The chancellor of the University of Cambridge is the ceremonial head of the university. The position dates from the 13th century. Chancellors were elected annually until 1514, and thereafter were elected for life.
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!width="15%"|Tenure !! Chancellor !! Notes
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| c.1215–c.1232|| Richard of Wetheringsett ||
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| c.1246 || Hugh de Hotton ||
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| 1256 || Reginald Gerninghall ||
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| 1257 || Stephen Hepworth ||
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| 1259 || William de Ludham ||
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| 1260 || Richard de Gedney ||
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| 1261 || Richard Dryfield ||
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| 1267 || John de Asgarby ||
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| 1270–1275 || John Hooke ||
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| 1276 || Roger de Fulbourn ||
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| 1283 || Andrew de Gisleham ||
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| 1286 || Thomas Sheringham ||
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| 1287 || Stephen Hepworth ||
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| 1289–1290 || Ralph de Leicester ||
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| 1290–1292 || Geoffery de Pakenham ||
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| 1293–1295 || Henry de Boyton ||
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| 1295–1296 || John de Bradenham ||
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| 1296–1299 || Thomas de Sheringham ||
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| 1299 || Stephen Hepworth ||
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| 1300–1303 || Stephen Haslingfield ||
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| 1303–1307 || Stephen de Segrace ||
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| 1307 || Stephen Haslingfield ||
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| 1315 || Richard de Ashton ||
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| 1321–1326 || || Roger Northburgh has been incorrectly described as Chancellor since 1691.
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| 1326–1329 || Richard de Badew ||
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| 1329–1331 || Thomas de Foxton ||
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| c. 1330 || Robert de Winwick ||
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| 1331–1334 || John de Langley ||
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| 1334–1335 || Robert de Mildenhall ||
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| 1335–1337 || Henry de Herwarden ||
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| 1337–1339 || Richard Harling (or Ling) ||
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| 1340 || Robert de Claydon ||
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| 1341 || Thomas de Northwood ||
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| 1344 || Thomas de Northwood ||
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| 1346–1348 || John de Crakhall || Re-elected in 1348 on 9 June
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| 1348 || Thomas de Grantchester ||
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| 1348 || William de Lymbergh || Elected 15 December || Elected 21 Jan.