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.
Selection Process
Applications are considered in gathered fields which roughly correspond to the University’s central funding competitions and the course's final application deadline.
Interviews will last approximately 20-30 minutes and may be conducted in person, or by video conference. Applicants are interviewed by at least two academic members of the pathway, including a member of the course management committee.
Applicants who apply by the December funding competition deadline will be reviewed in January and can usually expect to receive a decision in February. We aim to have all decisions made by early June.
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. - Biological Sciences - MPhil Statement of Purpose
- 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:
See Gates Cambridge for more information.
How to Find a Supervisor
Students will be informed about available research projects after the start of term and the contributing research project supervisors will give short presentations about their research topics in the first few weeks. Students will then need to discuss project possibilities in detail with prospective project supervisors before coming to any decision. Three ranked choices should be emailed to the Course Director by the mid-October date detailed in the Course Handbook.
Note: Each lab may only choose one MPhil student from this course.
The research project will start in late October, as detailed in the Course Handbook. Research will last for ~32 weeks, ending in late June, followed by a 6-week writing-up period.