Cambridge University Press & Assessment

Corporate brand

A University of Cambridge organization combining academic publishing, learning products, international qualifications, English-language assessment and educational services.

Last updated October 14, 2026

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Overview

Cambridge University Press & Assessment is the University of Cambridge's global publishing, examinations, qualifications, and educational-services organization. It was created in 2021 through the combination of Cambridge University Press and Cambridge Assessment, bringing together two long-established Cambridge institutions with complementary missions. Cambridge University Press traces its institutional history to a printing patent granted by King Henry VIII in 1534 and is widely regarded as the world's oldest university press. Cambridge Assessment developed from the University of Cambridge's examination activities, including the Local Examinations Syndicate established in 1858. The combined organization operates under the governance of the University of Cambridge rather than as an independent listed corporation. Its activities span academic and professional publishing, school and English-language learning materials, research journals, digital learning platforms, examinations, qualifications, and assessment services. Major assessment brands and activities associated with the organization include Cambridge International Education, Cambridge English, and OCR. These services support schools, universities, governments, employers, and individual learners in many countries. The organization also publishes scholarly books, textbooks, research journals, educational resources, and digital content through Cambridge University Press. The merger was intended to create a more integrated education and knowledge business. Publishing supplies content and research expertise, while assessment operations provide examinations, qualifications, and measurement services. Together, these capabilities allow the organization to support learning across different stages, from primary and secondary education through higher education, professional development, language learning, and academic research. Cambridge University Press & Assessment is internationally oriented, with products and examinations used outside the United Kingdom as well as in the UK. Its Cambridge qualifications are delivered through schools and other education providers worldwide, while its English examinations are used for study, migration, employment, and professional purposes. The organization also distributes academic content to libraries, universities, researchers, and other institutions through print and digital channels. As part of the University of Cambridge, the organization has a public-benefit and academic character distinct from a conventional commercial publisher or testing company. Its activities are nevertheless substantial and commercially organized, with revenue-generating publishing, examination, certification, licensing, and digital-service operations. The organization continues to manage the transition from separate legacy institutions toward a unified Cambridge brand while retaining specialized product and qualification identities.

History

Cambridge University Press & Assessment is a modern organization built from two historically significant University of Cambridge institutions. Cambridge University Press received a royal printing patent in 1534. Over subsequent centuries it developed from a university printer into an international scholarly and educational publisher, producing academic books, reference works, textbooks, journals, and learning materials. Its publishing program eventually covered the humanities, social sciences, sciences, medicine, law, and education, with both print and digital distribution. The assessment side of the organization developed through Cambridge's examination work. The University of Cambridge established the Local Examinations Syndicate in 1858 to provide examinations beyond the university's own student body. That activity expanded into school examinations, international qualifications, vocational assessment, English-language testing, and assessment research. Different parts of the assessment operation later became associated with Cambridge Assessment, including Cambridge Assessment International Education, Cambridge Assessment English, and OCR. The organization developed examination boards, test-development capabilities, digital assessment systems, and services for schools, governments, universities, and employers. During the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, both publishing and assessment became increasingly international. Cambridge University Press established offices, partnerships, distribution arrangements, and digital services in markets around the world. Cambridge Assessment qualifications and examinations were adopted by schools and education systems outside the United Kingdom, while Cambridge English examinations became widely used to demonstrate English proficiency for education, employment, and migration. The two organizations therefore shared a broad educational mission and an international customer base, even though they operated as separate entities for much of their histories. In 2021, the University of Cambridge combined Cambridge University Press and Cambridge Assessment to create Cambridge University Press & Assessment. The combination was designed to make the University's publishing, learning, examination, and assessment capabilities more coordinated. It also created a single organization able to connect content, teaching, learning, qualifications, and measurement across the education lifecycle. The merger did not eliminate the established identities of major services: Cambridge University Press, Cambridge International, Cambridge English, and OCR continued to function as important product or service brands within the broader organization. The combined group now serves several overlapping audiences. Researchers and academic libraries use its scholarly books, journals, and digital resources. Schools and teachers use textbooks, curriculum materials, professional-development resources, and online learning tools. Education providers use Cambridge qualifications and examinations, while learners and professionals use English-language tests and preparation materials. Governments, institutions, and employers may also use assessment research, qualifications, and related services. Its current identity reflects both continuity and integration. The Cambridge name links the group to the University of Cambridge and to centuries of publishing and examination activity, while the combined structure allows it to operate as a contemporary global education organization. Because it is part of the university, it is not a separately listed public company and its governance differs from that of an ordinary commercial publisher or testing corporation.

2025
Cambridge reports more than £1 billion revenue
[6]Annual Report 2024-25: Cambridge grows global reach and impactcambridge.org
The annual report for the year ended July 2025 reported revenue above £1 billion and described operations in 170 countries.
2023
Cambridge Primary Insight is launched
[14]Cambridge Primary Insight is launchedcambridge.org
Cambridge CEM introduced Cambridge Primary Insight, a next-generation primary assessment for learners aged 5 to 11.
2023
Cambridge publishes its generative-AI assessment principles
[8]The Cambridge approach to generative AI and assessmentcambridge.org
Cambridge set out a human-centered approach to generative AI in teaching, learning and assessment.
2022
School operations are aligned into UK and international groups
[10]Cambridge University Press & Assessment aligns schools operationscambridge.org
Cambridge announced a post-merger structure separating school operations into a UK-focused group and an international group while retaining collaboration across the organization.
2021
Cambridge University Press & Assessment is formed
[3]Our ever-closer partnershipcambridge.org
Cambridge University Press and Cambridge Assessment formally became one organization on 1 August 2021.
2020
The University announces the future merger
[2]Becoming one organisation: answering your questionscambridge.org
The University of Cambridge announced that its publishing and assessment organizations would be brought together.
2017
A single Press & Assessment Board is created
[13]University examinations for external students begincambridge.org
The University created a shared board to provide overarching strategic direction for Cambridge University Press and Cambridge Assessment.
2005
UCLES adopts the Cambridge Assessment name
[1]Cambridge University Press & Assessment: Our story timelinecambridge.org
The University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate adopted Cambridge Assessment to reflect its broader role in educational assessment.
1999
Cambridge Dictionaries Online launches
[1]Cambridge University Press & Assessment: Our story timelinecambridge.org
Cambridge launched its online dictionary service, which later became one of the most visited digital dictionary resources for learners of English.
1998
Assessment businesses are reorganized into the UCLES Group
[1]Cambridge University Press & Assessment: Our story timelinecambridge.org
Mergers involving school and general examination boards and the RSA Examinations Board helped create the UCLES Group and its OCR, international examinations and English-language assessment businesses.
1949
First international Press branch opens in New York
[12]The Press publishes its first known bookcambridge.org
Cambridge University Press opened its first international branch in New York, marking a major stage in its international expansion.
1858
University examinations for external students begin
[13]University examinations for external students begincambridge.org
The University of Cambridge established the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate to administer examinations for students outside the University.
1713
Cambridge publishes Newton’s Principia
[12]The Press publishes its first known bookcambridge.org
The Press published the second edition of Isaac Newton’s Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica.
1584
The Press publishes its first known book
[12]The Press publishes its first known bookcambridge.org
Cambridge identifies Two Treatises of the Lord His Holie Supper as its first known publication.
1534
Cambridge University Press receives royal letters patent
[1]Cambridge University Press & Assessment: Our story timelinecambridge.org
Henry VIII granted the University of Cambridge letters patent authorizing it to print books, providing the formal foundation for Cambridge University Press.

Products and positioning

A mission-led, globally operating University of Cambridge organization that combines trusted scholarly publishing, education content, language learning, qualifications and assessment services. Its differentiation rests on the Cambridge academic brand, extensive assessment expertise, international school and English-language networks, research capability and the ability to connect content, teaching, learning and evaluation.

Academic publishing · 1534
Cambridge University Press academic publishing
The academic publishing business produces research monographs, scholarly books, higher-education textbooks, reference works, academic journals and digital collections across the humanities, social sciences, science, technology, medicine and related fields. It also publishes specialist Bible and religious content. The imprint’s positioning combines the Cambridge university identity with peer review, editorial expertise, research dissemination and a growing emphasis on open access and digital formats.
Digital research platform · 2016
Cambridge Core
Cambridge Core is the principal digital platform for Cambridge academic books and journals. It provides discovery, access and delivery for scholarly content and supports digital reading, institutional subscriptions, research sharing and open-access publishing. The platform represents the Press’s transition from a predominantly print publisher to an integrated digital research provider.
Short-form academic publishing · 2017
Cambridge Elements
Cambridge Elements is a digital-first publishing format positioned between a conventional journal article and a full-length book. Elements allow researchers to publish focused, peer-reviewed treatments of topics in a comparatively concise form, helping Cambridge respond to faster research cycles and demand for flexible scholarly communication.
Reference and language learning · 1999
Cambridge Dictionary
The Cambridge Dictionary portfolio includes learner dictionaries, bilingual dictionaries, pronunciation resources, grammar support and digital dictionary services. It is closely connected to Cambridge’s English-language teaching and assessment activities and is used by learners, teachers and language professionals around the world.
International school qualifications
Cambridge International Education qualifications
Cambridge International Education provides internationally recognized school qualifications and curriculum support, including Cambridge Primary, Cambridge Lower Secondary, Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge International AS and A Level programs. The offer includes syllabuses, assessment, teacher support, professional development and resources for schools operating in different national education systems.
English-language assessment
Cambridge English Qualifications
Cambridge English Qualifications are examinations and certifications for learners at different stages of English-language proficiency. They are supported by preparation materials, teacher resources, research and validation work. The wider English business also includes Linguaskill and other digital or professional language-assessment services.
UK qualifications and assessment · 1998
OCR qualifications
OCR is Cambridge’s UK examination board and provides GCSEs, A levels, vocational qualifications, Cambridge Nationals, Cambridge Technicals and related assessment services. OCR has also participated in public debate about curriculum reform, examination volume, digital assessment and the role of AI in education.
Digital English learning platform · 2020
Cambridge One
Cambridge One is a digital learning environment for English-language learners and teachers. It brings together Cambridge English learning materials, course management, assessment-related functions and performance feedback in a connected platform intended to support more personalized learning and teaching.
Open research platform · 2019
Cambridge Open Engage
Cambridge Open Engage supports the circulation of early research and scholarly ideas before or alongside formal publication. It reflects Cambridge’s strategy of experimenting with open and rapid forms of research communication while maintaining links to conventional peer-reviewed publishing.
Primary diagnostic assessment · 2023
Cambridge Primary Insight
Cambridge Primary Insight is a primary assessment developed by Cambridge CEM for learners aged approximately 5 to 11. It is designed to assess multiple skills and abilities associated with future academic performance and represents a newer generation of Cambridge’s diagnostic and baseline assessment tools.

Controversies

2017
Temporary blocking of China Quarterly articles in China
Cambridge University Press temporarily restricted access in China to 315 articles in The China Quarterly after its Chinese importer instructed it to remove politically sensitive material. The articles concerned topics including the 1989 Tiananmen protests, Tibet, Xinjiang, Hong Kong and the Cultural Revolution. After criticism from scholars and wider public scrutiny, Cambridge restored access. The incident occurred before the 2021 merger but remains a significant controversy in the history of the Cambridge Press brand and its debates about academic freedom, market access and censorship.
Source

2024Global collaboration on climate education
International
Cambridge’s International Education group published a paper and advocacy program calling on education leaders, governments and schools to collaborate on climate-change education and prepare learners for a climate-affected world.
Outcome. The program strengthened Cambridge’s climate-education profile and connected curriculum development with the University of Cambridge’s climate research expertise.
Source
2024Going further and faster on climate education
United Kingdom · International
Cambridge promoted climate and sustainability education through public events, educational partnerships and engagement with school and policy communities, including participation in the Festival of Education.
Outcome. The campaign positioned climate literacy as a core educational issue rather than a niche environmental topic.
Source
2024Responsible AI in education and research
International
Cambridge communicated its use of and response to generative AI through teacher guidance, research publishing policies, assessment pilots and public discussion of human-centered implementation.
Outcome. The program established responsible AI as a strategic theme across publishing, learning and assessment rather than limiting it to a single product line.
Source
2023Design4SDGs Design Challenge
United Kingdom · International
Cambridge used the BETT education-technology event and the Design4SDGs challenge to invite young people to develop ideas addressing United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including health, wellbeing and climate action.
Outcome. The initiative showcased student-led climate and sustainability thinking and supported Cambridge’s broader positioning around education for a changing world.
Source

Brand decisions

2025
Promote reform of examination volume and curriculum designStrategy
Background
Cambridge OCR argued that the English examination system should better balance reliability, fairness, curriculum breadth and the burden placed on students and teachers.
Action taken
OCR supported the Striking the Balance review, chaired by Charles Clarke, which recommended reducing examination overload and modernizing curriculum and assessment.
Aftermath
The review increased Cambridge’s visibility in national discussions about the future of GCSEs, post-16 qualifications and assessment reform.
Source
2025
Scale global operations beyond £1 billion in annual revenueOther
Background
Cambridge continued expanding across academic publishing, English, international education, UK education and digital services while operating in a difficult global environment shaped by AI, geopolitical uncertainty and education-system change.
Action taken
The 2024-25 annual report recorded revenue above £1 billion, operations in 170 countries, more than 100 million people supported annually and nearly 12 million examination results delivered.
Aftermath
The figures reinforced Cambridge University Press & Assessment’s position as a large global education organization despite its non-listed, University-owned structure.
Revenue. More than £1 billion (Financial year ended 31 July 2025)
Source
2024
Make climate and sustainability education a major strategic themeStrategy
Background
Cambridge identified climate change as a subject requiring stronger treatment in school curricula, teacher development, assessment and public education.
Action taken
The organization expanded climate-education advocacy, research partnerships, curriculum work and public engagement through its International Education, UK Education and academic divisions.
Aftermath
Climate education became a recurring theme in Cambridge campaigns, reports, curriculum discussions and partnerships.
Source
2023
Adopt a human-centered approach to generative AIStrategy
Background
The rapid spread of generative AI created opportunities for personalized learning and productivity but also raised concerns about academic integrity, assessment validity, misinformation and professional displacement.
Action taken
Cambridge published principles supporting responsible experimentation, teacher and assessor expertise, appropriate classroom use and continued reliance on established standards and human judgment.
Aftermath
AI became a cross-organizational strategic theme affecting research publishing, digital learning, teacher support, assessment design and operational modernization.
Source
2023
Launch Cambridge Primary InsightProduct launch
Background
Cambridge CEM sought to update its primary diagnostic and baseline assessment offering for schools and learners.
Action taken
Cambridge introduced Cambridge Primary Insight, designed to evaluate several skills and abilities among children aged 5 to 11.
Aftermath
The launch extended Cambridge’s assessment portfolio beyond high-stakes qualifications into earlier-stage diagnostic and developmental assessment.
Source
2022
Align school operations into UK and international groupsStrategy
Background
A post-merger internal review examined how Cambridge’s publishing, learning and assessment operations should serve schools in different regulatory and market environments.
Action taken
Cambridge announced two education groups, one focused on the UK and one focused internationally, with continued cooperation across the organization.
Aftermath
The change clarified organizational responsibilities while preserving the possibility of shared content, technology and expertise.
Source
2021
Merge Cambridge University Press and Cambridge AssessmentM&A
Background
The University of Cambridge concluded that publishing, learning and assessment operations could better serve learners, teachers and researchers through a more integrated organization and shared digital strategy.
Action taken
Cambridge University Press and Cambridge Assessment formally became Cambridge University Press & Assessment on 1 August 2021, with a unified executive structure under Peter Phillips.
Aftermath
The organization retained specialist brands and business divisions while coordinating strategy, technology, education services and international delivery through the University’s governance framework.
Source

Recent events

2021-09-09
Cambridge University Press & Assessment announces CogBooks acquisition[18]剑桥大学出版社与评估部门宣布收购CogBooksprweb.com
Reported: 2021-09-09
Cambridge University Press & Assessment announced its acquisition of CogBooks. The source also describes the acquisition as completed, so the announcement date is used because the article's wording conflicts on whether completion had occurred.

Sources18 sources

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