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 MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology occasionally takes on MPhil students providing they have the support of a group leader in the laboratory.
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
We process applications as a gathered field once per year. Selection and interviews usually take place during January-February, and we reply to applicants within 2 months at the latest, usually 3 weeks.
Applicants who apply by the December funding competition deadline will be reviewed in December-January and can usually expect to receive a decision in February-March.
Applications outside the gathered field are processed on a case-by-case basis within 8-12 weeks of receiving the complete application.
Applicants should be aware of the earlier application deadlines of some funders, such as US Gates, and ensure that they meet the funders' deadlines.
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. - Core - Multiple Proposed Supervisors (200 characters) (mandatory)
- Core - Covering Letter (document upload) (mandatory)
- 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
To obtain support from a group leader, students should contact them directly. For information on our faculty members’ research interests, please visit the LMB website's Research and Group Leaders pages.
Applicants should be aware that not all groups are able to accommodate projects within the scope of an MPhil and that places are very limited by the small size of the groups at the LMB.