in its 2025 rankings (released in 2024).
In 2022, the QS World University Rankings by subject ranked a number of Cambridge's programmes among the world's best: Cambridge's arts and humanities programme was ranked second-best in the world; the engineering and technology programme was ranked second-best in the world; the life sciences and medicine programme was ranked fourth-best in the world; the natural sciences program was ranked third-best in the world; and the social sciences and management programme was ranked fourth-best in the world.
As of 2025, the University of Cambridge has been ranked as the top public university in the world for twelve years straight by the Center for World University Rankings.
== Student life ==
=== Formal halls and May balls ===
One privilege of student life at the University of Cambridge is the opportunity to attend formal dinners at a student's respective college, known as Formal Hall that are held regularly during academic terms and daily at some of the university's colleges. During Formal Hall, students typically sit down for a meal in their gowns while fellows and sometimes guests eat separately at a so-called High Table. The beginning and end of the function is usually marked with grace, which is said in Latin. Special Formal Halls are organised for Christmas and the Commemoration of Benefactors.
After the exam period, May Week is held during which it is customary to celebrate by attending May Balls, which are all-night lavish parties held in the colleges where food, drinks, and entertainment are provided. So-called Suicide Sunday, the first day of May Week, is a popular date for garden parties.
=== JCR and MCR ===
In addition to university-wide representation, students can participate in their own college student unions, which are known as Junior Combination Room (JCR) for undergraduates and Middle Combination Room (MCR) for post-graduates. These serve as a link between college staff and members and include officers elected annually between the fellow students; individual …
