The University of Cambridge (informally known as "Cambridge University" or simply as "Cambridge") is a collegiate research university located in Cambridge, England, United Kingdom.
Originally founded in 1209, it is the second-oldest university in English-speaking areas, and the world's third-oldest surviving university.[5] The university grew out of an association of scholars that was formed in 1209, early records suggest, by scholars leaving Oxford after a dispute with townsfolk.[6] The two "ancient universities" have many common features and are often jointly referred to as Oxbridge.
Today, Cambridge is formed from a variety of institutions which include 31 constituent colleges and comprehensive academic departments which are organised into six academic schools.[7] All these organisations occupy different locations in the town including purposely-built sites and the student life is found in the arts, sport clubs and societies. Cambridge has nurtured many prominent alumni, and 90 Nobel laureates have been affiliated with the university. It is also a member of various academic associations and forms part of the 'golden triangle' of English universities.[8]
In post-nominals the university's name is abbreviated as Cantab, a shortened form of Cantabrigiensis.[9]