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.
If the minimum academic requirements are met, you are advised, before making a formal application, to identify a potential supervisor whose research interests align with your own, and to gain agreement from them that they are willing, in principle, to supervise. Please see the “How to find a supervisor” section below for more details.
The Department places particular emphasis upon competence in any relevant foreign languages required for work in the chosen area of specialisation. We can offer language tuition in Latin and modern foreign languages, but students who already possess the necessary language skills will be better prepared to undertake the course.
Admission is dependent on the availability and capacity of a suitable supervisor for the projected duration of the course.
This course allows applicants 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 choose to use two professional referees, in line with our general rules (see References to support your Cambridge application | Postgraduate Study).
Selection Process
Applications are normally considered by the Department within 12 weeks and will involve being invited to an interview with the prospective supervisor and another member of the academic staff (usually online). Many applicants will receive a decision earlier than this. Decisions on applications submitted by the funding deadline (early January) are usually made in February/March. Should places with the proposed supervisor remain available, applications received after the funding deadline are considered on a rolling basis until the final deadline on 13 May 2027.
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 of 1000-1500 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)
The Sample of Work is limited to 5,000 words and can be an example of a chapter, publication or essay. - Core - Multiple Proposed Supervisors (200 characters) (mandatory)
The name of an academic who has given agreement in principle to supervise you. 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
You should email the potential supervisor with a short research proposal (approx. 300 words), a writing sample and their CV to obtain agreement that they would be willing and able to supervise you.
Potential supervisors and their research interests can be found on the Department's website.
The potential supervisor may advise on how the research proposal might be developed or improved. Whilst obtaining agreement from a potential supervisor is a requirement for admission, it does not guarantee acceptance on to the course, nor that you will be allocated to that supervisor if accepted for the course.