Compress a PDF for University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge takes PDFs up to 15 MB for the strictest document. PDF Desk shrinks yours to just under it, right in this tab.
Max 15 MBPDF
Files stay on this device. Nothing is uploaded.
University of Cambridge upload limits
| Document | Max size | Min size | Formats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written work submission (per PDF) Single PDF per piece, cover sheet as first page. | 100 MB | — | |
| Architecture portfolio (PDF) | 15 MB | — |
Where this number comes from
“Files need to be up to 100MB or 15MB if you’re submitting an Architecture portfolio.”
— Written work and portfolios | Undergraduate Study, University of Cambridge. Checked October 2026.
PDF Desk aims at 14.5 MB, a little under the limit, because some portals count 1 KB as 1,000 bytes.
If the file will not get small enough
Scan in black and white at 150 DPI instead of colour. Remove blank and duplicate pages with Delete pages. If the portal allows several files, cut the PDF with Split PDF and upload the parts.
Other portals in United Kingdom
Limits of other portals
Questions
What is the maximum PDF size for University of Cambridge?
Written work submission (per PDF): 100 MB; Architecture portfolio (PDF): 15 MB. Source: undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk, checked October 2026.
University of Cambridge still rejects my PDF. Why?
Check that it is not password-protected, that the file name has no special characters, and that it is a few percent under the limit — some portals count 1 KB as 1,000 bytes.
Are my PDFs uploaded?
No. PDF Desk opens and writes the file with JavaScript inside your browser tab. Nothing is sent to a server, so it is safe for contracts, IDs and bank statements.