No. It is unhelpful to try and define this period of time; it is potentially difficult and/or unnecessarily distressing to determine for an individual's particular situation. We work on the principle that if an individual is a member of the University through matriculation, or has completed a certificate or diploma as a non-matriculated student then they should qualify for alumni benefits.

No.  Some individuals matriculate and receive a Cambridge degree without further study or examination and would not be considered alumni.  

Due to their position within the University (including Cambridge University Press and Assessment) or a College, they can receive the MA degree, or incorporate a degree that they hold at Oxford or Dublin (Trinity College).  Although not considered alumni, as holders of a Cambridge degree they are, however, then entitled to the same alumni benefits as other Cambridge graduates.  

Others also matriculate and can hold MA Status during their tenure with the University or a College, but this is not a degree and does not confer entitlement to alumni benefits.1 

An approved course is one which leads to a qualification of the University – either a degree, or a certificate or diploma at undergraduate or postgraduate level. These courses are listed in Statutes and Ordinances.

The definition was last reviewed in 2023. The University Council agreed that courses which lead to the award of certificates and diplomas but which do not require matriculation should be added to the list of ‘approved courses’. Alumni status can be granted retrospectively to holders of awards for ‘approved courses’ on request.

Please provide the following information:

• Full name - including any previous names you have been known by.
• Name of course.
• Dates of course.
• Proof of completion - this can be a copy of your formal paper certificate or email.

Send the above information to our Admin team: contact@alumni.cam.ac.uk

Any course which is not listed as approved does not confer alumni status. This includes short summer school courses, and Executive and Professional Education courses which do not lead to the award of a University qualification.  Some courses run by Cambridge Faculties, Departments, non-school intuitions and Colleges may lead to a certificate of completion or similar; these courses do not confer alumnus/a status. 

No, alumnus/alumna/alumni are not terms defined in the Statutes and Ordinances. 

No, some former postdocs are eligible to receive alumni benefits, but are not entitled to alumni status.

No, alumni benefits are developed and resourced specifically for alumni. A range of specific staff benefits are provided by Human Resources (eg CAMbens).

Benefits for alumni are listed on the Development and Alumni Relations website

In the first instance queries should be directed to the University Alumni Engagement team.  In disputed cases alumni status is granted at the discretion of the Director of Alumni Engagement. 

Contact the Alumni Engagement Team