Apply using the Applicant Portal
The Apply Now button on the right will take you to the Applicant Portal. There, you can create and submit your application and supporting documents, and you can also request your references.
An application is only complete when:
- you have submitted your application and supporting documents via the Applicant Portal
- you have paid the application fee if applicable. For further information on application fees, and which courses require an application fee, see here.
- your referees have provided their references.
The first deadline for admissions is 8th December 2026. Applicants who apply by this date will be considered for funding opportunities. If places remain available after this deadline, we will continue to accept applications on a rolling basis until the final course deadline on the date noted.
If you meet the course requirements, we recommend consulting the list of our established University Teaching Officers (UTOs) and their research interests. If one of our UTOs has research interests relevant to your application, please email them directly with a short research proposal, an example of writing, and a CV to determine whether they are potentially available to work as your Supervisor before you make a formal application.
We recommend only making a formal application via the University's Postgraduate Admissions Office once an established UTO has confirmed they would be interested in considering one. Do not assume that an offer will be made because a prospective Supervisor has suggested making a formal application - this just represents the first stage of admission administration.
This course allows you to use one professional referee, as well as one academic referee, even if you have only recently left higher education. If you have been out of higher education for more than 6 years, you may use two professional referees, in line with our general rules (see References to support your Cambridge application | Postgraduate Study).
Selection Process
Should places with the proposed Supervisor remain available, applications received after the funding deadline are considered within 12 weeks on a rolling basis until the final deadline on 13 May 2027. Shortlisted applicants are interviewed by the proposed Supervisor as well as one other University Teaching Officer. These interviews are held remotely.
Things You'll Need
You should start preparing the things that you'll need when you apply. These will be mandatory, unless specifically flagged as optional.
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Two referees willing to give you a reference
Either academic or professional – please see our References guidance for more information about which type you need. Your referees will need to have submitted their reference by the course deadline. - Transcript
- CV/resume
- Evidence of competence in English
If required - please see our Competence in English guidance for more information. - Core - Research Proposal (document upload) (mandatory)
A Research Proposal between 1,000 - 1,500 words inclusive of references and footnotes. This should consist of a carefully researched topic of relevance to an area of academic discourse, research questions, a literature review, a statement on design approach, and key references. - Core - Sample of Work (1) (document upload) (mandatory)
A Sample of Work (max 5,000 words) which can be an example of a chapter, publication, or essay. - Core - Multiple Proposed Supervisors (200 characters) (mandatory)
You should get in touch with a Supervisor to discuss your research proposal and whether they are willing to Supervise, you before applying. For more information on finding a Supervisor, see below.
Gates Cambridge Scholarships
If you wish to be considered for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship you will also need to provide the following:
See Gates Cambridge for more information.
How to Find a Supervisor
Students applying for a PhD should begin by identifying a Supervisor. A list of members of staff and their research interests can be found on the department website. Having identified a potential Supervisor, it is strongly recommended that you contact them with a research proposal and discuss by email to determine whether they are willing and able to supervise you. The potential Supervisor will often advise on how a research proposal might be developed or improved. It should be noted that we can only accept candidates who have identified a potential Supervisor in the Department who is willing to work with them.