PhD in Biological Science (Babraham Institute)

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.

For further information visit the Postgraduate Programme pages on the Babraham Institute website for details on how to apply.

Selection Process

Available PhD projects at the Babraham Institute are usually advertised September-November each year. All applications must be submitted through the University postgraduate application portal. Full details on how to apply can be found here. Shortlisted candidates are invited to attend our Babraham Institute Open Day. Candidates visit laboratories for interviews and discussions, as well as have an independent postgraduate programme interview and a tour of Institute facilities. Successful candidates are usually informed within two weeks of the Open Day.

For more information on what happens after you apply, please see here.

Further information on How To Apply

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.

• 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.
• Statement of Interest (2500 characters) (mandatory)
  Provide information about your motivation to do a PhD, your research interests and prior research experience, and explain why you wish to pursue a PhD at the Babraham Institute. Here are some questions to guide you: What motivates you to do a PhD? What experience (research and non-research) do you bring that makes you a suitable PhD candidate? Why do you wish to do your postgraduate training at the Babraham Institute?
• Relevant Experience (1000 characters) (mandatory)
  List the specific projects you are applying to, and explain why you are interested in the specific project(s), highlighting any relevant experience.
• Proposed Supervisor (mandatory)
  Proposed Supervisor (mandatory) You should provide the names of supervisor(s) (preferred and back-up) in the format: 'Prof X (1st)/ Dr Y (2nd)'
• School of Biological Sciences - Widening Participation Questionnaire
  Applicants to this course are being asked to complete an additional form to provide contextual information about their previous study. Find out more about our use of contextual information here: https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/apply/how/contextual-data

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

Group Leaders at the Babraham Institute can be contacted informally at any time about potential PhD opportunities and specifically contacted about any advertised projects. Detailed information about the research interests of Babraham Group Leaders can be found on our website.

Prospective students should include details of the (two) BI project(s) and supervisor(s) they wish to be considered for in the 'Proposed Supervisor' field of the application form.