My son and daughter have both gone through university, my son wasn’t interested in Oxbridge (ironically he probably stood the best chance), my daughter looked at both, chose Oxford but didn’t go in. My niece recently graduated from Cambridge.
So I have seen a lot of universities either because my children attended them or during application visits, including Cambridge.
One thing I noted about Cambridge is that the campus (halls) accommodation was much cheaper than any other university we looked at, significantly so. Also think that includes meals too - so cheaper with meals than other universities are without meals. The other difference is that they have enough campus for everyone so you will remain in halls throughout the whole study - most other universities guarantee the first year, kick you out in the second and might let you back in the third. I absolutely lived Cambridge when I looked round, if I could have my time again with that appreciation I would fight hard to get in.
One thing to note about Cambridge is that I am pretty sure that they have said that the whole of the coming academic year will be online. If that is true I feel so sorry for the students that have worked hard to gain a place. Being at university (especially the likes of Oxbridge) is a huge part of the experience, being forced to do an online degree will seem flat, never mind the hands on experience of the labs, libraries etc. Nothing wrong with online courses by the way, but when that is what you signed up for and were expecting.
Usually universities let you defer you offer for a year but that is up to each university, there is no hard and set rule. I can imagine many more students than usual will want to defer with many universities saying that they will be partially or fully online next academic year - add in the loss of overseas students, universities are going to be strapped for cash. Normally the number wanting to defer is tiny and manageable so they usually agree - I think this year might be different.
The other thing to bear in mind is the way that ‘loans’ (fees and maintenance) is that it becomes a tax, paying it back like a tax is impossible for most. So the amount you pay back is not influenced by how much you borrow - borrow £27k or £60k, the amount you will pay back will be the same (unless you come into some money to pay it back quickly).
The reason is that interest rate is very high (RPI + 3%) and the amount you pay back is very small - approx (salary - £25k) x 9%. Interest is applied while you are at university too so you think you have just borrowed £27k but by the end of the study that has become £30k. The thin is, unless you have a very high earning job, or you coming into some money, it will grow faster than you are paying it off. So many say to think if it as not a loan that needs to be paid back but as a tax of 9% of everything you earn above the average wage (around £25k at the moment). Also when its comes to buying houses, or getting car loans, lenders are not allowed to factor in your student loan so having one won’t prevent you borrowing money in future.
I’d say if your step son likes Cambridge then don’t worry about the loans, go for it. From what I saw it is a lovely place, it will certainly open doors in the future, and although there will be snobbery (private schools) there are more students from other backgrounds so it didn’t fee snobbish at all, and my niece would agree with this.
The only additional expense over other universities is that there is lots of tradition so occasions where you where gowns throughout, not just at graduation, and formal meals but this is easily offset by the much cheaper catered accommodation.
Just a shame that next year will be online (if that is true) I would be heartbroken in that situation.
Cheers,
Nigel