's Postgraduate Study website.

If you have a full scholarship or grant, your fees will usually be paid directly by your funding body. Self-funded students must pay their fees in advance at the start of each academic year. You should have financial arrangements in place before arriving, as neither the College nor the University offers fee reductions.

Self-financed postgraduate students may also be required to pay a fee to their Department to cover the exceptional cost of any special items needed for research. The Department should clearly indicate when it accepts an application if it intends to make such a charge and it will be shown as a special provision on the acceptance form sent to the candidate by the Postgraduate Study office.

Many postgraduate students choose to live in College accommodation, while others rent privately in the city. In either case, rent is a key expense. We strive to keep College accommodation costs as affordable as possible.

We aim to offer accommodation to all new postgraduate students in their first year if they wish to take it. Around a third of PhD students stay in College housing for their second and third years. Rooms are divided into nine rental bands based on factors such as size, location, and facilities.

For more details on available accommodation, visit the Postgraduate Accommodation page, and for costs, see the Rental Bands page.

These costs will vary depending on factors such as lifestyle, dependents, and travel needs.

Where possible, the College helps to keep expenses down. High-quality subsidised food is available in the Ramsay Hall cafeteria and at Formal Hall.

Postgraduate students are welcome to join the Middle Combination Room (MCR), which organises social events and provides a supportive community. Membership is optional, with a small termly fee, though most students take part.

Research costs are reduced through access to the College and University’s excellent libraries and resources. Other annual expenses, such as travel, clothing, childcare, and fieldwork, may apply. The Postgraduate Tutor has limited funds available to support students facing financial difficulties.

The Postgraduate Study website offers a fees and maintenance calculator to help estimate your yearly costs. This provides a minimum estimate, but additional expenses may increase the total.

College bills are issued at the start of each term, covering upcoming charges like rent and any previous term’s expenses, such as meal costs. Payment is due by mid-term, but postgraduates can pay in three instalments. If you anticipate difficulties, contact your Tutor before the due date. Further details are in the College Rules (Section C: Financial Rules)

Please see the postgraduate scholarships and bursaries page for more information on available financial support.