We want to make the application process as simple as it can be for you, so please follow the steps below before you start your application.
1. Find the course that’s right for you
We offer a wide range of postgraduate courses, so you can search for your prospective course, its requirements, deadlines and fees in the Course Directory.
2. Speak to the department
If you plan to study for a research degree you should make sure that the appropriate faculty or department has the necessary expertise and resources. Some faculties ask that you identify a suitable supervisor before you submit your application, so please consult the faculty or department website.
Please note that if a potential supervisor says they are willing to supervise your topic this does not mean you have been offered a place. Your proposal needs consideration by a range of academics and the offer of a place can only be made by the Postgraduate Admissions Office.
3. Know your application deadlines
Make sure you are clear on the separate Application and funding deadlines. Course and funding applications are made via the same application form, so you must apply by whichever deadline comes first if you want to be considered for funding.
4. Prepare your documents
Check that you have the relevant required supporting documents (eg transcripts, CV etc.) in PDF format, ready to upload.
There is some advice about false or misleading information on our Postgraduate admissions fraud page, which is particularly relevant to academic documents and references.
5. Contact your referees
For your academic referees, you should ensure you have their consent before you apply and have the correct email address for each (preferably an institutional email address). Applicants can request references before the submission of their application and should do so as early as possible. However, referees must submit their references before you submit your application as an application is not complete without the references.
6. Choose a College
You should review the College information, and decide if you have a preference. You can indicate two College preferences in your application, or choose to make an open application if you don’t mind which College you’ll be a part of. While over 60% of applicants get one of their College preferences, this cannot be guaranteed.
Cambridge has some rules about where full-time students are required to live. For the duration of your course, you'll typically need to live:
- within 10 miles of the city centre if you're a research student or taking most other postgraduate courses
- within 3 miles of the city centre if you're taking the LLM, MCL or MASt degrees
Check the page on residing outside the University’s precincts for details.
7. Research funding opportunities
Securing funding ahead of starting your studies is an important part of the application process. Make sure you research these early on to ensure you can apply in time if you are not planning to self-fund. Information about funding opportunities are available on our funding pages.
Once you have followed the above steps and you meet the entry requirements for your chosen course, you can now begin working on your online application via the Applicant Portal. Remember, our FAQ section provides guidance on how to apply.