More than 97% of applicants for academic posts at the University of Cambridge were unsuccessful in the year to 31 March 2024, according to the University’s latest Equality and Diversity Report.

Of nearly 5,000 applicants for academic positions, only 2.8% were offered jobs. The odds were slightly more favourable for those looking for research positions, with 4.6% of the nearly 33,000 applicants being made offers. Just under 41,000 applied for professional services positions at the University, with 5.8% succeeding.

Applications for jobs at Cambridge have risen significantly year-on-year, with over 17,000 more applicants this year, while the number of vacancies shrank slightly, making roles even more competitive.

The numbers of applicants and offers for research positions were evenly split along gender lines, with offers being made to 4.5% of applicants from both categories.

Men were significantly more likely to apply for academic roles, however, making up over 60% of applicants. Nonetheless, women were slightly more likely to be offered jobs, with 2.9% of female applicants being successful, compared to 2.6% of men.

Women were both more likely to apply for and be hired in professional services positions, with female candidates constituting over 60% of applicants for such roles, and being made offers in 5.9% of cases, compared to 4.8% for male applicants.

White candidates made up a minority of applicants for both research and academic positions, comprising 46% and 26.6% of candidates respectively. They were, however, significantly more likely to be offered jobs, with 3% of white applicants offered academic jobs compared to 1.3% of BAME applicants.

For research positions, 9.1% of white applicants were made offers, compared to 2.6% of BAME applicants.

A University spokesperson told Times Higher Education that it was “committed to tackling recruitment disparities across all staff categories” and that its upcoming 2025-2030 action plan “will aim to address BAME recruitment gaps, by identifying and addressing the barriers facing applicants”.