Necessary qualities of arts graduate leading Cambridge college (7)
I believe the answer is:
makings
'necessary qualities' is the definition.
'makings' can be an answer for 'qualities' (I have seen 'Essential qualities' mean 'makings' so perhaps 'qualities' could also mean 'makings'). I am not certain of the 'necessary' bit.
'arts graduate leading cambridge college' is the wordplay.
'arts graduate' becomes 'ma' (Master of Arts).
'leading' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'cambridge college' becomes 'kings' (I've seen this before).
'ma'+'kings'='MAKINGS'
'of' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Another definition for makings that I've seen is " Essential qualities".)