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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.

Unless applying for a Departmental studentship, you must identify a supervisor who will support your application prior to applying but this does not mean you are guaranteed an offer. Once applied, you may be asked to attend an interview and if successful, a recommendation of an offer will be made.

Please see the Research Group Leaders page on the Department of Pathology website for a list of research supervisors.

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

Selection is a rolling process. Applicants should expect to hear whether or not they have been successful within eight weeks of submitting their completed application and required supporting documents, or within eight weeks of the funding deadline, whichever is later. Interviews are carried out by a panel either in person or video conference if required.

What Happens Next? | Postgraduate Admissions (cam.ac.uk)

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.
  • 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

Unless applying for a Departmental studentship, you must identify and make contact with a supervisor who will support your application prior to applying. This is to ensure that the student has suitable experience and aptitude to fit with their chosen lab, something that the individual supervisor is best placed to assess. Please note if support is given to an application you may be asked to attend an interview before any offer is made.

Please see the Research Group Leaders page on the Department of Pathology website for a list of research supervisors.

Apply Now

Key Information


3-4 years full-time

4-7 years part-time

Study Mode : Research

Doctor of Philosophy

Department of Pathology

Course - related enquiries

Application - related enquiries

Course on Department Website

Dates and deadlines:

Applications open
Sept. 4, 2024
Application deadline
Oct. 2, 2025
Course Starts
Jan. 5, 2026

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

Applications open
Sept. 4, 2024
Application deadline
Jan. 14, 2026
Course Starts
April 17, 2026

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

Michaelmas 2026

Applications open
Sept. 3, 2025
Application deadline
April 15, 2026
Course Starts
Oct. 1, 2026

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

Applications open
Sept. 3, 2025
Application deadline
Oct. 1, 2026
Course Starts
Jan. 5, 2027

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

Applications open
Sept. 3, 2025
Application deadline
Jan. 14, 2027
Course Starts
April 17, 2027

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

Course Funding Deadline
Dec. 2, 2025
Gates Cambridge US round only
Oct. 15, 2025

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


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