University of Cambridge brand guidelines
University of Cambridge presents public brand documentation covering identity rules, signature color standards, photography guidance, and template access.
Homepage card grid linking to logo usage, guidelines, photography, and template resources.
Logo rules page presenting the combined coat of arms and wordmark alongside usage rules.
Colour page detailing the signature Cambridge Blue palette and print proofing advice.
Access policy page detailing who can use the University logo across staff and student groups.
Templates page outlining stationery, presentation formats, and SharePoint download links.
Guidelines landing page introducing core standards for all university design work.
Photography guidelines outlining core subject themes, composition rules, and AI bans.
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I appreciate how the University of Cambridge approaches brand governance with both strict tradition and modern realism. Their documentation makes it clear that their historic coat of arms cannot change without Royal Authority and must never stand without the wordmark. Alongside that institutional weight, I noticed very pragmatic guidance on modern workflows, including specific rules against using AI-generated photography and guidance on AI document tools. Offloading asset downloads to SharePoint keeps the public documentation focused on usage rules, clear templates, and approval pathways for staff, students, and third parties.
At a glance
- Sections
- Brand resources · The University logo · Guidelines · Content principles · Brand protection · Merchandise · Resources A-Z
- Downloads
- SharePoint links
- Tone
- Authoritative and structured institutional guidance balancing historic heritage with practical everyday rules.
What I noticed
- The logo consists of the coat of arms and wordmark, which must always appear together and cannot be changed without Royal Authority.123
- The color system features 24 colors anchored by Cambridge Blue as the signature color.45
- Photography rules explicitly prohibit the use of effects and filters, staged clichés, and artificial intelligence imagery.6
- Document and stationery templates are distributed externally through SharePoint links rather than hosted directly on the web pages.789
Numbers refer to the screenshots above.
What I could not see
- Template asset files could not be inspected directly because they are hosted on authenticated SharePoint links.
- Specific typography files and font licensing details could not be viewed from the captured screens.
Ideas to borrow
Quick answers
Can the University of Cambridge coat of arms be used alone?
No. The logo consists of the coat of arms and the University name together, and the coat of arms must never be used on its own.12
Can AI imagery be used for University photography?
No. The photography guidelines explicitly list artificial intelligence imagery under what to avoid.6
Reviewed on 25 September 2026. Request a correction · I built this
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