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Postgraduate Study

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:

  1. you have submitted your application and supporting documents via the Applicant Portal
  2. you have paid the application fee if applicable. For further information on application fees, and which courses require an application fee, see here.
  3. your referees have provided their references.

If you miss the deadlines specified in this section, you will not be able to submit your application.

Selection Process

Applications received before the funding deadline will be considered as part of a gathered field.  The deadline for University and Faculty funding is usually in early December.  We encourage applicants to get in touch with their potential supervisors early in the process.  It is in the applicant's best interests to submit their application early in the academic year to meet the funding deadline and ensure that their application is considered in good time, as places can be filled before the final deadline.

Applications will be reviewed, and potential applicants will be invited to interview, generally by video call.

The department will consider applications submitted after the funding deadline within 12 weeks on a rolling basis.

Further information on How To Apply


Things You'll Need

In order to apply for this course you'll need to think about getting a few things ready before you apply.

  • Two academic references  
  • Transcript  
  • CV/resume
  • Evidence of competence in English  
    If required - you can check using our tool
  • Research Proposal (document upload) (mandatory)
    Maximum length 600 words.
  • Extended research proposal (document upload) (mandatory)
    Maximum length 1,500 words.
  • Sample of Work (1) (document upload) (mandatory)
  • Asian and Middle Eastern Studies - Language Attainments
    This can be a simple list of the languages you have attained and to what level (e.g., beginner, intermediate, etc). If you have any language certificates, you can upload them along with your application.
  • Statement of Interest (1500 characters) (mandatory)
    Please use this section to explain why you are interested in studying at the University of Cambridge for this particular course.
  • Multiple Proposed Supervisors (200 characters) (mandatory)
  • Project Title (250 characters) (mandatory)

Gates Cambridge Scholarships

If you wish to be considered for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship you will also need to provide the following:

  • Gates Cambridge Reference  
  • Research Proposal (PhD applicants only)

See Gates Cambridge for more information.


How to Find a Supervisor

Before applying, please carefully review the information available on our Faculty website. Applicants should familiarise themselves with the work conducted by the department and the research interests and projects of potential supervisors. A complete list of supervisors can be found on the Faculty website.

Prospective applicants are expected to contact potential supervisors by email before making a formal application. This initial contact aims to discuss research proposals, enquire about the supervisor's capacity and willingness to supervise and determine if there is a good fit between your interests and theirs. When contacting a supervisor, it is recommended that you consider their research profile when writing to them. Supervisors will not offer commentary or suggestions on how to write or re-write your research proposal.

Please note that unfocused applications with no identifiable potential supervisor are at a serious disadvantage.

Apply Now

Key Information


12 months full-time

2 years part-time

Study Mode : Research

Master of Philosophy

Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies

Course - related enquiries

Application - related enquiries

Course on Department Website

Dates and deadlines:

Michaelmas 2025

Applications open
Sept. 4, 2024
Application deadline
May 16, 2025
Course Starts
Oct. 1, 2025

Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.

Course Funding Deadline
Dec. 3, 2024
Gates Cambridge US round only
Oct. 16, 2024

These deadlines apply to applications for courses starting in Michaelmas 2025, Lent 2026 and Easter 2026.


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