Ready to explore the hallowed halls of one of the world's most iconic institutions? The University of Cambridge quiz invites history buffs and curious minds to test their mettle with this insightful challenge. Whether you're catching up on Cambridge University trivia or tackling Cambridge quiz questions about enduring traditions, you'll uncover gems in our Cambridge history quiz and delight in Cambridge fun facts quiz revelations. Feeling competitive? Pit yourself in a rival challenge with our Oxford rivalry quiz or warm up in an academic showdown . Dive in now and prove your Cambridge mastery!
In which English county is the University of Cambridge located?
Cambridgeshire
Oxfordshire
Suffolk
Surrey
The University of Cambridge is located in the county of Cambridgeshire in eastern England, not far from London. The city of Cambridge sits on the River Cam, which runs through the heart of the county. Oxfordshire is the home of Oxford University, while Suffolk and Surrey are different neighboring counties. Learn more about Cambridge history.
What is the official name of the annual rowing competition between Oxford and Cambridge universities on the River Thames?
The Boat Race
The River Challenge
The Oxbridge Regatta
The Thames Trial
The annual side-by-side rowing contest between Oxford and Cambridge is officially known as "The Boat Race." It has been held since 1829 (with interruptions) on the River Thames in London. It is one of the oldest sporting rivalries in the world. Official Boat Race website.
How many constituent colleges make up the University of Cambridge?
30
31
32
33
The University of Cambridge comprises 31 autonomous colleges. Each college admits its own students and provides accommodation, meals, common rooms, libraries, and sporting facilities. Newnham and Lucy Cavendish are among the newer colleges, while Peterhouse is the oldest. Cambridge colleges overview.
Which river flows through the city of Cambridge?
River Thames
River Severn
River Cam
River Trent
The River Cam is the main waterway that runs through the city of Cambridge, giving the university its name. It is famous for punting and scenic college backs. The Thames flows through London, the Severn through western England, and the Trent through the Midlands. Punting on the River Cam.
Which is the oldest college of the University of Cambridge?
Peterhouse
King’s College
Trinity College
St John’s College
Peterhouse, founded in 1284, is the oldest college at the University of Cambridge. It was established by Hugo de Balsham, Bishop of Ely. King’s College was founded later in 1441, and Trinity in 1546. Peterhouse history.
What architectural style characterizes King’s College Chapel in Cambridge?
Baroque
Perpendicular Gothic
Romanesque
Neoclassical
King’s College Chapel, completed in the early 16th century, is a masterpiece of Perpendicular Gothic architecture. Its tall windows, vertical lines, and fan vault ceiling are key features of the style. It is one of the finest examples of late Gothic architecture in Europe. King’s College Chapel details.
What is the name of Cambridge University’s longstanding student newspaper?
Cherwell
Varsity
The Cambridge Chronicle
Cambridge Voice
Varsity is Cambridge University’s independent student newspaper, founded in 1947. It covers news, features, and opinion pieces about university life, politics, and culture. Cherwell is another student paper founded in 1920, but Varsity is the one most commonly cited. About Varsity.
Which pioneering scientist was an undergraduate at Trinity College, Cambridge?
Marie Curie
Isaac Newton
Albert Einstein
James Clerk Maxwell
Isaac Newton studied at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he later became a Fellow and Lucasian Professor of Mathematics. His groundbreaking work on gravity, optics, and calculus was developed during his time there. Marie Curie and Albert Einstein were not Cambridge undergraduates, and Maxwell studied at Edinburgh and Cambridge for later lectures. Trinity notable alumni.
In what year did the University of Cambridge first award full degrees to women?
1921
1948
1963
1988
Although women were first admitted to some Cambridge colleges in the 1860s, the university did not grant them full degrees until 1948. This change followed decades of campaigning for gender equality in education. Women at Cambridge.
What term is used at Cambridge for the formal evening meal in college dining halls?
Formal Hall
Matriculation
Common Tea
College Feast
A Formal Hall is the formal evening meal held in the dining hall of each Cambridge college, where students and Fellows dine in academic gowns. It often includes a candlelit ceremony and grace before and after the meal. Student life at Cambridge.
What is the name of the historic market site in central Cambridge?
Market Square
Trinity Yard
Cambridge Green
Gonville Place
Market Square, in the heart of Cambridge, has hosted a market since the 12th century. Vendors historically sold everything from livestock to books, and today it’s famous for stalls selling local produce and crafts. Market Square info.
Bertrand Russell, the Nobel Prize–winning philosopher, was a fellow of which Cambridge college?
King’s College
Trinity College
St John’s College
Clare College
Bertrand Russell was a fellow of Trinity College from 1911 to 1914. He made major contributions to logic, analytic philosophy, and social activism. Trinity has hosted many notable fellows, including Isaac Newton and Lord Byron. Trinity College fellows.
What is the name given to the flat-bottomed boat used for leisurely navigation on the River Cam?
Scull
Punt
Keel
Skiff
A punt is a flat-bottomed boat designed for shallow rivers, propelled with a long pole. Punting on the River Cam is a quintessential Cambridge pastime enjoyed by tourists and students alike. Punting in Cambridge.
Which Cambridge college is home to the famous Bridge of Sighs?
Christ’s College
Queens’ College
St John’s College
Peterhouse
The Bridge of Sighs at St John’s College, built in 1831, is modeled after the Venetian bridge of the same name. It connects the college’s Third Court and New Court over the River Cam. It’s one of the most photographed spots in Cambridge. St John’s College bridge.
What name is given to the lavish formal dance events held by Cambridge colleges after final exams each June?
Matriculation Ball
May Ball
Michaelmas Ball
Easter Ball
May Balls are elaborate all-night parties held by several Cambridge colleges in June (despite the name) following exams. They feature live music, fireworks, gourmet food, and themed attractions. They are a highlight of the Cambridge social calendar. Cambridge May Balls.
Which surviving structure is considered the oldest existing building in Cambridge University?
Peterhouse Chapel
Great Gate at King’s College
Chapel of St John’s College
Old Schools Site
Peterhouse Chapel, dating from around 1284, is the oldest surviving structure at Cambridge University. It pre-dates many other collegiate chapels and stands as an example of 13th-century architecture. Peterhouse chapel history.
The 'Mathematical Bridge' at Queens’ College is primarily constructed from what material?
Oak
Iron
Steel
Stone
Despite myths that Isaac Newton designed it without bolts, the Mathematical Bridge at Queens’ College is made of straight oak beams arranged in a tangent and radial pattern. It was first built in 1749 and later rebuilt in 1866 using the same method. Queens’ College bridges.
What is the official Latin motto of the University of Cambridge?
Vita veritas lux
Hinc lucem et pocula sacra
Sapientia et felicitas
Lux et veritas
The University’s motto is "Hinc lucem et pocula sacra," meaning "From here, light and sacred draughts." It reflects the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom. The phrase dates back to the university’s medieval origins. Motto explanation.
In which year was the Cambridge University Press granted its royal charter, becoming the second oldest publishing house in the world?
1502
1534
1569
1611
Cambridge University Press received its royal charter in 1534 under Henry VIII, making it the second oldest continuously operating publishing house after Oxford University Press. It has been publishing academic works for nearly 500 years. CUP history.
What is the nickname of the Cambridge men’s reserve boat in the annual Boat Race?
Isis
Cam
Goldie
Light Blue
The men’s reserve crew for Cambridge in the annual Boat Race is called Goldie, while Oxford’s reserve crew is named Isis. Goldie is named after John Goldie, a 19th-century Cambridge rowing champion. Reserve crews history.
In what year did the University of Cambridge receive its first royal charter?
1136
1209
1231
1317
Although teaching existed in Cambridge from around 1209, the university’s first royal charter was granted in 1231 by King Henry III. This charter recognized Cambridge as a corporate body and granted privileges similar to those enjoyed by the University of Oxford. University charter details.
Which Cambridge college is known to be the wealthiest by endowment?
St John’s College
Trinity College
King’s College
Pembroke College
Trinity College has the largest endowment of all Cambridge colleges, valued at over £1 billion. It was founded by Henry VIII in 1546 and has benefitted from generous donations over centuries. This wealth supports scholarships, research, and maintenance of historic buildings. Trinity facts.
The Codex Bezae Cantabrigiensis, a Greek-Latin New Testament manuscript held by Cambridge University Library, is dated to which century?
2nd century
4th century
5th century
7th century
The Codex Bezae is a bilingual Greek-Latin manuscript of the New Testament palaeographically dated to the late 5th century. It is one of the most important witnesses to the text of the Gospels and Acts. Cambridge University Library acquired it in 1581. Cambridge manuscripts.
Which scholarship, established in 2000 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, provides full postgraduate funding to international students at Cambridge?
Rhodes Scholarship
Marshall Scholarship
Gates Cambridge Scholarship
Commonwealth Scholarship
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship was established in 2000 with a £210 million donation from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. It funds outstanding graduate students from outside the UK to study for a full-time postgraduate degree at Cambridge. Gates Cambridge website.
Who is credited as the architect responsible for the fan vault ceiling design in King’s College Chapel?
Henry Yevele
John Wastell
Christopher Wren
Thomas Rickman
John Wastell is generally credited with designing and overseeing the fan vault ceiling of King’s College Chapel during the early 16th century. His work is celebrated for its intricate geometry and craftsmanship. Wren and Rickman were architects of later periods. Chapel architecture.
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Study Outcomes
Recall Iconic Landmarks -
Identify and describe key architectural marvels of Cambridge, from King's College Chapel to the Bridge of Sighs, to sharpen your University of Cambridge quiz insights.
Analyze Historical Milestones -
Examine pivotal events and developments in the university's past, improving your performance on the Cambridge history quiz.
Identify Famous Alumni -
Recall notable scholars, scientists, and writers who studied at Cambridge, boosting your Cambridge University trivia prowess.
Interpret Academic Traditions -
Understand enduring customs like formal halls and May Balls, giving you an edge in the Cambridge fun facts quiz.
Apply Strategic Quiz Techniques -
Employ tips and tactics to maximize your score, ensuring you excel in every University of Cambridge quiz challenge.
Cheat Sheet
Founding and Origins -
The University of Cambridge was established in 1209 by scholars fleeing Oxford after a dispute, marking it as England's second-oldest university. Use the mnemonic "twelve dozen eggs + nine" to lock in 1209. Over eight centuries, Cambridge has grown from a single hall into 31 colleges, a staple topic in any Cambridge University trivia.
Collegiate System and Teaching Model -
Cambridge consists of 31 autonomous colleges, each providing unique support and fostering small-group teaching known as "supervisions" or tutorials. Supervisions average just two to three students per session, highlighting an intensive mentorship model that contrasts with lecture-heavy formats. This hallmark of the Cambridge tutorial method often features in Cambridge quiz questions.
Iconic Architecture -
Cambridge's skyline showcases styles from medieval Gothic (King's College Chapel, begun in 1446) to neoclassical (Senate House, 1722), forming popular topics in a Cambridge history quiz. Spot the vertical lines and intricate stonework on the chapel with the mnemonic "G for Gothic = Grand verticals." Punting past the Backs offers a scenic tour of these landmarks in any Cambridge fun facts quiz.
Academic Traditions -
Annual events like May Week's river spectacle and formal Halls showcase long-standing rituals students love in a University of Cambridge quiz. The Latin grace before meals ("Benedic, Domine, nos et dona tua…") links back to medieval roots and often appears in Cambridge University quiz questions. Participating in the Cambridge Union debates or bell ringing at Great St. Mary's helps cement these cherished customs.
Distinguished Alumni -
From Isaac Newton to Sir David Attenborough, Cambridge has produced Nobel laureates in physics, chemistry, and literature, which is a classic University of Cambridge quiz question. A simple way to remember five key figures is the "PAINT" mnemonic: Physics, Astronomy, Isaac, Newton, Turing. Recognizing their contributions in science and the arts boosts your score on any Cambridge history quiz.
