The vice-chancellor of the University of Cambridge (formally known as The Right Worshipful the Vice-Chancellor) is the main administrative and academic officer of the university, and is elected by the Regent House for a term of up to seven years. Since July 2023, the vice-chancellor has been Deborah Prentice.
Prior to 1992, the position was part-time, the post-holder having other college and faculty duties. In fact, between 1587 and 1992 all holders were concurrently Masters of one of the university's colleges. Until the late nineteenth century, the term was generally one year, though this was extended to two years until the post became full-time in 1992.
Since 2003, the vice-chancellor has been assisted by five pro-vice-chancellors. For the year 2007âÂÂ08, Alison Richard was paid "ã227,000 in salary and perks." In 2017âÂÂ18, Vice-Chancellor Stephen Toope earned a basic salary of ã431,000, a significant increase from his predecessor's salary of ã343,000. Times Higher Education reported in January 2025 that the current vice-chancellor (Deborah Prentice) had a basic salary for ã409,000 with an additional ã51,741 of accommodation and personal allowances.